Saturday, September 29, 2007

HealthCare Partners Opens a New Medical Office in Monrovia, CA

HealthCare Partners Opens a New Medical Office in Monrovia, CA

HealthCare Partners Medical Group, a top-rated coordinated-care medical group in Southern California, announced the opening of its newest medical office at 831 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 101, in Monrovia.

Torrance, CA (PRWEB) December 16, 2008

HealthCare Partners Medical Group, a top-rated coordinated-care medical group in Southern California, announced the opening of its newest medical office at 831 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 101, in Monrovia.

The following HealthCare Partners doctors are available to see patients at the new medical office in Monrovia, after relocating from HealthCare Partners' former medical office on 931 Buena Vista in Duarte: Lauren Kim, MD, internal medicine; Charlie Tzu Lin, DO, family practice; Elizabeth A. Smalley, MD, internal medicine; Gilbert Walton, MD, internal medicine; and Jerett Aaron Zipin, DO, sports medicine. Radiology services are also available at this medical office.

HealthCare Partners Monrovia medical office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Free parking is available. Prospective patients can call 626.358.0269 to make an appointment.

About HealthCare Partners Medical Group and Affiliated Physicians
HealthCare Partners Medical Group (HCP) and its Affiliated Physicians are doctors and healthcare specialists who have earned awards for clinical excellence and patient satisfaction. HCP has been recognized by health plans and business groups for medical leadership, the high quality of medical care delivered, operational effectiveness, and high rates of patient satisfaction. HCP employs more than 500 primary care and specialty physicians who care for patients in Los Angeles County and north Orange County, California, through 47 neighborhood medical offices, that include six urgent care centers, three medical spas, an ambulatory surgery center, and an on-site office at a large employer. HCP's Affiliated Physicians network comprises about 600 primary care physicians in hundreds of Greater Los Angeles area neighborhood locations. For more information, please visit http://www. healthcarepartners. com.

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Lily&Me, Inc. Announces an Easy, At-Home Health Screening Kit for Dogs and Cats

Lily&Me, Inc. Announces an Easy, At-Home Health Screening Kit for Dogs and Cats

ThePetCheckUp Gives Dogs and Cats the Health Care Advantage of Early Detection. Now there is something pet owners can do in addition to routine veterinary care to help protect the good health of their dogs and cats. ThePetCheckup uses the same urinalysis test materials that are routinely used in veterinary clinics. We have specially packaged them for home use to provide pet owners with an easy, inexpensive tool to catch many potential imbalances before symptoms appear --when treatment is generally most effective, simpler, and least expensive.

Fairfield, Iowa (PRWEB) August 11, 2005

Lily&Me, Inc. introduces ThePetCheckup, a health screen that now enables pet owners to monitor their petsÂ’ health in their own homes between regular veterinary visits. ThePetCheckup detects imbalances so that the animal can get veterinary care at an early stage of illness, when treatment is often simpler and most successful.

Providing a new level of care for dogs and cats, ThePetCheckup is the first product of its kind on the market. The kit contains a urine test that shows imbalances that can lead to over 10 of the most common pet ailments—including diabetes, kidney disease, urinary, bladder, and kidney infections, autoimmune diseases, and liver diseases. The test materials are standards in the industry and the same materials that are routinely used in veterinary clinics.

Diseases in dogs and cats often go unnoticed by even the most attentive pet owners. For example, up to two-thirds of kidney functioning can be lost before an animal shows any outward signs of illness.

“Pet owners are often shocked when they suddenly discover their animal is in the midst of a serious health challenge,” says Bev Allen, President of Lily&Me, Inc. “We wanted to give people an easy, affordable tool they could use at home to find a potential problem before it becomes a serious ailment.”

Katy Jess, of Jupiter, Florida, gives high marks to ThePetCheckup. “We were about to take a trip and leave our cats with a sitter. I gave our cats, Bowie and Wolfie, ThePetCheckup test before we left, just to be on the safe side. Wolfie’s test showed a strong imbalance in his urine, even though we had seen no changes in his appearance, appetite, or behavior. We took him to our veterinarian who discovered a bladder infection that would have become very painful if we hadn’t caught it before our trip.”

Dr. Robert Wiegert, DVM with twenty-five years of veterinary experience, says, “Early detection is the most powerful tool a veterinarian has. Typically, by the time we see an animal, its illness is advanced and more difficult to treat. But when conditions are detected early, many of them are correctable, often by just a change in the animal’s diet.”

ThePetCheckupÂ’s urine test takes about five minutes to administer. The productÂ’s manual gives simple, step-by-step instructions for collecting the urine sample and reading the test results.

ThePetCheckup is used monthly, between routine veterinarian visits. It makes the pet owner a valuable teammate of the veterinarian by giving the animal and the vet the most powerful edge in the animal’s health care—time, or early detection.

For more information about ThePetCheckup, see www. thepetcheckup. com

Or call toll free 800 833-8528.

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LEED Rated PrecisionCraft Log Home to Be Awarded Platinum Certification

LEED Rated PrecisionCraft Log Home to Be Awarded Platinum Certification

For Mark and Crystal Ryan, building their dream mountain house was synonymous with building what is commonly referred to as a “green” home. This Oregon couple turned to award-winning Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame to help them design and manufacture a log home that is now in the final certification process to be awarded the LEED Platinum rating. LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a comprehensive framework for the integrated design approach key to high-performance building.

Meridian, ID (Vocus) November 19, 2009

For Mark and Crystal Ryan, building their dream mountain house was synonymous with building what is commonly referred to as a “green” home. This Oregon couple turned to award-winning Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame to help them design and manufacture a log home that is now in the final certification process to be awarded the LEED Platinum rating. LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (http://www. usgbc. org/DisplayPage. aspx? CategoryID=19), is a comprehensive framework for the integrated design approach key to high-performance building.

This LEED rated, 3,600 square foot custom log and timber frame home is beautiful, healthy, and good for the environment. To top it all off, the highly efficient home saves the Ryan family a great deal of money.

With state-of-the-art milling processes, tight fitting connections and a unique building system, PrecisionCraft’s milled, mountain style homes (http://www. precisioncraft. com/MilledLogHomes. html) are a natural fit for LEED for Homes certification. Their top of the line milling processes combined with the industry’s most refined green design techniques support an energy efficient, environmentally friendly structure. “This is truly exciting for the log and timber home industry,” says Jim Young, 2009 Log Homes Council president and president of PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame. “This milled log and timber frame home will be the first of its kind to receive LEED Platinum Certification.”

Some of the most important details of green construction are rarely seen. Using LEED as a guide from the onset enabled the Mountain Architects design team, PrecisionCraft Log Homes, Gomes Construction and the Owners, to develop environmental and performance goals while providing a beautiful and functional mountain getaway.

The build site for the Ryan’s LEED rated home was protected from erosion during construction with straw bales, silt fences and protected zones. Hardscaping features and swales were designed to prevent any future erosion. The lot has a minimal amount of impervious surfaces to reduce water runoff. In addition, the surrounding property was naturalized, planted with 100% native species, reducing irrigation water demand by 85%.

To create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, windows were strategically placed to fill the home with natural light. Low-E, argon-filled windows were installed throughout the house and windows on the south side allow sunlight to enter the space in winter, storing radiant heat in the thick tile floor. Extra large roof overhangs were uniquely designed to let in the sun during the winter months and keep out the high summer sun.

Additional energy saving features include compact fluorescent bulbs and fixtures, high efficiency appliances, and a 96% efficient propane boiler that provides energy for the radiant heated home. A zoned heating system allows the Ryan’s to maintain a comfortable temperature in rooms where they spend their time but avoid wasting heating energy in empty parts of the house. Low flow shower heads and faucets and dual flush toilets significantly reduce the demand for water.

The home meets the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package standards, that includes an Energy Recovery Ventilation system providing cleaner, healthier air and protection against airborne pollutants (even the garage has an automatic exhaust system).

The super tight envelope created from PrecisionCraft’s cedar logs is supported with structural insulated roof panels by Precision Panel. The SIPs construction gives the roofing an R value of 52 making it several times more energy efficient than conventional construction.

The building team sorted construction waste products at every stage of building for recycling and reuse. Because of the highly efficient manufacturing methods of PrecisionCraft Log Homes (http://www. precisioncraft. com/), the project produced 78% less waste than the typical construction of a conventional home. A large percentage of the construction and building materials have high recycled content, and were locally harvested, milled, or manufactured to reduce shipping costs and fuel use and to support local businesses.

Learn more about PrecisionCraft and sister company, Mountain Architects at PrecisionCraft. com. Explore PrecisionCraft’s Green Home Design Center (http://www. precisioncraft. com/GreenBuilding/Design. html) and discover how you can reach your green building goals with your custom mountain home.

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Friday, September 28, 2007

Sweet Peas & Stilettos Launches New Website for Women and Offers Back to School Tips for Busy Moms Everywhere

Sweet Peas & Stilettos Launches New Website for Women and Offers Back to School Tips for Busy Moms Everywhere

Sweet Peas & Stilettos distinguishes itself from other mom blogs and parenting websites by providing a clean, modern, comprehensive guide to the best products, services and information available online for modern moms everywhere. The website provides practical information on a wide variety of topics including eco-friendly and natural products for family and home, baby and nursery essentials, family travel, charitable giving and back to school basics. Sweet Peas & Stilettos offers access to the best online shopping for stylish moms, as well as a collection of international shoe shopping stories for shoe lovers everywhere to enjoy.

Saratoga, CA (PRWEB) August 25, 2009

Back to school is the perfect time for both stay-at-home moms and working moms to make positive changes to their homes, families and personal lives. It is a great time for women to focus on getting organized and healthy. Sweet Peas & Stilettos, www. SweetPeasandStilettos. com, offers these 10 tips for busy moms everywhere.

Tip #1 - Save time and get your food delivered. Women who are working and raising children know it is almost impossible to go to the grocery store. Order fresh organic vegetables and everyday basics online and have them shipped right to your doorstep. For the ultimate convenience, order delicious and healthy meals to be delivered to your home.

Tip #2 - Create an eco-friendly environment for your family. Think about hiring a green consultant to come to your home to provide insights on how to improve your family's carbon footprint. Don't forget to stock up on the best natural and eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure a healthy home.

Tip #3 - Make certain your children and family are safe. Check out the online tools that enable you to identify if there are registered offenders living in your neighborhood. Make sure your children's toys are not on any product recall lists. If you have older children, learn more about Internet safety.

Tip #4 - Get the support you need to assist you with caregiving for your aging parents. Many modern moms are taking care of their parents in addition to raising their children. The 'sandwich' generation is getting squeezed emotionally as they extend themselves in every direction. Explore the great caregiving resources available online.

Tip #5 - Remember to take care of yourself. It is easy to focus all of your energy on your family and career and forget to make sure you are happy and healthy too. When you are buying new backpacks for your kids, pick up a designer handbag (http://www. sweetpeasandstilettos. com/girlstuff/handbags/) or colorful, reusable tote for yourself, or splurge on a great pair of shoes for fall. To help you reduce stress and get into shape, order a few exercise DVDs and start a new fitness routine before the holidays.

Tip #6 - Take charge of your career. Put your career in overdrive by attending a top-notch executive MBA programs geared towards women. If you are looking for a new job, or are re-entering the workplace, jumpstart your networking efforts with some new personalized calling cards.

Tip #7 - Go natural and green with everything for your baby. Make sure you buy organic, natural baby clothes, organic baby food (http://www. sweetpeasandstilettos. com/food/organic-baby-food/), and eco-friendly bath products. There are also a number of environmentally friendly choices when it comes to diapers. Check out the latest biodegradable diapers, chlorine free diapers, and cloth diaper services.

Tip #8 - Organize your favorite family photos. Before your summer vacation is a distant memory, make sure to organize your family photographs and videos. There are many fun and innovative products you can personalize with your own digital photos. Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping and order custom photo books, photo jewelry, yoga mats, purses and more with images of your family and friends.

Tip #9 - Get your life, family and home organized. Buy a day planner created just for families and moms, or sign up for one of the online family organization tools. Hire a personal assistant or professional organizer to help you organize your home and closets so your house will be clean and ready for the holidays.

Tip #10 - Make time for you and your family to give back to your community. Think about donating your breast milk, funding a micro loan, donating clothing, books and toys to a local homeless shelter, or volunteering at a local arts organization. Show your children how they can begin to help others who are less fortunate.

For information on all of these tips and more, go straight to Sweet Peas & Stilettos - The Modern Mommy Guide (http://www. SweetPeasandStilettos. com/). The website uniquely combines extensively researched and well edited product information with the personal touch of a mom blog (http://www. sweetpeasandstilettos. com/baby/mom-blogs/). Sweet Peas & Stilettos features everything from the best baby products (http://www. sweetpeasandstilettos. com/baby/mom-favorites/), to etiquette and education resources, and everything in between for women and their families.

Alisa Ahlstone Lewis
Alisa Ahlstone Lewis graduated from Stanford University and earned her M. B.A. from USC's Marshall School of Business. She is the shoe loving founder and president of Sweet Peas & Stilettos LLC. Alisa is also the busy mom of a 2 year old son, Carl, who will be off to preschool in September. She writes on the topics of work-life balance and entrepreneurship for The Women's Conference® (http://www. californiawomen. org/) website. The Women's Conference® is the nation's premier forum for women and is hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sweet Peas & Stilettos LLC
Launched in June 2009, Sweet Peas & Stilettos is the definitive guide to the best online shopping (super luxe to super deals), eco-friendly and natural products for family and home, baby essentials, family travel ideas and inspiration, and resources for working women (http://www. sweetpeasandstilettos. com/work/work-gadgets/). The website celebrates the arts, women in business, chocolate, and of course fabulous shoes, handbags and sparkly baubles.

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Thursday, September 27, 2007

Sanford Health Breaks Ground on Children’s Clinic in Klamath Falls, OR

Sanford Health Breaks Ground on Children’s Clinic in Klamath Falls, OR

Sanford Health and the Klamath Falls, OR community together celebrated the groundbreaking of a new children’s clinic today. The new Castle of Care™ will bring together current pediatric physicians from southern Oregon into one convenient location. Opening in 2012, the Sanford Children’s Clinic will be approximately 9,000 square feet and include the Castle of Care™ features of other Sanford Children’s facilities.

Sioux Falls, SD (Vocus) September 10, 2010

Sanford Health and the Klamath Falls, OR community together celebrated the groundbreaking of a new children’s clinic today. The new Castle of Care™ will bring together current pediatric physicians from southern Oregon into one convenient location. Opening in 2012, the Sanford Children’s Clinic will be approximately 9,000 square feet and include the Castle of Care™ features of other Sanford Children’s facilities.

“The intent of the Sanford Children’s Clinic initiative is to expand access to pediatric healthcare for children who might otherwise go without,” stated Dave Link, Sanford Health Sr. Executive Vice President. “Physicians in this community have provided quality care to children for years, but this new Sanford Children’s Clinic will ensure that this care will continue to benefit children and young families for many years to come.”

The Sanford Children’s Clinic physician team will include two pediatricians from the Klamath Pediatric Clinic and one from the region’s largest hospital, Sky Lakes Medical Center and will grow through recruitment in subsequent years. Additionally, the clinic will employ administrative and nursing staff to support the provider team. It will serve a community and broader metropolitan area of 60,000 people, including more than 16,000 children. The clinic will also serve the four-county market service area that includes children and young families in Oregon and California.

“In addition to providing top notch pediatric care to the children of the greater Klamath Basin in a ‘kid friendly castle,’ Sanford’s partnership will put us on the cutting edge of pediatric research and technical support,” said Rick Zwartverwer, MD, future Sanford Children’s pediatrician. “We should be in a position to attract the best young physicians as we replace our retiring physicians who have served for the last 30 years.”

Various community leaders, organizations and businesses are joining with Sanford Health to ensure the future of children’s healthcare in the Klamath Falls region. Robert Quinn, MD, a Bend, OR physician, is facilitating the donation of land for the clinic, and Sky Lakes Medical Center will provide ancillary lab and imaging resources when the clinic opens. The JELD-WEN Foundation is leading an effort and coordinating response among area foundations and donors to support the clinic’s success. TEAM Klamath, a public/private partnership organization that fosters the development of services for the community, and the American Academy of Pediatrics played integral roles in Sanford’s selection.

“It was evident early in the citing process the Sanford Health organization and the Klamath Falls team had something in common: a deep-seated dedication to taking care of people,” said Paul Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sky Lakes Medical Center. “It is a pleasure partnering with the top-notch professionals at Sanford on the clinic project. Our local team enjoyed considerable ‘front-line’ assistance from throughout the community, as well as significant behind-the-scenes support from a host of area business and civic leaders. Their enthusiastic generosity helped us successfully assemble the pieces to make our mutual dream a reality; to make this day possible. At the core of our collective success, however, is the cooperation and vision we experienced among existing local pediatricians and others in the medical community. The new clinic builds on the relationships we’ve experienced in the past and will greatly enhance the future of medical services for our community.”

The Sanford Children’s Clinic in Klamath Falls is one of five Sanford Children’s Clinics announced by Sanford Health as part of the initiatives outlined after a donation from South Dakota businessman and philanthropist Denny Sanford in 2007. A portion of the donation is being used to establish a network of Sanford Children’s Clinics in communities around the world in order to increase access to pediatric care. The first Sanford Children’s Clinic opened in Duncan, OK in August 2009; Sanford Children’s Clinic in Belize City, Belize broke ground May 2010 and will open in 2011; Sanford Children’s Clinic in Oceanside, CA will share space with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego in a facility set to open in spring 2011; and Sanford Health recently announced plans to build a clinic in Dublin, Ireland.

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in Fargo, ND and Sioux Falls, SD and consists of two long-standing organizations that merged in 2009. Sanford is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit healthcare system in the nation with a presence in 110 communities in eight states. In addition, Sanford Health is in the process of developing international clinics in Belize and Ireland. Sanford Health includes 30 hospitals, 111 clinic locations and more than 800 physicians in 70 specialty areas of medicine. With more than 18,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in North and South Dakota. The system is experiencing dynamic growth and development in conjunction with Denny Sanford's $400 million gift in 2007, the largest gift ever to a healthcare organization in America. This gift is making possible the implementation of the several initiatives including global children's clinics, multiple research centers and finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. For more information, visit http://www. sanfordhealth. org.

Media Notes: Photos of the Klamath Falls groundbreaking are available.

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Cooking Without A Kitchen, A New Cookbook

Cooking Without A Kitchen, A New Cookbook

One of the greatest challenges of a kitchen remodeling project is the inability to use the kitchen for an extended period of time. Cookbook author and remodeling company owner, Annette Greco, has written a cookbook containing recipes that can be prepared without a working kitchen. All of the recipes are simple, use easy preparation methods and taste delicious. And her remodeling clients love the recipes so much they use them after their kitchen remodeling project is finished.

Manassas, VA (PRWEB) October 7, 2004

One of the greatest challenges of remodeling a kitchen is the inability to use the kitchen during the process. Since the average kitchen remodel lasts anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months (or sometimes longer), most people find their way to the yellow pages for take-out or wind up going out to eat on a nightly basis. This is an expense not often taken into account when budgeting for a remodeling project but it can add thousands to the bottom line.

Annette Greco, owner of an award winning, top rated remodeling company for the past 18 years, has come up with a way to survive a kitchen remodel project. Greco responded to the needs of her clients and the problems of feeding a family throughout a remodeling project by authoring a one-of-a-kind, innovative cookbook that allows you to cook at home during a kitchen remodel project even without a working kitchen. 

“The Kitchen Remodeling Cookbook: The Survival Guide to Cooking When Your Kitchen Can’t” contains 50 recipes that can be made without a working kitchen. “As long as you have a microwave or a crockpot, you can feed your family nutritious, well-balanced and enjoyable meals,” says Greco.

This isnÂ’t just about heating up already prepared meals or leftovers. The cookbook contains recipes for anything from fresh fish to lasagna which can be made without a working kitchen.

Greco’s readers have found that the recipes are tasty, delicious and, most importantly, easy to prepare. “People who are going through a kitchen remodeling project don’t normally have much space to chop or prepare ingredients,” states Greco. “Many times there is no working sink nearby. All of the recipes take this into account.”

Indeed, many of the ingredients are fresh yet simple. Chopping and cutting are minimal. And flavor is added with spices and mixes.

Many of GrecoÂ’s clients have found that they continue to use the recipes, even after the remodeling project is complete and they have a new fully functional kitchen. The recipes are fast to prepare and can be put together in no time (some meals can be cooked and on the table in less than 30 minutes) allowing families to serve dinner even during the most chaotic of times.

In our world of instant gratification, The Kitchen Remodeling Cookbook is a cookbook not only for those remodeling a kitchen but for busy people just trying to get a healthy dinner on the table, fast.

Annette Greco is the author of The Kitchen Remodeling Cookbook: The Survival Guide to Cooking When Your Kitchen CanÂ’t; the co-owner of Greco Remodelers, Inc., an award winning residential remodeling company; and co-founder of On The Level Consulting, a consulting company specializing in the residential remodeling industry. Visit the website at www. kitchenremodelingcookbook. com for more recipes and remodeling tips.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

<a href="http://www. term4sale. com" onclick="linkClick(this. href)">www. term4sale. com</a> Offers Consumers a Quick Way to See How Much Term Life Insurance They Need

Www. term4sale. com Offers Consumers a Quick Way to See How Much Term Life Insurance They Need

The biggest mistake consumers make when buying term life insurance is not buying enough coverage. The second mistake is paying too much for the coverage that they do buy.

Nicholasville, KY (PRWEB) April 26, 2006

The free web site www. term4sale. com provides an "Income Replacement Calculator" to help consumers determine how much term life insurance is enough to buy. Once a consumer knows how much coverage they need, www. term4sale. com allows the consumer to shop from over 125 life insurance companies to find the best prices for term life insurance. The service is provided without cost or obligation and it's done without consumers having to identify who they are.

The calculator is a simple tool that consumers need to take a close look at. Term4Sale, Inc. president Bob Barney argues that surviving spouses receiving a death benefit don't care what kind of policy it was or how much it cost; they want to know how much money they're getting. The question is whether the family will have enough money to continue doing what they were doing before their loved one died. If their loved one was bringing home a paycheck, then the financial loss is serious.

Replacing a paycheck is the logic behind the Income Replacement Calculator. If there is a way for the family to keep getting the same paycheck, for as long as they need it, the problem is solved. 

To use the calculator there are only a couple of questions consumers need to answer:

1. How big does the paycheck have to be?

2. How long will it be needed?

The second question is tougher than the first. The least amount of time that most families need a paycheck is until their children are adults and able to fend for themselves. If the youngest child is 5 years old, and they plan to go to college, a paycheck will be needed for at least 20 years.

The amount of the paycheck isn't too difficult. If your paycheck is currently $50,000 per year, use that number. You may want to cut the amount back to take into account that the family no longer needs to feed and clothe you but you should assume that the family needs most of what you were earning. How much insurance is needed in order to give a family $45,000 per year for 20 years? Based upon 3% inflation and 6% interest, www. term4sale. com comes up with $694,000.

Many people are shocked by a number that big but consumers need to look closely at the year by year illustration which www. term4sale. com provides. Each year a paycheck is taken leaving a balance that is invested. At the beginning of the next year the income is again taken (indexed to inflation) and interest is added to the money left over. The process goes on each year until the 20th year when the last withdrawal wipes out the remaining money. While $694,000 shocks many, the bigger shock is to see all the money gone at the end of 20 years.

Before consumers panic they need to realize that $694,000 of term life insurance is not that expensive. A 35 year old male non-smoker, depending on their health, can expect to pay an annual premium of between $350 (exceptional health) and $700 (regular health) for a fully guaranteed 20 year term insurance policy. That's somewhere between $30 and $60 per month. Barney suspects that most 35 year old life insurance buyers are paying far more than that and yet do not have that much life insurance. 

When asked who is responsible for the problem, Barney blames the life insurance industry first. He says that most agents prefer selling expensive whole life policies which pay higher commissions. To accomplish that they use calculations that come up with smaller numbers. Barney said, "A 35 year old needing $694,000 of life insurance won't be able to afford it if they buy whole life. In order to sell the whole life policy the agent must come up with an insurance number that's much smaller. The problem is that the family ends up short changed if the breadwinner dies."

Barney is also critical of many of the financial gurus that like term life insurance. Many recommend that consumers need 5 to 7 times their income in life insurance. That's a number far too small for younger families. He believes consumers will buy the right amount if it is explained properly.

"Financial advisors need to take more time to explain what happens to a lump sum of money if it is paid out year by year over a long period of time." Barney added, "The consumer planning how much lump sum money his dependents will need, in order to have an income if he or she dies, is dealing with the exact same problem that people planning for retirement must solve. Whether you die or retire the paycheck stops. It is a lump sum of money, paid out over a number of years, which solves the problem. If a financial advisor explains it properly they'll find that they are killing two birds with one stone."

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

ClearPoint Taps Stuart Johnstone of 'J/Boats' Fame as Chief Operating Officer

ClearPoint Taps Stuart Johnstone of 'J/Boats' Fame as Chief Operating Officer

Johnstone to lead global operations for new high definition weather™ service.

Middleburg, VA (PRWEB) October 4, 2007

Stuart Johnstone is taking the helm of operations at ClearPoint High Definition Weather, the world's most comprehensive and easy-to-use ultra high-resolution weather information service. As such, Johnstone will be responsible for all aspects of marketing and technical operations for the innovative start-up service designed to fundamentally change the way consumers engage with marine and a host of other applications related to advanced weather decision-making. 

"Stuart's experience and reputation in the marine and high technology industries will help bring ClearPoint to the next level in providing High Definition Weather to global users," said Jim Laramie, Chief Executive Officer, ClearPoint Weather. "He brings exactly the right sort of high energy, expertise and deep knowledge of weather industry dynamics we and our customers are looking for."

"ClearPoint represents the next big thing in marine and weather industry software," said Johnstone. "It's the only truly global, accurate, real-time weather service out there, offering ultra-high resolution weather data for all those looking for a superior weather solution. I am excited about the challenge of making ClearPoint the weather service of choice for people all over the world."

Johnstone is an experienced start-up and turn-around professional with more than 28 years experience managing businesses in technology and consumer industries. He served as President/CEO of CompassCare Inc., where he led a team that created the first fully integrated clinical EMR and PMS system as a Web service in healthcare IT. As Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of boats. com, he built the leading marine marketplace in the boating industry which was later sold to Trader Publications. Johnstone was Co-Founder and CEO of Vosaic LLC (sold to VTEL/Forgent), a pioneer in the Internet streaming industry and partner with the University of Illinois/NCSA. He led an investment team and managed business development in a turn-around of Eidos Interactive PLC, a leading UK-based games publisher, recently renowned for its "Tomb Raider" game series and movie (starring Angelina Jolie). Johnstone was a founding member of J/Boats in 1977 at the age of 19, which became the leading high-performance sailboat brand worldwide with over 15,000 boats sold in 50-plus countries. He also co-founded J/World, the premier high-performance sailing school for adults.

Unlike other weather services, ClearPoint tracks marine craft as they sail to show prevailing weather conditions at any location. ClearPoint is accessible via any conventional Internet, broadband, Wi-Fi or satellite service. Accurate to the nearest kilometer, ClearPoint offers thousands of detailed weather combinations to anyone looking for highly accurate, continuous weather forecasts anywhere they travel. ClearPoint also features the world's most advanced predictive technology, providing accurate weather information up to five days ahead, anywhere across the globe.

ClearPoint offers ultra high-resolution data up to ten times that of other weather providers. ClearPoint weather can be easily accessed over standard Internet, broadband and Wi-Fi connections, and offers full compatibility with the world's GPS and satellite communications services for continuous, real-time weather data feeds anywhere on the high seas.

ClearPoint weather service is compatible with virtually any communications link, including broadband connections, Wi-Fi and marine satellite communications such as Iridium and Inmarsat. ClearPoint can be downloaded as an approximately 8MB executable file over the worldwide web at: www. clearpointweather. com/subscribe. aspx (http://www. clearpointweather. com/subscribe. aspx). The client application can also be launched directly from a ClearPoint CD or portable flash drive.

About ClearPoint High Definition Weather ™
ClearPoint High Definition Weather is the world's most comprehensive and easy to use ultra high-resolution global weather information service for sailboat racers, cruisers, fishermen, yacht clubs, marinas, resorts, and weather-trackers, worldwide. ClearPoint offers real-time, accurate weather data for advanced weather decision-making. Headquartered in the Washington D. C. metropolitan area, TrueNorth Global Inc. launched its ClearPoint weather service in 2007. Additional information can be found on ClearPoint's website at: www. clearpointweather. com.

CONTACTS:
Matthew Piette 
ClearPoint 
+1 512 736 8316 
Mpiette@clearpointweather. com

© 2007 TrueNorth Global Inc., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ClearPoint Weather, ClearPoint High Definition Weather, and ClearPoint Racing Edition are trademarks of TrueNorth Global Inc.

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Monday, September 24, 2007

LoseBelly-LoseFat. com Says Eat Fat Burning Food to Help Lose Belly Fat But Avoid Sit-Ups

LoseBelly-LoseFat. com Says Eat Fat Burning Food to Help Lose Belly Fat But Avoid Sit-Ups

The popular international web store LoseBelly-LoseFat. com offers the top fat burning programs at http://LoseBelly-LoseFat. com. The programs incorporate the current thinking on exercises including the most effective abs workouts to lose belly fat and dietary advice. Also discussed are the best fat burning foods and so-called health foods to avoid because they increase stomach fat.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 30, 2010

According to the folks at LoseBelly-LoseFat. com, the most popular and effective fat burning programs are a handful of relatively new programs that tend to defy longstanding conventional wisdom on fat burning. These newer fat burning programs help folks lose belly fatby incorporating the newest trends in exercise, as well as the latest ideas on diet and nutrition, and are available on http://LoseBelly-LoseFat. com. These programs avoid bogus fat burning pills, silly gadgets, fad diets and boring cardio workouts in favor of effective techniques by experienced professionals.

Some facts concerning weight loss and fitness are indisputable. First is that obesity is everywhere and the problem is getting worse. Fact Two is the conventional wisdom regarding diet and losing stomach fatseems to have completely failed most people in their quest for leaner bodies.

The way to achieve flat abdominals or six pack abs is yet another area with lots of failed conventional wisdom. There are excellent abs workouts that can work wonders for people, but most older style exercises often do more harm than good. For instance, doing sit-ups and crunches all day is probably more likely to result in a sore back and neck rather than a dramatic loss of stomach fat or six pack abs.

Certainly, it would seem to be a lot easier to reduce belly fat if folks ate the right foods and eliminated the wrong foods. Easier still would be doing the right exercises and eliminating the wrong ones. However, the ongoing debate and changing theories regarding what works for achieving fat loss and leaner bodies, and what doesn't work, ultimately has left most people confused. But, although the conventional wisdom about health, diet and exercise is always changing, it seems to be more on track now than ever before.

There are little-known facts about foods that can make achieving a lean body much easier. For instance, many people feel that honey or pure maple syrup is a better alternative than white table sugar. That may be largely true from a nutritional point of view, but when it comes to spiking a persons' blood sugar level, they are pretty much the same. But there are better alternatives, like agave nectar which does not raise the blood sugar level and therefore is probably much better for weight control.

Crash diets or starvation diets, which usually refer to diets of less than 1400 calories a day, are not only bad for our bodies, but they usually are very ineffective for long term weight loss. When we don't eat enough food, our bodies tend to go into starvation mode and store fat, instead of losing it.

Most of us have noticed that some people never seem to have any struggle with issues such as how to lose stomach fat while most of the population wrestles with the problem each and every day. Is it all just about genetics or is there something else going on? Many experts agree that the most relevant factors include proper diet and exercise but often that is where the agreement ends. There is widespread disagreement on which are the proper foods to eat for achieving weight loss goals and disagreement on which are the most effective exercises.

Some of the other questions addressed on LoseBelly-LoseFat. com and in the fitness programs offered on the site are as follows.

Is it true that most popular abs exercises such as sit-ups and crunches are a complete waist of time? Can normal, non-body builders get six pack abs? Do some foods classified as health foods cause increased belly fat and weight gain? Is it true that grapefruit helps people lose stomach fat because of it contains a fat burning enzyme called naringenin? Is whole wheat flour better than regular flour? Does quinoa help reduce belly fat? Do some foods actually burn belly fat? Is it possible to speed up your metabolism? Will African Mango really help to lose stomach fat or is it just the latest hyped-up miracle phony cure to lose fat?

For more information about the newest fitness and weight loss trends and products visit LoseBelly-LoseFat. com. Republishing the press release without live links or altered in any way is prohibited and is an infringement of the copyright. However, reprinted with live links is permitted.

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Sunday, September 23, 2007

Back to School Tips to Keep Kids Safe in the ER When Sports Accidents Occur

Back to School Tips to Keep Kids Safe in the ER When Sports Accidents Occur

It's back-to-school time, which means school sports and sports accidents. The biggest fear of parents who have children in sports is that their child will be injured and have to be taken to the ER. How do you keep your child safe in the ER with all the news about medical errors in hospitals?

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 11, 2005

It's back-to-school time, which means school sports and sports accidents.

The biggest fear of parents who have children in sports is that their child will be injured. That's what happened to a Chicago area father whose 13 year-old son was hit head-on at football practice. He and his girlfriend rushed the boy to the ER, where doctors began a series of x-rays and examinations. As the couple waited anxiously for a diagnosis, one of the physicians asked what medications the child was allergic to, but never once asked if the teen was currently on any medications. When the doctors came back with a treatment recommendation, the father's girlfriend informed them that the teen takes a prescribed medication on a regular basis. Now that the doctors had this information, they realized that the medication they were going to give to the teen could have had serious side affects. It was a good thing that the girlfriend knew to ask.

What would you do if your child is injured and you have to take them to the hospital? How do you avoid medical errors? How do you avoid medication errors? How do you take a proactive role in your child's care and serve as their advocate? These questions, and more, are answered in a new film called Things You Should Know Before Entering the Hospital. This film gives viewers a step-by-step guide based on the advice and experiences of experts and real patients. It also answers the question: How can you avoid infection? Reports from the CDC estimate that as many as two million patients contract an infection from U. S. hospitals or medical centers each year, accounting for 90,000 deaths.

In the film, patients and their advocates are advised to ask the following seven important questions each time a member of the hospital staff prescribes or brings medication:

1. What is this medicine for?

2. Who prescribed it?

3. When am I supposed to take it?

4. How am I supposed to take itÂ… how often, for how long?

5. What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?

6. Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements?

7. What food, drink or activities should I avoid while on this medicine?

"Human error is a fact in healthcare just as in the rest of life, and we all must be educated on what to be watchful of regarding things that might go wrong," said Martin J. Hatlie, Esq., former lobbyist for the American Medical Association and President of Partnership for Patient Safety. "The film, Things you should know before entering the hospital, is an exceptional safety guide for everyone who is a patient or takes care of one. Watch it and learn what we all need to know to prevent injuries and save lives."

The film should be viewed by the patient as well as their family and friends. It stresses the importance of having someone with you around the clock as your advocate for the entire length of your hospital stay. Available on DVD and VHS video tape for $29.95 at http://www. patientsafetyvideo. com (http://www. patientsafetyvideo. com), Things you should know before entering the hospital gives valuable insight into the potential hazards of the hospital visits without instilling fear or blame. The film is direct, to the point and narrated by Emmy-award-winning actor Ben Hollis. Ben's affable approach engages viewers through his unique sense of compassion and caring humor. Most significantly, it educates and informs. The filmmakers have included a comprehensive checklist in each DVD/video so that patients can have a quick guide to take with them in the event they have to go into the hospital.

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Celebrate Spring and Quit Smoking with FreshStart™

Celebrate Spring and Quit Smoking with FreshStart™

Spring is here and in celebration of new life, growth, health and freshness, FreshStart™, the leading online stop smoking solution has a special promotion for smokers looking to quit the habit before Easter.

New York (PRWEB) March 22, 2005

Spring is here and in celebration of new life, growth, health and freshness, FreshStart™, the leading online stop smoking solution has a special promotion for smokers looking to quit the habit before Easter.

Any smoker purchasing the guaranteed one-hour therapy before Easter Sunday (March 27th) using the promotion code SPRING will receive a $10 discount on the regular price of $39.95.

FreshStart™ uses highly effective hypnosis techniques and the power of the Internet to deliver a powerful stop-smoking solution. Because the smoking habit is a behavioral issue, hypnosis solutions are much more effective than patches, gum, pills or other nicotine replacement treatments (NRT), and because the method doesn’t require the user to introduce toxins into the body via a patch or gum, FreshStart™ can claim to be the healthiest way to kick the habit

“Spring is all about freshness and health,” says Matt Godson, Therapist with FreshStart™ “and for many of our clients, stopping smoking is about renewal and new beginnings which is why Spring is a perfect time for a smoker to quit.”

FreshStart™ guarantees that the new non-smoker will experience no cravings or relapse – full details on the method can be found in the FAQ section of the www. freshstartmethod. com website. The one-hour therapy consists of a short online book and relaxing audio component all accessed by a simple to use website

FreshStart™ can be found online at www. freshstartmethod. com if you require more information please contact us at press@freshstartmethod. com

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Intrepid virtual assistant celebrates two-year anniversary

Intrepid virtual assistant celebrates two-year anniversary

Savvy entrepreneur Kathy Smith leaped into the dark a couple of years ago when she changed the nature of her business and looked beyond her local community for clients. But her hunch paid off, and next month she will begin her third successful year as a 'VA'.

(PRWEB) March 18, 2003

Prior to start-up, Smith worked from 1993 to 1997 in several administrative posts with the British Columbia government's ministry of health. During her time in these positions, Kathy successfully landed and maintained several mental health committee secretarial positions and eventually held the position of communications coordinator for the REES office. In 1997 she decided to open her own home-based business, Smith Consulting Services, offering secretarial service to local contractors.

As time went on, Kathy found herself working more and more over the web. In 2001, she changed the business name to Smith Secretarial and Design, and began looking for more opportunities to use her administrative, marketing and writing expertise to assist other virtual entrepreneurs.

"I'm the reliable personal assistant you can really count on -- except you never see me," she says. She has since developed special monthly packages for clients based on their needs, and now has a staff of three. Her virtual client list is impressive -- she provides services to clients located in Canada, the United States, and beyond, all from her comfortable, well-equipped office on Vancouver Island.

"I think the reason people like to use my services is that I am friendly and efficient. I care about my work and I want to give only my very best to my clientele," says Smith. "I'd like to thank my clients for their continued trust. And I'm very proud to be celebrating the second year anniversary of Smith Secretarial & Design."

Friday, September 21, 2007

Ascend Integrated Media, LLC, Partners with Handmark, Inc. to Create Smartphone Applications for its Custom Media and Event Clients

Ascend Integrated Media, LLC, Partners with Handmark, Inc. to Create Smartphone Applications for its Custom Media and Event Clients

Ascend Integrated Media, a custom media company based in the Kansas City area, announces that it has signed a partnership agreement with Handmark, Inc., to create and distribute mobile smartphone applications for its varied clientele. Ascend is one of Handmark’s first partners to leverage its Mobile Publishing Platform to launch custom media and event-based mobile applications.

Leawood, KS (PRWEB) February 2, 2010

Ascend Integrated Media, a custom media company based in the Kansas City area, announces that it has signed a partnership agreement with Handmark, Inc., to create and distribute mobile smartphone applications for its varied clientele. Ascend is one of Handmark’s first partners to leverage its Mobile Publishing Platform to launch custom media and event-based mobile applications.

Ascend Integrated Media handles the custom media needs of association and industry clients including healthcare, gift, fashion, home décor, fishing, automotive, trucking and mining, as well as for major charitable organizations and Fortune 500 companies. The applications created jointly by Ascend and Handmark will be used to provide mobile access to the wide array of content-rich products that Ascend creates. Mobile applications available to clients will include web and landing page access, enewsletters, digital magazines and newspapers, database-driven buyers’ guides, interactive maps, exhibit guides and directories. Custom media applications serve to enrich the experience of the attendees, customers and members of these organizations whether centered around a trade show, event, as a reference tool or merely to keep informed on the latest news in their area of interest.

Cam Bishop, CEO of Ascend, said, “We chose Handmark because we see the future of mobile as being far more than just a way to deliver website content for clients but also as a way to introduce new methods for our clients to communicate, share and interact with their clients as the dynamics of social media increase in importance. Handmark’s market presence, flexibility and proven performance make them the ideal app partner. Its flexibility, highly trafficked app store and platform-agnostic distribution capabilities put it dramatically ahead of the dozens of one-off app developers in the market today.”

Handmark is the leading developer and distributor of mobile applications and services, specializing in solutions for publishers and media companies. Handmark will assist Ascend in launching its mobile applications across all major platforms including BlackBerry, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android and Palm webOS handsets.

The ability to offer current and future clients the latest in mobile technology in an appealing format is very important to Ascend. “Comparing it to our previous application, it is a terrific upgrade. Besides the added features and capabilities, the presentation is so much more user-friendly. I know our clients who used mobile last year will be delighted, and the new clients who add mobile this year will be impressed,” said Ascend’s Director of Content, Rhonda Wickham.

About Ascend Integrated Media - Ascend Integrated Media is a custom media company. Established in 1982 in Overland Park, Kansas, Ascend’s portfolio of clients and their communication objectives are diverse and reflect a broad array of American commerce. Ascend Integrated Media is uniquely positioned to work with companies to develop and produce brand-enhancing communications products. The company's highly skilled team of media professionals engages on behalf of the client to create and manage print and digital content associated with marketing, branding and social media initiatives. As a result of its strength in media sales, Ascend often turns what would be an expense into a profit center through cost reduction and the sale of both print and digital advertising and sponsorships. Ascend’s suite of fully integrated products and services include print and digital magazines, newspapers, newsletters, membership directories, product buyers' guides, exhibit guides and maps, hotel door drop services, healthcare study guides, patient care information, event-related websites, smartphone and client-specific hand-held device application development, as well as social media account management (such as Twitter and Facebook) and targeted text and text couponing services.

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Thursday, September 20, 2007

Rapid Decline in Floridians Seeking 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccination

Rapid Decline in Floridians Seeking 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccination

To service the needs of the patients and the community, The Institute of Women’s Health of North America partnered with the FloridaSHOTS to initiate a 2009 H1N1 Influence virus vaccination program in all six affiliated campuses in Florida. This program was initiated under the Medical Directorship of Dr. Abdul Rao, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Research Officer of the Institute. It was expected that residents in Broward, Hillsborough, Marion, Orange and adjoining counties will avail of this opportunity. However, there appears to be a waning interest among Floridians to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus.

Orlando, FL (Vocus) December 22, 2009

To service the needs of the patients and the community, The Institute of Women’s Health of North America partnered with the FloridaSHOTS to initiate a 2009 H1N1 Influence virus vaccination program in all six affiliated campuses in Florida. This program was initiated under the Medical Directorship of Dr. Abdul Rao, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Research Officer of the Institute. It was expected that residents in Broward, Hillsborough, Marion, Orange and adjoining counties will avail of this opportunity. However, there appears to be a waning interest among Floridians to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus.

“Given the urgency of this matter and the endemic nature of this disease, the Institute mobilized a rather expansive infrastructure to effectively implement this program” said Abdul Rao.” However, despite of all these efforts, the Institute did not see an overwhelming response from the community “.

The Institute used all its resources to effectively advertise this program. In addiiton to featuring it online and in monthly newsletters, vaccination was offered to all patients and their caregivers who visited the campuses. Flyers were also distributed to attendees at local churches, synagogues, and various community centers. Experience has suggested that only 10% of individuals offered these services agreed to be vaccinated.

“When inquired, the primary reason for refusal to get vaccinated was the prevailing uncertainty about the safety of this vaccine” said Dr. Abdul Rao “Complications associated with this vaccination were highly publicized without providing any meaningful context”.

Despite continuing deaths due to 2009 H1N1 Influenza viral infection, unsubstantiated information continues to be circulated about the safety of this vaccine. The recent recall by Sanofi Pasteur of 800,000 pre-filled vaccines due to concerns about its efficacy has further deteriorated patient’s confidence in this vaccine program. Lawsuits against the manufacturers of these vaccines and CDC have not helped the ultimate goal of vaccinating as many Floridians as possible in a timely manner.

It is not clear at this stage how this predicament can be resolved particularly in light of the fact that infection from 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus remains a serious threat in the U. S., and over 10,000 patients have already died from complications of this endemic disease.
The Institute is working very closely with the relevant county health departments and community-based organizations to continue to enhance the outreach and effectiveness of this vaccination program. Hundreds of vaccines are still available at Institute's affiliated campuses and the vaccination is offered on a walk-in basis to all men, women and children over the age of four (4) years. For your convenience, evening and weekend hours are also available. Very knowledgeable staff at each affiliated campus is available to provide any clarification that you may need to make an informed decision. To get directions to a campus near you, please call 1-877-966-3672 or visit the website (http://www. iwhna. org).

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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

PR-Promopro. Com Launches Affordable, Green Publicity Resource to Increase Credibility and Sales

PR-Promopro. Com Launches Affordable, Green Publicity Resource to Increase Credibility and Sales

PR-PRomoPRo. com announces personalized, on-line service for distributing press releases to tailor-made media contacts for only15 cents. PR-PRomoPRo. com supports marketing efforts with exposure and credibility that reaches far beyond what can be bought with expensive advertising.

(Vocus) July 30, 2009

Jami Lin, best-selling author and entrepreneur, duplicated Madison Avenue's most valuable, publicity secrets to successfully promote her offerings so she created PR-PRomoPRo. com (http://www. pr-promopro. com/) to help others.

"Spread your message. It is essential business is to educate consumers about products, services, or charitable causes. Articles and interviews are the best motivation to instill consumer confidence. When potential customers read, watch, or listen to news about products or services from a trustworthy source, it stimulates the emotional desire needed for buyers to reach into their wallet."

Green and eco-friendly, without using paper, cutting trees, burning gas, or creating landfill waste, PR-PRomoPRo. com generates target-specific media lists from an up-to-date database of 50,000 contacts--complete with keywords, demographic, and/or media type. Press releases (http://www. pr-promopro. com/) emailed to subject-defined editors, journalists, producers, and bloggers provide up-to-the-minute content that media contacts (http://www. pr-promopro. com/contacts. php#key) expect.

"Helping others reach their publicity goals is our top priority," Lin says. We offer marketing tips (http://www. pr-promopro. com/about. php#success) on PR-PRomoPRo. com too, such as:

1. Convert your specialty into news. Send press releases with educational and entertaining information. Content is, and always will be, king.

2. If you were the reader, viewer, or listener, does the content have enough value to capture your attention?

3. Make the jobs of newspaper and magazine editors, television and radio producers, in addition to web-Bloggers easy! Provide well-written and concise information to use verbatim, take excerpts, and generate interviews. The media is busy and overworked, be considerate of their time.

4. Send press releases out to targeted people that are subject specific. "Dear Sally," lifestyle editor, emailed to sally. jones(at)newyorktimes(.)com is more effective than "Dear bookeditor" sent to bookeditor(at)newyorktimes(.)com, which will be likely overlooked.

5. Benefit indefinitely with print, audio, video, and web publicity (http://www. pr-promopro. com/about. php#ben). Make reprints of newspaper and magazine articles for handouts. Expand Internet visibility and search engine optimization by posting scanned articles, audio recordings, and videos on website or blog.

6. Be consistent with sending quality press releases and be available for short-notice interviews. Establish relationships. "Many journalists call me when needing design or lifestyle content because I am accessible and always prepared to provide tips," says Lin. "A thoughtful, hand-written note always makes a lasting impression too."

About us

PR-PRomoPRo. com is a contact research and press release (http://www. pr-promopro. com/) distribution service committed to helping others create publicity and spread their message in the most affordable, effective, and eco-responsible way.

Jami's media section (http://www. jamilin. com/media/index. php) provides the press with valuable, tailor-made content in: Lifestyle/General Interest, Family/Children, Business Success, Home/Garden, Health: Body, Mind, Energy Medicine, Youth-Enhancing Secrets, and Human Spirit/Awareness.

Jami Lin (JamiLin. com) is a 30-year veteran of interior design. This expertise evolved into Feng Shui (Feng-Shui-Interior-Design. com), six best-selling books, an online home-study certification program, and star of a recent PBS pilot. Her new, award-winning ColorAlchemy book (ColorAlchemy. com), is heralded as "advanced thinking for infinite possibilities."

Jami is available for interviews on short-notice.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research Receives Over $1 Million in Grants for Cancer Research in 2008

Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research Receives Over $1 Million in Grants for Cancer Research in 2008

The research team at the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR), a newly established division of Nemours Biomedical Research headquartered at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, has secured $1,020,000 in external funding for awards starting in 2008 and 2009.

Florida (Vocus) January 8, 2009

The research team at the Nemours Center (http://www. Nemours. org) for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR), a newly established division of Nemours Biomedical Florida - The research team at the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR), a newly established division of Nemours Biomedical Research headquartered at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, has secured $1,020,000 in external funding for awards starting in 2008 and 2009. The NCCCR was established in 2007 to integrate cancer research and clinical studies throughout the Nemours enterprise that has clinics in Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando, and Pensacola) in addition to the hospital in Wilmington DE.

"The more than $1 million in grants secured will allow Nemours doctors and scientists to expand our groundbreaking cancer studies," says Dr. Ayyappan K. Rajasekaran, the Director of NCCCR. "These grants recognize the innovative research taking place at Nemours and we expect to deliver a tremendous payoff in the way pediatric cancers are diagnosed and treated in the future."

Eric Sandler, MD (http://www. Nemours. org), was awarded a $50,000 infrastructure award from the St. Baldricks Foundation to support expansion of the developmental therapeutics program being started at Nemours Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. The goal of this grant is to have experimental drug trials available for children with cancer in the State of Florida. Currently, there is no Phase I cancer center for children in Florida. As a result, Florida children eligible for such studies must go out of state. In conjunction with the Moffitt Cancer Center, All Children's Hospital and the Florida Sunshine Project, Nemours is opening several studies of experimental cancer treatments that will be available to children in Florida.

Sigrid A. Rajasekaran, PhD, was awarded a four-year $720,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to study the mechanism of increased function of growth factors in cancer cells. Growth factors and their binding partners called receptors are increased in a wide spectrum of human cancers, including bladder cancer, renal carcinoma, lung cancer, and brain tumors such as glioblastoma and childhood tumors such as medulloblastoma. In several tumor types, increased receptor levels correlate with poor prognosis. Therefore, growth factor receptors are a promising target for cancer therapy. There are several ongoing clinical trials in various institutions using inhibitors of various growth factor receptors to stop the growth of cancer cells. The project funded by the American Cancer Society will study the molecular mechanism by which ionic imbalance contributes to growth factor receptor activation in cancer cells. Findings should provide new insights into novel therapeutic approaches to target growth factor receptors in cancer cells.

Robert W. Mason, PhD, was awarded a 2-year $200,000 grant from the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to study a new approach to treat neuroblastoma, a common childhood cancer that is very difficult to treat when discovered in children older than 2 years of age. The treatments that are being used today are the same as those used to treat adult cancers and unfortunately they do not work well. Dr. Masons's laboratory discovered a compound that could destroy neuroblastoma cells without affecting other rapidly growing cells, promising a new kind of treatment for this cancer that will be less harmful to normal tissues in children. In this new project, Dr. Mason's team will learn how this compound causes death of the cancer cells so that Nemours can collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to make better drugs to treat this childhood cancer.

Anders E. Kolb, MD, received a one year $50,000 grant from the FOSTER Foundation to study Insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitors in osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer in children. Inhibitors of IGF-1R have shown promising early results in clinical trials in patients with osteosarcoma. In this proposal, Dr. Kolb will evaluate gene expression changes in osteosarcoma tumors sensitive and resistant to IGF-1R inhibition. An understanding of the cellular events that occur after IGF-1R inhibition will help identify rational therapeutic combinations with other targeted agents; identify markers of response; and provide valuable information about osteosarcoma biology.

About the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research
The Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research is a newly established research entity of Nemours Biomedical Research (http://www. Nemours. org) at the Alfred I. duPont hospital for children (http://www. Nemours. org). The NCCCR is located in a fully renovated laboratory space in 1701 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE. The goal of the center is to evolve into a leader in research focusing on biomarkers for childhood cancers and cancers that affect families. The NCCCR will closely work together with Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, University of Delaware, Center for Translational Research and the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. The Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is a division of Nemours, which operates one of the nation's largest health systems devoted to pediatric patient care, teaching, and research. Set on a 300-acre campus near Wilmington, Delaware, the 200-bed duPont Hospital for Children offers all the specialties of pediatric medicine, surgery, and dentistry. Starting with Alfred I. duPont's bequest over 70 years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children. For more information, please visit Nemours. org.

Odette Struys
Public Relations
Tel.:904-697-4186

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TOTAL EMEDICAL Introduces The CareSens N Meter

TOTAL EMEDICAL Introduces The CareSens N Meter

One of the Most Accurate Meters for Diabetes Blood Glucose Testing

Pompano Beach, FL (PRWEB) September 9, 2010

TOTAL EMEDICAL (http://www. totalemedical. com (http://www. totalemedical. com)), a premier physician-supervised durable medical equipment supplier is pleased to announce the innovative TEMcare CareSens N Meter, a forerunner in Diabetes accuracy. The CareSens N makes managing diabetes easier for those suffering from both Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes, and who need to check their blood glucose levels often.

“After years of speaking to our customers who suffer from Diabetes, and learning their concerns, TOTAL eMEDICAL has responded to their needs with a new diabetes testing meter,” states Dr. Howard Rudnick, CEO of TOTAL EMEDICAL. “The accuracy offered by the CareSens N Meter should help lead to better Diabetes Management, and a healthier life for our customers who follow their doctor’s advice.”

The TEMcare CareSens N Meter offers 14-day averaging and programmable alarms. It features a large, easy to read screen that displays your results in only 5 seconds. It is alternate site testing compatible, requiring a small blood sample size of only 0.5uL.

Features include:
No Coding to minimize error Pre-/Post-meal flagging Pre-/Post-meal averaging Alarm (post-meal * and 3 time set alarm) * ; 2 hours after meal USB data download port to connect with your computer. Easy-grip design Average over 14 days (total, pre-meal, and post-meal) Test time : 5 seconds Sample volume: minimum 0.5? Test range : 20~600 mg/dL (1.11~33.3 mmol/L) Hematocrit range : 20~60%

About TOTAL eMEDICAL
TOTAL eMEDICAL is a premier physician-supervised durable medical equipment supplier based in Pompano Beach, Florida. Committed to providing quality products and customer service since 2005, TOTAL eMEDICAL is a family owned and operated business specializing in diabetes supplies, ostomy supplies, arthritis products, respiratory care, pain management and erectile dysfunction products. TOTAL eMEDICAL supplies patients across the country in all fifty states as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands.

Connect with TOTAL eMEDICAL online at www. totalemedical. com or by calling (561) 499-3201.

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Monday, September 17, 2007

The Problem with Sunscreen is that People aren't Using it Enough

The Problem with Sunscreen is that People aren't Using it Enough

New research reveals neglected sun protection practices. Leading dermatologist, Dr. Joshua Fox, comments on the long term damage of sunburn and the importance of daily use of sunscreen.

New Hyde Park, NY (PRWEB) July 16, 2009

Most people know using sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. Yet research shows as many as 40 percent of people never use it--even when they go to the beach.

"This is a big part of why skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States," said New York dermatologist Joshua Fox, M. D., founder and medical director of Advanced Dermatology, P. C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery. "But the importance of regular sunscreen use, especially for beachgoers in the summertime, can't be stressed enough. What's perceived as an uncomfortable but harmless sun burn today could very well become the cause of skin cancer in the future."

Indeed, more than 100 million American each year experience some degree of sunburn from either not using sunscreen, or improperly applying it, said the U. S. Centers for Disease Control. Yet even the mildest cases can have a significant impact, Dr. Fox stressed.

"Skin cancer is an insidious disease because it appears years after the damage has been done," Dr. Fox added, "and I think that's part of the reason people have such a hard time understanding why they need to use sunscreen now. They think, 'Nothing is going to happen to me 20 years from now.' But the truth is that something can."

That "something," said the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is an estimated over 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 132,000 new cases of melanoma skin cancer diagnosed in the U. S. each year. Melanoma, the most serious form, is responsible for roughly 8,500 skin cancer deaths each year. In fact, incidents of melanoma have risen drastically over the past decade, the AAD reported, with increased, unprotected sun exposure largely to blame.

To stress the importance of continued sunscreen education both within and outside the medical community, New Age Skin Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization of which Dr. Fox is President, conducted, and recently presented to the American Academy of Dermatology, the results of a study that focused on the before and after sun-protection habits of melanoma patients.

Although most patients in the study admitted to being aware of the dangers of sun exposure and importance of sun protection, few practiced applying and reapplying sunscreen, avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing protective clothing until after they were diagnosed with skin cancer.

According to the study, patients' primary recommendation for preventing new skin cancer is an increase in education, with a focus on young people, explained New Age Skin Foundation Director Rao Saladi, M. D., adding that melanoma is often linked to too much sun exposure.

Complete results of the study, including participants' comments, will be published in Melanoma Research. This supports previous research on skin cancer that found fewer than one-third of U. S. youths practice effective skin protection.

Focused on youths 11 to 18 years old, the survey revealed alarming trends that include:

More than 68 percent not wearing sunglasses on sunny days.

More than 79 percent not wearing protective clothing, such as long pants.

More than 78 percent not avoiding direct sun exposure or staying in the shade.

More than 69 percent not properly applying, or reapplying, sunscreen.

More than 43 percent not using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more when at the beach or pool.

Despite skin cancer's devastating effects, young people--and even adults--seeking the perfect tan continue to spend time in the sun unprotected at an alarming rate. The reality is that there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Other risk factors for skin cancer include age and a family history of the disease. But long-term, unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays is the primary risk factor.

"Even on a cloudy day, or in a shaded area, you should apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 of greater 30 minutes before you leave the house," he added. "The sun's ultraviolet rays have great reflective powers and can burn your skin on a cloudy day as well as on a sunny one. The risk is year-round."

Remembering to reapply sunscreen after swimming or vigorous activity that makes you perspire, is important too, Dr. Fox said. Other daily sun safety rules should include:

Avoiding direct sun between 10 a. m. and 4 p. m., when UV rays are the strongest.

Covering the skin with loose, comfortable clothing made of tightly woven fabric.

Applying generous amounts of sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

Wearing sunglasses with lenses that have 99 to 100 percent UV absorption.

Avoiding other sources of UV light, like tanning beds and sun lamps that also damage the skin.

"When proper sun protective practices are followed consistently, skin cancer can largely be prevented," Dr. Fox said. "We need to change habits and mindsets to help people see the necessity--and urgency--of protecting themselves against skin cancer."

Http://www. advancedd. com (http://www. advancedd. com)

About Joshua L. Fox, M. D.:

Dr. Fox is a leading authority in the field of dermatology with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery, and laser procedures. As an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Fox has been an expert resource on dermatologic topics for numerous television networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, including local broadcasting television spotlights, Telemundo, talk shows, radio stations, newspapers and magazines. Dr. Fox has served on the board of the National Rosacea Foundation and has done clinical trials in both medical and laser therapy in Rosacea. He has received multiple research and clinical awards including recognition from Top Doctors, Who's Who, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, Community Service Award from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the prestigious Husic Award as well as certificates of recognition for service from multiple hospitals, civic, educational and community organizations. Dr. Fox has authored and presented papers of his research on lasers, cosmetic procedures, stretch marks, scars, skin cancer, bug bites, photosensitivity and various rashes.

As founder and director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fox and his associates have expanded the practice into one of the largest in dermatology, laser & cosmetic surgery with more lasers than any hospital or university center on the eastern coast. Dr. Fox is a graduate of the New York University Medical Center - Skin and Cancer and has been on the advisory board of the Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Foundation among others. He has also been a fellow of many societies including the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Dr. Fox is the founder of the AAD Melanoma/Skin Cancer Prevention Program in Queens, New York since 1987. Dr. Fox has been Chief of Dermatology of several major teaching hospitals including Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens and Jamaica Medical Center and is currently on the staff of ten NY area hospitals. Dr. Fox and Advanced Dermatology the Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery have been used as a resource center educating dermatologists, laser surgeons, & cosmetic surgeons and others about lasers, cancer and cosmetic surgery and has one of the few Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship programs in the country. Dr. Fox is also the founder of the non-profit New Age Skin Research Foundation which participates and provides many research activities on unique issues of the skin and their causes or cures.

Http://www. advancedd. com (http://www. advancedd. com)

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Diversity Training Organization Announces New Workshop Targeting the Legacy of Slavery and Race Relations

Diversity Training Organization Announces New Workshop Targeting the Legacy of Slavery and Race Relations

Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc., a cultural diversity training and management-consulting firm located in Columbia, Maryland, announces its new cultural diversity workshop called "Healing From Slavery." The workshop is designed to help corporate America open up a dialogue about the legacy of slavery and race in the United States, while providing employers and employees with universal leading-edge solutions to complex workforce diversity issues which can improve both their professional and personal lives. The workshop delves into the sensitive issue of helping Americans heal from the racial divide caused by the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

Columbia, MD (PRWEB) February 2, 2006

Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. (http://www. diversityrestoration. com (http://www. diversityrestoration. com)), a cultural diversity training and management-consulting firm located in Columbia, Maryland, announces its new cultural diversity workshop called "Healing From Slavery." The workshop is designed to help corporate America dialogue about the legacy of slavery and race in the United States, while providing employers and employees with universal leading-edge solutions to complex workforce diversity issues which can improve both their professional and personal lives.

Using a unique 13-step restoration process, "Healing From Slavery" delves into the sensitive issue of helping Americans heal from the racial divide caused by the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. The restoration process will help both the descendants of the enslaved and descendants of those who where the enslavers begin a process to close cultural and racial divides and its negative effects in America. Upon request, the workshop or topic (in an abbreviated lecture/keynote format) can be presented anywhere in the United States or internationally for an employer as part of its cultural program, team-building event or leadership training.

“Healing From Slavery” will teach participants about the transatlantic slave trade in North America and its lasting effects on how we perceive race relations today, encourage dialogue about different perspectives on relevant constitutional and historical documents pertaining to slavery, study first-person slave narratives and learn how to use them as a dialogue and learning tool in the workforce to discuss cultural diversity. Any ethnic, cultural or racial group can apply the restoration process for use in their communities, which makes the workshop valuable for every member of an organization.

The workshop targets management leadership, human resources and cultural diversity professionals, school educators and administrators, human rights specialist, mental health professionals and anyone that is interested in exploring a new process to heal from the negative legacy of slavery. Community-based groups are also welcomed to participate.

Other cultural and personal development workshops offered by Diversity Restoration Solutions include“Genealogy 101: How Do I Get Started?”, a beginners course on how to start ancestral genealogy research and “Freedom Process: The P Principles,” a self development workshop on attaining internal freedom and self-actualization.

"Knowing who I am freed my soul," said Eric A. Sheppard, author, genealogist and founder of Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. "There are international support groups that serve humanitarian needs in drug abuse, alcoholism, chronic disease and a host of other physical and emotions complications, but our unique program provides the long overdue support that Americans need to acknowledge a shame, guilt or denial about slavery and begin healing from its after-effects in the United States. Descendants of our enslaved ancestors need to get it 'right', meaning we need to ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to improve our overall condition in this country. Descendants of those who enslaved our ancestors need to make it 'right,' and that means accepting the responsibility for correcting historical wrongs."

About Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. -

Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. was originally created in 1991 by Eric A. Sheppard as The Sheppard Corporation, a technical management and general supply distribution company. In 2005, after years of genealogical researching and lecturing on the effects of slavery, Mr. Sheppard, who wrote and published, "Ancestor's Call" a genealogy and history book about his ancestor, Moses Grandy and his 1843 slave narrative, transformed Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. into a company that provides solutions to the complex and diverse problems of business leaders and their ever changing workforce. In addition Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc., Mr. Sheppard is chairman and co-founder of Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc., a nonprofit slave history and genealogy organization (http://www. slavedescendants. org (http://www. slavedescendants. org)).

Other specialty areas include genealogy research training, book publishing, manufacturers representative services and business management consulting. For more information on workshops or lectures, please contact Lisa Sheppard at(443) 542-5815.

Press only: For media interviews with Eric Sheppard, President of Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc., please contact Lisa Sheppard at (443) 542-5815.

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Prostate Net and Barbers International Launch Global Men's Health Partnership During Prostate Awareness Month-September 2006

Prostate Net and Barbers International Launch Global Men's Health Partnership During Prostate Awareness Month-September 2006

Prostate Net and Barbers International (BI) will use the power and influence of neighborhood barbershops to persuade men to get screened for prostate cancer and be more proactive about their overall health. The campaign launches September 2006—Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and National Barber Month.

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) August 29, 2006 -–

The Prostate Net and Barbers International (BI) will use the power and influence of neighborhood barbershops to persuade men to get screened for prostate cancer and be more proactive about their overall health. The campaign launches September 2006—Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and National Barber Month.

Since 1995, The Prostate Net (www. TheProstateNet. com) has kept men and their families “in the know,” continuing their leadership role in community health advocacy regarding prostate cancer and other important health issues, via aggressive public education, early detection, treatment programs and support systems. BI is the leading source for barber education and men’s grooming and includes barbers, educators, barber students and hair professionals.

At the upcoming Barber International Conference (www. BarbersInternational. com), The Prostate Net will train barbers as “lay health motivators” during an education session, led by urologists. Armed with knowledge, barbers will return to their hometowns and direct clients to partner hospitals and health centers for screenings and information about treatment options. The Prostate Net is a founding sponsor for the conference, October 14-16, 2006, Orleans Hotel and Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We provide a means to cope, until there is a cure,” said Virgil Simons Founder and President, The Prostate Net. “This exciting partnership expands our service matrix which includes ‘wired barbershops,' computer-based learning systems with direct barber/customer access to life-changing information about prostate cancer, heart disease, hypertension, nutrition and exercise” (www. TheKnowledgeNet. info). In 2004, Simons launched the original “Going to the Barbershop to Fight Cancer” initiative, timed to coincide with the release of MGM’s BarberShop 2 Back in Business movie. To date, more than 12,000 men have been screened in partnership with barbers and 50 leading medical centers.

“Our barbers are excited about being a part of this important network,” says Don Fagan, BI Executive Director. “What a great way to positively impact the quality of a client’s life—on the inside, via health tips and on the outside, with a stylish haircut, shave or other services!” The 2007 promotional campaign will include a nationwide Father’s Day “Barbershop Challenge to Good Health” (June) with BI member pod casts via The Knowledge Net and hyperlinks to shops nationwide. Participating barbers will receive vendor incentives, access to important community health resources, brochures and step-by-step guidance, training and support to craft a community relations program to meet their needs. And, because it’s important for barbers to stay healthy, BarberBenefits. com will be at the conference to offer health insurance plans.

Due to widespread interest and enthusiasm from physicians, researchers, pharmaceutical giants and foundations, the “Going to the Barbershop” initiative has expanded beyond its initial target of urban centers. For the past two years, the award-winning barbershop program has been featured at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) convention; articles have appeared in the Lancet, international medical journal and The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Barbers International, Incorporated

Corporate Headquarters: 2708 Pine Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Www. BarbersInternational. com

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

Nurse's reach rank of Amazon 70th best seller on 3-2-04 with their book What to Ask the Doc. Co-author Margaret Fitzpatrick, RN and Linda Burke, RN credit national TV and Radio exposure with success

Nurse's reach rank of Amazon 70th best seller on 3-2-04 with their book What to Ask the Doc. Co-author Margaret Fitzpatrick, RN and Linda Burke, RN credit national TV and Radio exposure with success.

Up to 98,000 hospital deaths are related to medical mistakes. What to Ask the Doc is the tool patients can use to learn to communicate with their doctors and avoid deadly mistakes. Released in October 2003 the book What to Ask the Doc has been featured on the Today Show, CNN Headline News, Dr. Laura Schlessinger program and mutliple news and radio programs. Co-authors Burke and Fitzpatrick are empowering patients to avoid the 5 critical mistakes most people make when going to the doctor or hospital.

(PRWEB) March 11, 2004

Most people ask more questions when buying a new car than they ask before consenting to surgery. By providing questions list on 66 different healthcare issues What to Ask the Doc begins an important and perhaps life saving dialog.

Instead of adding yet another self help tome, co-authors Fitzpatrick, RN, Burke, RN and Lee, RN have developed a tool that people can really use to navigate the complex workings of the healthcare system. Nurses know that a more informed patient tends to have better outcomes. Frequently, people get tongue tied in front of doctors and trust that their doctor will tell them everything they need to know - a busy doctor can't read minds but welcomes a patient being a part of the decision making process.

Co-author Fitzpatrick, RN says "Going to the doctor? Take a nurse with you." What to Ask the Doc gives patients the questions to ask to get the answers they need. Their website offers consumer a free download of Emergency Room Visits questions at www. whattoaskthedoc. com.

Food Evangelist Jean Duane Helps Those On Special Diets

Food Evangelist Jean Duane Helps Those On Special Diets

According to a recent study by the National Commission on Digestive Diseases, 60-70 million Americans are negatively affected by the foods they eat - and gluten and dairy top the list of implicated foods. Symptoms of gluten and dairy intolerance are systemic and can affect virtually all of the systems in the body - from migraines, to arthritis, to digestive maladies. Celiac Disease is 100% curable with adherence to a gluten-free diet, and children on the Autism spectrum often improve on a gluten-free, dairy-free (GFCF) diet. Jean Duane is a food evangelist determined to help those, like herself, who need to avoid gluten, dairy and other allergens.

Centennial, CO (PRWEB) June 12, 2009

Jean Duane provides a wealth of help from speaking to blogging to offering products to show quick and easy ways to prepare allergy-free foods. She will be demonstrating how to make (GFCF) Cheese Crackers at the Whole Foods in Tamarac Square in Denver, CO on Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 PM. Their address there is 7400 E. Hampden, Denver, CO. She'll speak on "Living Deliciously Without" at the Natural Grocers / Vitamin Cottage in Dallas, TX on June 13 at 3:00 PM located at 7517 Campbell Road, Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75248 . Ms. Duane will also be speaking on Baking Deliciously! - Tips and Techniques on Gluten and Dairy free Baking" at the Lone Star Celiac meeting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 20 at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas which is at 8200 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231.

Ms. Duane recently spoke at the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America's conference on June 6 in Seattle. Her topics included "GF on a Dime" and "Internationally GF". She is a regular speaker/cooking demonstrator at the Whole Foods Market, at the Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage and a guest instructor at various culinary institutions. She appears on multiple TV segments on Comcast Video On Demand, PBS's Life Wise series and is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

To continually offer help to people, Ms. Duane has a blog (www. askjeanduane. com). It contains a lot of helpful information such as substitutions to use in recipes, book reviews, tests to ask for when you visit the doctor, recipes, a food intolerance quiz and more. Foods commonly used by those following a special diet can be found on the site under "Stocking Your Pantry". Visitors will find links to get help from support groups and organizations who serve people with Celiac disease, allergies, heart disease, Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.

Her new cookbook BAKE DELICIOUSLY! Gluten and Dairy Free Cookbook by Jean Duane, Alternative Cook, shows how to make more than 150 triple-tested, beautiful baked items without gluten, dairy (GFCF) and other common allergens. It features appetizing cakes, muffins, quick breads, cookies, crackers, desserts, snacks, breakfast treats and pies all gluten and dairy free with substitutions for other food-allergens. This must-have cookbook is for those with Celiac disease, gluten or dairy intolerance, food allergies, Autism, ADD, Crohn's disease, asthma, IBS, ADHD, Aspergers or anyone looking for a healthier approach to baking. BAKE DELICIOUSLY! Gluten and Dairy Free Cookbook can be ordered from five different distributors including: Book Clearing House (an Ingram distributor) 800-431-1579; Baker & Taylor 908-541-7425; Nutri-Books/Royal Publications 800-279-2048; New Leaf Distribution 770-948-7845; and at Quality Books 800-323-4241 as well as directly from www. alternativecook. com. It also available as a fund-raiser for organizations supporting those with Autism, Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and food allergies. Please contact Jean Duane through the Alternative Cook website for details.

"I just want to help people on special diets have easy-to-prepare, delicious foods they love. Think of it as an epicurean adventure," says Jean Duane.

Alternative Cook, LLC produces instructional cooking DVDs (Chocolate, Italian, Mexican and Kids' Meals), video streams and BAKE DELICIOUSLY! Gluten and Dairy Free Cookbook. Everything is gluten and dairy free with substitutions for other common allergens. For more information or to schedule an interview with Ms. Duane, please visit www. alternativecook. com.

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Labiaplasty May Be Covered by Insurance, Notes Chicago-area Plastic Surgeon Allan Parungao, MD

Labiaplasty May Be Covered by Insurance, Notes Chicago-area Plastic Surgeon Allan Parungao, MD

Labiaplasty, a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the inner vaginal lips, may be considered medically necessary when large or uneven labia minora are causing recurrent infections or problems with urination or feminine hygiene. In cases like these, Chicago-area plastic surgeon Allan Parungao, MD, works with patients to help get the procedure covered by their health insurance.

Oak Brook, Ill. (PRWEB) May 6, 2010

New statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery reveal a 100.7% increase in the number of vaginal rejuvenation procedures performed on American women from 2008 to 2009. One of the most popular of these procedures is labiaplasty (http://www. parungao. com/body-contouring/labiaplasty).

"For women who suffer from large or uneven labia minora--a condition known as labial hypertrophy--labiaplasty can give the inner vaginal lips a more trim, youthful look," says board-certified plastic surgeon Allan Parungao, MD, FACS (http://www. parungao. com/meet-dr-p).

"Labiaplasty reduces and/or balances the size of the inner lips of the vulva, or external female genitals," explains Dr. Parungao, author of A Woman's Guide to Cosmetic Breast Surgery and Body Contouring (http://www. addicusbooks. com/show_title. cfm? isbn=1886039755). "After labiaplasty, the labia minora no longer protrude outside the outer vaginal lips.

"Like any plastic surgery, labiaplasty may be covered by health insurance (http://www. parungao. com/faq) when it is deemed medically necessary--not simply cosmetic surgery," says Dr. Parungao. "Of course, whether a patient's labiaplasty procedure is covered by insurance also depends on the terms of her policy.

"Labial hypertrophy is considered a medical problem when it causes recurrent infections and irritation," he explains. In cases like this, Dr. Parungao's office writes letters and submits documentation to the patient's insurer--and often gets the procedure approved for coverage.

This was the case with "Jennifer," a 30-year-old newlywed from New Jersey who recently traveled to Chicago for labiaplasty. Like thousands of women with large or uneven labia, Jennifer had been silently enduring:
Painful sex and embarrassment in intimate relationships Persistent moisture, chafing, irritation and recurrent infections Embarrassment and discomfort when wearing a bathing suit or tight-fitting jeans

"When I hit my early 20s, I was having a lot of medical conditions such as recurring yeast infections," Jennifer recalls. "I went to see loads of doctors and no one really had an answer for me.

"I'd always been uncomfortable in my clothing--irritated constantly," she adds. "I couldn't even wear certain underwear. But when it started taking a toll on my marriage, I said, 'Let me see if other women are doing something to take care of this.'"

"Some women first find out about labiaplasty when they stumble upon it on the Internet," notes Dr. Parungao--and this was true with Jennifer.

"I started looking things up online to see if there was a procedure and I found the medical term for it," Jennifer recalls. "All the reasons women were giving for labiaplasty were my reasons.

"I sent Dr. P a heartfelt letter explaining everything I was going through," she says. "I was having sexual trouble at home--I wouldn't even let my husband touch me. I would freak out if he walked in on me when I was in the shower.

"Dr. P wrote back right away and said, 'Send me a couple of pictures and I'll review them,'" Jennifer recalls.

"I never felt comfortable talking to anybody about this problem--not even my mom--until recently, when I told her I was trying to go for labiaplasty," Jennifer admits. "When she took the pictures for me, she said, 'I understand. You must be really uncomfortable.' And I was--physically and emotionally.

"After I sent Dr. Parungao my pictures, he said I had a very strong case," Jennifer recalls. "He submitted the paperwork to my insurance company. It took a lot of going back and forth, but they did cover it."

Jennifer and her husband traveled from New Jersey to Chicago on a Monday. She had a consultation on Tuesday, surgery on Wednesday, a follow-up visit on Thursday--and went home to New Jersey later that day.

"Now I'm so comfortable in my jeans!" says Jennifer. "Things feel so much better--and it looks cute now," she adds. "It feels like what it always should have felt like."

For more information about labiaplasty, visit www. parungao. com/body-contouring/labiaplasty (http://www. parungao. com/body-contouring/labiaplasty).

Allan Parungao, MD, FACS, is a plastic surgeon and author board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has Chicago-area offices in Oak Brook, Naperville and Vernon Hills, Ill. For more information, visit www. parungao. com.

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