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Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow Earns Best of Home Care Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and Employer of Choice Awards

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Earning all three of these Best of Home Care awards for 2023 shows the commitment of Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow to providing high quality home care and ensuring the satisfaction of their caregivers.


DALLAS (PRWEB)

Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow is a home care agency that provides non-medical home care for seniors and adults with disabilities in Coppell, TX, Dallas, TX, Highland Park, TX, Richardson, TX, University Park, TX, and the surrounding areas. Their dedication to providing quality home care and a great working environment for their caregivers has earned them the 2023 Best of Home Care Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and Employer of Choice Awards.

Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow provides a range of home care services, including around-the-clock care, elderly care, dementia care, respite care, and home care for veterans. Each of their licensed caregivers provides comprehensive personal care including help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, bathing, and dressing, as well as meal preparation, non-emergency transportation, light housekeeping, and companionship. Providing this level of care allows those who receive care from Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow to live safely and comfortably in their homes.

Best of Home Care is an independent satisfaction research firm that collects information from telephone interviews and gives home care agencies client and caregiver satisfaction ratings. The Leader in Experience award is given to the top 15 percent of agencies who participate in the HCP Experience Management Program and provide quality care across every satisfaction category measured. The Provider of Choice award is given to agencies that have demonstrated their trustworthiness and ability to provide top quality care and the Employer of Choice award is given to agencies with best-in-class caregiver satisfaction.

Earning all three of these Best of Home Care awards for 2023 shows the commitment of Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow to providing high quality home care and ensuring the satisfaction of their caregivers.

About Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow

Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow is a home care agency that provides care for seniors and adults in Coppell, TX, Dallas, TX, Highland Park, TX, Richardson, TX, University Park, TX, and the surrounding areas. Since 2015, they have been serving the North Texas area with quality home care to help seniors and adults with disabilities live safely at home, including elderly/ senior home care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, post-operative care, veteran’s home care, and respite care. Every member of the staff is passionate about providing the best home care possible to improve the quality of life for their care recipients.

To learn more about Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow, visit their website at https://assistinghandsnorthtx.com/

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Smart HWP to Lead Resilient Youth Mental Health Initiative for Will County Students 2023-24

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Tom Klisiewicz of Smart HWP (far right) accepts the United Way grant to fund the Resilient Youth Program with from L to r Bill Hearth, IL Congressman Bill Foster, Sarah Oprzedek, and Leslie Rienzie,

“By learning resiliency skills, students increase self-awareness, manage their stress, and consequently, raise their overall performance in school and life.” –Tom Klisiewicz, Smart HWP


NAPERVILLE, Ill. (PRWEB)

Smart Health, Wellness and Performance (Smart HWP), an organization that impacts lives with resilience, enhanced personal performance, and mindfulness training in youth, has been engaged to launch the “Resilient Youth” program in the school districts of Will County, Illinois for the 2023-24 school year. The Resilient Youth program will potentially reach over 26,000 students in grades K-12 representing communities across Will County, Illinois with daily coping and stress management skills to develop emotional resilience in times of adversity. The program is made possible through the United Way of Will County, which received $884,000 in funding in February for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration initiative from the Congressional Directive Spending Project Services Administration of Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL).

“Today’s youth face more stress and emotional challenges than ever before and deserve to have the skills and knowledge they need to thrive,” said Tom Klisiewicz, founder and president of Smart HWP. “By learning resiliency skills, students increase self-awareness, manage their stress, and consequently, raise their overall performance in school and life.”

Klisiewicz discovered the program five years ago and is currently the only certified Resilient Youth trainer in the state of Illinois. The Resilient Youth program is an evidence-based curriculum developed 25 years ago by researchers from Harvard Medical School and clinicians from the Child Resiliency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Benson-Henry Institute. Historically, students in the Resilient Youth program have achieved better control over their impulses, management of their negative emotions, and development of their empathy and compassion for others.

“I appreciate the way the program is set-up to Teach-the-Teacher, so teachers can impart what they learn to thousands of children throughout their career,” he said.

Klisiewicz will train teachers interested in implementing the curriculum through a two day teach-the-teacher training. This training is a very interactive session that is focused on teachers coming together to learn the components of the program and then determine the best place to incorporate it within their curriculum and school day in order to meet the needs of their unique school and community.

This curriculum includes cognitive strategies and mind body techniques that students can use immediately to regulate their emotions, such as breathing, mindfulness, and self-reflection. There are six core prevention-based resiliency lessons which are 30-45 minutes each at the center of the curriculum.  In addition, teachers are provided with an additional six supplemental lessons which schools can choose to implement to reinforce the core lessons and provide students with additional coping strategies. A third component of the program are short reinforcement activities that can be incorporated into the school day as needed to reinforce concepts and help students build consistent habits.

This program will be supported by Dr. Pete Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of St. Francis and former Assistant Regional Superintendent for the Will County Regional Office of Education. Dr. Sullivan, who will have primary responsibility for managing the grant, shared some of the benefits of this program when he stated in a recent presentation, “It is vitally important for us as educators to ensure we are attending to the needs of children on every level – their academic development and their development as individuals. Recent research has made it clear why this is so important. Not only by attending to students’ needs are we able to help them to grow as individuals and give them skills which will allow them to be successful and happy adults, we also now know conclusively that promoting prosocial skills within students leads to greater academic gains.”

This work will also be supported by Dr. Hannah Klein and her colleagues from Lewis University who will be evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

SMART HWP has had previous success implementing the program in the nearby Lockport Township High School District 205 in 2020 through support from KidsMatter, a Naperville-Illinois non-profit organization, and Superintendent of Lockport Township High School, Dr. Robert McBride, Jr. The Resilient Youth Program was added to the district’s high school physical education and health classes during the pandemic. The program, which is continuing to be taught post-pandemic, has helped with student stress relief by making them aware of their mind body connection through self-awareness, yoga, meditation, and other exercises.

Apart from school settings, Klisiewicz employs the techniques from the program to help students individually conquer their test anxiety and improve their athletic performance. For all students, Resilient Youth can significantly improve health and quality of life by equipping them with skills to deal with stress – in a social setting, in a classroom or on an athletic field or performance hall.

“The skills in this program benefit anyone pursuing any goal,” he said. “It also builds upon an individual’s existing mindset, creating valuable results for the emotionally challenged as well as the emotionally healthy person.”

Learn more about the Resilient Youth program can contact Smart HWP at http://www.smarthwp.com

About SMART HWP

SMART HWP was founded in 2014 by educator, author, and speaker Tom Klisiewicz to equip kids, teens, and adults with techniques, daily habits, mindsets, knowledge, skills, encouragement, and accountability to breathe easier and achieve happiness, fulfillment, and success in all aspects of their lives. The organization has since impacted more than 22,000 people with valuable life-enhancing skills. SMART HWP is a certified trainer for the Resilient Youth program which was developed 25 years ago by researchers from Harvard Medical School and clinicians from the Child Resiliency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Benson-Henry Institute. SMART HWP also offers programs that include Mind of a Champion for student athletes, Stress Less for the Test, and Weekly Brain Training. For more information, visit smarthwp.com or contact Tom Klisiewicz at 630.205.1719.

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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and Panda Express® Celebrate More Than $150M Raised for Children’s Hospitals

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Panda Express associates gather together at Hurley Children’s Hospital for the PCCOH opening in Flint, MI.

“Corporate partners are the engine that has driven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ success in raising more than $8.5 billion throughout our 40 years of dedication,” said Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.


SALT LAKE CITY (PRWEB)

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Panda Express are celebrating the anniversary of a partnership that has raised more than $150 million for member children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada since 2007.  

Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, will commemorate the day by celebrating Panda Cares Day® on August 8, 2023. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will receive 25% of net sales from online orders on that day via the Panda Express website and the Panda Express app with the code “PCD2023” at checkout*.  

“Corporate partners are the engine that has driven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ success in raising more than $8.5 billion throughout our 40 years of dedication,” said Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Our 16-year partnership with Panda Express has allowed our member hospitals to provide holistic care for children, that addresses their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs, and advances our mission of changing kids’ lives to change the future.” 

“We’re thrilled to celebrate Panda Cares Day with our longtime partners Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and humbled to have the community come together to further our mission of inspiring better lives on this special day,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and we hope that through this partnership and the Panda Cares Centers of Hope, we give children the strength to thrive and fulfill their highest possibilities.”

Panda Express guests are invited to donate all year round by rounding at the register, during checkout on online orders, or through in-store donation boxes. Additionally, honoring the company’s dedication to giving time and resources to their communities, Panda Express associates support Children Miracle Network Hospitals across the country and enthusiastically raised more than $507,600 in the latest campaign in March.  

Panda Cares donations through the years have led to the establishment of Panda Cares Centers of Hope (PCCOH) at many member Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the nation. These centers are special spaces, providing a safe and comforting environment where kids can have a variety of resources that empowers them with the joys of being a kid. Programs and services offered through the centers inspire hope and promote healing by addressing a child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. They help give patients and their families courage and strength, while serving as a haven for them to escape the stress of medical care and treatment.  

Panda Cares Centers of Hope programs are designed to address the following needs of children: 

Mental health and development: Quiet, comforting spaces that are dedicated to reading, learning and growing can give kids and families the ability to continue their curriculum or spend time together. These spaces can be found at some member hospitals, including a library at Children’s National in Washington, D.C. 

Emotional well-being: Wellness programs including art, pet and music therapy can reduce stress and build resilience and emotional strength for patients and families.  These PCCOH programs can be found at some member hospitals including a dedicated child life space for patients and siblings, like the one at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX.  

Physical development: Physical, occupational and recreational therapies can improve motor skills and advance recovery for patients and families. These PCCOH programs can be found at some member hospitals, including Children’s Health in Dallas, TX. 

Spiritual support: Pastoral care, meditation, and counseling services can provide additional support to patients and families. These PCCOH programs can be found at some member hospitals, including a spiritual care center at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Orange, CA. 

“All of these programs address needs that are essential to a child’s full well-being and are largely supported by philanthropic funding,” said Nestel. “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and our corporate partners like Panda Express are here to ensure that kids get all of the care they require to achieve their full potential.” 

For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, go to cmnhospitals.org. To learn more about the Panda Cares Center of Hope visit pandacares.org. 

*50% of pre-tax event sales will be donated equally to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charitable partners. Applicable for purchase on Pandaexpress.com or Panda Express Mobile App only on 8/8/23. Visit pandaex.press/PCD2023 for more details.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: 

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals supporting the health of 12 million kids annually across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.  

About Panda Express®: 

On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express®, the largest Asian dining concept in the US. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller The Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,500 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to 12 international countries.

Powered by a global family of associates, Panda Cares®, Panda’s philanthropic arm, has raised more than $329 million and has dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 15 million youth, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2021, Panda Express established the Panda CommUnity Fund — a five-year, $10 million community investment and response program that supports immediate and sustainable solutions from national and local organizations to uplift diverse groups, including people of color and other marginalized communities. For more information about Panda, visit PandaExpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Health

Elevated MRI Enhancement Ups Cancer Risk in Women with Very Dense Breasts

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This is the first study that we know of that demonstrates an association between background parenchymal enhancement and occurrence of breast cancer in women with extremely dense breasts.


OAK BROOK, Ill. (PRWEB)

A machine learning model found that background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on breast MRI is an indicator of breast cancer risk in women with extremely dense breasts, according to a study published in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Women with extremely dense breasts are at a three- to six-times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who have fatty breasts. Since mammography is less sensitive in detecting early-stage breast cancer in women with dense breasts, women between the ages of 50 and 75 years with dense breasts may benefit from additional MRI screening.

Another breast cancer risk factor is BPE, which is the level of normal fibroglandular tissue that enhances on breast MRI. However, not much is known about how BPE compares to other more established clinical risk factors of breast cancer, such as age, body mass index (BMI) family history, and breast density.

“Thus far, studies on breast cancer risk factors have typically focused on women at high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer,” said study co-author Kenneth G. A. Gilhuijs, Ph.D., from the Department of Radiology at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands. “This is the first study that we know of that demonstrates an association between background parenchymal enhancement and occurrence of breast cancer in women with extremely dense breasts.”

To determine how much BPE is an indicator of breast cancer risk, the researchers used dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI exams from 4,553 participants in the Dense Tissue and Early Breast Neoplasm Screening (DENSE) Trial, a large multi-institutional study based in the Netherlands, to develop a deep learning model to automatically identify the fibroglandular tissue. The MRI exams were performed every two years in eight hospitals in the Netherlands between December 2011 and January 2016.

After adjusting for age, BMI and BPE, the researchers found that breast cancer occurrence was greater in women with higher volumes of enhancing parenchyma compared to women with low volumes of enhancing parenchyma.

Of the 4,553 women included in the study, 122 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Roughly 63% of them were diagnosed after the first round of screening. An average cancer detection time of 24 months was associated with the remaining women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Parenchyma does not enhance uniformly on MRI,” Dr. Gilhuijs said. “This method calculates all the different subvolumes at which the parenchyma enhances and sorts them from high to low.”

The researchers point out that while the implementation of supplemental MRI screening in women with dense breasts will result in fewer interval cancers—which are breast cancers that are diagnosed in between routine mammography screenings—it will also further strain radiologist workloads. Developing more personalized strategies to deal with the added number of screenings may help alleviate the strain on the healthcare field.

“Our study is a first step in a direction to further tailor the frequency of supplemental MRI screening to individual women with dense breasts, focusing not only on breast density as a main risk factor but also on other properties of the breast established from a first screening MRI,” Dr. Gilhuijs said.

###

“Assessing Quantitative Parenchymal Features at Baseline Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI and Cancer Occurrence in Women with Extremely Dense Breasts.” Collaborating with Dr. Gilhuijs were Hui Wang, M.D., Bas H. M. van der Velden, Ph.D., Erik Verburg, Ph.D., Marije F. Bakker, Ph.D., Ruud M. Pijnappel, M.D., Ph.D., Wouter B. Veldhuis, M.D., Ph.D., and Carla H. van Gils, Ph.D.

In 2023, Radiology is celebrating its 100th anniversary with 12 centennial issues, highlighting Radiology’s legacy of publishing exceptional and practical science to improve patient care.

Radiology is edited by Linda Moy, M.D., New York University, New York, N.Y., and owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/radiology)

RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org)

For patient-friendly information on breast imaging, visit RadiologyInfo.org.

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Team Novo Nordisk Partners with Xero Shoes through 2024

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©TeamNovoNordisk

“Xero Shoes are an up-and-coming American brand and with their ethos and the thought that goes into their whole design and manufacturing process, it’s a perfect partnership for Team Novo Nordisk,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk, Phil Southerland.


ATLANTA (PRWEB)

The world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, Team Novo Nordisk, has partnered with Xero Shoes as their official off-bike footwear.

Cyclists wear rigid sport-specific shoes while riding, but off the bike comfortable footwear that allows for a natural range of motion in the feet and toes could benefit riders. For example, according to Dr. Sarah Ridge’s research, walking in minimalist shoes has been shown to build foot strength as much as doing an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program. Xero Shoes’ wider, foot-shaped toe boxes and flexible soles could help with active recovery, whether that’s for riders after a day of training or racing, or for their support staff who are on their feet all day.

“We’re extremely pleased to be working with Xero Shoes,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk, Phil Southerland. “Xero Shoes are an up-and-coming American brand and with their ethos and the thought that goes into their whole design and manufacturing process, it’s a perfect partnership for Team Novo Nordisk.”

“We’re thrilled to help Team Novo Nordisk not only perform better on their bikes by integrating our footwear into their lives but also to spread their inspiring message of resilience and determination,” says Xero Shoes CEO, Steven Sashen.

Adds Southerland, “It’s important for us as a team to work together with partners who share our goal not only to inspire, educate and empower but also to stay true to the natural aspects of performance and we feel that Xero Shoes will be a great fit for us.”

With a shared commitment to promoting health, wellness, and athletic achievement, Xero Shoes and Team Novo Nordisk aim to redefine what is possible.

ABOUT TEAM NOVO NORDISK

Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate, and empower people around the world affected by diabetes and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

For more information, visit http://www.teamnovonordisk.com.

ABOUT XERO SHOES

Xero Shoes was founded in 2009 on the floor of a corner of a spare bedroom by husband and wife co-founders Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, offering a simple “DIY sandal making kit”. Today the company offers a complete line of 39 casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals. Xero Shoes has customers ranging in age from 2-92 in 97 countries who wear their shoes for every occasion and activity. Xero Shoes’ barefoot-inspired designs let your feet function the way nature intended while giving you the protection and style you’re looking for. The company’s mission: Providing the comfort and benefits of natural movement footwear so people can “Live Life Feet First”.

http://www.xeroshoes.com

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Clearwater Helps Regional and Critical Access Hospitals Improve Cybersecurity With Education, Advisory and Managed Services Aligned to 405(d) HICP

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“These hospitals are vital to ensuring patients in rural and underserved communities have access to healthcare—what happens if a ransomware attack cripples their ability to deliver care? Patient lives are at stake.”


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (PRWEB)

Clearwater, the largest pure-play provider of cybersecurity and compliance solutions for healthcare organizations, announced today a new initiative focused on helping regional and critical access hospitals reduce the risk of adverse outcomes from cyberattacks and breaches. Comprised of educational assistance, assessment of cybersecurity practices against defined 405(d) Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP), and expert resources to efficiently build and operate a reasonable and appropriate cybersecurity program, the Clearwater Cyber Now Initiative is designed to help America’s most vulnerable hospitals protect themselves against threat actors.

Hospitals of all sizes have valuable electronic protected health information highly sought after by an increasingly growing number of threat actors. Recently, threat actors have specifically targeted critical access and regional hospitals with ransomware, which has led to some shutting down systems for weeks at a time and contributing to the closure of Saint Margaret’s Health in Spring Valley, IL. Smaller hospitals typically don’t have the resources or expertise to implement and operate cybersecurity best practices. Clearwater seeks to provide these smaller healthcare organizations the advantages that larger hospitals have from scale.

“Since the earliest days of Clearwater, our company has been committed to serving the cybersecurity needs of regional and critical access hospitals across the country,” said Clearwater CEO Steve Cagle. “We’re proud to count dozens of those organizations among our client base today.

“But there are many regional and critical access hospitals that still lack the knowledge and resources to effectively defend themselves from the cyberattacks that continue to plague the healthcare industry,” Cagle continued. “These hospitals are vital to ensuring patients in rural and underserved communities have access to healthcare—what happens if a ransomware attack cripples their ability to deliver care? Patient lives are at stake. Leveraging the small or medium sub-practices in the 405(d) HICP framework and the full resources at Clearwater, these hospitals can avoid breaches and cyberattacks and build a resilient cybersecurity posture to minimize impact and recover quickly if needed.”

EDUCATE

The first prong of the Clearwater Cyber Now Initiative is a free seminar focused on educating hospital C-suite executives and board members on enterprise cyber risk management in healthcare. As the company whose founder Bob Chaput wrote the leading book on the subject, which The Governance Institute adapted in mid-2021 into a toolbook for its members, Clearwater is uniquely positioned to deliver education that helps organizations understand cybersecurity as a true enterprise risk concern that requires ongoing attention and support from the board. Seminars can be delivered virtually or in person based on the hospital’s preference.

ASSESS

The 405(d) HICP framework offers control and best practices to address the leading threats to healthcare organizations while recognizing that organizations of different types and sizes have different needs and resources. Clearwater was the first company to introduce an assessment tool focused on 405(d) HICP, and since the introduction of that tool in early 2022, numerous healthcare organizations have used it to gauge their security practices relative to those outlined in the guide and make necessary improvements. The software, IRM|405(d) HICP™, has recently been updated to map to the changes introduced in the 2023 edition of 405(d) HICP. Clearwater’s 405(d) HICP assessment leverages the power and efficiency of the software, combined with the knowledge and experience of our expert consultants, to deliver an evaluation and documentation of how the organization is following the HICP sub-practices that are relevant for the organization’s size so it can work to bridge any gaps and have easy reporting available in the event of an Office for Civil Rights audit or investigation.

EXECUTE

As part of its Cyber Now Initiative, Clearwater has developed a new version of its popular ClearAdvantage® managed services program, which has been widely adopted by physician practice management and digital health organizations. ClearAdvantage is an outsourced cybersecurity and compliance program built, executed and matured by Clearwater. This version of the ClearAdvantage program is aligned with the small and medium sub-practices of the 405(d) HICP practice guides. The ClearAdvantage managed services program includes experienced leadership from a Clearwater virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), on-demand access to Clearwater’s deep pool of subject matter experts, support from its 24x7x365 Security Operations Center, and a subscription to Clearwater’s award-winning IRM|Pro® software suite, featuring the healthcare industry’s most powerful tools for identifying and managing cyber risk and maintaining compliance with key regulations. Through the program, regional and critical access hospitals can avoid cyber incidents, minimize impact and recover quickly when necessary, and deliver patient care with the confidence that they’re secure, compliant, and resilient.

To learn more about how Clearwater is assisting regional and critical access hospitals, visit https://clearwatersecurity.com/regional-critical-access-hospitals/. To inquire about the Cyber Now Initiative, contact us info@clearwatersecurity.com.

About Clearwater

Clearwater helps organizations across the healthcare ecosystem move to a more secure, compliant, and resilient state so they can achieve their mission. The company provides a deep pool of experts across a broad range of cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance domains, purpose-built software that enables efficient identification and management of cybersecurity and compliance risks, and a tech-enabled, 24x7x365 Security Operations Center with managed threat detection and response capabilities. To learn more, please visit http://www.clearwatersecurity.com.

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University of Medicine and Health Sciences Presents “Pathways to Practicing Medicine in Puerto Rico”

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The recording of “Pathways to Practicing Medicine in Puerto Rico” is now live on the UMHS St. Kitts YouTube Live Events & Webinars page

“When you’re looking at medical schools look at results. I compared the UMHS Match results to other schools and it was clear that UMHS prepares students to Match into competitive specialty programs – including all the hospitals in Puerto Rico & prestigious hospitals in the US like the Mayo Clinic.”


NEW YORK (PRWEB)

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences, (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has published the recording of a recent panel discussion, “Pathways to Practicing Medicine in Puerto Rico.” The event was hosted by Earl Mainer, UMHS senior associate director of admissions for the Southeastern United States and Puerto Rico, and featured a diverse panel of students, alumni, and practicing physicians to share their experiences, including: Andy Adler, a current UMHS student from Puerto Rico; Dr. Carlos Villanueva Soto, a recent graduate who placed into a highly competitive internal medicine residency at the University of Puerto Rico; Dr. Anelyn Martinez Rodriguez, a 2019 UMHS graduate and current psychiatry resident at San Juan VA Medical Center: and Dr. Eric Adler, a UMHS parent and an esteemed doctor in private practice in Puerto Rico. The panelists addressed common questions from prospective students and their families when evaluating an international medical school – including what it was like to move to St. Kitts, advice for matching into top residency programs, and what it’s like to practice medicine in Puerto Rico. A recording of the event has been posted to the UMHS YouTube Live Events & Webinars page.

“It is extremely challenging to get accepted to medical school in Puerto Rico because there are only four medical schools, so you may need to look beyond Puerto Rico to discover a pathway to achieving your dreams,” said Mainer. “UMHS has been gaining momentum in Puerto Rico as students and their families look for the best options for earning an MD. UMHS was founded by pioneers in medical education to help people get the best training and become medical doctors.”

The discussion began with an introduction to the panelists and a description of their journey to medical school. As a nontraditional student, Andy Adler described how UMHS fostered his academic success through its Accelerated Review Program (ARP), a one-semester preparatory program designed to prepare students for the academic rigors of medical school. Andy credited the ARP program with helping to sharpen his study skills and improving his academic performance in his Basic Science classes.

When asked about why he chose UMHS over other medical schools, Dr. Carlos Villanueva Soto said, “What attracted me to UMHS was the Match list. When you’re looking at medical schools you need to look at results. So I compared the UMHS Match results to other international medical schools and chose to apply because it was clear that UMHS prepares students to Match into competitive specialty programs – including all of the hospitals in Puerto Rico and prestigious hospitals in the US like the Mayo Clinic.”

Offering a unique perspective as the father of a UMHS student and a renowned plastic surgeon who offers medical students elective training at his Adler Medical Plaza, Dr. Adler shared his experience of working with UMHS students.

“I’ve worked with students from Mt. Sinai in New York, from UPR and Ponce in Puerto Rico, and it is very clear that UMHS cares about the students learning the material,” said Dr. Adler. “I can tell you that the UMHS students that have worked in my clinic have demonstrated solid foundational knowledge and have presented themselves to the patients in a very mature way, which really impressed me.”

The discussion also addressed questions about moving to St. Kitts for medical school. Dr. Anelyn Martinez Rodriguez talked about the adjustment of going to an English-speaking school as someone whose primary language is Spanish. She described how UMHS provides a very supportive, family-like atmosphere and made her feel at home.

The talk was the latest in a series of livestream events featuring UMHS students, faculty, and alumni sharing their expertise on topics targeted toward current and prospective medical students and healthcare professionals. Past events include:


  • “Medical Speciality Spotlight: What is an Anesthesiologist?”


“Alzheimer’s Disease & Exploring Research in Medical School”

“Rural Medicine: Making a Difference in Underserved Areas”

“Non-Traditional Medical Student Livestream: A Student’s Perspective”

“UMHS Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the First Year of Residency,”

“Cardiology: A Discussion About Cardiac Care & Careers in Cardiology,”

“Black Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the Black Experience”

Links to view all past discussions may be found by visiting the UMHS live events and webinars page.

About UMHS

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies.

For more information, visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/.

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Exploitable Vulnerabilities That Expose Healthcare Facilities Surged Nearly 60% Since 2022, New Research Report Finds

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“As the healthcare industry continues to digitize, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, putting the privacy and safety of patients at risk,” said Kiran Chinnagangannagari, CTO of Securin.


COLUMBUS, Ohio and ORMOND BEACH, Fla. and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (PRWEB)

Health-ISAC, Finite State, and Securin, Inc., released today a joint research report targeting medical devices, software applications, and healthcare systems. The research found that 993 vulnerabilities–a 59% year-over-year increase from 2022–lurk within 966 medical products and devices, and attackers could exploit them to target a healthcare facility.

Of the 993 vulnerabilities, 160 are weaponized and 101 are trending in the wild. Additionally, Advanced Persistent Threat Groups are exploiting seven, and four are associated with ransomware.

“Healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity measures, employ robust cybersecurity practices, conduct regular risk assessments, and stay updated on the latest security threats and technologies to proactively protect against cyber threats,” said Phil Englert, Health-ISAC’s VP of Medical Device Security. “Health-ISAC focuses on enhancing cyber resilience within the global healthcare sector by facilitating collaboration, sharing threat intelligence, developing and sharing best practices and providing resources and support to its members to build resilience within member organizations and the healthcare community as a whole.”

Software and firmware that power connected medical products and devices paramount to human health and safety are increasingly at risk due to high numbers of critical and high-rated vulnerabilities. In fact, 43 vulnerabilities–a 437% year-over-year increase from 2022–have been categorized as RCE/PE exploits, making them dangerous and attractive to hackers. These results highlight a growing need to strengthen software supply chain security by securing connected medical products and devices.

“Our research unveils a disturbing year-over-year increase in firmware vulnerabilities within connected medical products and devices, underscoring an urgent need for robust software supply chain security,” said Larry Pesce, Director of Product Security Research and Analysis at Finite State. “The rise of weaponized exploits demands immediate, collective action to safeguard not only our technological integrity but, ultimately, patient safety.”

Healthcare, a critical infrastructure classified by the US Government, continues to be a prime target for cyberattacks, posing potential consequences ranging from network disruptions to compromised medical equipment, which could lead to fatal outcomes.

“As the healthcare industry continues to digitize, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, putting the privacy and safety of patients at risk,” said Kiran Chinnagangannagari, CTO of Securin. “It is important to understand and address these risks head on, to protect patients’ data and well-being.”

Read our research report to see the survey’s full findings.

About Finite State

Finite State empowers organizations to gain control of application and product security for their connected devices and software supply chains. Across the software supply chain lifecycle, Finite State is the single pane of glass for customers that provides continuous visibility into software supply chain risk.

Backed by a team of seasoned experts, Finite State’s platform arms customers with the automation to scale risk mitigation and 2B+ data points to deliver actionable SBOM’s and insights, critical vulnerability data and the remediation guidance necessary to mitigate AppSec and product risk to protect the connected attack surface.

About Health-ISAC

Health-ISAC — a non-profit, private sector, member-driven organization — plays an essential role in providing situational awareness around cyber and physical security threats to the Healthcare Sector so that companies can detect, mitigate, and respond to ensure operational resilience. Health-ISAC connects thousands of healthcare security professionals worldwide to share peer insights, real-time alerts, and best practices in a trusted, collaborative environment. As the go-to source for timely, actionable, and relevant information, Health-ISAC is a force-multiplier that enables healthcare organizations of all sizes to enhance situation awareness, develop effective mitigation strategies and proactively defend against threats every single day.

About Securin

Securin is a leading provider of tech-enabled cybersecurity services, helping customers gain resilience against emerging threats. Our products and services are powered by accurate vulnerability intelligence, human expertise, and automation, enabling enterprises to make critical security decisions to manage their expanding attack surfaces.

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Unitek Learning Employee Wins CECU Leadership Award for Commitment to Education

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Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek EMT, Unitek Training Healthcare, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College.

She is a leader at her institution and a powerful voice for the advancement of career schools for the state of Nevada.


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (PRWEB)

Unitek Learning is thrilled to announce that Marilyn Lim-Carreon, the Unitek College Campus Director in Reno, has been selected as the 2023 CECU Leadership Award winner. The primary mission of the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) is to serve postsecondary career education to schools, staff, and students. CECU is a voluntary membership organization that serves as a national voice for the postsecondary education sector. Currently, more than 1,100 campuses and affiliate members throughout North America are represented by this group.

“We are so thrilled that Marilyn has received this award from CECU. It’s an honor and a privilege,” said Janis Paulson, Chief Executive Officer at Unitek Learning. “CECU is one of the nation’s largest associations representing private, postsecondary colleges. Together, we can help equip future generations with the career skills they need to succeed, from allied healthcare to nursing and beyond.”

On June 22, 2023, Marilyn Lim-Carreon received the CECU Leadership Award. As the Vice-Chair of the Nevada Association for Career Colleges (NACC), Marilyn advocates for the entire state of Nevada on behalf of every private, post-secondary school. This award honored her leadership and tireless commitment to the advancement of career education.

“A state association is necessary to give voice to the career schools that are unrepresented in Carson City,” said Dr. Jason Altmire, President and Chief Executive Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities. “Building a new association from the ground up is difficult, but Marylin jumped right in. Thanks to her unwavering leadership, the Nevada Association of Career Colleges had an extraordinarily successful first year by every measure. Marilyn led the way to this success, and I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this award.”

Kelley Blanchard, Executive Vice President at Career Education Colleges and Universities, added: “The 2023 CECU Leadership Award was presented to Marilyn Lim-Carreon for her dedication and leadership with NACC. Marilyn has been a trailblazer for the organization since its inception as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. She is a leader at her institution and a powerful voice for the advancement of career schools for the state of Nevada.”

Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek EMT, Unitek Training Healthcare, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. Unitek programs teach the clinical practices and theory used in the field today. Equipped with a multitude of sought-after skills, Unitek graduates are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare and nursing.

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Fusing Old-School Compassion with Cutting-Edge Dentistry

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“We are excited to embark on this journey, and we look forward to serving and building lasting relationships with our patients for years to come.” ~Dr. Hedges


LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PRWEB)

Dr. Jeffrey Hedges believes in dentistry’s time-honored golden rule: good hygiene begins with the way you treat people. After nine years administering dedicated care to each patient who walked in through Mortensen Family Dental’s doors, Dr. Hedges feels proud to establish his first ever private practice; where come August 7th, Hedges Dental is ready to break new ground in oral health.

For Dr. Hedges, it’s not just a core belief that “if you treat people right, good things happen.” His practice is eager to honor the kind of patient-centered services that first shaped his passion; delivering an attention to detail with personable care that allows patients of all ages to feel at ease. “Our beliefs are very simple and old fashioned. We believe in offering honest, quality dentistry at a reasonable price,” champions Dr. Hedges.

From his beginning chapter at the University of Louisville, Dr. Hedges was fascinated to explore ways to uplift communities, seeking to understand and change the world of health and wellness. Dr. Hedges followed up his Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education with a comprehensive program at U of L’s School of Dentistry. With a conviction for looking after his community, it’s no wonder Dr. Hedges prioritizes the importance of education. Creating various initiatives to raise awareness, Hedges Dental is eager to give back, making the latest oral hygiene techniques more accessible; guiding patients through a collaborative dental wellness journey.

Even back in his days as a high school coach at New Albany-Floyd County School, Dr. Hedges recognized: high-caliber care is anchored in human connection. “We are advocates for our patients, which simply means we believe in educating our patients and empowering them to make the decisions for their oral health that they are comfortable with and can afford,” says Dr. Hedges.

The camaraderie is palpable from the moment patients enter the building, where in the orthodontics office upstairs, Dr. Ahrens likewise serves the Louisville Metro area. A dear colleague and friend Dr. Hedges has known since 2000, playing college football together at the University of Louisville, Dr. Ahrens owns the dental facilities on Herr Lane that will now become a home base for Hedges Dental. It’s a next stage of friendship for the two U of L grads; where they’ll be able to share another chapter of their lives together; doing what they love most.

The camaraderie is palpable from the moment patients enter the building, where in the orthodontics office upstairs, Dr. Ahrens likewise serves the Louisville Metro area. A dear colleague and friend Dr. Hedges has known since 2000, playing college football together at the University of Louisville, Dr. Ahrens owns the dental facilities on Herr Lane that will now become a home base for Hedges Dental. It’s a next stage of friendship for the two U of L grads; where they’ll be able to share another chapter of their lives together; doing what they love most.

Centrally located between Louisville’s assorted neighborhoods, right next to Ballard High School, Hedges Dental is based right at the heart of the community. Providing exceptional care from within a powerhouse dental complex, Dr. Hedges’ new office has the benefit of fellow orthodontic and periodontal specialists all practicing under the same roof. Hedges Dental will join some of the leading experts in Louisville, alongside Derby City Oral Surgery, Nelson and Lowy, and Ahrens Orthodontics.

“After years of experience working in various dental settings, we noticed a gap in the level of care that patients were receiving. We were inspired to create a practice where patients feel valued, comfortable, and confident in their dental treatment,” explains Dr. Hedges, adding, “Our primary goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where individuals of all ages can receive comprehensive dental services tailored to their unique needs.”

Driven to keep pace with leading advancements, innovations, and technology, Dr. Hedges shares that state-of-the-art facilities allow Hedges Dental to bring forward “cutting edge treatments that deliver optimal results;” ensuring the support of each patient’s well-being. This is an inviting space — one where every dental professional believes in the positive impact they can foster throughout the community. “We are excited to embark on this journey, and we look forward to serving and building lasting relationships with our patients for years to come,” shares Dr. Hedges.

Patients can call 502-509-1980 to make an appointment starting in August, where Hedges Dental will open their doors to a fresh era: welcoming patients at their beautiful new office. Find Hedges Dental in Suite D, located on 2015 Herr Lane, Louisville, KY 4022; making patients’ smiles brighter every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

About Hedges Dental

Providing transformative patient care to the Louisville Metro community, Hedges Dental is a new private practice, owned and operated by Dr. Jeffrey Hedges. The office is located within a hi-tech dental complex on Herr Lane, surrounded by leading dental professionals and advanced resources, all under the same roof. Infusing his expertise into an array of specialties, Dr. Hedges strives to deliver personalized services with old-school compassion and revolutionary tools of the trade — changing the way effective care can support and improve the lives of the patients he serves.

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