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Six talented women climate scientists from developing countries awarded the 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award

Elsevier

Six researchers have been awarded the 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their contributions to research that is helping tackle climate change and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including: SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life Below Water) and SDG15 (Life on Land). The winners’ research explores a wide range of environmental impacts and their potential solutions: from turning waste into man-made soil; transforming plastic pollution into viable products for community trade; harnessing the power of microbes to improve carbon storage and soil quality; and using the right types of plants with roots to help prevent soil erosion and encourage soil ‘plasticity’. The prize also acknowledges the scientists’ commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the use of innovative technologies in their research. President, Jennifer Thomson, of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) said: “What our 2022 winners are doing is absolutely outstanding. Climate change is the most pressing challenge of our time, and these women are finding innovative and effective ways to address it in their local contexts. We hope this award is the first of many for them.” This year’s winners are: Myriam Mujawamariya of the University of Rwanda; in Biological Systems and Organisms. Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed of Al-Saeed University, Yemen; in Biological Systems and Organisms. Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; in Biological Systems and Organisms. Heyddy Calderon of the Instituto de Geología y Geofísica, Nicaragua; in Engineering Sciences Ashani Ssavinda Ranathunga of University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka; in Engineering Sciences. Flor de Mayo Gonzalez Miranda of San Carlos University, Guatemala; in Engineering Sciences. Those interested can meet the winners for the first time, as they appear virtually in the upcoming panel, “ Minority and Women in STEMM Awards,” at the upcoming AAAS Annual Meeting. First awarded in 2013, the award is given in partnership by the OWSD and Elsevier Foundation. OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of USD $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a prominent scientific gathering to provide them with vital networking opportunities. This year’s award ceremony will take place on March 24, both virtually and in-person as part of the International Conference on Gender Action and Climate Change in Istanbul, Turkey at Istanbul Aydin University (IAU) on March 24, 2022. Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation said: “We have reshaped our award this year to respond to the key challenges of our time, such as climate change, and supporting the progress being made around the UN SDGs. We know that a quarter of all women are engaged in agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to both climate change and resource scarcity. We want to reflect the critical role that women can play in successfully addressing climate shifts.” Past Award winners have been invited to meet their country’s presidents, and have been celebrated by local, national and international media, while other winners have gone on to receive other prestigious awards and fellowships including L'OREAL-UNESCO’s For Women in Science Fellowships and the British Council Award. Read more about this year’s OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award on Elsevier Connect. --- Notes for editors Reference sheets for each award winner, with a more extensive biography and description of their work, are available upon request, please contact the Elsevier Newsroom at newsroom@elsevier.com. For interview requests, journalists can contact Domiziana Francescon, Elsevier Foundation & External Partnerships Manager at d.francescon@elsevier.com. Short bios of the 2022 winners: Myriam Mujawamariya in Biological Systems and Organisms. For her research on the responses of native tree species in Rwanda to climate change. Her work will inform the most effective approach to reforestation and land restoration and identify the best tree species to facilitate soil stabilization, climate regulation, biodiversity, and bioenergy. ''Receiving this prestigious award is a great recognition and driving force to expand my research. This is also an inspiration for young girls in advancement of their career to ensure equity in Climate action and the Environment in the developing world,” said Dr. Mujawamariya Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed in Biological Systems and Organisms. For her work on microbiology- and nanotechnology-based solutions to pressing problems such as carbon emissions, drug-resistant pathogens, and fossil fuel dependence. She has studied the use of microbes in agricultural land to increase carbon sequestration and improve soil quality, the use of microbes to convert biomass into pharmaceuticals, and the effects of environmental and nutritional conditions on microbial biological processes to inform treatment against multi-drug resistant microorganisms. “The OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award gave me encouragement and recognition during an important time on my journey as a scientist. This recognition will inspire me to keep going and inspire young people who are looking up to us to light their paths. This award gave me confidence and showed me that I am going in the right direction,” said Dr. Ahmed. Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury in Biological Systems and Organisms. For her work on conservation of aquatic ecosystems and threatened species in Bangladesh. In particular, she focuses on assessing the extent of and the risks from plastic pollution, which is closely linked to climate change. Dr. Chowdhury is leading an effort to educate women in poor and marginalized fishing communities about how discarded Nylon-6 fishing nets can be turned into value-added products such as carpets and clothing, creating an alternative income source for the communities while protecting the wetland habitats. “Winning this Award is like a promise to continue my research and teaching with new hope. This award gives me a scope to prove what women in science and conservation can achieve while working hard with sincere commitment. I believe this award will inspire my daughter, my students and everyone here in Bangladesh to showcase that with different limitations, scientific research can be done and achieved recognition worldwide,” said Dr. Chowdhury. Heyddy Calderon in Engineering Sciences. For her work to provide secure and sustainable water sources for vulnerable populations in Central America. Dr. Calderon works with local communities in dry regions to increase their capacity to cope with climate variability and climate change, as well as with decision makers and local stakeholders to help them plan and prepare for the future. “This award is an inspiration to me. I am joyful and honored by the recognition of my work; but also, I feel the responsibility to keep pushing boundaries for the women who come behind us,” said Dr. Calderon. Ashani Ssavinda Ranathunga in Engineering Sciences. For her work turning industrial and agricultural waste into anthropogenic (man-made) soil for soft ground improvement and mine rehabilitation. Her research findings enable the effective utilization of locally available waste and by-products for economical and ecofriendly construction and development projects. “This award recognizes my contribution to the field of geo-environmental engineering and encourages me to follow my passion and inspire young women in developing countries to take the initiative to work for the advancement of science, irrespective of their circumstances,” said Dr. Ranathunga. Flor de Mayo Gonzalez Miranda in Engineering Sciences. For her work engineering better landslide prevention for vulnerable areas in Guatemala. Dr. González Miranda is investigating how specific grasses in the vetiver can help to prevent landslides. Through soil tests, X-ray diffraction, and other techniques, she has shown how the plants' roots alter the chemical, physical and mechanical behavior of the soil, reducing the speed of soil infiltration as well as soil plasticity. “This award allows me to say that all living organisms are a system that must follow its natural evolution. It also gives me back my voice to tell politicians that corruption takes away human development and pushes the great masses to emigrate, expressing my urgency to legislate on measures to protect the environment: that these laws are not dead words,” said Dr. Gonzalez Miranda. To find out how the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award helps shape our understanding of the Global South, find out more about 2021’s winners below: Harnessing nanotechnology for cancer drug delivery and ecofriendly fertilizers How my teacher said I asked too many questions: From curious to award winning researcher Using mathematics to solve practical problems: It's elementary Seeking the secrets of the universe in the particle Ghanaian chemist is finding toxic substances in unusual places About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 7,000 members and runs various programs, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 330 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme providing research grants of up to USD$50,000 in addition to leadership training. OWSD is the first international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a program unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business specialized in science and health. Since 2006, the Elsevier Foundation provides over $1.5 million USD a year in grants to knowledge-centered institutions around the world, which address the UN Sustainable Development Goals through tech-enabled innovations in inclusive health and research. The Foundation offers a comprehensive matching gift and volunteering fund to enable employees to work with Foundation partners and support their communities. The Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier’s larger corporate responsibility program which centers on our unique contributions to sustainable development in gender, health, climate and reducing inequalities. elsevierfoundation.org About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders. Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell; our 40,000 eBook titles; and our iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Contact Details Erin Johnson OWSD Communications ejohnson@owsd.net Jonathan Davis j.davis.1@elsevier.com Elsevier Communications, Europe newsroom@elsevier.com Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

February 11, 2022 09:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

Patient Safety Authority Announces Winners of 10th Annual I AM Patient Safety Awards

Patient Safety Authority

Healthcare professionals from across Pennsylvania and the nation have been honored as winners and runners-up of the 2022 I AM Patient Safety award. The contest recognizes advancements, outcomes, and commitment to patient safety. Since its inception in 2013, the I AM Patient Safety achievement awards have honored hundreds of programs and individuals who stepped up to positively impact patient safety. “Even amidst the pandemic, there are innumerable healthcare professionals who remain focused on speaking up, transforming the system, and making changes to improve patient outcomes,” said Patient Safety Authority executive director, Regina Hoffman. “This is an opportunity to applaud and honor those who care so deeply that they take positive action, no matter how difficult or challenging the circumstances.” The awards are judged by a cross-section of national and regional healthcare executives; patient safety advocates; and government, university, and patient representatives. The award criteria include innovation, impact, sustainability, and scalability. The 2022 award winners are: Executive Director’s Choice: HAI Focus Team at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital developed and implemented a plan that reduced the number of central-line–associated blood stream infections to zero for nearly a year and decreased overall hospital-acquired infections by 28%. The intervention included unit level observations, daily assessments, blood culture order sets, clinician education and real-time coaching. Ambulatory Surgery/Care: Jesse Hixson, MSN, Greg Purnell, MD, and the AHN-Monroeville Ambulatory Surgery Center team identified a suture problem at their facility related to healing and infections. Expanding the investigation across the hospital network and finding similar concerns, AHN converted to a different product and resolved the problem. Runners-up: Bethel Park Surgery Center Team, Allegheny Health Network at Bethel Park Surgery Center; and Jamie Hallam and Front Office Staff at Spartan Health Surgicenter. Improving Diagnosis: Joyce Litwak, RN at Lehigh Valley Health Network discovered emergent symptoms in a patient who was admitted and treated for a hip fracture, leading to a new diagnosis of stroke, which required emergency, life-saving surgery. Runners-up: Dr. Jaber Monla-Hassan at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery; and Anila Gidwani, Rebecca Topping, and Bethany Dieffenderfer at WellSpan Dixon Foundation Health Center. Individual Impact: Kristin Keane, RN at Phoenixville Hospital creatively used FaceTime to teach a patient’s family member to provide care at home and recorded the video, which they used as a reference in emptying the patient’s surgical drains. Runners-up: Theresa Lasko, RN and Deborah Gruntz, RN, Welcome Center Senior Teammates at Advanced Surgical Hospital; and Adrienne Bellino-Ailinger, RN at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery - Einstein Endoscopy Center Blue Bell. Long-Term Care Facility: Desiree Schuler, LPN at Hometown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a true safety champion, consistently providing staff education, serving as a role model for peers and championing efforts to prevent all incidents and accidents, including a 25% reduction of resident falls in the facility in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Runners-up: Alicia Elvidge, NHA, Chief Executive Officer at South Mountain Restoration Center; and Kimberly Krall of Thornwald Home. Nationwide Warriors: Perioperative Surgery at Northwell Health piloted remote video auditing (RVA) with non-punitive, real-time feedback to promote surgical quality improvement and patient safety in the OR. The result: a dramatic increase in acceptance and compliance with time-out surgical safety procedures and improving surgery outcomes. Runners-up: The Second Victim Committee at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System; and Rinisha Thomas, RN & Tatiana Ziegler, RN at Delaware Valley Veterans Home. Physician Offices: Melissa Bauman, CRNP at Lehigh Valley Physician Group Family Medicine–Bath saved a 33-year-old patient’s life when she noted a heart murmur and insisted on follow-up diagnostics. This resulted in the diagnosis of a chronic type A dissection involving the aortic root, which required an emergency chest scan and surgery. Runners-up: Tammy Bowman, Office Coordinator, LVPG Hematology/Oncology Office at Lehigh Valley Physician Group; and the Outpatient Falls Prevention Team at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery. Safety story: Registered Nurses on 5 Cathcart/Schiedt (Medical-Surgical Unit) at Pennsylvania Hospital spoke up about a safety concern regarding dispensing of oral liquid methadone from the pharmacy to the unit, which resulted in a hospital-wide shift to storing the drug in unit-based dispensing machines. Runners-up: The PAR (Patient At Risk) Bundle Team at Pennsylvania Hospital; and the Monitor Technician Department at UPMC Community Osteopathic. Sepsis: St Luke’s Allentown’s Emergency Department Team, Dr. Christopher Stromski and Ryan Kloss consistently achieved high sepsis bundle compliance by engaging in process improvement, reviewing opportunities, and providing timely assessment and intervention in the sepsis patient population. Runners-up: WellSpan Health Sepsis Team at WellSpan Health and Dr. Jaber Monla-Hassan, Dr. Robert Czincila, Kim Mikula, Kim Vitelli, Olivia Johnson and Scott Urbinati at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery. Time-Outs: The Pre-Procedure Time-Out Taskforce at Pennsylvania Hospital was created in response to a troubling increase in safety events occurring prior to patients’ arrival in the OR. The team designed and implemented a process that ultimately reduced consent and wrong-site/wrong-patient safety events per day by over 87%. Runners-up: Radiology Department at Chester County Hospital; and The Allegheny Health Network Perioperative Education Team at Allegheny Health Network. Transparency and safety in healthcare: A multi-disciplinary team at UPMC Carlisle and Central Pennsylvania Hospitals developed an order set in response to an adverse event related to continuous urinary bladder irrigation. Implemented at all hospitals in the region, the order set, nursing education and information sharing showed how transparency and collaboration can result in system improvement for patient safety. Runners-up: Central Sterile Processing Department — UPMC Hamot; and Rosanna Catania-Venuto, MSN, RN — Chester County Hospital About the Patient Safety Authority The PSA is an independent state agency that collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm. http://patientsafety.pa.gov/. About PSA Established under the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act of 2002, the PSA, an independent state agency, collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm. http://patientsafety.pa.gov/ Contact Details Bev Volpe +1 609-230-4696 bev@madisongall.com Company Website http://patientsafety.pa.gov/

February 10, 2022 03:35 PM Eastern Standard Time

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The Greeley Company Names Greg Kopulos as President

Greeley

The Greeley Company (Greeley), a division of The Chartis Group (Chartis) and a leader in clinical quality and patient safety services and solutions, is pleased to announce that Greg Kopulos has joined the firm as its new President. Kopulos will serve as a member of both Chartis’ and Greeley’s executive leadership teams. As President, Kopulos will be responsible for all of Greeley’s financial, operational and service areas including Patient Safety and Clinical Compliance, Medical Staff Services Optimization, Physician Education and Interim Staffing Solutions. He will also lead the company’s growth strategies and drive Greeley’s commitment to materially improve patient safety, quality and outcomes. “We are delighted to welcome Greg as Greeley’s new President,” said Ken Graboys, CEO of The Chartis Group. “Greeley has long been an essential resource for leading healthcare organizations who rely on the company’s expertise to meet their clinical quality and patient safety objectives. Greg’s proven leadership comes at an exciting time as Greeley continues to grow and serve US providers in their most mission-critical areas.” Kopulos joins Greeley from GE Healthcare (GEHC) where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Strategy focused on leading GEHC’s global go-to-market transformation. He held multiple senior leadership roles within GEHC during his 19-year tenure, including Senior Vice President and COO – Global Services, and Chief Operating Officer – US & Canada Region. “I’m humbled and energized to join a company guided by its mission to serve” said Kopulos. “With the deep expertise of our practice leaders and a proven reputation in the market, Greeley is committed to the advancement of clinical quality and patient safety and will continue to make a material impact for the clients we serve.” Kopulos assumes the role as part of Greeley’s and Chartis’ growing investment in their Clinical Quality and Patient Safety offerings and capabilities. Andrew Resnick, MD, a nationally recognized leader in clinical quality and safety, recently joined Chartis as Chief Medical and Quality Officer. Dr. Resnick comes from Mass General Brigham where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Quality and Safety Officer at Brigham Health. Christian Dankers, MD, recently joined Chartis as Associate Chief Medical and Quality Officer, following his role as an Associate Chief Quality Officer at Mass General Brigham. Sheri Winsper, RN, MSN, MHA recently joined Greeley as Vice President of External Peer Review/Clinical Quality & High Reliability, following her role as Senior Vice President, Quality Measurement at the National Quality Forum (NQF). Prior to his time at GEHC, Kopulos served as Vice President, Business Development for an equipment maintenance insurance firm and Vice President of Finance at a long-term care company. Greg obtained his CPA and started his career with Arthur Andersen providing consulting services to middle market clients. Kopulos earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He earned a Master’s in Business Administration with International Focus from Marquette University. About The Greeley Company The Greeley Company (Greeley), a division of The Chartis Group®, is a leader in patient safety and clinical quality consulting. Greeley has utilized its proven methodology to help organizations improve efficiency, comply with regulations and standards, achieve practitioner engagement and alignment, and excel in delivering high-quality, cost-effective patient care for more than 30 years. For more information, visit greeley.com. About The Chartis Group® The Chartis Group (Chartis) provides comprehensive advisory services and analytics to the healthcare industry. With an unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, performance excellence, informatics and technology, digital and emerging technologies, and health analytics, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children's hospitals and healthcare service organizations achieve transformative results. Chartis has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco. For more information, visit chartis.com. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Brooke Ferreri +1 212-931-6182 bferreri@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://greeley.com/

February 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

FreshEdge Launches New Website

FreshEdge

FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies, has launched a refreshed and expanded www.freshedgefoods.com. FreshEdge partnered with DMA Solutions (Dallas, Texas), a marketing agency dedicated to exclusively serving the fresh produce industry. The website creates opportunities for connecting with FreshEdge’s operating companies and engaging in what makes their family unique. FreshEdge now operates with 1,640 employees, approximately 700,250 square feet of warehouse space, with a fleet of more than 650 trucks, delivering fresh food to customers in 22 states. Through rapid growth and consistent execution, FreshEdge has quickly amassed a reputation for adding value throughout the fresh foods industry. “FreshEdge’s new website is a splash of freshness,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. “It also symbolizes who we are – a growing family of customer-obsessed fresh food companies who care.” Greg Corsaro, President and COO of FreshEdge, added, “The revamped website reflects FreshEdge’s value proposition of providing dependable, customized solutions with cutting-edge technology for consistent, reliable delivery of fresh food with a sense of family and trust.” “We’re excited about the unique space this new website delivers for connecting FreshEdge, its family, and our industry partners,” said Daniel Corsaro, President of Indianapolis Fruit (FreshEdge retail operating company) and participant in the development of the new site. About FreshEdge FreshEdge was formed in 2019 through the combination of Get Fresh Produce (Bartlett, IL, founded in 1982) and the IF&P Foods family of companies, primarily composed of Indianapolis Fruit (founded 1947) and Piazza Produce (founded 1970). McCartney Produce (Paris, TN) joined the FreshEdge family in November 2020 followed by Valley Produce (Knoxville, TN) in June 2021, Vine Line (Grand Rapids, MI) in October 2021, and Monteverde’s (Pittsburgh, PA) in November 2021. Collectively, these leading fresh food distribution companies have several hundred years’ combined experience serving the grocery and food service industries. In addition, FreshEdge includes two Garden Cut branded fresh-cut processing facilities, a tomato re-packer, a USDA fresh kitchen (CIBUS Fresh), and two transportation companies. Today, FreshEdge is a category leader in providing both the foodservice and retail industries with fruit, vegetables, fresh grab-n-go offerings, dairy, floral and specialty products. For more, visit www.freshedgefoods.com. Contact Details FreshEdge Greg Corsaro +1 317-981-3440 gcorsaro@freshedgefoods.com Company Website https://www.freshedgefoods.com/

February 10, 2022 07:43 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Regenerative Medicine Company Vascudyne Relocates to High Capacity GMP Manufacturing Facility

Vascudyne, Inc.

Vascudyne, Inc., a biotechnology trailblazer in regenerative medicine, announced today that it has relocated to 15,000 sq. ft. of recently remodeled manufacturing, warehouse, laboratory, and office space. This new facility is needed to meet increased demand for research and development and manufacturing of Vascudyne’s TRUE™ Tissue technology that is unique and 100% natural. Nothing synthetic or artificial is ever used in the manufacturing process, in contrast to other regenerative medicine cardiovascular devices with synthetic polymer-based scaffolds that slowly degrade in the body and may lead to adverse immune response. Vascudyne announced in July the successful first human use of its TRUE™ Graft for hemodialysis access in end-stage renal disease patients. “The addition of a dedicated 5,000 sq. ft. ISO 7 Cleanroom manufacturing facility is paramount for the successful continuation of our TRUE Graft clinical studies,” said Cory Pries, Director of Quality at Vascudyne. “The expandable manufacturing capacity we have added is designed to support our current pilot clinical studies all the way to initial commercialization.” "We are dedicating 2,500 sq. ft. of the ISO 7 Cleanroom space to our new product development pipeline for coronary artery bypass graft, heart valves, and surgical patches," added Dr. Zeeshan Syedain, Vascudyne’s Chief Scientific Officer. “While we are initially focusing on cardiovascular applications for our TRUE Tissue technology, we can readily manufacture products and delivery systems for a range of medical devices, implantation sites, and geometries. We are excited to develop implantable biomaterials that are ready to use, off-the-shelf, and regenerative.” Vascudyne announced in December the closing of its Series A financing round for $10M that has fueled its growth and enabled the company’s relocation to the new facility. “Our investors’ continued support and promising early results from TRUE Graft’s first in man pilot study have propelled our growth,” said Rick Murphy, Vascudyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are establishing a strong presence in the epicenter of the Medical Alley, the Silicon Valley of Healthcare, and are creating excellent employment opportunities for talented people in the area. The move to this new facility positions us well to meet growing global demand for our products.” Vascudyne licensed its proprietary TRUE Tissue technology developed by world renowned tissue engineering leader Robert Tranquillo, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor, and his colleagues from the University of Minnesota in 2017. TRUE Graft is not available for commercial sale. About Vascudyne Headquartered in the heart of Medical Alley in Minnesota, Vascudyne is on a mission to improve patient care with regenerative biomaterials that are inspired by nature. Vascudyne, a privately held company founded in 2014, uses the TRUE™ Tissue technology to develop TRUE to Nature™ biomaterials for soft tissue repair and replacement. For more information, please visit https://www.vascudyne.com/. About TRUE Tissue Technology TRUE™ Tissue is developed from cells isolated from donor tissue and is 100% biological. There are no synthetic materials or chemical fixation used, and implanted tissues are completely cell-derived and acellular. The TRUE Tissue technology can be readily shaped into tubes, sheets, and other geometries making it suitable for many soft tissue applications, is mechanically comparable to native tissues, and is a ready to use, off-the-shelf allograft. Forward Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements identified by words such as "projects," "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "potential" or similar expressions. These statements relate to future events or Vascudyne’s clinical development programs, reflect management’s current beliefs and expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Vascudyne’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different. Vascudyne undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Contact Details Sandy Williams, Marketing Director swilliams@vascudyne.com Company Website https://vascudyne.com/

February 09, 2022 09:23 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Shatterproof Receives $5 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott

Shatterproof

Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States, today announced that it is a recipient of a $5 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, American philanthropist, to expand its work on addressing substance use disorder. The gift will be used to scale Shatterproof’s work using science-based solutions to make change by revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas, educating and empowering our communities and addressing policy change at the federal and state level. Between April 2020 and May 2021, the CDC reported that United States experienced more than 100,000 overdose deaths which is a 30 percent increase from previous years. According to a study by SAMSHA on substance use and health, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the nation’s well-being and alcohol and drug use is impacting nearly 40 million Americans. “Our country is suffering, and it is critical that Shatterproof scale the implementation of its science-based strategies and get our tools and resources into the hands of as many of our loved-ones in need as possible,” shared Gary Mendell, Shatterproof Founder & CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of MacKenzie Scott, we will be able to continue to further grow our life-saving work. While we are proud of our results to date, there is so much more work to do to meet the needs of the millions of families impacted by this disease.” We are so grateful that she has recognized the importance of addressing this urgent need in our country and investing in Shatterproof.” In 2020, Shatterproof launched www.TreatmentATLAS.org, an Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment and Standards (ATLAS®) platform, which aims to empower the public to find high-quality treatment services and ultimately drive the delivery of quality addiction treatment nationally. ATLAS is currently available in six states (DE, LA, MA, NY, NC, WV) and will expand to five more states this year (CA, FL, OK, NJ, PA). Shatterproof also launched the Movement to End Addiction Stigma, an evidence-based national strategy to address widespread stigma toward those with substance use disorder. Additionally, Shatterproof, in collaboration with The Hartford, released the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index a first-of-its-kind measurement tool, was designed to assess attitudes about substance use and people who use substances. Educational materials and helpful assessments and resources are available at www.Shatterprooff.org for individuals and families in need of help and support. About Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org. Contact Details Shatterproof Vanessa Shimer +1 203-954-8053 vshimer@shatterproof.org Company Website https://www.shatterproof.org/

February 08, 2022 03:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

GROUNDWORK BIOAG AND NOVATERO EXPAND MYCORRHIZAL BIO-PLATFORM FOR BRAZIL

Groundwork BioAg

Groundwork BioAg and its exclusive Brazilian distribution partner, NovaTero BioAg, announced a new product offering for Brazilian farmers this growing season – Rootella® BR ULTRA – which expands the reach to in-furrow and seed treatment application methods in soybean, corn and other cereals. Rootella BR ULTRA is the highest concentrated mycorrhizal inoculant in the market, containing 167,000 viable propagules per gram of Rhizophagus intraradices, with an application rate of as low as 15 grams per hectare. “As farmers manage the unseasonably dry weather, our expanded product portfolio offers additional choices for farmers in Brazil, especially as many switch to Safrinha,” said Bernardo Arnaud, NovaTero Chairman. “Farmers across Brazil continue to benefit from adding Rootella to their farm management practices to protect soil and plant health while extending above and below ground insurance against environmental stresses.” For the past three years, NovaTero has helped Brazilian farmers to naturally increase yield, reduce dependency on phosphorus and improve carbon sequestration in soil by applying the proven Rootella BR mycorrhizae inoculants. “As part of our strategy to expand our mycorrhizal bio-platform, we continue to set the standard for concentration of cost-effective, commercial scale mycorrhizae,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, Co-Founder and CEO of Groundwork BioAg. “As the impact of climate change continues around the world, we are committed to help increase the productivity of major crops – like those in key breadbaskets such as Brazil. As the ‘queen of biologicals,’ mycorrhiza offers the strongest natural defense against chronic drought while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.” After being granted the only definitive commercial registration in Brazil, the companies’ exclusive partnership has accelerated innovation to meet demand of the rapidly growing Brazilian market, where the biologicals market is projected to show a double digit CAGR in the coming years. The Rootella BR portfolio includes two of the most concentrated formulations of mycorrhizae on the market today. About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of commercial agriculture and expand regenerative agriculture practices. Groundwork BioAg is the first to use innovative techniques to solve challenges inherent in high-volume mycorrhizal inoculant production. We will not rest until every hectare of arable land is protected by mycorrhizae and every farmer benefits from higher crop yields while preserving our soils. For more information, visit www.groundworkbioag.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for Groundwork BioAg Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.groundworkbioag.com

February 08, 2022 08:30 AM Central Standard Time

Kramer enriches its end-to-end solutions for Enterprise and Education applications with the new Kramer Collaboration Devices

Kramer Electronics

Kramer Electronics Ltd. is pleased to announce the release of its new Kramer Collaboration Devices, the latest addition to its end-to-end Pro AV solutions for Enterprise and Education applications. The new product line, which includes advanced cameras, a communication bar and a speakerphone, offers outstanding AV quality, flexibility and simplicity. Kramer’s complete solutions for Enterprise meeting spaces, schools and universities meet customers’ needs for complete, integrated solutions from a single, trusted partner that provides certified solutions, market-leading warranties and end-to-end support, all under one roof. Offering simple setup and seamless use, it is agnostic to all UC applications, and supports multiple conferencing platforms. Kramer Collaboration Devices are designed for varied spaces from small huddle rooms up to large boardrooms, classrooms and auditoriums. They ensure all participants, whether in the room or connecting remotely, consistently enjoy superb interactions, with an immersive audio and video experience. With Kramer Collaboration Devices, all participants can see and be seen as well as hear and be heard clearly – enabling meaningful and effective collaboration. An integral part of Kramer end-to-end solutions for Enterprise and Education applications, Kramer Collaboration Devices are fast and simple to deploy. They can easily be combined with Kramer's in-room A/V signal management and control products for a complete collaborative, hybrid experience. “With workplace norms and needs changing across business and education markets, our end-to-end solutions are building the foundation for truly inclusive hybrid interaction spaces,” says Gilad Yron, Kramer’s CEO. “The addition of the new line of Kramer Collaboration Devices is the latest step towards this vision, helping ensure engaging experiences for all participants and successfully bridging the gap between in-person and remote interactions.” The new Kramer Collaboration Devices product line includes: K-Speak – A compact speakerphone with 360° omnidirectional audio pickup that enhances the audio experience for everyone. Perfect for any room size where additional audio coverage is needed. K-Bar –An all-in-one video and audio communication bar that allows participants to quickly start collaborating. Ideal for small to mid-sized spaces where an all-in-one device saves space and cable clutter. K-180Mini – A smart, 4K wall-mount panoramic camera with integrated microphone, that captures clear video across a full 180° field of view. Designed for small rooms and huddle rooms. K-CamHD – A professional HD PTZ camera for versatile video capture that ensures a clear view of all meeting attendees, with special attention wherever needed. Ideal for varied spaces and use cases, ranging from medium sized rooms up to board rooms, classrooms and auditoriums. K-Cam4K –An ultra-HD PTZ camera for premium-clarity video in large spaces that puts every meeting in sharp focus, with crystal-clear, ultra-high-definition video capture. Supports the most advanced and challenging setups in large meeting rooms and educational spaces. About Kramer We are dedicated to delivering better, smarter solutions that enhance physical-digital engagement and collaboration. Kramer solutions are based on our cutting-edge products and technologies for traditional AV, AV over IP, unified communication and collaboration (UCC) and wireless collaboration, and advanced management and control. www.kramerav.com Contact Details Ornit Sade Benkin +972 52-332-7700 osade@kramerav.com Company Website https://www.kramerav.com/

February 08, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

AIHM Integrative Health & Medicine Fellowship Application Now Open

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine

The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) is now accepting applications for its Spring 2022 Fellowship cohort. Applications are available at https://aihm.org/fellowship/. AIHM’s Integrative Health and Medicine Fellowship is a hybrid program designed for busy health professionals who have completed postgraduate education and hold an active license in a healthcare profession. The 1,000-hour program, which blends online learning with a clinical immersion experience, provides clinicians the opportunity to explore the diverse applications of integrative medicine and learn effective, interprofessional tools that can immediately be incorporated into their practice and patient care model. “With patient interest in integrative therapies on the rise, and more clinicians embracing such practices, we expect more providers than ever to apply to our fellowship program this year,” said Dr. Erika Cappelluti, AIHM fellowship director. In addition to evidence-based online learning modules and a clinical immersion, clinicians attend three retreats during the fellowship, which cover topics such as nutrition, botanical medicine, dietary supplements, biofield science, Chinese medicine, yoga, and meditation—all explored in a dynamic, interpersonal, group setting. The AIHM Fellowship is approved by the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) and recognized by the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health. Graduating Fellows who hold an MD or DO degree may be eligible to sit for the board exam and become board certified through the ABOIM. All graduates will receive a certificate of completion and can use the FAIHM designation in their credentials. For more information, practitioners are encouraged to attend the virtual informational sessions: Open House with a Fellowship Graduate on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 5 p.m. PT Open House with Fellowship Faculty on Thursday, March 10, at 5 p.m. PT For additional information about the AIHM Fellowship Program, visit https://aihm.org/fellowship/. Founded in 1978, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) is the leading interprofessional organization for traditional, complementary and integrative health practitioners worldwide. In 2001, AIHM merged with the Academic Collaborative of Integrative Health (ACIH). Together, they are working to advance integrative health on a global scale and transform health and wellness through education, leadership, collaboration, research and advocacy. For more information, visit aihm.org or follow @aihmglobal on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Contact Details Carol Stevenson +1 661-713-6879 carol@growthledge.com Company Website https://aihm.org

February 07, 2022 06:10 PM Eastern Standard Time