CARLSBAD, Calif. - November 15, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Planning Center, a leading company in church management software, has officially completed a Service Organization Control (SOC 2) audit of their systems, processes, and policies to confirm the safety and security of their customers' data.
SOC 2 is the standardin information security, and Planning Center is the only major church management system to comply. With this compliance, churches can confidently trust Planning Center to keep their highly personal and sensitive data as protected as possible—children's check-in locations, financial data, prayer requests, and more.
Planning Center demonstrated their protection of churches' data through stringent testing by a third party. The SOC 2 audit included a review of Planning Center's policies, backup and disaster recovery, incident response, firewall configurations, and other critical areas of their business such as confidentiality and privacy. To maintain their status, they will continue to monitor internal systems and meet security benchmarks year after year.
SOC 2 compliance is part of Planning Center's ongoing dedication to data security. This summer, they announced the release of two-step verification login for their products and they continue to pursue the strongest data security measures possible.
Learn more about SOC 2 and Planning Center's commitment to best security practices from the blog announcement, and request a copy of their completed SOC 2, Type 2 report on their security page.
About Planning Center: Planning Center provides over 76,000 churches with an all-in-one church management system—tools to help them get organized by processing donations, coordinating events, scheduling volunteers, checking children in, and much more. They also offer a custom mobile app for congregations to connect through group chat, a digital directory, live-streamed service, and other custom content. Their flagship product, Planning Center Services, is the leading production tool for volunteer scheduling, worship planning, and rehearsing. For more information, visit planningcenter.com.
Contact Information:
Emily Jiles
Marketing Director [email protected]
Bionic technology company PSYONIC announced that it has launched a fundraising round on the crowdfunding website StartEngine. The round will support the ongoing development and delivery of its breakthrough bionic hand. It has raised more than $500,000 in its first two public weeks and is currently listed among the site's most-funded companies.
Released nationally in 2021, PSYONIC's Ability HandTM was called the a "miracle in the works" by CNBC earlier this year.
The tough, lightweight Ability Hand is the only multi-touch sensing bionic hand on the market, and it closes faster than the blink of an eye - in about 200 milliseconds. It is made in the United States and is covered by Medicare, making it much more affordable and accessible than any other advanced bionic hand on the market.
Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, PSYONIC's CEO, first encountered a person with a limb difference as a child visiting Pakistan with his parents. "She was my age, living in poverty, missing her right leg, and using a broken tree branch as a crutch. That's what inspired me to want to go into this field and develop these advanced bionic limbs that would be affordable and accessible to others around the entire world."
People throughout the United States - grandmothers and veterans, triathletes and teenagers - are already using the Ability Hand. (Watch them arm wrestle, flip a water bottle, and work on the farm.) PSYONIC is also exploring the development of a bionic leg, artificial tendons, new methods of providing sensory feedback, and software to improve biointegrated technologies' functionality, responsiveness, and ease of use.
The bionic limb market is expected to grow to almost $3 billion in the next eight years, and PSYONIC's Ability Hand is in high demand among robotics researchers as well. NASA, Meta, and Apptronik are clients.
"The Ability Hand's anthropomorphic form factor with robust and feature-rich hardware offers an exciting and unique potential to use it as a platform for research in robot learning and dexterous manipulation," said Mustafa Mukadam, Ph.D., who is working with the Ability Hand at Meta.
Levi Hargrove, Ph.D., director of the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, said, "The Ability Hand is an extremely capable device, even for our most advanced research studies. The PSYONIC team is responsive to our feedback, which makes it very easy to use with our intuitive and personalized control systems."
PSYONIC is a bionic technology company based in San Diego. Leveraging proprietary bionic breakthroughs, PSYONIC's Ability Hand offers those with limb differences the high-performance solution they deserve. PSYONIC was founded by Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, who was one of MIT Technology Review's top 35 Innovators Under 35 in 2021.
Hive & Colony has opened its Dallas store, marking its tenth location in the United States. The shop, located in the premier shopping destination Northpark Center, offers a luxurious, handcrafted, and impeccable atmosphere that reflects the brand's identity.
The leading brand in the men's bespoke clothing category offers a sophisticated and upscale place with industrial suspended lighting, natural solid wood elements, a bar-like area, and a warm signature bonfire in the background to make room for a private and unforgettable service experience.
''We saw a great opportunity in the Dallas market with the number of different industries which benefit from our services of custom suiting. We chose Dallas to start expanding and creating awareness for Hive & Colony because we felt what we have to offer in bespoke suiting connects and resonates with the market very well. There is no doubt that Dallas is our key starting point for our brand expansion in the southern region.'' -Mche Montgomery. Head of Training
Inside, clients partner with a stylist that accompanies them in crafting their perfect look while enjoying a glass of fine whisky. Each garment is custom-made with the highest quality fabrics and with utmost care. The Hive & Colonyphilosophy is "no detail is small enough for us", and customers can take 3D body measurements using state-of-the-art technology.
To create a one-of-a-kind suit, they offer a rich selection of over 1,000 luxury materials representing various colors, patterns, and textures, sourced from renowned mills and tanneries worldwide.
Explore the options, from suits, tuxedos, shirts, belts, and ties, for men and women, all tailored to showcase your unique personality.
Hive & Colony is located at Northpark Center, 8687 North Central Expressway, Level 1, Dallas, TX 75225, and is open from 10 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 12 pm to 6 pm on Sundays.
The brand has also stated that it will continue to grow across the United States.
The Vilcek Foundation and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation partner to present a $10,000 award in recognition of immigrant healthcare professionals in the United States.
The Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare A heart-shaped logo rendered in multiple shades of green. Text reads: \"Nominate Immigrants in Healthcare\" \"Open Call: Nov. 12, 2022 - Jan. 31, 2023\" and \"2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare\"
The Vilcek Foundation and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation have announced an open call for nominations for the 2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare. The award recognizes immigrant professionals in medicine, healthcare, or public health whose work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to humanistic and community-centered care. The 2023 award includes a commemorative heart-shaped trophy, an unrestricted cash award of $10,000, and an invitation to present at the Association of American Medical Colleges' Learn Serve Lead annual meeting. Nominations for the 2023 award will be accepted through Monday, Jan. 31, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
The Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare is a joint initiative between the Vilcek Foundation and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation that honors the mission and values of both organizations. The Vilcek Foundation recognizes and celebrates the contributions of immigrants to science, culture, and society in the United States, and fosters appreciation for the sciences and arts more broadly. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation champions "humanism in healthcare," defined as "compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent care that places the interests, values, and dignity of all people at the core of teaching and practice."
All nominations will be reviewed following the close of the open call period. Eligible candidates will be reviewed by a panel of public health experts appointed by the Vilcek Foundation and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The recipient of the 2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare will be announced in June 2023, and the award will be presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges' annual meeting in November 2023.
To be eligible for the 2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare, nominees must have been born outside of the United States and U.S. territories to non-American parents. Candidates must work professionally in healthcare, medicine, or public health, and their professional accomplishments should demonstrate their commitment to humanism and to making healthcare equitable and accessible. Eligible candidates must be based in the United States and intend to continue in a career in medicine, healthcare, or public health in the United States. Full eligibility details and requirements can be found on The Arnold P. Gold Foundation website.
Nominators are required to submit a copy of their selected nominee's CV or resume, answer short questions about their nominee, and write two essays that describe how the candidate's work aligns with the mission and values of the Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare. Nominators are encouraged to alert their nominee of their intention to nominate them for the award.
Details about the 2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare can be found on the Vilcek Foundation website at www.vilcek.org.The nomination form for the 2023 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare can be accessed at The Arnold P. Gold Foundation website at www.gold-foundation.org. For questions regarding nominations and eligibility requirements, please contact Vilcek Foundation Program Officer Julia Lo at [email protected] or 212-472-2500.
The Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $5.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation was founded in 1988 with the vision that healthcare will be dramatically improved by placing the interests, values, and dignity of all people at the core of teaching and practice. The Gold Foundation champions humanism in healthcare, which the foundation defines as compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent care; the foundation embraces all and targets any barriers that prevent individuals or groups from accessing this standard of care. The Gold Foundation empowers experts, learners, and leaders to create systems and cultures that support humanistic care for all.
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is a public not-for-profit organization, a federally tax-exempt organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit www.gold-foundation.org.
Whether delivering medical equipment as hospitals in the Gulf Coast prepare for a hurricane or servicing devices for clinicians fighting RSV, employees from US Med-Equip (USME) do whatever it takes to support front-line healthcare professionals and helped the company earn a "Top Workplaces" award for the fourth year in a row.
The Top Workplaces results are based on anonymous employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey on workplace culture from Energage. The award recognizes companies best at fostering a desirable working environment and keeping employees empowered and engaged.
"In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends," Energage CEO Eric Rubino said.
USME, leading provider of rented medical equipment, is nationally known for its culture, driven by dedicated employees' shared purpose—to support the important work healthcare providers do every day to help patients heal.
"As clinicians focus on their life-saving work, they can count on our team for the highest quality medical equipment when they need it where they need it," USME CEO Greg Salario said. "We take great pride in supporting the mission of clinicians and hospital support staff in their meaningful work, which drives us to work harder and with more heart."
Known for investing heavily in its employees, movable medical equipment and the technology and services to support it, USME recently acquired Freedom Medical and continues its expansion to meet extraordinary demand from hospitals across the nation.
The 10-time Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company is hiring, with more openings expected in the new year to support the rental, sales, service and asset management of movable medical equipment. Learn more at www.usme.com/careers.
Contact Information:
Matthew Stanford
Communications Specialist [email protected]
877-677-7767
Top 100 Women-Led Businesses Photo (left to right): Jackie Glenn, Melissa Leaston, Parnian Nasirahmad, Frederica Williams, Brenda Daley, Carolyn Reynolds, Christine Pajarillo of Whittier Street Health Center.
For nine consecutive years, Frederica M. Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center, a community health center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high-quality and accessible health care and social services that achieve health equity, social justice, and the economic well-being of a diverse patient population, has been named as head of one of the "Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts, 2022" by The Women's Edge (formerly The Commonwealth Institute) and the Globe Magazine.
The 22nd annual Top 100 rankings were announced at an Oct. 28 awards breakfast, and the list was published in the "Women & Power"issue of The Boston Globe Magazine on Oct. 30. The ranking of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list is based on an algorithm that factors in revenue, as well as diversity, innovation, and customer benefits.
"The Women's Edge is recognized for championing women leaders to achieve professional and personal success," said Williams. "With so many contributions from women throughout the years and with women still making strides and being 'firsts' in history, it's important to honor these accomplishments. It's especially important for women and girls to learn about the great hurdles women have and continue to overcome, so they are empowered to attain their goals."
In addition to the Top 100 honor, Williams was featured in an article appearing in the Oct. 30th Boston Globe Magazine.
Williams was among 11 women leaders asked to share insights on cultivating diverse, dynamic teams in challenging times and is quoted as saying, "There are many management issues, politics, and relentless challenges that can make any leader pause and reflect. I always go back to the mission. It puts everything into perspective and re-energizes the reason why we do this work."
The Women's Edge is a nonprofit organization. Its membership includes CEOs, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, directors of nonprofits, independent professionals, and the rising generation of leaders who are committed to building successful businesses, organizations, and careers.
About Whittier Street Health Center
Whittier Street Health Center is an independently licensed community health care center with a mission of providing high-quality, reliable and accessible primary healthcare for diverse populations while promoting wellness and eliminating health and social disparities. For more information, please visit www.wshc.org as well as Facebook (www.facebook.com/WhittierStreetHealthCenter), Twitter (@Whittier_Boston), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/whittier-street-health-center), or call 617-989-3221.
JUPITER, Fla. - November 14, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Alphazyme, a manufacturer of molecular biology enzymes, has been awarded certification to the ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management System (QMS) standard by British Standards International (BSI).
Founded in 2018, Alphazyme produces a growing portfolio of enzymes used by the firm's business partners in the fields of molecular diagnostics and nucleic acid drug development. According to Chris Benoit, CEO of Alphazyme, "through PCR tests and mRNA vaccines, the global pandemic ushered "genetic literacy" to the forefront of medicine. The enzymes that Alphazyme produces are the molecular motors that enable the interpretation, alteration, and authorship of genetic code. A strong Quality Management System is central to Alphazyme's ability to support these technologies, and we are thrilled to announce that with this certification, we've achieved the first step in our Quality roadmap." Stephana Petrino, VP of Quality, and the architect of the QMS, added, "We selected ISO 13485 as the foundation of Alphazyme's QMS based on its relevance to our molecular diagnostic industry partners and the Standard's alignment, as a QMS, with the FDA's ICH Q10 guidelines for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The team has worked diligently since our inception to build this system, and we completed the Certification audit process with zero major non-conformities - a testament to the culture of Quality here at Alphazyme."
The ISO certification caps off an intensive period of infrastructure investment for the company. Chad Decker, COO, commented "The enzymes that author nucleic acids have never been produced in accordance with pharmaceutical regulations. Alphazyme was founded to address the gap between molecular biology enzyme production and the Quality and regulatory requirements of emerging, highly regulated use cases for these products. We have redesigned these methods and implemented them in a purpose-built facility governed by a high-traceability Quality System - and we are excited to engage with genomics industry to understand and meet expectations for these critical products."
About Alphazyme:
Alphazyme's mission is to be the world's premier partner for industrial-scale molecular biology enzymes. Leveraging world-class expertise and infrastructure, Alphazyme collaborates with the manufacturers of genomic literacy platforms to develop and produce custom enzyme formulations that meet the requirements for use in the synthesis of custom DNA and RNA molecules, sequencing-based diagnostic tests, and nucleic acid therapies. We value collaboration, customer success, continuous improvement, and affordability. Learn more about us at www.alpha-zyme.com.
A recently published article in Experimental Biology and Medicine (Volume 247, Issue 17, September, 2022) improves our understanding of pain phenotypes in sickle cell disease. The study, led by Dr. Keesha Powell-Roach in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Tennessee, USA), describes how catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3) haplotypes are associated with pain-related sickle cell disease features and acute care utilization.
Pain, characterized by episodes of acute pain, is a hallmark symptom of individuals living with sickle cell disease, resulting in acute health care utilization. Pain severity and frequency vary significantly among patients with sickle cell disease. In previous studies of COMT and DRD3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms possible contributions to pain-related acute care utilization in people living with sickle cell disease have been found. The goal of this study was to examine the association among haplotypes of COMT and DRD3 single nucleotide polymorphisms with pain intensity and pain-related acute care utilization in sickle cell disease. Some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms reported in this article are significant and have not been previously reported in pain and sickle cell disease. Identification of genetic contributions to pain may result in a greater understanding of sickle cell disease pain and may lead to improved medical management.
Dr. Roach said: "Despite the high prevalence of painful conditions, African Americans are routinely under-treated for their pain. Although sickle cell disease was first recognized over 100 years ago, progress in therapies have lagged significantly, with pain continuing to be the hallmark symptom for over 100,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease. A significant barrier to adequately address the pain of sickle cell disease is the insufficient information about underlying mechanisms affecting the variable degree and types of pain experienced by patients. In fact, the multiple biological and psychological factors known so far to contribute to other pain conditions are under-studied in sickle cell disease."
Dr. Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology and Medicine, said "Dr.Powell-Roach and colleagues found haplotypes in one COMT haploblock and two DRD3 haploblocks that were significantly associated with one or both pain outcomes (average pain intensity and pain-related acute care). This important study paves the way to an improved understanding of genomic contributions to the varying pain phenotypes observed in patients with sickle cell disease.
Experimental Biology and Medicine is a global journal dedicated to the publication of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in the biomedical sciences. The journal was first established in 1903. Experimental Biology and Medicine is the journal of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine. To learn about the benefits of society membership visit www.sebm.org. If you are interested in publishing in the journal, please visit http://ebm.sagepub.com.
The Swedish glass manufacturer Orrefors, established in 1898, is pleased to announce its association with the Nordic film industry as the new provider for the Nordic International Film Festival Award.
"We are excited to have started this collaboration with the Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF). It feels natural for us to partner with NIFF, which supports Scandinavian filmmakers and connects the Nordic regions with the rest of the world. Orrefors is a leading crystal company with production in Sweden that represents Nordic glass heritage and Scandinavian design. We look forward to a long-lasting partnership with NIFF and sharing the Orrefors award with the international film community," says Emon Maasho, CEO & President, Orrefors North America.
The company produces special products and awards for various organizations and events, such as the Gerald Loeb, The Perfect World Foundation, American Song Contest, and the Nobel Banquet. The Nobel collection from Orrefors was designed in 1991 for the 90th anniversary of the Nobel Prize. The stemware glasses have been used at the prestigious event every year since.
"Having grown up with Orrefors' products being gifted at all milestones of life, I got very excited when a collaboration between the brand and NIFF became possible. The quality and craftsmanship of Orrefors' products feel like a beautiful manifestation of the films that we at Nordic International Film Festival celebrate," says Linnea Larsdotter, Founder and Creative Director, Nordic International Film Festival.
Orrefors
Orrefors is a world-renowned crystal brand with a heritage dating back to 1898. The design is characterized by timeless Swedish aesthetics, functionality, sustainable quality, and craftsmanship. Since the early 1900s, Orrefors has contributed a significant part to the movement and style of Scandinavian Design. The high-quality glass made in the factory in Sweden has been the main focus since the beginning, and products by Orrefors are still to this day requested for prestigious events, such as the Nobel Banquet. Today, the brand is presented at some of the most exclusive department stores and galleries all over the world.
Based in New York City and founded in 2015 by the Swedish film producers Linnea Larsdotter and Johan Matton, Nordic International Film Festival has quickly grown to become a cultural element in the competitive film festival landscape. Since its inception, NIFF has taken every opportunity to showcase the talent of Nordic actors and filmmakers while successfully introducing them to the international film market. Every year, NIFF screens films that encourage discussion regarding the present social and political climate and creates an environment and atmosphere that facilitates in-depth discussion about those films.
SPRING VALLEY, Calif. - November 11, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
TV Ears, Inc, a leading retailer of Doctor Recommended TV Listening systems and in preparation for the 2022 Holiday Shopping season, has unveiled the launch of its new website https://www.tvears.com. In addition to an enhanced overall user experience, the new website features two new products, the 5.8 Digital Headset System and 5.8 Digital Speaker System. For over 20 years, TV Ears has been helping people hear TV clearly without disturbing others. TV Ears manufactures and sells voice clarifying TV headsets and speakers with Voice Clarifying Circuitry®, a proprietary technology that automatically adjusts the audio curve to increase the clarity of television dialogue while decreasing the volume of background noise such as music and sound effects. TV Ears devices incorporate Speed of Light Infrared Technology™ (SoLIT) for in room listening and newer "wall-breaking" 5.8 Ghz technology to send television audio to compatible headsets/speakers throughout the home. At 120 decibels, TV Ears systems provide twice the maximum volume and do not require pairing. Unlike its competitors, all TV Ears products are designed to provide a hassle-free and enjoyable TV listening experience without relying on Bluetooth and its inconsistent audio quality (volume/delay/range).
As seen in AARP Magazine, the TV Ears Original Headset & Transmitter System and its unique features, were invented following the realization that hearing aids alone simply do not work well-enough for TV listening. Out of this frustration, the company developed the Original system and its subsequent products to not only enhance the overall TV Listening experience for hearing impaired individuals but allow families & couples to enjoy watching TV together - all with unique audio preferences. "Put on your TV Ears and hear TV without disturbing others."
The new website features a refreshed responsive design/layout, a new customer support and resources area to assist customers in choosing the right system for their specific needs. For a limited time, and in celebration of its new site launch, users can take advantage of a special discount and save with up to 25% with promo code "TVE25."
Take advantage of discounts just in time for Black Friday and explore the new TV Ears website at https://www.tvears.com. Press inquiries and additional requests are advised to visit https://www.tvears.com/support or call TV Ears, Inc. Toll-Free at (888)-883-3277 Monday - Friday 6 AM to 6 PM PST.
TV Ears® has helped millions of customers hear TV clearly since 1988. It's doctor-recommended voice clarifying device uses proprietary Voice Clarifying Circuitry®, Voice Enhancement Technology and Speed of Light Infrared Technology™ (SoLIT) to make even the softest of sounds and most challenging of accents more understandable to the human ear. TV Ears has been featured in AARP Magazine and comes with a free 5-year warranty. Experience a better television listening experience and hear every word without disturbing others with TV Ears.
Contact Information:
Nino Wehbe
General Manager, TV Ears, Inc. [email protected]
(888) 883-3277
