The College Movie, just released, is an educational comedy film about applying for college, financial aid, and everything else that families need to know for this process. This is the first film of its kind that provides an entertaining way to learn about the challenging aspects of admissions and paying for the ever-rising cost of attending college.
In this film, viewers will learn about FAFSA, scholarships, loans and so much more. The answers are available in this 41-minute movie. "I was amazed by how much I learned all while laughing," said Lisa Jones. "I feel more comfortable about helping my son through the process. I am confident that there are options for paying for his college. This has been weighing on me and now I have some peace of mind."
The College Movie features experts from top colleges across the country who share valuable insights on the entire college process. Adam Blumenthal, Director of The College Authority, said, "The College Movie is a clever way to educate students and parents. The biggest complaint that I often hear is how boring and difficult the material can be. I think every parent should be watching this film."
The health system joins the company's list of strategic investors, underscoring the value of a consumer-first healthcare experience.
NEW YORK & HOUSTON - December 19, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Cedar, an enterprise healthcare engagement platform that improves the end-to-end consumer financial journey, today announced that Memorial Hermann Health System, a nonprofit, award-winning health system committed to creating healthier Houston communities, has joined the company's growing list of strategic investors.
"Without a connected, consumer-first approach, medical billing often leads to confusion and frustration for patients at best, and an inability to pay medical debt at worst," said Florian Otto, CEO and Co-founder of Cedar. "Our goal is to provide a patient experience that is convenient and clear, leading to significantly better outcomes for providers, payers and the people we all serve. We are pleased to welcome Memorial Hermann as an investor in this important work."
Cedar is on a mission to empower individuals to easily and affordably pursue the care they need, transforming the patient financial experience through a unique end-to-end solution. The Cedar Suite delivers a consistent and unified experience across the patient journey, from appointment confirmation and price estimates pre-service to final payment post-service. And with the launch of the Payer Intelligence Layer in November, Cedar's platform consolidates payer and provider data into a single source of information for consumers managing medical bills.
"Our organization's goals very much align with Cedar's in that we also aim to make healthcare more affordable and accessible while providing a highly personalized and compassionate patient experience. That's one of the many reasons we made the strategic decision to invest in Cedar," said Alec King, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Memorial Hermann.
"We recognize that the healthcare industry has much room for improvement in the areas of consumer-friendly digital platforms, access and affordability. As part of our strategic investment efforts, we want to support the work of innovative companies who are accomplishing these key objectives," said Feby Abraham, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Memorial Hermann.
Cedar is committed to improving the healthcare billing experience for all. With an innovative platform that connects providers and payers, Cedar empowers healthcare consumers with an optimized journey—all powered by data science and interactive design. For Cedar clients, this leads to improved financial outcomes, more efficient operations and greater consumer loyalty. To learn more about why leading U.S. healthcare organizations trust Cedar to manage the end-to-end consumer experience from pre-registration to post-visit billing, visit www.cedar.com and join us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
About Memorial Hermann Health System
Charting a better future. A future that's built upon the HEALTH of our community. This is the driving force for Memorial Hermann, redefining healthcare for the individuals and many diverse populations we serve. Our 6,700 affiliated physicians and more than 30,000 employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across our more than 260 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. For more than 115 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly $500 million annually through school-based health centers and other community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do - charting a better future for all.
*Memorial Hermann Health System owns and operates 14 hospitals and has joint ventures with three other hospital facilities, including Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital First Colony, Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy.
Passport Technology ("Passport"), a global leader in innovative payment technology and customer engagement for the gaming industry, today announced the selection of Passport's Lush™ loyalty and rewards platform and Mira™ player enrollment kiosks, at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort: Deadwood Casino and Gaming Hotel ("Tin Lizzie"). This relationship marks Passport's entry into South Dakota.
Passport's Lush loyalty platform introduces new opportunities for casino operators to increase player enrollment, engagement, and point redemption through customizable games, promotions, and dynamic offers.
"The Lush platform has all the tools to help us continue building customer loyalty and engagement. We are always looking for ways to enhance our customer's experience which made Lush a no-brainer," says Tin Lizzie Resort General Manager, David Knight. "The flexibility the Lush platform brings to our operations just made sense. We are looking forward to having a simplistic yet robust tool for enrollments, promotions, drawings, game, and point redemptions at Tin Lizzie."
As the industry's first HTML5, cloud-based loyalty and rewards platform, operators can customize an unlimited number of branding, gamification, virtual drawings, multipliers, and patron-specific promotions through Lush's secure web application. Tin Lizzie guests will benefit from self-service features like player club enrollment, card reprints, dynamic games, and offers through the Lush kiosk. With configurable gifting options and the industry's first Earn and Shop redemption portal, guests can instantly redeem points for e-gift cards, physical gift cards, real merchandise, or specific property inventory.
"Tin Lizzie remains one of the premier operators in and around Deadwood, South Dakota, and we are excited to bring Lush as an integral part of their new and expanded player development strategy," said Diallo Gordon, Principal - Digital Wallet, Loyalty & Innovation for Passport.
"We are delighted to expand our loyalty suite of service and products to the South Dakota market and work collaboratively with savvy and tested operators like Tin Lizzie," stated Cleve Tzung, CEO of Passport. "Lush will be a transformative and effective tool in driving guest satisfaction and player engagement; a true differentiator within this competitive market, where casinos share doors and walls."
Passport's pursuit of excellence is driven through diversity, inclusion, and collaboration as we strive to create opportunities for all stakeholders to thrive. Passport is a leading developer of technology-based solutions and services for the highly regulated payments, gaming, and financial services markets. The company's product portfolio includes redemption kiosks, quasi-cash, check warranty, ATM, digital payments, cash and cashless integrations, casino automation, regulatory compliance solutions, bank-sponsored transaction processing, server and web-based analytics, agnostic application management systems, and interactive content and loyalty services. Through its privileged gaming licenses and payment sponsorships, Passport has securely and responsibly settled over $45 billion in funds to casino floors across the globe.
When Cry A Little Longer, a new single, drops on all streaming services on Dec. 19, 2022, the up-tempo production of wry folk/rock/Americana will be the 12th track released this year by prolific emerging artist, Ed Gumbrecht.
"Cry" is a new tune with an old soul in the tradition of classic singer-songwriting. It uniquely suits the moment with lyrics that poke at sad songs. Its punchy chorus evokes sing-along participation. Contrary to its title, it is more likely to induce smiles than waterworks. Gumbrecht makes sport of doomsaying. His bright melody carries quicksilver lyrics to an honest conclusion. There's catharsis in the observation that despite all the "trouble", it turns out we can "take the heat."
Since the February release of his debut album, Colorshow, Gumbrecht's music has been attracting a growing following with listeners in the U.S. and internationally. His songs have been featured on popular playlists including Spotify's Blues & Whiskey, Vibes, Country Road Trip, Indie Rock Music, Road Trip Folk Americana, Coffee & Country, and Songs that Taste Like Nature. His song One and Only, sung by artist Claire Marie, was a 2022 Hot Slice feature on NYC's WFUV radio. Gumbrecht is a native New Yorker who writes in Washington D.C. and records in New England.
Cry a Little Longer, the single, was produced at Dirt Floor Recording Studios in Haddam, CT, by industry veteran, Eric Michael Lichter. It will also be featured on the upcoming album, Enter the Muses. With nine original songs, Gumbrecht's new album will be out in January 2023.
Contact Information:
Ed Gumbrecht
Composer [email protected]
860-510-3888
In an effort to keep the community safe and discourage their neighbors from drinking and driving, Silva Injury Law will offer free rides home during New Year's Eve.
sober Rides Drunk driving kills the holiday spirit
TURLOCK, Calif. - December 16, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
The year is almost over, which means that the new year festivities will be here soon. From champagne and music to illuminating fireworks, New Year's Eve brings a time for renewal, joy and fun. Whether you are going to a house party or partying downtown Turlock, Silva Injury Law wants you to celebrate safely and responsibly.
This New Year's Eve/Day, Silva Injury Law is reimbursing community members for their Uber, Lyft and cab rides all in the name of keeping drunk drivers off the road and the holiday spirit alive.
"A lot of cases I end up getting are when somebody is badly impacted by a drunk driver. I represent people who were hurt by that bad decision," Michael Silva said. "From my understanding, these holidays seem to be the prime time for these types of accidents to occur and I want to do my part in my community to help people make a different decision."
The offer is simple: if you have too much to drink during New Year's Eve, call an Uber, Lyft, or cab service for a ride home. Once you are safely home, send Silva Injury Law your receipt, and they will reimburse the cost of your ride. It really is that easy. Silva Injury Law encourages you to make the responsible decision and they will reward you if you do.
To qualify for reimbursement:
Rides must be taken within the Turlock, CA metro area;
Rides must occur between 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 and 10 am Sunday, Jan. 1 2023; and
You must be of legal drinking age to qualify (21 and over).
The sober rides campaign offer is:
Valid for one, one-way ride to a safe destination,
Limited to one reimbursement per household,
Limited to a maximum reimbursement of $25.00 anywhere in the Turlock metro area, which includes a tip up to 10%, and
Limited to the first 60 submissions.
To submit your receipt and photo IDto Silva Injury Law, mail a photocopy to:
Silva Injury Law
2130 Geer Rd Suite A
Turlock, CA 95382
209-600-4389
The law firm will review the submissions on a first come first serve basis, and the first 60 people will receive reimbursements.
Contact Information:
Michael Silva
Personal Injury Attorney [email protected]
209-600-4389
MANHATTAN, N.Y. - December 16, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
It was an exciting afternoon when Joe Wessely, Board Chair of enCourage Kids Foundation (EKF), presented a $50,000 check to Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital in support of KidZone TV in memory of EKF's late CEO Michele Hall-Duncan. Diane Rode, Senior Director, Patient and Family Centered Care, and Dennis Charney, M.D., Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of Icahn Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System, were on hand to receive the check and join in on the fun with the pediatric patients.
The gift was given through EKF's Jay Anderson Pediatric Hospital Support Fund, which funds projects in pediatric facilities that would otherwise not be funded through hospital budgets.
"On behalf of EKF, it was such a pleasure to donate $50,000 in Michele's honor to KidZone TV, a state-of-the-art interactive production and broadcast studio offering live and pre-recorded programming for viewing within the hospital. We are grateful for their hard work and long-term partnership," stated Joe Wessely.
"Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital is enormously grateful to EKF for their generous support and presence in our mission to humanize healthcare for our children and families. For over 30 years, EKF has been at the forefront nationally of responding to the needs of child life programs and services for pediatric patients. We dedicate this generous gift in memory of the life's work of Michele Hall-Duncan and her formative leadership with this dynamic and innovative organization," said Diane Rode.
Special guest and EKF ambassador, WABC Sports Anchor Ryan Field, played sports trivia alongside Dr. Charney, and brought smiles to the patients who played and asked sports questions from their bedsides.
"It was such a fun afternoon playing sports trivia with the patients and their families at KZTV Studio. I'm honored to work with EKF and proud of their generous donation today. I look forward to the next time that I can test my sports knowledge and put a smile on the faces of hospitalized children," said Ryan Field.
"KidZone TV Studio was filled with laughter and excitement as our patients and families enjoyed an afternoon of fun with EKF and Ryan Field! We feel so fortunate to have EKF as a partner," stated Morgan Stojanowski, Director, Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy.
About enCourage Kids Foundation
Since 1985, EKF has helped humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the child life community. Serving nearly one million children annually, our programs offer relief from the constant burden of treatment, hospital stays, and doctor appointments while also helping pediatric facilities meet the unique needs of their patients. EKF envisions a world where every child — regardless of the difficulty of their medical journey — experiences joy, hope, resilience, and healing. www.encourage-kids.org
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the NY metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, including Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, over 400 outpatient practices, over 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital offers the most advanced diagnostics, treatments, and technologies available in every area of pediatrics because the health and care of your child is our first priority. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex healthcare challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. https://www.mountsinai.org
For EKF media opportunities, please contact MJ Pedone - Indra Public Relations - [email protected].
Contact Information:
MJ Pedone
President [email protected]
(917) 319-9600
GLENDALE, Calif. - December 16, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
As 120,000 Armenians in the enclave of Artsakh remain cut off from the world this weekend, 270 children are not able to return to their homes because of the blockade of the only one corridor connecting Artsakh with Armenia. A new documentary film shares the continuing struggles and the stories of the children traumatized by the recent 44-day war over Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding territories.
A private screening of "The Tales of the Blue Sky" will take place on Monday, Dec. 19, at the Veranda in Glendale. Documentarian Vruir Tadevosian, a Southern California broadcaster, is available for interviews about the current humanitarian crisis and has film clips available for broadcast.
"Blue skies, which are synonymous with peace, have become a thing of yearning for young children living in the borderline villages of Artsakh," says Tadevosian. "My film tells the stories of the children who never had a choice and were forced to witness war, loss, injuries and chaos."
Tadevosian lived through the first war in the region in the 1990s when Armenia and Artsakh voted to separate from the crumbling Soviet Union.
"Having lived the first five years of my life in underground bomb shelters, I felt a calling to bring to light the horrific tragedies that children experience in silence," says Tadevosian.
Azerbaijani activists are now blocking the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the Republic of Armenia. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas to Artsakh as part of its aggressive campaign to retake centuries-old Armenian territories it claims as its own.
"The Tales of the Blue Sky" takes its viewer into the world of children ripped apart and traumatized by war. This moving documentary addresses the challenge they face and shares their stories of survival and triumph. Those who have seen the film say it evokes a range of emotions including tears and laughter. This documentary also tells about the horrifying tragedy that children go through in conflict zones around the world.
The Saint Vinson Eugene Allen Foundation will continue its support of Los Angeles families and homeless residents during the economic crisis that has hit Southern California. Many residents have felt the pinch, leaving them without the means to provide a Christmas dinner. Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen and the foundation staff are preparing for a large turnout for the multi-city Annual 1000 Turkey Giveaway, with public venues in the cities of Compton and Paramount beginning on Dec. 17, 2022.
The Saint Vinson Eugene Allen Foundation will also visit the Skid Row community over the next few days to bring clothing, shoes, food and gifts for the kids. The Allen Family and the Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care staff, for over 20 years, has pursued giving to the community and lending a helping hand to anyone who is in need. Residents who seek information about the upcoming Annual 1000 Turkey Giveaway, and other multiple giveaways sponsored by the foundation, can visit the website Saint Vinson Eugene Allen Foundation to sign up.
Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen states: "I believe we will eventually find a solution, until that time, I will do my best to support our homeless population. I believe we are all one step away from finding ourselves in this condition"
Dr. Allen and his family (#allenfamilyunity) play unique roles from Los Angeles to Mississippi, serving many communities, showing empathy towards those in dire need across the United States while being impactful to a large social media audience. Dr. Allen can be found on all social media platforms @DrAllenLA.
Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen is the founder of Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care facilities, located throughout Southern California. For over 20 years, Dr. Eugene Allen and his wife, Dr. Connie Yu Allen, have centered their commitment to the communities of Los Angeles. The Saint Vinson Eugene Allen organization has been a legendary pillar in the community during tough times. Dr. Allen ran as a candidate in the 2022 race for California Insurance Commissioner in the June primary.
IRVINE, Calif. - December 16, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Rezolut, a high-growth medical imaging business, is pleased to announce the opening of its Irvine, CA, facility in conjunction with Providence St. Joseph Health ("Providence"). This is the second of several centers planned and continues Rezolut's successful partnership with Providence which began in August 2020 with their strategic investment in Shin Imaging. The other sites in this partnership include locations in Chino Hills, Buena Park, Fullerton, and Los Angeles.
The new Irvine center officially opened on Dec. 12, 2022, and is located at 13400 Jamboree Road, Suite 100, Irvine, California. Similar to the Chino Hills location, Irvine offers state-of-the-art imaging technology, including: 3T MRI, 3D mammography, CT, digital X-Ray, ultrasound, and bone density scans.
Dr. Jin Kim, CEO of Rezolut, stated, "We are very excited to open the Irvine site. It represents the extreme hard work and planning from the Rezolut, Providence, and Shin teams. We believe that the Irvine site demonstrates the best of the strategic partnership with Providence and will be a model for several other centers across Southern California that will help Rezolut continue its mission of delivering the highest quality care with the best partners available."
Charlie Maloney, Director of Fixed Site Operations, West Coast for Rezolut, commented, "I am pleased with a successful opening of the Irvine center, in the Tustin Marketplace. This site further grows our partnership with Providence and allows us to expand our services in Southern California. The site is located just a few blocks from the Jamboree Road exit of the Santa Ana freeway, providing easy access to the latest technology in imaging."
"At Providence St. Joseph Hospital, we want to make it easier for our patients to get the care they need, when and where they need it," stated Jeremy Zoch, Chief Executive, Providence St. Joseph Hospital. "The new imaging site in Irvine is a great example of bringing care closer to home and providing our community with yet another convenient option to access the services they need."
The Irvine site is Rezolut's 18th location in Southern California and its 40th location across the United States. The new site furthers Rezolut's commitment to building an innovative, national, multi-modal platform that delivers high-quality service to patients.
About Rezolut, LLC
Rezolut is a national platform of diagnostic medical imaging services. With a focus on four key platforms, its mission is to provide and facilitate top-notch patient care, partnered with innovative technology, to achieve better health outcomes. To learn more about Rezolut, visit www.rezolut.com.
Contact Information:
Mike Morgan
Associate Director of Marketing [email protected]
520-991-0322
iQuanti: Anxiety is an evolved response to danger that can have us reacting in ways that feel out of place with everyday life. Anxiety can be a normal, everyday response to stressful situations. However, if your anxiety is getting in the way of you living a happy, fulfilled life, there are ways to manage the condition and mitigate its effects. Whether it's video chatting with a San Antonio psychiatrist or learning breathing techniques and coping strategies, anxiety can be a manageable condition.
Lifestyle Changes
There are some lifestyle changes that can lessen your anxiety. While these changes may not get rid of anxiety altogether, they may help improve things. You might start by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, eating healthily, and limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake. These are good habits in general, sure, but keep in mind that anxiety can worsen if you're not feeling your best. Similarly, keeping to a set daily schedule and eating and sleeping at consistent times every day can benefit anxiety levels.
Coping Strategies
Lifestyle changes are great, but it may take time to see the effects, and sometimes you need to deal with anxiety immediately. You can try coping strategies, like breathwork and mindfulness techniques, to help focus your attention and keep your thoughts from spiraling. By doing a simple breathing exercise several times—in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, out for four seconds, hold for four seconds—your body can get your brain to relax. Similarly, something as easy as counting to 10 or focusing on objects around you can help create distance between your thoughts and immediate feelings.
Therapy
Our minds, backgrounds, and brain chemistry are all unique, and there's no one solution for everybody. If anxiety is impacting your life, consider speaking to a therapist about what you're going through. In addition to helping you talk through fears and issues, a therapist can teach you more specialized techniques and exercises. Therapy can also help you recognize and manage your thought patterns.
Medication
Some anxiety—often the more acute types—requires medication, often in conjunction with therapy. While primary care physicians can prescribe medications, it is typically best to work with a psychiatrist as they specialize in medications that support mental wellness and are often more up-to-date on current recommendations.
Many therapists will refer you to a psychiatrist if they feel medication would be appropriate for your treatment plan. The psychiatrist will evaluate you for potential health concerns and work with you to find a medication. After an initial prescription, a psychiatrist will likely schedule further sessions to check in with patients and see how they are responding to medication. Once you are stable, you might meet with a psychiatrist less frequently.
Compassion
Whatever tools you need to manage your anxiety, don't forget to reserve a healthy dose of compassion for yourself. It can take time to learn coping skills, change thought patterns, and adapt to medications. As you learn and adapt, treat yourself with kindness and understanding and don't forget to celebrate progress.
