“We’re committed to reducing the stigma around mental health by creating an inclusive environment where our people feel supported in managing their mental health and providing tools and programs to encourage mental wellness in our workplace.” – Rick Watkin, President and CEO, KUBRA

TEMPE, Ariz. (PRWEB)
May 24, 2023

KUBRA, a leading provider of customer experience management solutions for some of the largest utility, insurance, and government entities, is honored to be named one of Arizona’s Best Companies for Mental Health by BestCompaniesAZ.

“Being recognized for helping set a new standard for employee well-being in the workplace is an absolute honor,” said Rick Watkin, President and CEO. “We’re committed to reducing the stigma around mental health by creating an inclusive environment where our people feel supported in managing their mental health and providing tools and programs to encourage mental wellness in our workplace.”

KUBRA is recognized for its dedication to prioritizing its employees’ mental health. Through various wellness programs, including paid mental health days, generous time off, free Headspace subscriptions and gym memberships, and flexible work schedules, KUBRA is focused on helping keep their employees’ minds and bodies happy and healthy. Visit the careers page at https://bestcompaniesaz.com/kubra-careers-culture/ to view KUBRA’s current opportunities.

BestCompaniesAZ

Arizona’s Employer Branding Partner, BestCompaniesAZ, specializes in helping corporate clients develop, strengthen, and market their unique employer brands through a variety of digital marketing, events, communication, and award programs. Founded in 2002, BestCompaniesAZ pioneered the intersection of recruiting, human resources, marketing, and public relations and has evolved into an exclusive, niche PR, marketing, and employer branding firm specializing in building and promoting strong employer brands. For more information, visit BestCompaniesAZ.com.

About KUBRA

KUBRA provides customer experience management solutions to some of the largest utility, government, and insurance entities across North America. Our extensive portfolio includes billing and payments, mapping, mobile apps, proactive communications, and artificial intelligence solutions for customers. With more than 1.5 billion customer interactions annually, KUBRA services reach over 40% of households in the U.S. and Canada. KUBRA is an operating subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation. Visit https://www.kubra.com for more information.

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Yolanda Farris

When I was accepted into Perspectives, it was the first time that I received comprehensive psychological support to create a new life for myself and my son. I cried when I moved into a fully furnished apartment with my son. This was my last chance, and I was determined to live by the rules.

ST. LOUIS, Minn. (PRWEB)
May 24, 2023

Perspectives is Minnesota’s largest therapeutic supportive housing program for women and children who have experienced long-term trauma, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and poverty. As a former client of Perspectives, Yolanda Farris understands addiction, poverty, and despair. With a history of childhood trauma and grief, substance abuse was a way to block painful memories and intense emotions.

“When I was accepted into Perspectives, it was the first time that I received comprehensive psychological support to create a new life for myself and my son,” said Ms. Farris. “I cried when I moved into a fully furnished apartment where my son could have his own room. This was my last chance, and I was determined to live by the rules.”

“Yolanda’s willpower and commitment to Perspectives was evident throughout her time as a client,” remarked Jeannie Seeley-Smith, Perspectives CEO. “She became a model resident, who encouraged other women to stay sober, so that they could remain in Perspectives housing and keep custody of their children. It was obvious that she could become an asset to our team.”

Since 2016, Yolanda Farris has been a peer support specialist, who meets with clients when they enter the program. She delights in being able to give them the keys to their own furnished apartment. She directs a recovery support group and meets with clients one-on-one every week. Because she lives on the Perspectives campus, she is available to residents when they need guidance and support.

Perspectives systematically addresses the growing need for early intervention programming for children while providing comprehensive services for mothers. Perspectives children’s services include a year-round academic and social enrichment program. The Cargill Kids Cafe provides lunch and dinner to children living at the Perspectives housing campus five days a week during the school year. A summer program serves breakfast and lunch.

Funding the Future:

The Kids Cafe is still growing. Perspectives is in the middle of a capital campaign to expand Perspectives’ Family Center (site of Kids Cafe) by 16,000 square feet. This new 38,000-square-foot state-of-the-art center will shine within the city of St. Louis Park as a beacon of hope to those who have been disenfranchised.

About Perspectives:

Perspectives is known as a national model, providing comprehensive mental health services for women and children emerging from homelessness and addiction. Perspectives proven track record demonstrates the disruption of cycles of dysfunctional lifestyles through a holistic approach that includes trauma-informed care, therapeutic services, supportive housing, and comprehensive children’s programming. For more information, please contact Annemarie Osborne at 949.237.2906 or annemarieosborne7@gmail.com or Jacqueline Michaud at 952.405.2529, jmichaud@perspectives-family.org or visit https://www.perspectives-family.org/.

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Kimberly K. Garner, MD, JD, MPH, FAAFP, CHCQM

I am tremendously honored to be awarded the 2023 CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award…Assisting individuals, especially Veterans, to plan for future medical decisions is critical in the process of honoring their personal and health care preferences.

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (PRWEB)
May 24, 2023

The American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians is pleased to announce the selection of Kimberly K. Garner, MD, JD, MPH, FAAFP, CHCQM, as the recipient of the 2023 CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award. Dr. Garner is the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Integrated Clinical Communities Lead for the South Central Veterans Health Care System Network in Little Rock, Arkansas. She served as Project Lead for the award-winning quality initiative, the Veterans Health Administration Enterprise-Wide: Advance Care Planning via Group Visits.

Advance Care Planning via Group Visits (ACP-GV) engages Veterans, their families, and caregivers in advance care planning by facilitating group discussions to prompt conversation about personal experience and encouraging participants to actively participate in the planning of future health care needs. ACP-GV’s objectives are to engage and enable Veterans to communicate future health care preferences and to improve choice and timeliness to advance care planning (ACP) discussions, especially in medically underserved rural areas.

Started as a VA Clinical Demonstration Project in 2012, the project has grown and was awarded as a VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative to evaluate and determine best practices to promote nationwide facilitation of ACP-GV, serving tens of thousands of Veterans. According to the National ACP-GV Program database, at the end of 2022, the program was adopted in a total of 63 sites out of 171 VA medical centers.

Completion of the Advanced Directive is documented within the VA’s electronic medical record system for all providers to access. The Veteran also receives a card stating they have an Advanced Directive at their named VA Medical Center with a phone number for their providers to document.

ACP-GV exemplifies the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) focus on incorporating strategies to initiate “what matters” conversations in support of Age Friendly Health System across the VHA. The National ACP-GV Program applies the Whole Health and Age Friendly Health System’s 4Ms framework in many ways. ACP-GV encourages discussion and supports federal law in protecting the veteran’s rights, values, beliefs, and the inclusion of caregivers and family members and communication with their health care team.

The Project Lead, Dr. Kimberly Garner, was chosen as winner of the CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award based on a quality improvement initiative that is sustainable over time, with impressive results, and impacting a large number of individuals in a positive manner. ACP, palliative care, and hospice are areas that health systems struggle with despite a lot of effort and resources. This initiative offers a framework that can be adopted by others for improvement throughout health care systems nationwide.

Dr. Garner’s vast health care experience is exemplified through serving on numerous committees within the VA, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and throughout the geriatric care community. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She has been an investigator on various research grants and has served as project lead in several VHA clinical initiatives. She has been published within the Veteran’s community, with articles in clinical care areas, and in numerous geriatric publications. She is well-versed in ACP and has presented lectures and educational activities on advanced care planning (ACP), palliative care, and various geriatric care topics.

In acceptance of the Award, Dr. Garner states, “I am tremendously honored to be awarded the 2023 CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award for my activities in Advance Care Planning via Group Visits. Assisting individuals, especially Veterans, to plan for future medical decisions is critical in the process of honoring their personal and health care preferences. This is one of the most important aspects of our roles as health care professionals.”

ABQAURP extends a sincere Thank You to Dr. Garner, her team, and all those who submitted outstanding achievements in quality and patient safety that have led to improvement, positive outcomes, and the advancement of Health Care Quality Management and Patient Safety.

Join us at the 2023 Annual Health Care Quality & Patient Safety Conference to hear more and to congratulate Dr. Garner and celebrate all of our Diplomate’s achievements. For more event information, please visit: https://www.abqaurp.org/AnnualConference.

About ABQAURP

Celebrating 45 years of excellence in Health Care Quality Management and Patient Safety, ABQAURP is a premier professional association providing Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) certification, ACCME-accredited continuing medical education, and membership to health care professionals worldwide. Learn more at: https://www.abqaurp.org.

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Employees around the world need mental health support: Koa Health & International SOS have a plan to enable access across the continuum

“For a majority of working adults (up to 75%), traditional pathways to care don’t lead people to the help they need or want,” said Jennifer Gendron, Global CCO at Koa Health, “Business leaders must take action sooner, not later to support employees physical and mental wellbeing.”

BOSTON, LONDON and BARCELONA, Spain (PRWEB)
May 24, 2023

Koa Health, a leading global provider of digital-first mental healthcare, today announced a new partnership with International SOS, a pioneer, and leader in international health & security risk management solutions, to unlock the value of positive mental health and wellbeing in workplaces everywhere.

Koa Health’s clinically validated mental wellbeing app, Koa Foundations, will become a part of the International SOS mental health ecosystem as the two companies partner together to support employee mental health across the continuum. Koa’s top-ranked, science-based app will be integrated into International SOS’ Workforce Resilience Subscription, making it easy for organizations to boost mental resilience and offer support for everyday mental health challenges to their employees around the world, reducing individual and business risks and driving positive outcomes for workers and the organizations who employ them.

Available to more than 3 million users worldwide, Koa Foundations is more than a wellbeing app, improving access to mental health support and covering a range of evidence-based interventions and activities from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), Positive Psychology, and more. Koa Foundations has been shown to significantly benefit users in two to four weeks of use, helping them to work through common mental health challenges, such as anxious thoughts and feeling low, stress, burnout, trouble disconnecting, sleep problems, and more.

“For a majority of working adults (up to 75%), traditional pathways to care don’t lead people to the help they need or want. With the shortage of mental healthcare professionals at all-time highs, individuals who lack a formal diagnosis struggle to access the support they need. Due to these constraints, people have to get worse before they can get the help they need to feel better. Business leaders must take action sooner, not later, to support employees’ physical and mental wellbeing to help them bring their best selves to work and beyond,” said Jennifer Gendron, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Koa Health.

“Mental health impacts every aspect of how we live and work. In challenging times, we are experiencing historic prevalence of mental disorders. In this context, protecting mental health has become a key priority for workers of all ages and backgrounds. Koa Health’s clinically rigorous mental health tools empower employers and health plans to quickly and comprehensively address the full spectrum of health with effective, evidence-based mental health support. By partnering with International SOS, we hope to enable discrete access to care of the highest quality. Together, our partnership aims to address the fact that more than half of individuals experiencing clinical-level mental health challenges do not access care due to concerns about stigma and the efficacy and affordability of treatment. We look forward to bringing access and quality to clients around the world,” said Dr. Oliver Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at Koa Health.

Trusted by more than 9,000 organizations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, the International SOS Group of Companies leverages innovative technology and medical and security expertise to focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery to help global organizations fulfill their Duty of Care responsibilities. As a key provider for International SOS’ Workforce Resilience services, Koa Health has been vetted through comprehensive blue-chip security, privacy, and business operations reviews. This allows for streamlined contracting, procurement, and billing through the partnership.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Koa Health. By adding Koa’s flagship mental wellbeing app to our Workforce Resilience Subscription, we are endorsing the power of timely and proactive mental health support to reduce mental and physical health risks and the incidence of mental illness. It is vital for organizations to prioritize mental health in their workplaces and take an integrated and comprehensive approach by offering proactive care across the continuum from prevention to treatment,” says Dr. Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director, International SOS, “By accessing Koa Foundations through International SOS’ Workforce Resilience Subscription, organizations can quickly and effectively implement a mental wellbeing solution that supports the full range of mental health for all their unique populations while reducing the lift for busy in-house teams.”

Read how industry leaders plan to support mental health in 2023. Visit http://www.koahealth.com or follow us at @KoaHealth on LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more.

About Koa Health

Koa Health is the leading global provider offering evidence-based, personalized, integrated solutions and services that deliver mental health for everyone. Available to more than 3 million users worldwide, Koa Health addresses the full continuum of mental health needs – from prevention to treatment. Backed by investors such as Telefónica, a consortium advised by Ancora Finance Group, Wellington Partners Life Sciences, and MTIP, Koa Health leverages deep clinical expertise, research, and technology to deliver effective and accessible care that adapts to users’ unique circumstances, leading to lasting behavior change and positive health outcomes across the full continuum of mental health. Koa Health partners with employers, health plans, health systems, and providers worldwide, with its headquarters in the Netherlands and operations in Boston, London, and Barcelona.

About Koa Foundations

Koa Health’s flagship app, Koa Foundations, has been top-ranked by expert mental health reviewers ORCHA and OneMind’s Psyberguide, boasts top user ratings across app stores, and has proven health outcomes in sleep, resilience, and overall wellbeing in just two weeks. Built by leading experts in neuroscience, psychiatry, behavioral therapy, and digital therapeutics, Koa Health’s solutions leverage evidence-based programs such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), positive psychology, mindfulness, meditation, relaxation techniques, psychoeducation, emotional regulation, and acceptance and commitment training (ACT) to drive health outcomes and deliver long-lasting behavior change. Powered by a proprietary AI recommendation engine, employees have access to a rich library of exclusive, bite-sized educational content, tools, interventions, activities, and games designed to provide an engaging employee benefit for a diverse population.

About the International SOS Group of Companies

The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customized health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organization’s reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organizations can fulfill their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability.

Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by more than 9,000 organizations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 13,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.

To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: http://www.internationalsos.com

ISPE Drug Shortages Prevention Model

The ISPE Drug Shortages Prevention Model serves as a guide to help prevent drug shortages by providing quality, regulatory, and technical recommendations for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

NORTH BETHESDA, Ma. (PRWEB)
May 23, 2023

ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering has just released its new Drug Shortages Prevention Model.

The ISPE Drug Shortages Prevention Model serves as a guide to help prevent drug shortages by providing quality, regulatory, and technical recommendations for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The ISPE Drug Shortages Team developed the model as a follow up to the ISPE Drug Shortages Prevention Plan that was released in 2014. The model provides expanded guidance that reflects the new insight and best practices that have emerged in the past several years.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic, various natural disasters and other unforeseen large-scale events, the importance of ensuring drug supply chain has never been more apparent,” says Tom Hartman, President and CEO of ISPE. “The Drug Shortages Prevention Model is a crucial step forward in ensuring that patients have access to the medicines they need. By providing guidance for manufacturers to prevent and mitigate potential shortages, the model will improve patient access to life sustaining medicines and the reliability of supply.”

The Drug Shortages Prevention Model describes three foundational areas for accountability: Quality and Manufacturing Maturity; Regulatory; and Technology & Innovation. The three areas cover twelve performance domains:

1. Pharmaceutical Quality System

2. Cultural Excellence

3. Workforce Capability

4. Supply and Distribution Resilience

5. Risk Management Planning

6. Data Analytics

7. Advanced Technology

8. Digital Solutions

9. Sustainability

10. Lifecycle Management

11. Regulatory Execution

12. Evolving Regulations

“If companies want to ensure they are prepared to avoid drug shortages whenever possible, they should strive to excel in each of the foundational performance domains outlined in the ISPE DSPM model,” says Diane Hustead, chair of the ISPE Drug Shortages Team. “Developing and implementing robust drug shortage prevention planning involves risk management at organizational, operational, and product-specific levels. It is truly an enterprise-wide endeavor.”

For more information contact:

Carol Winfield, Senior Director of Regulatory Operations, ISPE

Tel: +1-301-364-9210

Email: cwinfield@ispe.org

http://www.ISPE.org

About ISPE

“The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) is a global nonprofit association serving its members through leading scientific, technical, and regulatory advancement across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. The 20,000+ members of ISPE provide solutions to complex pharmaceutical industry challenges through innovation, member and workforce development, and technical, regulatory, and compliance collaborations in more than 120 countries worldwide. Founded in 1980, ISPE has its worldwide headquarters and training center in North Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and its operations center in Tampa, Florida, USA. For more information, visit ISPE.org.

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“I am thrilled to be a part of Riverwood Dental and truly committed to giving patients an exceptional experience with personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care,” says Dr. Kimi Patel.

ATLANTA (PRWEB)
May 23, 2023

Riverwood Dental, located at 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 2120 in Atlanta, GA. is a modern, state-of-the-art clinic that offers cutting-edge, quality dental care for all ages in a comfortable atmosphere. Dr. Kimi Patel recently joined the well-respected team and is committed to delivering dentistry at its best, providing every patient with a pathway toward achieving functional and aesthetic smiles. Dr. Kimi Patel was raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan, earning her bachelor’s degree and also graduated with her dental degree from the University of Michigan College of Dentistry. After finishing her doctorate, Dr. Patel completed an AEGD residency (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dr. Kimi Patel stays at the forefront of her field, attending continuing education courses and is up to date on recent research and current dental technology. Riverwood Dental offers the unique ability to address all aspects of dental health in one convenient place. Their extensive menu of modern dental care services includes general and restorative dentistry, as well as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics (OrthoFX) and more. Regardless of whether they are protecting, repairing or enhancing smiles, their team delivers superior, patient-centered care at every step.

“I am thrilled to be a part of Riverwood Dental and truly committed to giving patients an exceptional experience with personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care,” says Dr. Kimi Patel.

More About Riverwood Dental and Dr. Nisha Patel:

Riverwood Dental was designed with comfort and care in mind, and patients can expect a friendly, helpful staff to make visits enjoyable. The team utilizes the latest in dental technology while offering comprehensive services, ranging from routine cleanings and chipped tooth repair to teeth whitening, veneers and dentures. Dr. Nisha Patel grew up in Alabama where she graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Dr. Patel entered the dental field because of her compassion, creativity and desire to serve the community. She stays up-to-date on innovative, advanced techniques and equipment to provide patients with the very best in dentistry. Dr. Patel believes in building a trusting relationship and treating each patient with dignity and respect. For additional information about Riverwood Dental please visit http://www.riverwooddental.com or call (770) 955-2505.

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