Posted by : admin in (Advertising)

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Breath: MedGen Inc. Retains TransMedia Group to Send Media a Wake-Up Call About an All-Natural, Quick New Way to Slumber Land

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BOCA RATON, Fla., July 21 /PRNewswire/ — TransMedia Group said it was retained to get the word out about a ‘4 Good Night’s Sleep,’ all-natural sleep aid for people who can’t wait for pills to work, for those who cannot swallow pills, and who want to fall asleep fast and safely. MedGen Inc., the makers of Snorenz, which has over 5 million users, finally introduces this highly-anticipated sleep aid product which has already garnered rave reviews from the test market.
“MedGen Inc. has hired us to introduce ‘4 Good Night’s Sleep,” , an all-natural melatonin strip that dissolves on your tongue quickly for a great night’s sleep,” says TransMedia’s Senior Vice President, Kim Morgan.
“We choose TransMedia Group to publicize this unique product after seeing the amazing job they’ve done in promoting innovative health products and helping companies like Rexall Sundown to become the number-one nutritional supplement company in the world,” states Paul B. Kravitz, Chairman and CEO of MedGen Inc.
“Our publicity will emphasize how MedGen Inc. saturated the dissolvable strips with pharmaceutical-grade melatonin, which makes it a potent, pleasant and natural way to induce sleep, while it sweetens breath and even provides an anti-oxidant benefit,” adds Morgan.
“The all-natural ingredients in ‘4 Good Night’s Sleep’ and its unique delivery system will certainly make this product newsworthy at a time when sleepless Americans are worried about their jobs and paying their mortgages in a slowing economy,” says TransMedia’s CEO Tom Madden.
MedGen Inc. is a fully reporting public company listed on the NASDAQ OTCBB Exchange. Incorporated in 1996, MedGen’s products seek approval from both health professionals and the general public. The principals at the company believe that studied introductions are very important and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in R&D to date. MedGen is dedicated to the health and wellness of all and as their top priority, they continue to invest heavily in the future research for sustained health developments.
About TransMedia Group:
TransMedia Group, headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, is an award-winning PR and marketing firm that has served clients worldwide since 1981. For more information visit .
Contact: Kim Morgan

(561) 750-9800

TransMedia Group

Posted by : admin in (Art)

Artwork by Homeless Men on Display in Tremont Cafe

CLEVELAND, July 2 /PRNewswire/ — An exhibition of paintings by homeless men in the Joseph’s Home Art Program is now on display at Grumpy’s Cafe, 2621 West 14th Street, in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.
The exhibition includes several paintings from residents of Joseph’s Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity health System and the only transitional housing facility of its kind in Northeast Ohio. Joseph’s Home provides home health care for homeless men recuperating from illness or injury. The Art Program, recently begun and led by Joseph Home Board Chair William M. Denihan, current President of the Cuyahoga County Mental health Board, provides participants with art instruction and lessons about various artists and methods. The program engages the residents and provides a creative outlet as they recover.
“When we first began this art program, the Joseph’s Home residents participating in the art program were surprised with the quality of the paintings. They have realized that they have a tremendous gift to offer through their creativity and individual styles.”
Due to the energy and support for this art program, Denihan now hosts the art instruction twice per week.
“Our men are normally limited as to ways they can express themselves,” said Georgette Jackson, executive director of Joseph’s Home. “We want them to stay invested in what they are doing, and this is a way for them to have something to look forward to and help build their self esteem.”
The paintings are on display at Grumpy’s Cafe, until July 10. In addition, Joseph’s Home residents participating in the Joseph’s Home Art Program will be selling their paintings at the St. John West Shore Hospital’s Festival of the Arts July 11 - July 13, with proceeds benefiting Joseph’s Home.
About Joseph’s Home
Joseph’s Home provides residential space for homeless men recovering from temporary or chronic illnesses who are referred from area agencies, shelters or health care facilities. Residents participate in activities of daily living and literacy, sobriety and other self-improvement programs. Joseph’s Home prepares and motivates its residents for a new life by offering opportunities for education, job skill development and permanent housing. It is the only facility of its kind in Northeast Ohio and has helped nearly 300 men recover from acute illness and move on to permanent housing since its inception in 2000.
About the Sisters of Charity health System
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Sisters of Charity health System was established in 1982 as the parent corporation for the sponsored ministries of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in Ohio and South Carolina. In 1999, Sisters of Charity health System formed two Ohio not-for-profit corporations with University Hospitals to equally own and operate St. John West Shore Hospital, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Cuyahoga Physician Network, West Shore Primary Care and Professional Medical Equipment. Through this equal ownership, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine continue their legacy of high quality, compassionate care that began at the time of the founding of these organizations.
The Sisters of Charity health System is the sole sponsor of Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals, a leading cardiovascular center in South Carolina, which includes Providence Hospital/Providence Heart Institute and Providence Hospital Northeast in Columbia, South Carolina. The organization also oversees three grantmaking foundations located in Cleveland and Canton, OH and Columbia, SC. Each foundation sponsors significant community initiatives and collaborations that address causes and consequences of poverty.
Other health and human services and education-related organizations within the Sisters of Charity health System include Cleveland’s Joseph’s Home, a unique residential care center for homeless men, Canton’s Early Childhood Resource Center for people working in childcare in all settings; and Healthy Learners, a South Carolina health care resource for children from low-income families. The Sisters of Charity health System also provides residential eldercare services at Regina health Center in Richfield, Ohio and Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio. Light of Hearts Villa is jointly sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
Joseph’s Home

Posted by : admin in (Real Estate)

Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT Acquires Medical Portfolio 3 in Indianapolis

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 1 /PRNewswire/ — Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Medical Portfolio 3, a collection of 13 healthcare-related properties comprising 20 buildings, located throughout Indianapolis.
Medical Portfolio 3 consists of approximately 689,000 square feet of gross leaseable area. The portfolio is 91 percent leased, and is primarily anchored by Clarian health Partners, which has occupancy in nine of the 13 properties for an approximate gross leaseable area of 325,000 square feet.
Clarian Health, one of the largest healthcare providers in Indiana, is a consolidated healthcare organization that is comprised of Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children. The nine properties leased to Clarian health represent the company’s “Beltway Strategy,” an initiative to provide a network of state-of-the-art medical facilities and services to the community in convenient locations off or near the Indianapolis beltway, Interstate 465, delivering quality care and convenience to the communities near retail, residential and commercial areas in the entire eight-county region. Most of these medical properties are anchored by outpatient centers with substantial ancillary programs such as ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers and primary care practices.
“Clarian health adds to the attractiveness of this acquisition because they are a high quality credit tenant that provides stability to the rent roll,” said Danny Prosky, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions for Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT. “This portfolio is not only located in a thriving metropolitan area, but enjoys strong occupancy as well, making this acquisition an outstanding one for the Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT portfolio.”
Medical Portfolio 3 was acquired from HCP, Inc . Financing for this acquisition was primarily provided by Fifth Third Bank, and through utilization of the Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT line of credit.
As of June 20, 2008, Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT has sold approximately 37.4 million shares of its common stock, excluding the shares issued under its distribution reinvestment plan, for approximately $374 million through its initial public offering, which began in the third quarter of 2006.
Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT offers a monthly distribution of 7.25 percent per annum and, as of June 27, 2008, has made 34 geographically diverse acquisitions for a total of 100 buildings valued at approximately $706 million, based on purchase price.
About Grubb & Ellis
Grubb & Ellis Company , one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services companies, is the sponsor of Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT, Inc. With more than 130 owned and affiliate offices worldwide, Grubb & Ellis offers property owners, corporate occupants and investors comprehensive integrated real estate solutions, including transaction, management, consulting and investment advisory services supported by proprietary market research and extensive local market expertise.
Grubb & Ellis and its subsidiaries are leading sponsors of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including tax-deferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges; public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds. As of March 31, 2008, more than $3.4 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 218 million square feet of real estate. In 2007, Grubb & Ellis was selected from among 15,000 vendors as Microsoft Corporation’s Vendor of the Year. For more information regarding Grubb & Ellis Company, please visit .
FORWARD-LOOKING LANGUAGE
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the importance that the property adds to the Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT portfolio. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not descriptions of historical facts and include statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, plans or predictions of the future, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: uncertainties regarding changes in the healthcare industry; uncertainties relating to changes in general economic and real estate conditions; uncertainties relating to the local economy and demand for healthcare related services in the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area; the strengths and financial condition of Clarian health Partners; the uncertainties relating to the implementation of our real estate investment strategy; and other risk factors as outlined in the company’s prospectus, as amended from time to time, and as detailed from time to time in our periodic reports, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT, Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Health)

Solis Women’s Health Brings Molecular Breast Imaging to Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 1 /PRNewswire/ — Solis Women’s Health, with eight centers across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex devoted entirely to mammography and breast imaging, announced today that it is adding molecular imaging to the diagnostic tools it has available in its DFW locations. This exciting technology is performed with the Dilon 6800, a high-resolution, small field-of-view gamma camera, optimized to perform Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI). It is initially being implemented at Solis’ Central Plano location, with further implementations planned at Solis locations throughout the Metroplex.
BSGI is a molecular breast imaging technique that can see lesions independent of tissue density and discover very early stage cancers. BSGI serves as a complementary diagnostic adjunct procedure to mammography and ultrasound for difficult-to-diagnose patients. With BSGI, the patient receives a pharmaceutical tracing agent that is absorbed by all the cells in the body. Due to their increased rate of metabolic activity, cancerous cells in the breast absorb a greater amount of the tracing agent than normal, healthy cells and generally appear as “hot spots” on the BSGI image.
Solis has been using the Dilon 6800 in its Solis-Bertrand Breast Center in Greensboro, N.C., for over a year. Molecular imaging will be used as a part of Solis’ advanced imaging program for breast diagnosis, which also includes the use of breast MRI, when appropriate.
“BSGI has proven to be an important adjunct to mammography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer at the Solis-Bertrand Center, and we are excited to be the first in the Metroplex to offer this important advance in care,” said Brad Hummel, CEO of Solis.
“At Solis our commitment is to the women of our communities, and this commitment extends to selecting technologies that demonstrate diagnostic value in our mission to diagnose cancers when they are small and at their most treatable. We studied the BSGI extensively at our center in Greensboro, and determined that it offered benefits that we needed to bring to the Metroplex,” said Hummel.
Bob Moussa, CEO of Dilon Technologies added, “We are delighted to have an institution as prestigious as Solis Women’s health include our advanced technology as part of their diagnostic offering. It speaks volumes for their commitment to enhancing the standard of health care in the communities in which they operate. By working closely together, Solis and Dilon will continue to help the fight against cancer.”
About Solis Women’s Health
Solis Women’s health is a specialized healthcare provider focused exclusively on the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Solis operates eight north central Texas facilities; the Solis-Bertrand Breast Center in Greensboro, N.C.; Solis-BenOra Imaging in Phoenix, Ariz.; and 10 MedTech Mammography Centers in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; and has several additional sites under development in markets across the United States. Solis provides a complete range of breast health services including screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, computer-aided detection, breast ultrasound, bone densitometry and stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsy, breast specific gamma imaging and breast MRI. More information is available at .
About Dilon Technologies
Dilon Technologies Inc. is bringing innovative new medical imaging products to market. Dilon’s cornerstone product, the Dilon 6800, is a high-resolution, small field-of-view gamma camera, optimized to perform BSGI, a molecular breast imaging procedure which images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake. Many leading medical centers around the country are now offering BSGI to their patients, including: Cornell University Medical Center, New York; George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; and The Rose, Houston. For more information on Dilon Technologies please visit .
Dilon Technologies Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Medical)

Medco Health Solutions: RxHub and SureScripts Collaboration Provides Catalyst for Electronic Prescribing Growth

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The historic collaboration between retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers — resulting in the merger of two complementary ePrescribing networks — will serve as a catalyst to fuel unprecedented growth in wiring the most-used benefit in America’s health care delivery system, Medco health Solutions, Inc. said in a statement today.
“Collaboration among retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers in pursuit of patient safety and health care efficiency represents a breakthrough that will help to forge a new future in American pharmacy,” said John Driscoll, President, New Markets, Medco. “For patients, payors, pharmacists and physicians, ePrescribing will help to reduce prescribing errors and drug interactions and maximize the use of the most effective, lowest-cost therapies — speeding the prescribing and dispensing process, while removing costs from the health care system.”
RxHub, launched by a consortium of the nation’s leading pharmacy benefit managers and SureScripts, a system sponsored by retail pharmacies earlier today announced that they would merge their industry-leading systems in an effort to further the adoption and use of ePrescribing technologies.
“The unification of SureScripts and RxHub creates a single platform for nationwide adoption and broad use of safe and secure ePrescribing technologies at a time when Congress is considering financial incentives to doctors by increasing Medicare and Medicare reimbursement for prescriptions transmitted electronically,” said Driscoll.
Technologies such as ePrescribing are considered pivotal in addressing the estimated 1.5 million preventable medication errors each year in the United States that cost the health care system as much as $3.5 billion.
A pioneer in adapting innovative technologies to advance pharmacy care, Medco invented the world’s most advanced automated dispensing pharmacies, the largest Internet pharmacy and in 2001 served as a founding member of RxHub. More than 55 percent of mail electronic prescriptions in the industry were sent to Medco’s mail-order pharmacies during the first quarter of 2008. As a major customer of network services for e-prescribing, Medco strongly supports this transaction.
Since 2005, Medco has partnered with health plans and private employers in collaborative ePrescribing pilots such as the award winning project in Southeast Michigan. According to a recent survey of participating doctors:
– Three out of four prescribers believe strongly that ePrescribing improves safety for their patients.
– Nearly 70 percent of respondents say it improves the quality of care.
– More than 80 percent of all prescriptions written by those surveyed are currently written electronically; four of 10 practices now only write ePrescriptions.
– More than 70 percent saw a reduction in communications with pharmacies over prescription questions.
– More than half strongly agree that ePrescribing saves clinicians time and increases productivity.
About Medco
Medco health Solutions, Inc. is the nation’s leading pharmacy benefit manager based on its 2007 total net revenues of more than $44 billion. Medco’s prescription drug benefit programs, covering approximately one-in-five Americans, are designed to drive down the cost of pharmacy health care for private and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of all sizes, and for individuals served by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program and those served by its specialty pharmacy segment, Accredo health Group. Medco, the world’s most advanced pharmacy(TM), is positioned to serve the unique needs of patients with chronic and complex conditions through its Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(R), including its enhanced diabetes pharmacy care practice through the Liberty acquisition. Medco is the highest-ranked independent pharmacy benefit manager on the 2008 Fortune 100 list. On the Net: .
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Medco health Solutions, Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Computer)

TMG Health President and CEO Jack Tighe Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 in Philadelphia Region

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., June 30 /PRNewswire/ — TMG health announced today that Jack Tighe, President and CEO, was named the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 Award in the Philadelphia Region. According to Ernst & Young, the awards program was designed to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs on a regional, national and global level who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Jack Tighe was selected as a finalist from several hundred nominations by a panel of independent judges. “It is an honor to be named the winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. It would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of each and every TMG health employee and the support they receive from their families.” We are also fortunate to have a large number of clients that trust us with the administration of their government sponsored health plans and partner with us to maintain a high level of compliance and operational performance.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
About TMG Health
TMG health is a technology-enabled, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services firm providing a variety of administrative services to the Medicare and Medicaid health plan markets. As the leading vendor in this field, TMG health provides operational outsourcing solutions and information systems for health plans, providers and insurers. TMG health is the most experienced vendor in the market and has the broadest solution set serving over 36 health plans in all 50 states. TMG Health’s client base consists of one of the nation’s largest PBMs for Part D administration insurance carriers, 14 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, several national start-up PFFS plans for individuals and group retirees, and the fastest growing PFFS plan and the fastest growing Special Needs Plan (SNP) in the nation. TMG health serves over 1.5 million Medicare and Medicaid members. Benefits of partnering with TMG health include state of the art systems, rapid implementations, reduced capital costs, fixed operational costs and proven regulatory compliance.
TMG health is a privately held corporation located in suburban Philadelphia with a National Operations Center in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit .
About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards
The Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 125 cities and 40 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to enhancing the public’s trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 114,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at . Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, a U.K. company limited by guarantee, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited does not provide services to clients. Ernst & Young LLP is a U.S. client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
Media Contact:
Marsia Moscia
(610) 964-8440 x 210

TMG Health

Posted by : admin in (Health)

Availity Awarded Full EHNAC Accreditation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 15 /PRNewswire/ — Availity, L.L.C., a leading e-health information exchange, today announced it has received full accreditation by The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). EHNAC is an accreditation agency that provides independent peer evaluation of an organization’s ability to perform at industry established levels.
(Logo: )
Achieving a near perfect score on criteria self-assessment documentation and site reviews, Availity submitted to an extensive independent evaluation of its capability to perform at the highest level of standards for the electronic processing of health information. The EHNAC accreditation process required a rigorous assessment of compliance with current performance criteria verified by a site review and approval by the commission. Every aspect of Availity’s business operations was thoroughly tested and evaluated as part of this process, including the technology infrastructure, data security, emergency preparedness, and customer service. All areas passed the strict guidelines for accreditation.
“We take great pride in our EHNAC accreditation and believe that standards such as those established by EHNAC are vital to ensure the safe, secure exchange of health information,” said Russ Thomas, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Availity. “Availity is committed to performing at the highest levels, and EHNAC accreditation demonstrates our commitment to overall excellence in the health care industry.”
Lee Barrett, executive director of EHNAC said of Availity, “Today Availity joins a select group of clearinghouses that have demonstrated to independent third party evaluations their ability to deliver their services consistent with the only standards in the industry that measure the overall business practices of a clearinghouse.”
About EHNAC
EHNAC is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting agency that provides independent peer evaluation of an organization’s ability to perform at industry-established levels. EHNAC’s function is to promote administrative simplification and cost savings in the health care industry and to provide the health care transaction industry with an independent capability to develop industry standards, known as EHNAC Criteria. The mission of EHNAC is to promote standards, quality service, innovation, cooperation, and open competition within the health care EDI industry:
— Established minimum criteria for industry self-regulation
— Encourages firms in the industry to improve performance
— Facilitates open market access and competition (”open access” referring
to acceptance of transactions from any source or routing)
— Fosters consistency in transmitted information
— Enhances customer service and satisfaction (”customers” include
providers, payers, intermediaries, and third parties)

The EHNAC Commission seeks to accredit entities that send or receive HIPAA regulated transactions, or that transport or process EDI transactions between two or more trading partners in the health care community. These entities include, but are not limited to, clearinghouses, transactions processors, value-added networks (VANs), payers, providers, and provider management organizations. For more information, please visit .
About Availity, L.L.C. — Patients. Not Paperwork.(R)
Availity optimizes the flow of information between health care professionals, health plans, and other health care stakeholders through a secure internet-based exchange. The Availity health Information Network encompasses administrative, financial, and clinical services and supports real-time and batch transactions via the Web, business to business (B2B) integration, and electronic data interchange (EDI) integration. Availity is the recipient of several national and regional awards, including Consumer Directed Healthcare, A.S.A.P. Alliance Innovation, eHealthcare Leadership, E-Fusion, The Emerging Technologies and Healthcare Innovations for Excellence (TETHIE), and AstraZeneca-NMHCC Partnership. For more information, including an online demonstration, please visit .

Availity, L.L.C.

Posted by : admin in (Education)

Netsmart University Continues Growth as Premier E-Learning and Learning Management Solution for Health and Human Services

GREAT RIVER, N.Y., June 26 /PRNewswire/ — Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services for health and human services organizations, today announced that Liz Vasti will join the company as vice president, Netsmart University. Vasti will have responsibility for managing the strategy and growth of the Netsmart University, the company’s comprehensive education, online learning and learning management unit. The company also announced a recent new contract and a referral relationship for Netsmart University.
Vasti joins Netsmart from the Oracle Corporation, a leading worldwide enterprise software company, where she has served in e-learning and curriculum management positions since 1994. She will help further define behavioral and public health-specific content and lead the development of Netsmart University’s full-featured learning management system, which enables organizations to create their own personalized Web-based corporate learning portals to support accreditation efforts, gain staff continuing education units (CEUs), and improve staff retention and productivity.
Vasti will also provide innovative, experience-based leadership for internal Netsmart corporate learning initiatives, including development of company-wide e-learning solutions to facilitate staff training, compliance and knowledge consolidation.
“Our selection of an industry leader to guide Netsmart University reflects our commitment to take e-learning in behavioral and public healthcare to the next level,” said James L. Conway, chief executive officer, Netsmart Technologies. “Liz’s extensive global e-learning experience is a perfect fit for her role in continuing to build Netsmart University as a leading provider of comprehensive learning content and source for training and certification.”
Sheree Graves, founder of Netsmart University, will assume a new role as a strategic development consultant and also manage learning content partner development.
“The addition of Ms. Vasti demonstrates Netsmart’s dedication to raising the bar in learning management and growing the quality and quantity of its online training offerings,” Graves said. “I look forward to working with her to grow Netsmart University as a premier source for online workplace curricula and competency management.”
Vasti received bachelors and masters degrees in education from the University of South Florida. She joins Netsmart University as it expands both its customer base and strategic relationships.
NorthCare, one of Oklahoma’s largest mental health counseling agencies, moved to Netsmart University from another learning provider and will use Netsmart University’s extensive course catalog and learning management platform to manage training and development for more than 400 full-time and part-time staff.
“The key elements in our selection of Netsmart University were its integration with Netsmart’s CMHC/MIS software and the extensive content of the Netsmart University course catalog,” said Butch Rice, chief financial officer, NorthCare.
Netsmart also announced a partner referral agreement with the United Methodist Association of health and Welfare Ministries, a national association of United Methodist-related and other faith-based ministries and professionals actively involved in promoting quality care in a faith-based setting. The association will offer access to Netsmart University online and classroom courses to its more than 400 health and human service organizations and professionals nationwide, which serve nearly 32 million persons each year.
“We’re excited to offer our members access to Netsmart University’s outstanding training resources through what we are calling UMA University,” said Rev. Dr. Mearle L. Griffith, president and chief executive officer of the United Methodist Association of health and Welfare Ministries. “The learning management system will be an effective management tool for our member agencies, and the many useful courses will enhance the preparation and job satisfaction of their employees.”
For information about Netsmart University and Netsmart’s full range of solutions for health and human services organizations, visit or call 1-800-421-7503.
About Netsmart Technologies, Inc.
Netsmart Technologies is an established, leading supplier of enterprise-wide software solutions for health and human services providers. More than 18,000 customer organizations, including 350,000 care providers and nearly 40 state systems, use Netsmart products to help improve the quality of life for millions of people each year.
Netsmart’s customers include mental health and substance abuse treatment agencies, psychiatric hospitals, private and group mental health practices, public health departments, vital records offices and managed care organizations. Netsmart’s products are full-featured information systems that operate on a variety of operating systems, hardware platforms, and mobile devices, and offer unlimited scalability.
Netsmart’s Connected Care initiative allows behavioral and public healthcare providers to share clinical data electronically within their internal processes, externally with other providers, and with consumers via a Web-based portal, enabling high quality, consumer-directed care.
Netsmart Technologies, Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Energy)

Could It Happen Again?

LONDON, June 26 /PRNewswire/ — On 6 July 1988 a massive explosion on the North Sea Piper Alpha oil platform took the lives of 167 people in what remains the world’s worst offshore industry disaster.
The tragedy was a wake-up call to the offshore sector, and the lessons learnt in the aftermath have ensured a safer industry in which to work. Or have they?
Many feel that the offshore industry is still a hugely dangerous area in which to work, and that another disaster is just around the corner. At the end of last year the Offshore Division of government regulator the health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a damning report, which lambasted offshore bosses for the poor state of the sector. The HSE’s three-year programme to examine the safety and integrity of installations and equipment revealed that there is still much more to be done to improve safety.
Offshore unions have been highlighting the shortcomings of investment in asset maintenance for years, while operators say they have poured billions into ensuring process safety and asset integrity.
Now, to mark the anniversary of Piper Alpha, SHP magazine is bringing together both sides to discuss whether things really have changed, or is another disaster waiting to happen? On Friday, 4 July at 3pm (BST) SHP editor Tina Weadick will chair a free online webinar, during which participants can hear from, and put their questions to, a panel of experts representing the UK offshore sector’s employers, employees and the regulator.
Said panel member, Jake Molloy — general secretary of the Oil Industry Liaison Committee: “There is no doubt that significant improvements in safety have been made across the industry in the 20 years since Piper Alpha. The industry-specific regulations that have been introduced, coupled with the installation of improved hardware should prevent another disaster on that scale. I say ’should’ because we can never say ‘never’. Regulations must be adhered to, and the hardware will only ever be as good as the people charged with looking after it. People are therefore key to ensuring safety standards are maintained and improved upon.”
Chris Allen — health, safety, social and environment director at Oil & Gas UK — agreed, saying: “In the end, safety is not just a company or industry matter but is something for every individual working offshore or onshore. It is important that we remember what happened on 6 July 1988, and that we do not forget the lessons learned from this tragedy, making sure that the next generation of offshore workers does not have to learn the hard way.”
Added Ian Whewell, head of the HSE’s Offshore Division: “What still needs to be done to reduce the risk of such an incident occurring again is to ensure that everyone in the offshore industry understands the concept of the multiple barriers in place to prevent and mitigate a major accident, and understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of these barriers, as well as the scale of the hazard if they fail.”
To find out more or for free registration, please go to
Notes to Editor:
1. SHP, the Safety and health Practitioner, is the official magazine of
the Institution of Occupational Safety and health (IOSH) and has been
at the forefront of health and safety information provision for 25
years. It is received and read by some 33,000 health and safety
professionals every month. For more information, visit

2. SHP webinars are free online seminars and discussions that take place
live and last around 60 minutes. They are in the format of a panel
discussion, with a number of expert speakers debating the key issues
surrounding the topic in question. Pre-submitted questions are
discussed by the panel, with the audience being invited to submit
further questions and comments throughout — just as they would at a
physical event.
3. To register for free a participant in ‘Piper Alpha: 20 years on’,
visit and click on the event link on the
right-hand side of the homepage
4. The HSE’s report ‘Key Programme 3 - Asset Integrity Programme’ can be
found at
5. Speakers for the SHP webinar ‘Piper Alpha: 20 years on’ are:
Chris Allen, HSSE director, Oil&Gas UK
Jake Molloy, general secretary, OILC (Oil Industry Liaison Committee)
Tim Southam, MD of Progress through People, and chair of the IOSH
Offshore Group
Ian Whewell, head of the health and Safety Executive’s Offshore
Division

About CMP Information

Operating internationally, CMPi delivers targeted integrated business media solutions to around 20 industry sectors. Its products, including magazines, exhibitions, conferences, awards, information products and websites, target marketers, buyers and sellers across a range of markets; these include Construction and Architecture, Commercial Property, Food and Pharma Ingredients, Security, Interiors and Licensed Trade.
Amongst its well-established brands are industry-leading publications such as Building, Property Week, The Publican and Farmers Guardian. It also has a number of exhibitions recognised as the pre-eminent events in their respective market sectors; these include CPhI, The Interiors Event and IFSEC.
CMPi’s magazines reach over 780,000 readers directly through subscription and controlled circulation. More than 330,000 business professionals and marketers visit its exhibitions each year. CMPi has approximately 1,200 employees in the UK, US, Asia and Europe and in 2007 generated over 190m pounds Sterling in revenues.
CMP Information

Posted by : admin in (Health)

American Heart Association Launches Patient Web Site

DALLAS, June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — There is a new place for heart patients, their families and caregivers to go for lifesaving information — and they won’t have to leave their home.
The American Heart Association’s new patient Web site — — provides tools, resources and information on an array of heart conditions in an easy-to-understand, interactive format. Users will find:
— Interactive Glossary: Patients can quickly learn the meanings of
unfamiliar medical terms by typing in the search field or clicking on
a letter.

— Click-To-Talk: When users enter their name and telephone number, a
representative from the American Heart Association’s 24-hour call
center will contact them.

— Quick Facts Video Library: Patients can stay informed with the latest
videos and animations on heart disease and stroke.

— Updated Newsfeed: Patients can get the latest health news with daily
updates

“Heart Hub offers one-stop shopping for people diagnosed with heart disease and stroke, those who have high cholesterol or other risk factors, and healthy people who want to stay that way,” said Daniel Jones, M.D., president of the American Heart Association and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Heart Hub also includes an easy-to-navigate ‘health centers’ menu with information on everything from cardiac arrhythmia to peripheral artery disease. With one mouse click, patients navigate deeper into the content to find information.
With easy-to-identify icons, the helpful tools section of the site gives users quick access to risk assessments, health trackers, treatment options, animations, illustrations and more. These interactive tools help patients evaluate their risk levels and track their blood pressure, weight or other personal health information to help them live healthier.
“With Heart Hub, doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers can quickly and easily lead patients to a credible, abundant source of heart and stroke information,” Jones said.
For more information, visit .

About the AHA

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart diseases and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit .
American Heart Association