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AmeriLife Announces Key Leadership Additions to its Distribution & Marketing Organizations

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, today announced two key leadership changes to its Distribution and Marketing organizations aimed at accelerating and fortifying its business against the backdrop of record-breaking organic and acquired growth over the last two years. The leadership changes were announced jointly by Chief Distribution Office Mike Vietri and Chief Marketing Officer Ovi Vitas: Kelly Atkinson, an 11-year-veteran of AmeriLife, steps into the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Distribution Operations. Reporting to Vietri, Atkinson will work closely with AmeriLife’s Executive Leadership Team to create, implement and rollout plans for operational processes designed to support our continued Distribution growth. She will oversee daily operations across Distribution, managing regular touchpoints and ensuring accountability and regular reporting – including the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes. She will also be responsible for establishing and managing governance systems with clear processes and procedures and consistent affiliate oversight. Lastly, Atkinson will also continue to lead the charge on all Distribution events, incentive and sponsorship programs, while also driving forward key Distribution initiatives. Prior to this new role, Atkinson served as senior vice president, Brand Management and Creative Services. She started with the company as a project manager within AmeriLife’s marketing communications team and has grown with the company throughout her tenure, delivering on a host of enterprise programs. In the last year alone, Atkinson’s leadership produced a refreshed AmeriLife brand image; the launch of the Marketing Masterminds webinar series; the company’s first-ever Distribution National Kickoff Conference; the launch of the new, modern AmeriLife.com website; and much more. “Over the last 18 months, the AmeriLife Marketing and Distribution teams have made significant progress in repositioning our brand and building out a broad set of resources and programs to support our affiliates, agents and advisors,” said Vietri. “As a result, the organization is significantly larger and more complex than it was two years ago, and the need for a coordinated focus on our objectives and growth drivers has never been more important. We’re privileged that the individual to fill this critical role came from within AmeriLife, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kelly to our team.” “I’m excited for this next chapter of my career with AmeriLife,” added Atkinson. “I’ve had the privilege of growing with AmeriLife, and look forward to allowing that experience to help me continue to support the needs of the company in my new role as we continue to grow and take our Distribution to new heights.” As Atkinson transitions, Sarah Smith joins AmeriLife as its new Senior Vice President, Brand & Creative Services, with accountability and responsibility for all brand, internal and external communications, creative services, and marketing account management. Smith is charged with leading the organization on delivering exceptional creative output, as well as implementing a centralized intake and project management program for its various marketing service lines and affiliates. Smith comes to AmeriLife from one of its largest affiliates, Senior Market Advisors (SMA), where she was, most recently, Group Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Planning. Under Smith’s leadership, the SMA marketing team increased efficiencies and effectiveness of marketing campaigns through streamlined workflows and a fresh approach to project management. In her tenure with SMA, she also was instrumental in the creation of engaging training content and programs to better assist accounts in their growth, and most recently launched a new and improved website with portal functionality for agents. “I couldn’t be more grateful for Kelly’s leadership of our Marketing Services team, and am excited to support her in her new role as she works to transform Distribution operations,” said Vitas. “I’m equally as thrilled to welcome Sarah to the team, whose experience and expertise will undoubtedly build upon our strong foundation and further elevate AmeriLife’s brand and creative output in new and innovative ways on behalf of our enterprise and family of companies.” “I’m thrilled to take this new step in my career with one of the fastest growing insurance distributors in the country,” added Smith. “Over the past five years with Senior Market Advisors, I was given the opportunity to take risks and grow my skill set in ways I never thought imaginable. At a time when the marketplace is rapidly evolving, I’m eager to bring my experience to AmeriLife to help support the team as we take on new challenges and grow together.” ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors, more than 50 marketing organizations, and 50 insurance agency locations. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

March 21, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Program at Jefferson University teaches empathy and collaboration to future healthcare providers

Patient Safety Authority

An initiative at Jefferson University is helping teach students in clinical programs the most important subject of all: empathy. The Health Mentors Program (HMP) is bridging the gap between students’ clinical knowledge and their understanding of the whole person—a key component of patient-centered care. Highlighted in the January 2022 issue of PATIENT SAFETY, the HMP pairs interprofessional teams of students with health mentors—dedicated volunteers in the community who are experiencing chronic health issues or disabilities who meet regularly with the students to help them learn what’s not in their textbooks. “There are so many times in healthcare where our trainees would traditionally only see people not at their best and then formulate a stereotype, because they’ve never seen someone with a certain condition outside of the hospital,” Nethra Ankam, co-faculty lead for the HMP program told PATIENT SAFETY. “The goal is for the students to learn about the person and their experiences in the healthcare system; understand how the person’s health and well-being is affected by their environment; and appreciate the broader social determinants of health, advocacy, and person-centered care.” Twelve different professions are involved in the HMP program including athletic training, couple and family therapy, human genetics, nutrition, and occupational therapy, as well as medicine and nursing. “Whether to become a nurse, therapist, pharmacist or physician, students dedicate years learning their profession, with countless hours spent studying topics like anatomy, pharmacology, and chemistry. But what about empathy, what about teamwork?” asks Patient Safety Authority (PSA) executive director, Regina Hoffman, MBA, RN. “This program gives students a person-centered foundation and team skills to bring to the patient bedside. Ultimately, these are key factors in patient care and safety.” Other topics in this issue of PATIENT SAFETY include: Wrong-Site Surgery: Does That Really Happen? – Robert Yonash, patient safety liaison at the PSA reminds us that the risk of experiencing a wrong-site surgery is still all too real. He explains why these events continue to occur and offers strategies for prevention. Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy Airway Safety Events: An Analysis of Patient Safety Reports from 84 Hospitals – Airway management often comes with high stakes. Lea Anne Gardner, patient safety analyst, and Rebecca Jones, director of Data Science and Research at PSA, analyzed reports from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) related to tracheostomies and laryngectomies. They review their findings and discuss potential safety strategies to reduce risk. The PA-PSRS is the largest database of its kind in the United States. Medication Safety in the Emergency Department: A Study of Serious Medication Errors Reported by 101 Hospitals From 2011 to 2020 - Serious medication errors are uncommon, but consequences can be devastating. Patient safety analyst Elizabeth Kukielka and director of Data Science and Research Rebecca Jones share their deep dive into Emergency Department medication events and discuss potential prevention measures. PATIENT SAFETY is the peer-reviewed journal of the Patient Safety Authority. A scientific publication, PATIENT SAFETY humanizes patient harm with stories, opinion pieces, and magazine-quality design. It has a readership of more than 45,000 people in 164 countries. 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/

March 18, 2022 11:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Silent, Undetected Cause of Early Heart Disease

YourUpdateTV

One in 5 people worldwide have high Lipoprotein(a) – sometimes referred to as “L-P-little a” – an important genetic risk factor for premature heart disease and stroke. If you have a family history of early heart disease or have been told that heart disease “runs in your family,” but you’ve never been told why, it’s important to know if you have high Lp(a). Recently, founder and CEO Katherine Wilemon and chief medical officer Dr. Mary McGowan from the Family Heart Foundation, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss this silent, undetected cause of early heart disease. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Tl08nDPSy9k Genetic disorders driving early cardiovascular disease are very common, but almost never diagnosed. Elevated levels of Lp(a) increase the risk of inflammation, blood clotting and clogging — or plaque buildup — inside your blood vessels, which can block the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke. Almost everyone gets tested for high cholesterol, but in the U.S. fewer than 1% are screened for Lp(a). It’s important to know that Lp(a) levels are inherited — they’re unrelated to diet, exercise, obesity, and lifestyle. To find out if you’re affected, ask for a simple blood test to check your Lipoprotein(a). An Lp(a) test measures the level of Lipoprotein(a) in your blood. People might be surprised to know that this test is not part of a standard blood test that provides your cholesterol levels, so their doctor will need to order it directly. In order to create awareness worldwide of Lp(a), the Family Heart Foundation established the first annual Lp(a) Awareness Day on March 24. People can join the movement by following the Family Heart Foundation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and sharing our messages about Lp(a) with friends and family. We aim to make a difference for those who have never heard of this common genetic condition. The Family Heart Foundation is addressing gaps in care through research, advocacy and awareness. The Family Heart Foundation aims to save generations of families from early heart disease by helping those at risk get the information they need to protect themselves and their family. For more information, visit MoreFamiliesMoreHearts.org About Katherine Wilemon: A decade ago, founder and CEO Katherine Wilemon created the Family Heart Foundation (formerly the FH Foundation) to improve early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Katherine had a heart attack at the age of 39, a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia at 41, and, years later, she found out she also had elevated levels of lipoprotein(a). At the time of her diagnosis, Katherine realized that genetic disorders driving early cardiovascular disease were very common, but almost never diagnosed, leaving 9 out of those affected at high risk for the number one cause of death and illness. She resolved to bridge this enormous gap in diagnosis, because with early and accurate diagnosis, individuals can live decades longer without debilitating cardiovascular disease. She has led the Family Heart Foundation as it became a national catalyst for the research, education, awareness and support needed at every level of healthcare and public policy to prevent the early and devasting impact of genetic causes of heart disease and strokes including Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated Lipoprotein(a). Her vision and the mission of the Family Heart Foundation is to transform the lives of millions of families by assuring that everyone has the knowledge required to fight the early onset of heart attacks and strokes About Dr. Mary McGowan: Dr. Mary P. McGowan is the Chief Medical Officer of the Family Heart Foundation and the Co-Director of the Lipid Clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center. Dr. McGowan received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts and remained at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for both internship and residency. She completed her fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and is the author of numerous articles and five books. She has been the principal investigator on more than 30 national and international clinical trials and has lectured widely in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia on cholesterol metabolism. Dr. McGowan has previously served on the alumni board at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, the National Lipid Association Board of Directors and the NH Affiliate of the American Heart Association Board. Dr. McGowan lives in Bedford, NH with her husband, and they have three children. About the Family Heart Foundation: The Family Heart Foundation is a non-profit research and advocacy organization. The Foundation is a pioneer in the application of real-world evidence, patient-driven advocacy, and multi-stakeholder education to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a), two common genetic disorders that have an impact across generations. The Family Heart Foundation conducts innovative research to break down barriers to diagnosis and management of inherited lipid disorders; educates patients, providers, and policy makers; advocates for change; and provides hope and support for families impacted by heart disease and stroke caused by FH, HoFH, and high Lp(a). The organization was founded in 2011 as the FH Foundation. For more information, visit FamilyHeart.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 17, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Take Action for Heart Health

YourUpdateTV

Heart disease is responsible for over 600,000 deaths in the U.S. each year making it the leading (non-pandemic) cause of death in the U.S. Heart disease includes a number of different conditions that relate to your heart’s rhythm, muscle, and blood vessels. Luckily there are things we can all do to lower our risk for, or even prevent heart disease. Learning about what your genetics can tell you about your heart can be a good first step. Recently, Senior Product Scientist at 23andMe, Alisa Lehman, and Chief Clinical Officer at Lemonaid Health, Dr. Davis Liu, MD, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how genetics can help people take a proactive approach to their health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/213m-kngFRI When we look at the human genome, everyone is very similar. However, there are places in our DNA that are different from person to person, which are called genetic variants. Some of these variants are associated with certain health conditions. At 23andMe, scientists look at the variants you may have and can tell you if you may be genetically predisposed to developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, or migraine, or conditions related to heart disease. When it comes to heart disease, 23andMe’s personalized genetic reports can currently tell you if you're at an increased likelihood of developing conditions that affect your heart health, like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or high cholesterol. While genetics can give you a lot of insights about your likelihood of developing heart disease, there are many other factors that impact whether you actually go on to develop heart disease, and many of these factors are under your control, like your diet or exercise habits. Consult with your healthcare professional if you are concerned about your likelihood of developing heart disease, or if you have a personal or family history of heart disease. For more information, visit 23andMe.com About Alisa Lehman: Alisa is a Senior Product Scientist and has been working at 23andMe since 2015. Her team works to create scientifically accurate, consumer friendly genetic health features. Alisa holds a B.S. in Biology from MIT and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. About Davis Liu: Davis Liu, MD, is a board certified family doctor and Chief Clinical Officer at Lemonaid Health. Previously he worked at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville California for 15 years and lives in the Sacramento area with his wife and two teenagers. As the only doctor in his family, Dr. Liu feels compelled to make sure all Americans get the right health information to stay healthy and well. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 15, 2022 12:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Bloom Healthcare Named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center)

Bloom Healthcare

Bloom Health Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bloom Healthcare Inc. (“Bloom Healthcare”) an industry leader in comprehensive home-based primary care and behavioral health integration, has been named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center). Bloom Healthcare began participating in the new Global and Professional Direct Contracting (“Direct Contracting”) model on January 1 st of this year and is one of eight (8) DCEs serving a High Need Population in the new model. High Needs Population DCEs use a model of care specifically designed to serve Medicare beneficiaries with complex medical needs, in particular those that are homebound or reside in assisted living facilities. The Direct Contracting model enables participating organizations, like Bloom Healthcare, to reduce medical expenditures and improve quality of care and health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with complex, chronic conditions and advanced stage illness. In addition, the model aims to improve how Medicare patients experience healthcare by reducing administrative burdens and increasing time spent with their primary healthcare provider. “Bloom Healthcare is redefining how our patients and partners experience healthcare by transforming the way care is delivered in the communities we serve. Our mission fully aligns with the goals and objectives of the Innovation Center’s Direct Contracting model and is yet another example of Bloom’s commitment to continuously innovate, improve quality of care and health outcomes for our patients” said Thomas Lally, M.D., CEO of Bloom Healthcare. Bloom Healthcare will be accountable for the cost and quality of services provided to their patients who are Medicare beneficiaries participating in the new model. The Direct Contracting model offers participating DCEs, like Bloom Healthcare, increased flexibilities, such as the ability to directly contract with other types of healthcare providers, develop preferred provider relationships and aligned incentives to improve care coordination. As a DCE, Bloom can offer benefit enhancements and additional services to eligible Medicare patients, which are not traditionally covered by the Medicare program. “Our participation in this new Innovation Center model will enable Bloom Healthcare and our participating primary care providers to provide their most vulnerable and medically complex patients with a level of value-based care that heretofore has not been possible in the traditional Medicare program. It builds on our organization’s success in other value-based care model partnerships, such as with Medicare Advantage organizations” said Franke P. Elliott, President of Bloom Health Network, Bloom Healthcare’s DCE. Bloom Healthcare enhances the quality of life and well-being of seniors and their caregivers by providing high quality healthcare wherever they choose to live – at home, or in senior housing, such as an assisted living facility. Patients are cared for by a primary care provider who is supported by a robust multidisciplinary care team, consisting of administrative coordinators, nurse clinical coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and complex case managers, who provide care in accordance with a comprehensive care plan developed with patients and their families, with a focus on maximizing quality of life and meeting patients’ goals. For information about Bloom Healthcare and our participation in the Direct Contracting model, please visit https://bloomhealthcare.com/bloom-dce/ Disclaimer: The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document. Contact Details Angela Fulcher +1 512-470-1970 afulcher@growthstrategy.ai

March 15, 2022 08:40 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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4D Path, PathPresenter Announce Partnership to Advance AI-enabled Digital Pathology for End-to-End Breast Tumor Profiling

4D Path

PathPresenter, a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software, and 4D Path Inc., developer of a pan-cancer diagnostic and precision oncology platform enabling AI-based biomarker typing and prognostication from H&E images, are announcing today a global partnership to distribute 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast within PathPresenter’s new Clinical Workflow Platform, ClinPx. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast provides histopathologists with an adjunct technology to potentially improve diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer features (e.g., its invasiveness, grades, ki-67 status, etc.) solely from digitized histopathology images obtained via biopsies or resections. Through this partnership, pathologists will have the ability to run the 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader Breast directly within the ClinPx whole slide image viewer. Embedding this AI technology within PathPresenter’s emerging ClinPx platform – a scanner-agnostic digital pathology workflow solution – could accelerate the adoption of AI tools within clinical workflows. “We believe that the integration of these two technologies will redefine how AI can be adopted by everyday pathologists,” said Rajendra Singh, M.D., Founder of PathPresenter. The primary purpose of integrating 4D’s proprietary algorithms within the ClinPx platform is to potentially improve the throughput, reliability, and quality of consultations provided by physicians. Additionally, users from pharmaceutical organizations could also benefit from the enablement of the standardized central pathology review of certain biomarkers within the context of clinical trials leveraging the ClinPx platform. “This unique partnership is very much needed to make the most of the increasing investment in digital pathology,” said Tathagata Dasgupta, Founder and President of 4D Path. “While PathPresenter offers a software platform made by pathologists to serve pathologists in their digital workflow, it will have at its heart the 4D Path-driven end-to-end tumor profiling white-box solution that can produce synoptic reports to potentially assist clinical reporting.” To advance the adoption of digital pathology worldwide, 4D Path and PathPresenter have created exclusive educational content to teach current and future pathologists about how evaluation of breast cancer features prior to downstream genomic and molecular testing can potentially improve patient care. This information will be available to PathPresenter’s 40,000 global users at PathPresenter.net. *4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast has not been approved by the FDA or the EMA for primary diagnosis. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast is for Research Use Only (RUO) About PathPresenter PathPresenter has been a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software since 2017. Originally known for its education platform, PathPresenter has evolved into a suite of interconnected digital pathology products that enable the use of digital pathology images for clinical care, medical education, and research. With over 40,000 registered users adopting its technologies around the world, PathPresenter enables a global clinical and data network for AI-driven precision medicine to define a new standard of care. Visit https://pathpresenter.net/ to learn more. About 4D Path 4D Path’s mission is to democratize precision diagnostics and oncology by unveiling previously hidden information purely from cellular snapshots of tissue ( e.g., histology) or liquid ( e.g., cytology) without the use of antibody stains. The company’s cloud-based 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader (QPOR) is a U.S. patented pan-cancer precision diagnostic and oncology platform which is being designed to extract diagnostic data from routine cytology and histology images. Its beachhead product, the 4D QPOR Breast, has been awarded FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for potentially improving diagnostic accuracy over the current standard of care. This end-to-end solution provides an adjunct tool, which aims to accelerate diagnostic turnaround times, reduce cost, and improve diagnostic accuracy in a single step. In addition, this technology is being designed to identify an overall biologic cancer signature to guide therapeutic management from as early as pre-treatment biopsy/resection specimens. This single test will not require the multiple additive signatures that multi-omics platforms depend upon, with their additional burdens of cost, diagnostic delay, and reliance on specialized equipment. This approach toward tumor profiling could lead to the 4D QPOR becoming an efficient and universally accessible platform to better predict and stratify patient response to therapy. The platform can integrate seamlessly into any existing clinical workflow without altering current practices. Visit https://4dpath.com to learn more. Contact Details SVM Public Relations & Marketing Communications Jordan Bouclin +1 401-490-9700 Jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com Company Website https://4dpath.com/

March 15, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Doctors and nurses worldwide point to roadmap to future-proof healthcare

Elsevier

Thousands of doctors and nurses from across the globe reveal what is needed to fill gaps and future-proof today’s healthcare system in a new report from Elsevier Health. Published two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the comprehensive “Clinician of the Future” report, conducted in partnership with Ipsos uncovers just how undervalued doctors and nurses feel, and their call for urgent support such as more skills training — especially in the effective use of health data and technology; preserving the patient-doctor relationship in a changing digital world; and recruiting more healthcare professionals into the field. Their voices have been elevated in this first global, multiphase research report to not only understand where the healthcare system is following the COVID-19 pandemic, but where it needs to be in 10 years to ensure a future that both providers and patients deserve. “Doctors and nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of our society. Ensuring they are being heard will enable them to get the support they need to deliver better patient care in these difficult times,” said Jan Herzhoff, President of Elsevier Health. “We must start to shift the conversation away from discussing today’s healthcare problems to delivering solutions that will help improve patient outcomes. In our research, they have been clear about the areas they need support; we must act now to protect, equip and inspire the clinician of the future.” There has never been a greater need for lifting the voices of healthcare professionals. The global study found 71% of doctors and 68% of nurses believe their jobs have changed considerably in the past 10 years, with many saying their jobs have gotten worse. One in three clinicians are considering leaving their current role by 2024, with as many as half of this group in some countries leaving healthcare entirely. This comes on top of the existing global healthcare workforce shortage, where clinicians continue to experience severe levels of fatigue and burnout since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. “As a practicing doctor, I am acutely aware of the struggles today’s clinicians face in their efforts to care for patients,” said Charles Alessi, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). “This comprehensive report from Elsevier Health provides an opportunity for the industry to listen — and act — on the pivotal guidance given by those on the frontlines. I commend this important initiative and look forward to next steps in supporting our doctors and nurses.” What today’s clinicians want for the clinician of the future The “Clinician of the Future” report includes a quantitative global survey, qualitative interviews and roundtable discussions with nearly 3,000 practicing doctors and nurses around the world. The data helps shed light on the challenges impacting the profession today and predictions on what healthcare will look like in the next decade, according to those providing critical patient care. To ensure a positive shift moving into the future—and to fill current gaps—clinicians highlight the following priority areas for greater support: Enhancing health technology skills: Clinicians predict that over the next 10 years “technology literacy” will become their most valuable capability, ranking higher than “clinical knowledge.” In fact, 56% of clinicians predict they will base most of their clinical decisions using tools that utilize artificial intelligence. However, 69% report being overwhelmed with the current volume of data and 69% predict the widespread use of digital health technologies to become an even more challenging burden in the future. As a result, 83% believe training needs to be overhauled so they can keep pace with technological advancements. A greater focus on the patient-provider relationship: Clinicians predict a blended approach to healthcare with 63% saying most consultations between clinicians and patients will be remote and 49% saying most healthcare will be provided in a patient’s home instead of in a healthcare setting. While clinicians may save time and see more patients thanks to telehealth, more than half of clinicians believe telehealth will negatively impact their ability to demonstrate empathy with patients they no longer see in person. As a result, clinicians are calling for guidance on when to use telehealth and how to transfer soft skills like empathy to the computer screen. An expanded healthcare workforce: Clinicians are concerned about a global healthcare workforce shortage, with 74% predicting there will be a shortage of nurses and 68% predicting a shortage of doctors in 10 years’ time. This may be why a majority of global clinicians agree that a top priority will be to increase the number of healthcare workers in the coming decade. Clinicians require the support of larger, better equipped teams and expanded multidisciplinary healthcare teams, such as data analysts, data security experts and scientists, as well as clinicians themselves. “While we know that many nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout, we also know that the pandemic has inspired others to enter the field because of a strong desire for purposeful work,” said Marion Broome, PhD RN, FAAN, Ruby F. Wilson Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, Duke University. “We must embrace this next wave of healthcare professionals and ensure we set them up for success. Our future as a society depends on it.” Looking to the future Findings from this research will be leveraged to provide strategic insights and solutions for physicians, nurses, educators, healthcare administrators and policymakers as Elsevier Health establishes initiatives designed to address the gaps highlighted: Provide an annual Elsevier Health “Clinician of the Future” pulse survey to ensure these voices continue to be front-and-center. Convene a Global Coalition of healthcare leaders and institutions to explore solutions at the medical school and clinical practice level. Explore the issue of patient empathy in partnership with our trusted research journals and subject matter experts. “Ultimately, we asked clinicians for what they need, and now it’s our responsibility as a healthcare industry to act,” said Thomas (Tate) Erlinger, MD, MPH, Vice President, Clinical Analytics, Elsevier Health. “Now is the time for bold thinking — to serve providers and patients today and tomorrow. We need to find ways to give clinicians the enhanced skills and resources they need to better support and care for patients in the future. And we need to fill in gaps today, to stop the drain on healthcare workers to ensure a strong system in the next decade and beyond.” Research methodology Elsevier and Ipsos collaborated to develop this study with Ipsos conducting the three phases of research cumulatively leading to the explorations in this report. The phases included (1) 60-minute online qualitative interviews with 23 key opinion leaders from around the world to uncover trends and expectations for the future state of clinician roles and to inform quantitative design (run from Aug. 11 until Sept. 10, 2021). Participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and its flagship medical journal, The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH – Thought Leadership); (2) a 15-minute online global survey completed by 2,838 1 clinicians to measure attitudes and uncover the paradigm shifts expected to most impact how healthcare is delivered (run from Oct. 15 until Dec. 13, 2021). The 2,838 respondents included a mixture of doctors and nurses from around the world. All participants who took part chose to do so, and individuals invited to participate were drawn from a number of sources, including clinicians who had published recently, who were randomly selected from a database of published authors across 9,000 health titles (including journals and books) from various publishers, clinicians on a third-party panel, and users of Elsevier solutions aimed at doctors and nurses. Data generated from this study was weighted using a regional weighting efficiency of 77.7% and a doctor-to-nurse weighting efficiency of 93.0%; (3) three qualitative virtual roundtables with 13 key opinion leaders in the US (5 participants), UK (4 participants) and China (4 participants) to gather reactions to the findings and provide expert points of view on the clinician of the future (run Nov. 22, 2021, Dec. 7, 2021, and Jan. 13, 2022). A global medical student roundtable with 12 participants was also conducted to capture the voice of the next generation of clinicians (run Feb. 15, 2022). For these roundtables, participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH - Though Leadership), a global social impact organization. To read the “Clinician of the Future” report in its entirety, click here. Notes for editors [1] Full base size Total (n=2838), Doctors (n=1691), Nurses (n=1108) Total (n=2838). Females (1465), Males (1300), Other (73) Total (n=2838), USA (n=434), UK (n=604), China (n=499), India (n=161), DE (n=162), JP (n=63), FR (n=82), ES (n=239), AUS (n=46), Mexico (n=50), NOAM (n=445), EUROPE (n=1255), APAC (n=842), MEA (n=128), South America (n=168); Doctor (n=1691), USA (n=261), UK (n=411), China (n=209), India (n=69), DE (n=69), JP (n=61), FR (n=24*), ES (n=130), AUS (n=30), Mexico (n=39), NOAM (n=268), EUROPE (n=755), APAC (n=433), MEA (n=105), South America (n=130); Nurses (n=1108), USA (n=164), UK (n=190), China (n=289), India (n=92), DE (n=86), JP (n=2*), FR (n=55), ES (n=106), AUS (n=16*), Mexico (n=9*), NOAM (n=168), EUROPE (n=481), APAC (n=408), MEA (n=21*), South America (n=30). About Elsevier Health Elsevier Health is a new brand identity that elevates our unique position to leverage knowledge, data, and technology to help clinicians, leaders, educators and students globally. Through our research, we have identified Five Pillars to Shape the Future of Health, which will guide our actions for the future. These pillars focus on the need to improve access to evidence-based information to tackle the infodemic; prepare more future health professionals with effective tools and resources; provide insights that improve patient outcomes; deliver healthcare that is truly inclusive; and support a more personalized and localized healthcare experience. Elsevier Health supports healthcare professionals throughout their career journey from education through clinical practice by providing current, accessible, evidence–based information, that can help empower clinicians to provide the best healthcare possible. 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 e-Book 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 Media contact Teresa Mueller, VP Communications, Elsevier Health Elsevier Communications t.mueller@elsevier.com Contact Details Elsevier Communications, UK Teresa Mueller t.mueller@elsevier.com Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

March 15, 2022 09:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is Back on the Course in 2022

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

The annual Boston Marathon ® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai will be returning to the historic course in person on Sunday, October 2 nd, to defy cancer. The Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted on the famed course and participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley), or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). Participants can also choose to join the event virtually by “ walking their way ” from wherever they are most comfortable—in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home. Virtual programming and supporting materials will be available. “Throughout the Jimmy Fund Walk’s 33-year history, we have raised money to support our lifesaving mission, and the pandemic didn’t stop us,” said Zack Blackburn, Director of the Jimmy Fund Walk. Over the past two years, we saw our teams walk virtually and celebrate in their own unique way. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person. We are back, and we are stronger than ever.” The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history. Funds raised from the Walk support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Anyone interested in additional information can email JimmyFundWalk@DFCI.Harvard.edu or call 866-531-9255. Along the course, walkers are treated to 12 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile marker and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk end at the Copley Square Finish Line with a celebration complete with food, music, and a speaking program. To register for the Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal, and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt. About the Jimmy Fund The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. Contact Details Brodeur Partners Kaitlynn Cooney +1 609-351-5944 kcooney@brodeur.com Company Website https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1840&pg=entry

March 15, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HUNDREDS OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND WORLD LEADERS DEMAND AN END TO TOXIC MERCURY-CONTAINING LIGHTING

Clean Lighting Coalition

Today, more than 200 civil society organisations – including Climate Action Network, the Clean Lighting Coalition, European Environmental Bureau and South Africa Climate Change Coalition – have sent an open letter to Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, President of the United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury COP4 demanding the end to exemptions for toxic mercury-containing fluorescent lighting products. The organisations are calling for a global phase-out of mercury containing fluorescent light products by 2025, in line with a proposed amendment submitted by the African region to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. As lighting markets in wealthy countries shift to clean LED lighting, less-regulated markets may experience “environmental dumping” of old fluorescent technologies. Many countries in the global North have passed or are considering policies that will ban the sale of mercury-laden, inefficient lighting products in their domestic markets, however they would still allow domestic manufacture and export to less developed and emerging markets. The import of fluorescents puts the public and environmental health of those countries at unnecessary risk. The proposed amendment by the African region would ensure a global phase-out of fluorescent lighting, eliminating fluorescent lighting at the source by ending the manufacture, export and import of mercury-based lighting products. The cumulative (2025-2050) global benefits of the African Lighting Amendment would be significant: Eliminate 232 tonnes of mercury pollution from the environment, both from the light bulbs themselves and from avoided mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants; Reduce global electricity use by 3%; Avoid 3.5 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions cumulatively between 2025-2050; equivalent to removing all passenger cars globally from the road for a whole year; and Save US$1 trillion on electricity bills Despite significant progress to reduce mercury, the Minamata Convention includes special exemptions for mercury-based fluorescent lighting products. While these fluorescent exemptions may have been necessary in 2013 when the Convention was drafted, lighting technology has moved on rapidly – and today, the accessibility and affordability of mercury-free LED retrofit lamps makes the fluorescent lamp exemption unnecessary. The signatories, representing climate and environment advocates, healthcare networks, youth groups, lighting industry representatives and energy experts from across the world are calling for an end to the sale of toxic, polluting lighting products to protect both people and the planet. "Ending exemptions for mercury-added fluorescent lighting at COP4.2 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on March 21 and removing 3.5GT of carbon dioxide emissions between 2025-2050 is the quickest win and lowest hanging fruit for climate mitigation," said Nithi Nesadurai, Director and Regional Coordinator, Climate Action Network Southeast Asia during a media advisory on March 14. "It will be beneficial from the cost, health and environmental perspectives as well. It has to be done now; there is no time to lose." The letter comes as research from the Clean Lighting Coalition and partners demonstrate the health risks of mercury in lighting – particularly to vulnerable groups like developing fetuses, babies, and children; workers who handle fluorescent lamps at manufacturing and recycling facilities, as well as maintenance workers in commercial and institutional buildings; and communities of color and people living in low-income neighborhoods who may be chronically exposed to a combination of toxic substances, including mercury. The letter underscores that the phase-out of fluorescents must be a coordinated global effort. From 21-25 March 2022, the Minamata Convention will host the fourth Conference of Parties (COP4). To enter into effect, the amendment must be passed with a majority consensus of the 137 Parties (countries) to the Convention. NOTES TO THE EDITOR The Minamata Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury – a neurotoxin that can cause harmful and long-term health effects. The Convention launched in 2013 with the goal to “Make Mercury History” by eliminating the use of mercury in products and processes worldwide. Major highlights include a ban on new mercury mines and phase-out of existing ones, control measures on emissions to air and on releases to land and water, and the regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Currently, 137 parties (countries) have ratified the Convention. Please read the full open letter and full list of signatories here. About the Climate Action Network The Climate Action Network (CAN) is the world’s largest climate network made up of over 1,500 civil society organisations in over 130 countries, together fighting the climate crisis. To learn more, visit https://climatenetwork.org/. About the Clean Lighting Coalition The Clean Lighting Coalition is a global partnership coordinated by CLASP to capture the health and environmental benefits of eliminating mercury-based lighting. To learn more, visit www.cleanlightingcoalition.org and follow the Coalition on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Clean Lighting Coalition (CLASP) Karishma Joseph +91 95383 72435 kjoseph@clasp.ngo Climate Acton Network Dharini Parthasarathy dparthasarathy@climatenetwork.org Company Website https://www.cleanlightingcoalition.org

March 14, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time