Amazon. com Powered New Jersey Based Online Store Launch Date Finalized

Amazon. com Powered New Jersey Based Online Store Launch Date Finalized...

Amazon. com powered New Jersey based online store launch date finalized, after 14 long months in the making North South Industries, LLC is going global. North South Industries, LLC is known for there low prices on refurbished computers and electronics. North South Industries, LLC is a Jersey City, New Jersey based business started by a local high school student, with the ambition to grow strong and financially independent. After many months of hard work Mr. Sahil Patel has finalized his launch date and is ready to launch one of the largest online department stores in the worldÂ

(PRWEB) December 11, 2004

“We strive to keep our customers coming back, by keeping our prices low, relying on great customer service and keeping our domestic shipping prices low. Our sales team is present at all times of day, all over the world…this way we can provide our customers with a large variety of great gifts, computers, consumer electronics, apparel, books, jewelry, office products, music, DVD’s, video games, magazines, and many others.”

~ Sahil Patel, Senior CEO

North South Industries, LLC, North South Stores, North South Sales

Www. northsouthllc. com, www. northsouthstore. com, www. clickitweshipit. com

Providers of: Apparel ~ Baby ~ Beauty ~ Books ~ Classical Music ~ DVD ~ Electronics ~ Gourmet Food ~ Jewelry ~ Kitchen & Housewares ~ Magazines ~ Music ~ Musical Instruments Office Products ~ Outdoor Living ~ PC Hardware ~ Personal Health Care ~ Photo Software ~ Sporting Goods ~ Tools & Hardware ~ Toys ~ VHS ~ Video Games

Web store launch date is set for December 10th, 2005 12:01AM

Early bird specials will be held until 10:00AM of that day.

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Sensaris Unveils New Technology for Real Time Noise and Air Quality Monitoring over Mobile Internet

Sensaris Unveils New Technology for Real Time Noise and Air Quality Monitoring over Mobile Internet

Exciting new solution enables action driven citizens to improve and share environmental best practices. Bluetooth wireless sensors are used in combination with mobile phones for first large scale deployment in Paris.

Crolles, France (PRWEB) May 20, 2009

Sensaris is reporting the first trial for its new environmental sensor series. Air pollution is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life and the health of the increasingly urban population. Considered separately, air pollution policy is insufficient to reach climate targets and climate policy is not enough to reach air quality targets for example with respect to ozone, an air pollutant which will become more of a problem as the climate gets warmer.

Currently the data of the different pollutants measured at the different stations in a city are typically aggregated to a single number, the air quality index, that is published once a day on a website. There is not enough data gathered to evaluate air quality in a given neighborhood and the publicly available information is very scarce and difficult to access in a timely way. In the Paris region, pollution levels are measured by a state funded organization operating a loose network of only twenty-six measuring stations for an area populated by approximately ten million people. This network can measure general pollution but does not allow any statements on a more granular level.

Air pollution is highly location dependent, for example in the vicinity of traffic chokepoints. Large variations can also be observed whether one is temporarily exposed to upwind or downwind conditions. With greater concern and awareness regarding environmental quality at the neighborhood level, there is a growing need for integrated indicators to empower users and key decision makers for action.

The miniature wrist worn solution provided by Sensaris leverages geolocation chips (GPS or Galileo in the future) wearable devices and mobile technologies. Such sensors transform mobile phones into measurement instruments using Bluetooth™ communication.

"We are very pleased that the FING (Fondation Internet Nouvelle Generation) has selected our products for their demonstration "La Montre Verte" within the Futur en Seine event in the Paris area. Whether used by pedestrians or cyclists (Velib in Paris), the sensors provide noise and ozone levels in real time over the Internet and web based visualization (mashups). Our Senspod technology forms the basis for innovative citizen centric services. We look forward to helping other cities use it for their own community action and urban life quality improvement plans." declared Michaël Setton, founder and CEO of Sensaris.

Sensaris is a start-up company focusing on the Internet of Things. It provides mobile centric solutions based on geolocation, wireless communication and low power. Its products and software are used for sports, health/wellness and connected urban applications.
Contact: http://www. sensaris. com (http://www. sensaris. com)

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New Direct-to-Consumer Testing Model is Set to Revolutionize the Way Americans Learn About Their Health

New Direct-to-Consumer Testing Model is Set to Revolutionize the Way Americans Learn About Their Health

MyMedLab, a national provider of medical lab testing, announced today the launch of their new Consumer-Driven testing platform. The new platform, the first of its kind, incorporates completely transparent pricing with direct consumer access to more than 2000 collection sites nationwide. This new program offers the same comprehensive lab testing, once only available to doctors, directly to the public at a savings of up to 80% less than what doctors and local hospital labs typically charge.

Joplin, MO (PRWEB) May 10, 2006

MyMedLab, Inc. has created a new convenient and affordable way for consumers to learn about their health. This direct-to-consumer approach demonstrates a dynamic change in direction for the health care industry. The future of quality health care not only engages the patient, but also encourages their participation. MyMedLab’s new access provides the consumer with the health information needed to take a more active role in both routine care and prevention.

In addition to a dramatically lower cost, MyMedLab’s customers receive their confidential test results within 48 hours. Results are available on MyMedLab’s HIPAA-compliant, online reporting system. For ease of use, all results are written in a consumer-friendly format includes a brief explanation of each test. They also identify which results, when out of range, need to be discussed with their doctor. MyMedLab’s online format also provides direct links to the National Library of Medicine and to test-specific podcasts for more information and interpretation of results. 

David Clymer, President/CEO, explains MyMedLab like this: “The mission of our new platform is to remove the barriers keeping consumers from learning more about their own personal health. The first and most obvious barrier was cost. Even routine testing for conditions like Diabetes and Heart Disease can cost consumers hundreds of dollars in lab fees at their doctor’s office or local hospital. On top of that, add the cost of a physician office visit and lost time away from work and it adds up to a lot of money.

With our new platform, consumers are now empowered to order and purchase comprehensive testing as part of a large group instead of a party of one. This group buying power can results in a yearly savings of thousands of dollars over the traditional way of relying on others to direct and perform even routine testing. As for the long-term health benefit, it can amount to the first positive step in privately managing personal health.”

MyMedLab was designed to help consumers create their own personal and confidential health record like they already have for financial and legal matters. Tracking changes in their health over time combined with family history issues, is how consumers really learn about their health. Periodic screenings allow individuals to begin to see subtle changes and make corrections even before symptoms arise. They allow a shift in focus from “treatment-only” to one that is focused on prevention. This reduces the need for care by identifying problems early, when treatment and changes in lifestyle can be the most effective and least costly. The benefits for our consumers are better health and lower cost.

The second major barrier for consumers is knowing which tests provide the best information for them. Lab testing is an alphabet soup of letters and numbers that is hard to for most to decode or understand. “At MyMedLab”, Clymer explains, “our number one goal is to make it simple to use. We accomplish this by listing our most common tests in several different ways: by the medical name, by category of what body system each evaluates, and by grouping tests in profiles based on age, sex and family history. Our consumer friendly format allows consumers to order and receive comprehensive lab testing without wasting time or their precious health care dollars.”

MyMedLab’s Direct to Consumer platform for screenings is what separates us from other providers but it’s only a part of what we can do for consumers. MyMedLab was specifically designed for consumers within the following profiles:

· Consumers interested in being pro-active about their personal health

· Those interested in complete confidentially of their personal medical records

· Patients with routine testing to monitor a specific medical condition or prescription drug management

· Those looking for an affordable alternative to the high cost of testing at the doctor’s office or hospital

· Consumers evaluating the effectiveness of a natural or alternative treatment over a traditional one

· Individuals and families covered by Consumer-Driven plans like the Health Savings Accounts (HSA) 

MyMedLab currently offers over 1500 different tests directly to the public. To make it easy for customers to use, MyMedLab lists the 100 most common tests directly on the site along with their cost (Transparent Pricing). They include the same diagnostic tests used by physicians to evaluate overall health as well as identify specific conditions.

MyMedLab services are also designed to be custom packaged for Trade Associations, Third Party Administrators, and Corporate Groups. It creates a perpetual “Wellness Program” available at the employee’s convenience. Clymer says “We’re in the business of empowering consumers with knowledge and giving them tools to make wiser health choices. We’re determined to be one of the market innovators that make health care better and more personal.

This process, for our customers, starts by logging on to our site and typing in their zip code to find our collection site in their area. Once they have chosen and paid for their testing, they receive a Digital Lab Order (DLO) by email or U. S. mail. Our customers simply visit our local facility at their convenience, without an appointment, to have their samples collected. Confidential results are reported directly to the consumer and their physician, if they chose, most with 48 hours. We’re confident that once consumers experience for themselves what MyMedLab can do for them and their families, they’ll never go back to paying more and getting less.”

For additional information or for a personal demonstration, contact David Clymer. For groups or corporate partnerships, contact Mark Gebhardt at the national sales office.

About MyMedLab:

MyMedLab is a revolutionary health care provider designed to connect directly with consumers. The company has been providing convenient, affordable, and high quality testing services to physicians and patients in the Midwest since 1993. Over the last 2 years, MyMedLab’s founder and CEO, David Clymer, has combined his 25 years of lab expertise with his passion for innovation to create a new national health information source for consumers. The MyMedLab team also includes a MD Medical Director and a Naturopathic Physician. Their role is to enhance the consumer’s experience for both traditional and natural health care choices. 

Contact: 

David Clymer, President/CEO

MyMedLab, Inc.

2401 South Jackson 

Joplin, MO 64804

888-MY-MEDLAB (888-696-3352)

National Sales Office (Corp. Partnerships) 800-874-9707

Website: http://www. mymedlab. com (http://www. mymedlab. com)
Podcast: http://www. mymedlab. com/podcasts/ (http://www. mymedlab. com/podcasts/)

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Proactive Customer Care, Dialing Alerts and Continued Outsourcing Offers Push Demand for Outbound Dialing Solutions

Proactive Customer Care, Dialing Alerts and Continued Outsourcing Offers Push Demand for Outbound Dialing Solutions

Frost & Sullivan estimates that World Outbound Dialing Market earned revenues of $174 million in 2005 and forecasts this to reach $210 million in 2011.

Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) April 9, 2006

The World Outbound Dialing Market, while highly saturated, is alive and well. The most visible change in the market is the greater sophistication in the way outbound dialing is being used to meet retention, acquisition, and loyalty strategies in the contact center. End user demands usher in the need for robust, highly flexible and easy-to-program solutions. Solution providers pursuing effective distribution channels and innovative sales strategies will be able to take advantage of the growth in this market.

Frost & Sullivan estimates that World Outbound Dialing Market earned revenues of $174 million in 2005 and forecasts this to reach $210 million in 2011.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the World Outbound Dialing Market, then send an e-mail to Mireya Castilla - Corporate Communications with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country. We will send you the information via email upon receipt of the above information.

“While we are forecasting growth in North America and Europe, it is secondary to the significantly higher growth rates for Asia-Pacific and Latin America,” cites Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Michael DeSalles. “This is largely attributed to the continued growth in contact center outsourcing in these latter two regions.”

Moreover, end users search for outsourcing companies that offer excellent language and education, a pro-business environment and superior infrastructure. Indications are that significant contact center growth is also occurring in other countries in the Asia Pacific region-principally in the Philippine Islands, Singapore, China and Malaysia to a lesser degree. In 2005, the Asia-Pacific outbound dialing market experienced healthy double-digit growth when compared to 2004.

Saturation within the high volume outbound dialing market restricts growth within the U. S. At the same time, market participants report that end users in emerging markets (India, China, Russia and ex-Eastern bloc nations) require more consultation and education on outbound solutions.

“The market for Outbound Dialing products within North America is relatively saturated and future growth in the region is expected to come from upgrades,” explains DeSalles. “Those upgrades will be driven by recent M&A activity, implementation of unified solutions and finally contact center infrastructure refreshes.”

In order to ensure uptake of new product releases, it is more critical than ever to provide end users with total cost of ownership (TOC) measure along with a quantifiable Return on Investment (ROI) analysis. In a saturated market, solution providers would do well to look beyond the traditional collections and financial services verticals.

Many outbound vendors report to have found success with other industries here in the U. S. Among them are health care, non-profit organizations, utilities, direct pharmaceutical providers, insurance agencies and retailers whose proactive customer care programs are on the rise.

World Outbound Dialing Market is part of the Contact Center subscription which also includes research in the following markets: U. S. IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system markets, North American hosted contact center markets and IP contact center end-user study. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www. frost. com.

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Powerful New Program Eliminates Anxiety and Panic Attacks Without Medications

Powerful New Program Eliminates Anxiety and Panic Attacks Without Medications

The SelfSteps Program is rapidly becoming an online bestseller for beating chronic anxiety and panic attacks.

Topeka, KS (PRWEB) February 21, 2007

The SelfSteps Program is rapidly becoming an online bestseller for beating chronic anxiety and panic attacks. This unique and powerful program was written by a 10 year panic and anxiety survivor and is now the #1 Bestseller in Mental Health at PayDotCom. com. The program continues to gain wide appeal to those who are suffering with chronic anxiety and panic attacks.

The SelfSteps Program is a drug free approach to bringing the mind and body into proper balance so the occurance of anxiety and panic is greatly reduced. There are many unique methods that sufferers can use such as "The BounceBack Technique," "The Instant Fear and Phobia Technique," and "The Memory Interruption Method" just to name a few.

One recent user of the program is quoted as saying, "For about the last 2 years I have been having a personal anxiety battle -- with myself! I have had countless visits to the doctor, scoured the Internet, tried all sorts of remedies and various unsuccessful techniques to no avail. In a moment of desperation and frustration I saw The SelfSteps Program and took a chance. I didn't expect a change overnight...but I got one!"

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 2.4 million American adults suffer with panic disorder and only 1 out of 4 people with panic disorder receive treatment.

Now anyone with chronic anxiety or panic disorder may be able to break the vicious cycle with these new and powerful techniques found in The SelfSteps Program that don't require medication or psychotherapy.

The SelfSteps Program is now available only at http://www. selfsteps. com (http://www. selfsteps. com).

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Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Partners with AlertID to Protect Missing and Injured Children

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Partners with AlertID to Protect Missing and Injured Children

In an emergency, AlertID will enable the Sheriff’s Office to instantly access vital information in order to protect children.

Reno, NV (PRWEB) June 2, 2010

Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley announced a partnership with AlertID to protect missing and injured children. In an emergency, AlertID will enable the Sheriff’s Office to instantly access vital information in order to protect children.

Traditionally the Sheriff’s office has encouraged parents to use Child ID kits and fingerprinting. This new system is the first of its kind and goes far beyond identifying a child after there is a problem. It enables the Sheriff’s Department to find and protect a child before there is a problem. Parents enter their child’s photo, profile and basic health information into a secure portal. This information is then available to emergency services instantly.

Mike Haley, Sheriff of Washoe County had this to say, “We are very excited to take protecting children to a whole new level. With this new technology, we are able to begin protecting children the moment a child is reported missing. My officers in the field can have critical information in seconds rather than what used to take hours. In the case of a missing child, the first hour is the most critical. We are encouraging every parent in Washoe County to sign-up for this free service.”

AlertID is the first online system to provide parents with protection and assistance in case their children are ever lost or injured, even when they’re not there. It's a totally private and secure system that instantly gives police, first aid personnel and hospital staff all the vital information they need. It also immediately informs parents and their most trusted friends through text, email and phone if there is ever a problem.

AlertID is launching nationally this summer through the global efforts of companies like AT&T and Overstock. com. AlertID’s goal is to protect 1 million families this year.

AlertID’s co-founder, Eve Fritsche states, “Although we are supported and distributed on a national basis, we are especially pleased to protect children in our home state. We appreciate Sheriff Haley’s passion for protecting children in Washoe County.” AlertID’s founders, Eve Fritsche and Keli Wilson are Nevada natives and live in Washoe County.

Parents can sign up for free at AlertID. com

If your organization or law enforcement group would like to help get parents signed up, please contact Keli

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Rise in Aging Population Driving Growth in the Asia Pacific Spinal Implant Market

Rise in Aging Population Driving Growth in the Asia Pacific Spinal Implant Market

According to the new report entitled Asia Pacific Markets for Spinal Implants 2006, the market, which includes Australia, Japan, and South Korea, was valued at over $300 million in 2005.

Waltham, MA (PRWEB) May 19, 2006

Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, reports that a rise in aging demographics, an enhancement in device design, greater use of instrumentation, and a more knowledgeable patient base will drive sales of the Asia Pacific spinal implant market over the coming years. According to the new report entitled Asia Pacific Markets for Spinal Implants 2006, the market, which includes Australia, Japan, and South Korea, was valued at over $300 million in 2005.

The report also found that Japan generates the majority of revenues within Asia Pacific.

“The lucrative nature of the Japanese spinal implant market is primarily attributed to the large segment of the Japanese over-65 cohort and to the country’s advanced health care system,” said Sarit Daniel, senior analyst at Millennium Research Group. “This market is, however, hindered by biennial decreases to reimbursement of spinal implants and by the lack of artificial disc technologies. In fact, the first commercial artificial disc in Japan will not be available before 2010.”

MRG’s Asia Pacific Markets for Spinal Implants 2006 report is part of the Global Markets for Spinal Implants series, which includes analysis on the United States, Canada, and Europe. The series covers various key industry competitors, such as Medtronic Sofamor Danek (MDT), DePuy (JNJ), Stryker (SYK), Synthes, Aesculap, Showa Medical, Japan MDM, Zimmer (ZHM), Solco Medical (KDQ), and Taylor Bryant.

About Spinal Implants

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure performed to alleviate pain caused by pathologic conditions of the spine and to restore segmental stability and alignment. Spinal fusion may or may not include auxiliary instrumentation such as plates, screws, and cages; these devices serve to confine the vertebrae and the bone graft together while fusion is underway.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (www. mrg. net) is a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:

Amy Krohn

Millennium Research Group

416-364-7776 x101

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The Dove Sisters Start CleanAirSolutionsPurfiers. com to Help Others in Need

The Dove Sisters Start CleanAirSolutionsPurfiers. com to Help Others in Need

Judy and Lou Dove started CleanAirSolutionsPurifiers. com to help people get fresher indoor air and kids into college. Now in their second year, the sisters are making more leaps by adding a blog and researching new products.

North Andover, MA (PRWEB) October 2, 2008

While most people start businesses to become the next great entrepreneur, Judy and Lou Dove started www. CleanAirSolutionsPurifiers. com to enrich the kids in their community, in health and in education.

Noticing the effects of poor air quality with her students, Judy found success with an air purifier she purchased online for her home and saw the improvement with her son. At the same time, Lou was beginning to raise money to start a tuition foundation for the teenagers at her church.

"I want to help young people get a higher education," said Lou. "So far, we have developed D. O.O. R. - Donors Offering Opportunity and Relief - which is a consortium that will help create a tuition fund for students from our church."

Since its inception in September 2006, the website has grown and offers several air purifiers at various prices. The Dove sisters are planning on adding more products to their site.

"We are currently researching a new model for dorms," said Judy. "They are portable air purifiers."

Another new feature that Judy and Lou have taken a shining to is the blog (www. CleanAirSolutionsPurifiersInfo. com) that they've launched to coordinate with their webstore. The blog covers a myriad of topics related to air purifications, such as the health benefits of clean air and the importance of air purification.

Though the sisters recognize that their efforts for a business is an ongoing endeavor, they are steadfast in knowing that their altruistic goals far outweigh the difficulties of maintaining a company, web-based or not.

"We're trying to help people understand that the dangers of poor air quality indoors can have a negative impact on you and your family," said Lou.

"We want to let people know that there's a solution to the problem," added Judy.

About the Company:
Clean Air Solutions Purifiers was founded in September 2006 by sisters, Judy and Lou Dove. A part of their profits go to D. O.O. R. (Donors Offering Opportunity and Relief), a consortium set up at their church, Berea Church, for students who need tuition assistance.

Contact Information:
Judy Dove and Lou Dove
Www. CleanAirSolutionsPurifiers. com
(978) 775-5461

IePlexus, Inc.
Www. iePlexus. com

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The Green Robin Launches New E-Commerce Web Site Featuring Healthy Organic Home Products

The Green Robin Launches New E-Commerce Web Site Featuring Healthy Organic Home Products

A new e-commerce web site, www. TheGreenRobin. com, has been launched to provide organic home and baby products to interested online consumers. TheGreenRobin. com also offers education and information about organic products, personal care and all natural, healthy living.

Ahseville, NC (PRWEB) May 11, 2007

In the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) 2006 Manufacturer Survey the OTA reported that consumer sales of non-food organic products increased by 32.5% in 2005 to reach a total of $744 million. Approximately 38% of these non-food sales ($282 million) were organic personal care products. Organic household products and cleaners generated $19 million, a growth of 29%. Organic fiber for linens and clothing totaled $160 million for growth of 44%. The OTA predicts this trend will continue and as part of this trend The Green Robin, an Asheville-based online retailer of organic household products, has launched a new e-commerce web site: http://www. TheGreenRobin. com (http://www. TheGreenRobin. com). The new web site features luxury organic products for bed, bath, body, baby and home.

Owned by Robin Payne, www. TheGreenRobin. com specializes in alternatives to traditional home, personal and child care products. Payne's focus on fair trade distributors is both personal and professional. "I decided to build TheGreenRobin. com site to offer individuals and families healthy alternatives to everyday products so they can create greener homes and living spaces," states Payne. "As a mother, I believe we should use quality organic products whenever possible, for the health of our families and the environment. The products we buy should be created with the most minimal impact on the planet and on those who produce them," Payne continues.

TheGreenRobin. com online store provides web site customers with a state-of-the-art product search and a shopping bag feature to make purchasing easy. Repeat visitors can create password protected accounts to make check out faster and gift certificates can be bought and emailed from the web site. The user-friendly design allows consumers to browse various options for luxury cotton bedding, including organic cotton towels, sheets and pillows. Nontoxic skin care, natural hair care and organic baby care products are also available. Web site visitors will find well-known, organic, bed, bath and body brand names such as Coyuchi, John Masters Organics and High Desert Naturals.

Customers interested in receiving more information about organic home and personal care products, fair trade or sweat shop free shopping are encouraged to sign up for the Green Robin newsletter or visit The Robin's Nest blog http://www. thegreenrobin. com/blog (http://www. thegreenrobin. com/blog) for organic news and green living tips. For more information on healthy home products or natural baby products visit http://www. TheGreenRobin. com (http://www. TheGreenRobin. com) or contact owner Robin Payne at info@TheGreenRobin. com.

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Few Change Medicare Plans Each Year, But Three Times as Many Are Considering a Change in 2010, Allsup Survey Finds

Few Change Medicare Plans Each Year, But Three Times as Many Are Considering a Change in 2010, Allsup Survey Finds

Only 5 percent of seniors have changed Medicare plans, 16 percent might this year; Cost savings, better service and improved coverage among biggest drivers to change plans as Medicare enrollment season nears

Belleville, Il (Vocus) November 9, 2009

While only 5 percent of seniors have changed their Medicare plan since becoming eligible, three times as many (16 percent) report they are likely to or are considering switching plans in 2010, according to an independent survey of seniors over 65. Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services to seniors, commissioned the survey. Medicare annual enrollment, when any Medicare-eligible person can switch plans, runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

The Allsup Medicare Advisor® Seniors Survey also found that only one in four seniors are very confident that their Medicare coverage would be adequate if their health condition were to change.

“Many seniors are limiting themselves to the Medicare option they are familiar with— the one they already have,” said Paul Gada. Gada is Allsup’s personal financial planning director and product manager for Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service that helps people choose the most affordable and appropriate plan for their specific healthcare needs.

“They may not be confident their plan can handle their changing needs. At the same time, they have a number of different reasons as to why they’re reluctant to make a change,” Gada said. “For example, many people find the process of comparing Medicare plans too confusing and difficult, especially since there could be dozens available.”

Barriers to Change

Four in five seniors say they’ve not changed plans because they are satisfied with their current plan. However, for those not satisfied, the most significant roadblocks are finding information, comparing plans and understanding the different Medicare options.

One-third of these seniors (35 percent) say they have not changed plans because it is too confusing given the many different Medicare options; 25 percent report it’s too hard to find information or to compare different plans, according to the survey.

Concerns about keeping doctors and securing treatment also deterred seniors from changing Medicare plans. Ten percent report they did not change plans because they were concerned a pre-existing condition would not be covered under a new plan, and 5 percent were concerned the health provider they wanted to use would not be a part of the new plan, according to the Allsup survey. Another 15 percent report they have not changed because they have traditional Medicare with a group health plan through a former employer and 10 percent reported other reasons, such as being unaware they could switch plans or believing they were unable to afford other options.

“It can appear safer to stick with your existing Medicare plan because of some of these unknown factors,” Gada said. “But there is a greater risk that—as your health changes and healthcare costs continue to rise—your current plan won’t provide what you need. You may miss out on valuable benefits from re-evaluating your Medicare options during annual enrollment season.”

Benefits for those Switching

Although only 5 percent of seniors surveyed have switched plans, the most common reasons for switching were to save money and receive better service. Specifically, reasons for switching included the new plan:
 Cost less (4 of 10 respondents);  Offered better service and customer support (3 of 10);  Offered better prescription drug coverage (1 of 10); and  Offered coverage for healthcare/procedures not covered under the old plan (1 of 10).

The Allsup survey also found that 25 percent of seniors report their health had declined since enrolling in Medicare. One respondent noted, “I am not exactly sure what is covered under my current package. As my health declines, I would like to know what changes I am able to make.”

For seniors, changing health is an ongoing concern that places even more emphasis on Medicare annual enrollment.

“During annual enrollment, you have a very important window to evaluate and make changes to your Medicare coverage,” Gada said. “It’s particularly important to do so when your health condition changes to make sure you have the best plan to support your new needs.”

Making Decisions with Limited Guidance

The Allsup Medicare Advisor Seniors Survey found most seniors have limited support in choosing Medicare coverage or enrolling in a Medicare plan.

Two-thirds of respondents (67 percent) reported they select their Medicare plan with no help. Twenty-five percent say they look for support from a spouse, adult child or other family member and 8 percent from others, including their doctor, a Medicare office, friends or a financial advisor.

More than three in four seniors (76 percent) receive no support when it came to enrolling in Medicare, while 13 percent receive support from a family member and 11 percent from others, including social services and financial advisors.

“Before retiring, most seniors looked to their employers’ benefits administrators for help in selecting healthcare coverage. Now, their health may be changing and good healthcare coverage is even more critical,” said Gada. “However, they no longer have the support of their employer. Too many rely on their own limited knowledge, rather than seeking experienced, objective support to make sure they receive the quality of coverage they need.”

About the Survey

The Allsup Medicare Advisor Seniors Survey was a telephone survey of 200 individuals over 65 years of age who had Medicare coverage. The survey was conducted between Sept. 18 and Oct. 2, 2009, by Ducker Worldwide LLC, an independent market research firm based in Troy, Mich.

About Allsup

Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and workers’ compensation services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Allsup employs more than 600 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis.

For more information, visit http://www. Allsup. com.

The information provided is not intended as a substitute for legal or other professional services. Legal or other expert assistance should be sought before making any decision that may affect your situation.

Contact:
Mary Jung
(773) 429-0940

Dan Allsup
(800) 854-1418 ext 5760

Editor’s Note: Details on the Allsup Medicare Advisor® Seniors Survey are available at http://www. allsup. com/portals/4/AMA-Seniors-Survey-Nov2009.pdf

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Medical Clinic in Encinitas, California now Offering Revolutionary Procedure that Helps Facilitate Weight Loss Now

Medical Clinic in Encinitas, California now Offering Revolutionary Procedure that Helps Facilitate Weight Loss Now

Aerthetic Mesotherapy is an exciting and revolutionary procedure that helps facilitate weight loss now being offered at the Center for Advanced Medicine in Encintas, CA

(PRWEB) April 3, 2005

Lose Weight, Lose Inches - Get the figure you have always wanted. The Center for Advanced Medicine, in Encinitas, CA is now offering the most effective Weight-Loss Program ever! Utilizing the Eight-Day Cleanse Program with aesthetic mesotherapy (www. mesotherapy-us. com), you are now able to achieve weight loss results you never thought were possible.

Aesthetic Mesotherapy

Aesthetic mesotherapy is an exciting and revolutionary procedure that helps facilitate weight loss and helps reduce and eliminate stubborn areas of fat, such as waist, “love handles”, hips and thighs.

Aesthetic mesotherapy is also very effective in eliminating and reducing the appearance of cellulite. It is, by far, the most successful current treatment for cellulite.

Dr. Mark Drucker received mesotherapy training from Dr. Kalil, who is President of the American Society of Aesthetics & Mesotherapy, which can be found at www. mesotherapy-us. com

Mesotherapy was developed in the 1950Â’s by the French physician, Dr. Michel Pistor. The technique of mesotherapy involves multiple, almost painless injections of very small amounts of solutions. The injections are quite superficial, using a tiny small-gauge needle. The benefit of mesotherapy is achieved by injecting the correct solution of ingredients in the correct spot.

The solution for aesthetic mesotherapy contains ingredients that include fat emulsifiers, amino acids that stimulate fat burning and enzymes that break down both fat and cellulite. The injections are relatively painless. The most common side-effect is mild bruising at the injection site.

Multiple sessions are necessary to achieve desired results. Most people begin to notice the benefits after 2-3 sessions. The average patient receives between 6-8 sessions. The initial appointment includes consultation and the first treatment. Contact the Center For Advanced Medicine in Encinitas, CA 760-632-9042, and ask for Joyce Cuff to learn more about this exciting procedure and/or to book your appointment. Check out their website at www. camhealthtalk. com.

For years the Center for Advanced Medicine has been treating the Root Cause, many patients fly in from all over the country. The Center can also share with interested patients information on close lodging facilities for out of town patients who want to come to the Clinic from out of town locations.

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SparkPeople. com Nutrition Tracker Now Contains 250,000+ Foods

SparkPeople. com Nutrition Tracker Now Contains 250,000+ Foods

Plus, real life stories of how food diaries impact weight loss.

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) July 16, 2008

SparkPeople. com's continually updated online food journal now contains more than 250,000 searchable foods (plus about a million other foods entered by members), which coincides with new research that found that keeping a food diary can double weight loss efforts.

That means that SparkPeople. com, the largest free online weight loss website in the world, now houses the most updated and most used free food diary on the web.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that keeping a food diary can help double weight loss efforts. Though translating clinical research to real life success can be difficult, SparkPeople members have used the nutrition trackers to help them drop up to half their body weight.

Below are the stories of four women who have used a free online food diary and support website, SparkPeople. com, to help them drop between 45 and 100 pounds. Let their stories be a source of inspiration and education about how this simple and proven weight loss approach can tip the scales in your favor.

Cynthia Lopez has lost over 70 pounds in the last year, and she attributes her success to SparkPeople. com's nutrition tracker. This free online tool helps Cynthia keep a running total of the number of calories, grams of fat, protein, carbs, et cetera that she has eaten throughout the day. She uses that information help her make real time decisions about her next meal or snack. "It is amazing to see what one snack can do for your total numbers for the day," commented Cynthia, "I have many times added a snack to my daily tracker just to see what it would do - and then QUICKLY taken it off (and decided not to eat it after all) after seeing the totals. This was definitely a motivating factor!"

Study co-author Vincent J Stevens, PhD., a senior research psychologist at Kaiser Permanente, concluded that food diaries aid weight loss because they paint a realistic picture of how much and how often people are eating. At SparkPeople, the nutrition tracker--which contains well over a hundred thousand foods and restaurant items--also allows users like Cynthia to see the effect that a snack, a glass of wine or a second serving can have, without actually consuming those additional calories. (And it works away from home, too: SparkPeople's nutrition trackers and restaurant food search are available on web-enabled cell phones.)

With SparkPeople's tracker Bonnie Coulehan identified her food weaknesses, eventually losing 70-plus pounds, which she's been able to keep off for more than a year. "In the beginning, tracking my food showed me how many extra calories I was consuming, gave me a way to make meal plans that fit with my nutritional goals, and helped me recognize areas I needed to improve - whether it was business lunches and office goodies or late-night snacking," explained Bonnie.

Keeping a food journal has also benefited Lori McLester. "I absolutely attribute my success in losing weight and keeping off 100 lbs over the past 4 years with tracking my food," she exclaimed. "I've become so good at tracking my food that it takes me maybe 5-7 minutes per day to do so... I swear by SparkPeople's Food Tracker!" Not only did journaling her food help Lori lose a third of her body weight, but she also discovered a food allergy by using her SparkPeople tracker to look back over her food intake on days she fell ill (the culprit was eggplant, which she now happily avoids).

While journaling an evening's meal, Jessie Bedoya of New Jersey, was shocked to find out just how many calories were in a dish of General Tso's Chicken (about 1,100). Armed with this information (and many similar examples), Jessie was able to make consistently better food choices throughout her journey to lose 45 pounds.

These four women are not alone in their weight loss journey; over two million people a month utilize the free tracking tools, support community and health lifestyle information available at SparkPeople. com. This makes SparkPeople. com the largest free online weight loss website in the world. Each day, users track upwards of a quarter of million foods on the website. Take advantage of this proven healthy weight loss approach and sign up for a free account at www. SparkPeople. com today.

Members of the press interested in interviewing any of the four members featured in this release, or other successful members should contact Grant Miller at press(at)sparkpeople. com.

About SparkPeople
SparkPeople's mission is to help millions of people be healthy and reach their goals. That's why we offer similar diet and fitness tools and services that people pay for on sites like Weight Watchers and eDiets. com, but for 100% free. Also, those who do not want to lose weight can still use SparkPeople's tools and meet others in our healthy living community. We've seen thousands of people succeed on our program, and find that when they start reaching their health goals that they enjoy their lives and reach even more goals, making their life a true adventure! For more information, log on to (http://www. sparkpeople. com (http://www. sparkpeople. com))

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Donate Your Clothing and Household Items to a Charity Before the "Pension Protection Act of 2006" is Enacted Into Law

Donate Your Clothing and Household Items to a Charity Before the "Pension Protection Act of 2006" is Enacted Into Law

Earlier this month, Congress passed the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and President Bush said he would sign this bill into law. Included in this Tax Act are changes to the deductibility of charitable contributions. Now's the time for taxpayers to drop off their donation of clothing and household items to a charitable organization to be able to max out their allowable tax deduction.

Woburn, MA (PRWEB) August 14, 2006

During the first week of August, the Senate approved the Pension Protection Act of 2006 by a vote of 93-5. The House had already approved this bill late in July. The President said that he plans to sign this Act into law.

In addition to sweeping changes to the pension plan rules, this Act also makes a few major changes to the tax deduction people can claim for their charitable donations. One big change applies to donations of clothing and household items. As of the enactment date of this new law, taxpayers can only claim a deduction for donated goods that are in good condition or better.

"Once President Bush signs the Pension Protection Act of 2006 into law, you'll no longer be able to claim a deduction for your donated goods that aren't at least in good condition. So now's the time to clean out your closets and donate your unused clothing and household items to a charity," suggests Andrew D. Schwartz, CPA founder of CPA Niche, LLC (www. cpaniche. com), a site where taxpayers can interact with CPAs who specialize in a variety of niches such as healthcare, real estate professionals, and lawyers.

As always, people who make donations of goods should list each item donated, including each item's fair market value, and file that list along with their other tax documents. Keep in mind that unless an item is brand new or in excellent condition, it is probably worth no more than one-third of its original cost.

Taxpayers who claim a deduction in excess of $500 for donated goods need to complete and attach a Form 8283 to their tax returns. And anyone looking to claim a deduction in excess of $5,000 generally needs to attach a written appraisal to their tax form as well. More information about non-cash contributions can be found in IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, available at www. irs. gov. Give the IRS time to update this publication to reflect the new rules, however.

This Act also increases the documentation required for people claiming an itemized deduction for their donations of money to a charitable organization. Effective as of the Act's enactment date, taxpayers must maintain a cancelled check, bank record, or receipt from the charity substantiating the date and amount of the donation.

"The Pension Protection Act of 2006 made numerous changes to the U. S. Income Tax rules and will take quite a while for taxpayers and tax professionals to digest," warns Schwartz. "Even so, with the new standard for donations of clothing and household items taking effect when this bill is signed into law, anyone who waits to drop off their goods to a charity could lose out on a valuable tax deduction."

Andrew D. Schwartz, CPA is the editor and founder of CPA Niche, LLC (www. cpaniche. com), a site where taxpayers can interact with CPAs who specialize in a variety of niches such as healthcare, real estate professionals, and lawyers. Schwartz has provided tax and basic financial planning advice in interviews with various media, including the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. He is available for interviews.

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The Surgery Center of Dallas Will Open This Fall as a State-of-the-Art Bariatric-Centric Facility

The Surgery Center of Dallas Will Open This Fall as a State-of-the-Art Bariatric-Centric Facility

The Surgery Center of Dallas will open this fall as a state-of-the-art bariatric-centric facility in the DFW Metroplex. The $10M project funded by Century Bank totals 10,000 square feet and features 3 operating rooms and a procedure room. It has been specifically designed to accomodate bariatric procedures.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) August 7, 2006

With a fresh approach to healthcare and a cutting-edge design, The Surgery Center of Dallas is sure to stand out among healthcare facilities in the DFW Metroplex. Located in the medical district on Harry Hines Boulevard and Research Row, the 10,000 square foot, fully physician-owned ambulatory surgery center will have the look and feel of its well-established neighbor Pine Creek Medical Center. “Together with Dr. Corazon Ramirez (Developer and Chief Operating Officer) we have designed the space to serve patients well by creating a stately, serene environment enabling both patients and healthcare practitioner’s ease of process through procedures and subsequent recovery. Contrasting rich wood tones and lighter neutrals hold the space in balance while hosting a tasteful grouping of life-giving hues” says Amy Shacklett of Azimuth: Architecture, Inc.

The $10M project funded by Century Bank, with a beautiful lobby finished in muted blues and greens and complete with hardwood floors, welcomes patients and visitors with comfort and style. The facility, featuring 3 state-of-the-art operating rooms and a procedure room, has been specifically designed to accommodate bariatric procedures. There is a growing need for these types of facilities due to an increasing demand of surgical procedures for weight loss management. Although The Surgery Center of Dallas will be bariatric-centric, various other medical services will be offered including Orthopedic and Sports Medicine; Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery; Gynecological services; Pain Management; Podiatric Surgery as well as diagnostic procedures.

The project team includes Azimuth: Architecture, Inc. (architecture and interior design services), MEDCO Construction (general contractor) and Trophy Healthcare Development Company (project management). Construction is expected to be completed by September 2006.

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LiveVox’s Technology Improves Agent Performance and Streamlines Costs for Per-Se Technologies

LiveVox’s Technology Improves Agent Performance and Streamlines Costs for Per-Se Technologies

LiveVox, Inc., the industry’s first contact center carrier, today announced an expanded agreement with Per-Se Technologies, the leader in Connective Healthcare that helps physicians, hospitals and pharmacies achieve their income potential. LiveVox will now provide the platform for inbound dialing, in addition to outbound dialing, at Per-Se’s radiology and emergency medicine physician patient billing call centers.

San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 18, 2006

LiveVox, Inc., the industry’s first contact center carrier, today announced an expanded agreement with Per-Se Technologies, the leader in Connective Healthcare that helps physicians, hospitals and pharmacies achieve their income potential. LiveVox will now provide the platform for inbound dialing, in addition to outbound dialing, at Per-Se’s radiology and emergency medicine physician patient billing call centers.

“Customer service is what drives our business,” said Pat Leonard, Physician Solutions division president of Per-Se Technologies. “Improvements to our patient billing call center technology are essential to delivering high quality customer services. LiveVox’s solution increases our call center agents’ efficiency and effectiveness, while driving down costs.”

During the past three years of the existing agreement, LiveVox technology has improved collectibility and shortened the patient pay cycle for Per-Se. Per-Se has seen a 15% reduction in call duration resulting in improved call response. Additionally, up to 15% of inbound calls are satisfied with no operator intervention. Per-Se currently handles 50,000 inbound calls monthly in two call centers and expects call volume, handled by the solution, to double by installing the same technology in other call centers.

“Per-Se was looking to automate its inbound call processes within a very tight timeframe,” said Larry Siegal, LiveVox’s chief operating officer. “Based on our knowledge of the company, we were able to quickly develop and implement a solution that would drive results.”

About LiveVox, Inc.

LiveVox, Inc., the industry’s first contact center carrier, provides a hosted, uniquely tailored contact center solution, delivering all traffic (inbound and outbound) through one integrated platform. LiveVox is also the first voice solutions company to bring IMS to the applications layer in a production environment. LiveVox’s proprietary technology enables for extremely rapid call center deployment and real-time business updates as business priorities change, vs. the lengthy time-frame call centers encounter when dealing with traditional, premise-based hardware and software systems. LiveVox clients experience an average cost-savings of 50% and realize 100%-900% returns on investments through reduced toll-free and fixed T1 costs, improved agent efficiency and pay-as-you-go pricing, with no monthly minimums or up-front costs. For more information, please visit www. livevox. com.

About Per-Se Technologies

Per-Se Technologies (Nasdaq: PSTI) is the leader in Connective Healthcare. Connective Healthcare solutions from Per-Se enable physicians, pharmacies and hospitals to achieve their income potential by creating an environment that streamlines and simplifies the complex administrative burden of providing healthcare. Per-Se's Connective Healthcare solutions help reduce administrative expenses, increase revenue and accelerate the movement of funds to benefit providers, payers and patients. More information is available at www. per-se. com.

LiveVox, Inc. and the LiveVox logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of LiveVox, Inc.

Per-Se Technologies Inc., the Per-Se logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Per-Se Technologies, Inc.

Media Contacts

Pauline Shiu

MRB Public Relations

T: 732-758-1100

Amber Virgillo

Per-Se Technologies

T: 770-237-7643

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Jewels and Pinstripes Gift Bags Strike All the Right Chords at the 2005 Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net Benefitting MusiCaresÂ&#174

Jewels and Pinstripes Gift Bags Strike All the Right Chords at the 2005 Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net Benefitting MusiCares®

Once again, Jewels and Pinstripes custom gift bags were a noteworthy finale to a perfect event, as top tennis pros and celebrities met at the 2005 Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net, benefiting MusiCares®.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 28, 2005

Once again, Jewels and Pinstripes custom gift bags were a noteworthy finale to a perfect event, as top tennis pros and celebrities met at the 2005 Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net, benefiting MusiCares®. Julie Kenney, founder of the luxury gift bag company that created the opulent thank-you bags for the event's special VIPs, said participating in such a worthy cause is extremely gratifying. "The Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net was a truly remarkable occasion. The attention to detail showed throughout the evening; from music to food to entertainment - it was all wonderfully done."

The 43 thank-you celebrity gift bags were housed in Victorinox E-Motion 26" Gear Duffle Bags presented by eBags. com (www. ebags. com). Inside, lucky recipients including Andre Agassi, Gavin Rossdale, Randy Jackson, Jon Lovitz, Pauly Shore, Pam Shriver, The Bryan Bros., and the band Kool and the Gang discovered a slew of sumptuous surprises includingÂ…Â…..

Britto Mini Heart Sculpture, www. britto. com

Autographed Kool and The Gang T-Shirt and CD, www. koolandthegang. com

"Cooter's Place" 01 T-Shirt and "Dukes of Hazzard" full-size license plate signed by Ben "Cooter" Jones from the Dukes of Hazzard, priceless, www. cootersplace. com

Author Autographed "The Drummer Who Lost His Beat" Children's Book by Stephanie Bloom, priceless, www. bloomandgrow. com

Two tickets to "La Femme" in Las Vegas, www. mgmgrand. com

Two tickets to Splash in Las Vegas, www. splashlasvegas. com

World Famous Welcome to Las Vegas miniature novelty sign, www. thewelcometolvsign. com

Amy Schwab Designs "Julia" Handbag, www. amyschwabdesigns. com

Shari's Berries Gift certificate for one dozen chocolate covered berries, www. berries. com

10-pack of Summer Soles, chic stay-dry fabric insoles for sandals and other open shoes, www. summersoles. com

Too Faced's LIP INJECTION extreme lip plumping potion, www. toofaced. com

Carry-a-Tune Purse, www. carryatunepurses. com

Elizabeth Grant's LineErase and Shower Gel for Men, www. elizabethgrant. com

Nature Made TripleFlex Bone & Joint – 60 count, www. naturemade. com

Life is good "Reach tennis" adjustable baseball cap, www. lifeisgood. com

Solo CD Case by Swing Ltd - Holds 20 CDs, www. swingltd. com

Cocoa Nuts “Mon Amour, www. cocoadesigns. com

5.1 Label Group DualDisc Sampler, www. dvdlauncher. com

Chipotle Coin for one free burrito at Chipotle, www. chipotle. com

Gibson adjustable baseball cap and wristbands, www. gibson. com

Wigwam Merino/ Coolmax® Adventure Quarter sock - 1 pair, www. wigwam. com

Photo Key Chain by Swing Ltd –Holds miniature sized photos, www. swingltd. com

Altoids Cinnamon & Peppermint Love Tins, www. altoids. com

As always, Jewels and Pinstripes offered two additional gift bags for auction. While one was available only to attendees of the silent auction, a second, celebrity-signed duffle is currently for auction on eBay through August 4, 2005. All proceeds will benefit MusiCares.

About Jewels and Pinstripes:

Founded in October of 2004, Jewels and Pinstripes is a premier designer of luxury gift bags, specializing in creating VIP thank-you bags for charity benefits. Inspired by the dedication of the organizations they work with, Jewels and Pinstripes regularly donates gift bags for auction, and has raised over $80,000 for events that include The Carousel of Hope, Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night and Chris Evert's Pro-Celebrity Classic. Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Matthew Perry, Faith Hill, Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood top the long list of lucky Jewels and Pinstripe recipients. The gift bags and their extraordinary contents regularly attract the attention of leading media outlets including Extra, People. com, Us Weekly, Inc. com, and FoxNews. For more information about Jewels and Pinstripes, please visit our website at www. jewelsandpinstripes. com.

About MusiCares:

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www. musicares. com.

Media Contact:

Julie Kenney

925.462.7776

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Electrical Muscle Stimulation Proven to Enhance Muscle Development and Sports Performance

Electrical Muscle Stimulation Proven to Enhance Muscle Development and Sports Performance

Compex ® Introduces New Electrostimulation Product.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 2, 2010

Professional athletes, everyday athletes and even the occasional weekend warriors are enjoying the many benefits of Neuromuscular Electrical Muscle Stimulation (NMES). Electrostimulation therapy isn’t new technology – it’s been widely used and popular among European athletes for over two decades. However, the American athlete/consumer is likely to be a bit more wary to eagerly adopt NMES technology due to similar products advertised on late-night infomercials promising to shed belly fat without leaving the couch. Many athletes and consumers aren’t aware of the legitimate benefits that NMES technology offers.

However, athletes and professional sports teams that have embraced the technology recognize that NMES enables users to exercise more muscle fibers in less time by reproducing the body’s natural process of voluntary muscular contractions with high-intensity “optimal” electrical impulses. In other words, a muscle can’t tell the difference between a voluntary contraction triggered by the brain or through a muscle stimulator.

DJO, the worldwide leader in the research, design and manufacturing of NMES technology through its Compex® brand of electrostimulation products (http://www. shopcompex. com/content/performance-us-announced/), is the first U. S. company to offer consumers an FDA-cleared, over-the-counter, portable electronic muscle stimulator (http://www. shopcompex. com/content/performance-us-announced/) for enhanced sports performance and improved physical fitness, which is used by professional sports teams and athletic training coaches worldwide.

Elite athletes such as Olympic Volleyball Champion, Ogonna Nnamani; Olympic Gold Medalist, Peter Vanderkaay; and five-time World Champion Triathlete, Simon Lessing, have incorporated EMS as part of their training regimen.

“Numerous clinical studies conducted over 22 years have proven that when Compex is applied to the motor nerve, it provokes a deeper and more complete muscle contraction than what can be attained through standard voluntary training or activity,” said Greg Houlgate, Director of Sales and Marketing for Compex. “The result is a more efficient workout regimen with less risk of injury to joints and tendons with virtually no cardiovascular or mental fatigue.”

DJO recently launched its latest electronic muscle stimulator – the Compex Performance US. The Performance US was designed to complement the training and exercise regimen for athletes that engage in frequent competition. The Performance US device features five programs that target specific muscle groups and enables athletes to maximize muscle strength and development: Endurance, Resistance, Strength, Active Recovery and Pre-Warm up. These programs work in conjunction with an athletes’ traditional training regimen to help competitive athletes achieve the highest level of performance possible.

“At first I was a bit hesitant and skeptical, until I experienced the way NMES maximized my weight workouts and training sessions. Compex is now an integral part of my regimen,” said Ogonna Nnamani.

DJO offers four Compex muscle stimulators for a variety of athletes. Compex features up to nine specific stimulation programs that target specific muscle groups and enables athletes to maximize muscle performance specifically related to their particular sport. All models include 5 levels of progression and include an Active Recovery® program which is clinically proven to increase blood flow, reduce lactic acid and promote muscle relaxation.

While NMES is clinically proven to increase muscle development (http://www. shopcompex. com/content/performance-us-announced/), don’t ditch your gym bag …just as vitamins are intended to supplement a good diet, electrostimulation products are intended to complement a workout routine, not replace it.

For more information visit www. shopcompex. com.

About DJO Incorporated

DJO is a leading global developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management. The Company's products address the continuum of patient care from injury prevention to rehabilitation after surgery, injury or from degenerative disease. DJO products are used by orthopedic specialists, spine surgeons, primary care physicians, pain management specialists, physical therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. In addition, many of the Company's medical devices and related accessories are used by athletes and patients for injury prevention and at-home physical therapy treatment. The Company's product lines include rigid and soft orthopedic bracing, hot and cold therapy, bone growth stimulators, vascular systems, electrical stimulators used for pain management and physical therapy products. The Company’s surgical division offers a comprehensive suite of reconstructive joint products for the hip, knee and shoulder. DJO's products are marketed under the brands Aircast®, DonJoy®, ProCare®, CMF™, Empi®, Saunders®, Chattanooga, DJO Surgical, Compex®, Cefar®-Compex® and Ormed®. For additional information, please visit www. DJOglobal. com. For additional information about Compex please visit www. shopcompex. com

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“Exercise” Your Election Day Right to Vote -- Personal Trainer

“Exercise” Your Election Day Right to Vote -- Personal Trainer

Voter turnout has been in decline, so Arnel Ricafranca, Founder of Fitness VIP, is offering free fitness demonstrations, body-fat analysis, and more to people who come out to the polls. He will be available 6am-2:30pm and again at 7:30pm-close at the middle school at Millbrook Avenue in Randolph. Mr. Ricafranca's number is 973-960-2630 and he would be happy to speak with you.

Stanhope, NJ (PRWEB) November 6, 2005

New Jersey voter turnout has suffered a downward trend and fell below 50% in the 2001 Gubernatorial race. To encourage busy voters to come out to the polls, local personal trainer and founder of Fitness VIP, Arnel Ricafranca, is offering free fitness services this November 8th. Voters and their children can take advantage of body-fat analysis, fitness newsletters, easy exercise demonstrations, and more. Polls will be open from 6am to 8pm; Mr. Ricafranca will be available from 6am to 2:30pm and again 7:30pm to closing at the Middle School at Millbrook Avenue in Randolph.

“I understand how busy we all are, but your vote on November 8th will make NJ stronger. Why not take a painless step toward improving your own health, strength, and well-being at the same time?” asked Mr. Ricafranca. He can be reached for more information at 973-960-2630.

Mr. Ricafranca, who trains clients in offices in both Stanhope and in Randolph, NJ, also offers in-home and on-line fitness coaching to meet the busy schedules of his clients. Fitness VIP maintains that fad diets simply cannot compete with sound fitness advice on healthy meals, proper exercise, and a positive attitude.

“All the health knowledge in the world is useless if you cannot put it into practice,” said Mr. Ricafranca, “which is why I work hard to make my sessions as practical as possible. I go the extra mile to help people meet their fitness goals.”

Morris County residents can find their polling locations at http://www. morriselections. org/votelocations. html (http://www. morriselections. org/votelocations. html). Voters who have different polling locations or miss the demonstrations are encouraged to take advantage of a free subscription to Fitness VIP’s newsletter, which has recently debunked health myths and offered smart snacks for Halloween. Still to come: tips on Thanksgiving eating. For questions or to sign up for the newsletter, contact fitnessvipinfo@gmail. com.

Note to the Editor: Mr. Ricafranca is available for candid and informative interviews on health and fitness.

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Queens Book Fair set to feature Mikki Ealey of Multi-cultural Writers Guild April 30, 2005

Queens Book Fair set to feature Mikki Ealey of Multi-cultural Writers Guild April 30, 2005

Queens Book Fair set to feature Mikki Ealey of Multi-cultural Writers Guild April 30, 2005

Queens, NY (PRWEB) September 28, 2004

Queens Book Fair set to feature Mikki Ealey of Multi-Cultural Writers Guild April 30, 2005. The Queens Book Fair will be held at the Jamaica Market Harvest Room on Saturday April 30, 2005. The Queens Book Fair will begin at 11:00 am and end at 7:00 pm.

Queens Book Fair will be held in the heart of, Queens, and will draw many of the following vendors to the Queens Book Fair; Children Authors, Christian Authors, Small Business Owners, Self-published & Aspiring Authors, Corporations, Literary Professionals, Vendors, Authors, Political Officials, Medical Providers, Organizations, Non-profit Groups, Insurance Representatives, Financial Representatives, etc. 

C & B Books Distribution Inc. is the sponsor of the Queens Book Fair. Carol Rogers and Brenda Piper founded C & B Books in 1995. Mikki Ealey is a member several prominent writing groups such as Sister Friend Writers, Real Sisters, Spiritual Light, and New York Rawsistaz. com. Mikki has also formed her own book club. Mikki recently participated in the Harlem Book Fair of Long Island, and was acknowleged by Black Women in Publishing for her contribution to the literary world.

Her published works include a literary magazine called “The Power of Words” and Barry White article called “The Man, His Music, A Legend in Music & Fashion” Mix Magazine (January 2004). She currently has a couple of new works in progress entitled “The Power of Self Love, My Destiny”, and “Women to Women”.

Ms. Ealey is the new Library Assistant to one of New York Methodist’s Hospitals – Health Science Library. Her goals are to attend a prestigious university to obtain a dual degree BA/MA in English Literature and African/American Studies. She is avid book reader of self-help, self-empowerment and spiritual growth.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “The key is to remember that no one can give you what you cannot give yourself,” and “Love is the only thing that can heal.” By Iyanla Vanzant

HER COMMENTS: Never let any human being take away one of life’s most precious gift from our Creator – (love) because it is in all things.

C & B Books Distribution Inc. is proud of the accomplishments of Mikki Ealey, and is looking foward to her participation in the upcoming Queens Book Fair April 30, 2005. For more information, or to reserve vendor space at Queens Book Fair you may log on to C & B Books web site at www. cbbookdistribution. com or you may contact us via email at cbbookdist@aol. com Telephone number 1.718.591.4525.

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Tennis Star Anna Kournikova to Honor North Palm Beach Elementary School Principal with 'got breakfast?'™ Award

Tennis Star Anna Kournikova to Honor North Palm Beach Elementary School Principal with 'got breakfast?'™ Award

Principal Bill Thompson recognized for commitment to improving health of students by implementing classroom breakfast. "got breakfast?" Foundation working to increase participation in federal school breakfast program to eliminate child hunger.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 10, 2007

On January 16, 2007, tennis star Anna Kournikova and the "got breakfast?" Foundation will honor North Palm Beach Elementary School Principal Bill Thompson with a special recognition for his commitment to improving student health by encouraging participation in the Federal School Breakfast Program. Principal Thompson has led the effort to utilize the Classroom Breakfast model to serve meals at his school, which studies prove increases a child's ability to learn, improves performance and reduces health issues. Kournikova will present the special "got breakfast?" Award to Principal Thompson during a school-wide assembly where she will speak to students about the importance of good nutrition and physical activity.

The "got breakfast?" Foundation works to help the millions of students who qualify for a free or reduced-price breakfast to access the meals they are not receiving. Out of 55 million children who attend public school in the United States, 30 million participate in the National School Lunch Program, yet only 9.6 million eat breakfast in school. The foundation includes a coalition of public officials, community leaders, private organizations and personalities committed to anti-hunger efforts.

"I am a firm believer that the first step to improving well-being is with good nutrition and when millions of students across the country are not taking part in breakfast they are missing out on the opportunity to perform their best at school," said Anna Kournikova. "Principal Bill Thompson's work championing the Classroom Breakfast model to serve meals to his students is an excellent example of how we can get meals to children who need it the most and help them be their best."

Studies show that Classroom Breakfast dramatically increases test scores and improves the health of children. When breakfast is served in the classroom and offered to all students, regardless of income, breakfast participation numbers have doubled and in some cases tripled. Research proves that principals, teachers, food service directors and custodial staff agree Classroom Breakfast positively affects the ability to learn and a students overall well being.

Classroom Breakfast helps address the logistical hurdles that come with serving students breakfast such as time constraints and limited staffing. There are various ways schools implement Classroom Breakfast; some set time aside early in the morning so that when children arrive at school they sit at a desk and are served a convenient grab-and-go meal and some serve breakfast during role call.

"We hope that by highlighting Principal Thompson's work more school districts will learn about Classroom Breakfast and how it can greatly increase breakfast counts," said Gary A. Davis, CEO, East Side Entrees and "got breakfast?" partner. "We are glad that such an internationally recognized personality as Anna Kournikova is working with the "got breakfast?" Foundation to help raise awareness of the benefits of participating in the National School Breakfast Program and how it can help combat childhood hunger."

A 501© (3) foundation, "got breakfast?" includes some of the most influential partners in its efforts to combat child hunger including public officials, community leaders and organizations such as Share Our Strength, the Alliance to End Hunger, the National Dairy Council, East Side Entrees, General Mills and Minute Maid. 

"got breakfast?" also educates the public on the fact that when children fail to eat breakfast at school, school districts loose federal funds. According to the Food Research and Action Center, more than $500 million in federal funds available to provide school breakfast to children in need are not being accessed.

Anna Kournikova

As an internationally-recognized tennis star, Anna Kournikova is one of today's leading female professional athletes. Her commitment to tennis and sportsmanship remain strong as she continues to expand her career and grow both personally and professionally. Her accomplishments have transcended off the court, making her one of the most recognized athletes in the world and a respected member of the sports community.

"got breakfast?"

The "got breakfast?" foundation works to ensure that every child, regardless of background, starts the school day with a nutritious breakfast in order to learn, grow and develop to the fullest potential. By bringing together the public, private and non-profit sectors, the foundation will educate communities across the country on the lifelong benefits of eating nutritious meals and help children lead healthy and strong lives.

Media interested in covering the "got breakfast?" Award presentation and interviewing Anna Kournikova should call:

Philip Ramirez

(212) 780-0200 x 103

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Movavi Launches Video Suite 8 and Video Converter 9: Additional Functionality and Faster Video Encoding Thanks to NVIDIA CUDA Technology

Movavi Launches Video Suite 8 and Video Converter 9: Additional Functionality and Faster Video Encoding Thanks to NVIDIA CUDA Technology

Movavi has been working closely with NVIDIA to optimize and dramatically improve performance of the products when used with NVIDIA® CUDA™ –enabled graphics processing units (GPUs). The new versions of the Movavi software bring users up to 400% speed improvement in video encoding performance. In addition, the Movavi software equips users with additional capabilities to enhance their video, audio and photo editing experience.

Moscow, Russia (PRWEB) November 27, 2009

Movavi, a leading developer of multimedia-processing software, today unveiled new versions of its flagship multimedia-editing software: Movavi Video Suite 8 and Movavi Video Converter 9.

The company has been working closely with NVIDIA to optimize and dramatically improve performance of Movavi products when used with NVIDIA® CUDA™ –enabled graphics processing units (GPUs). The new versions of the Movavi software bring users up to 400% speed improvement in video encoding performance. In addition, the Movavi software equips users with additional capabilities to enhance their video, audio and photo editing experience.

With these new versions, Movavi Video Suite and Movavi Video Converter users now have access to cutting-edge tools to convert video (including HD), audio, and unencrypted DVDs to and from over 170 media formats, rip them for portable devices with ready-made presets (iPod®, iPhone™, Sony PSP™, Microsoft Zune™, Creative Zen™, Archos™, BlackBerry™, smartphones, cell phones and more), download and convert online video from popular video-sharing sites, fine-tune videos with a range of editing functions, burn them to CDs and DVDs and more.

“We’re glad to see Movavi take advantage of the NVIDIA CUDA architecture to make media conversion fast and simple,” said Michael Steele, general manager of visual consumer solutions at NVIDIA. “With an insatiable appetite for video and the need to take it with them on the go, consumers will now get the best VideoSuite 8 and Video Converter 9 experience on GeForce GPUs”.

Key new benefits of Movavi Video Suite 8 include:
 Fast video conversion: Support for the NVIDIA CUDA parallel computing hardware architecture accelerates video decoding/encoding on a CUDA-enabled GPU and provides up to 400% faster transcoding. Movavi Video Suite 8 is also optimized for Intel multi-core processors.  Easier sharing of media files: Import audio and video files from portable devices (iPod®, iPhone™, Sony PSP™, Microsoft Zune™, Creative Zen™, Archos™, BlackBerry™, PDA/Pocket PCs, USB portable media players, USB flash drives and USB external hard drives, cell phones and smartphones) to a PC with a single click and create your media library;  Slideshow creation: Add JPG, BMP, GIF, and PNG images and photos to slideshows, rotate photos, enhance quality with easy-fix tools, and apply music and special sound effects. The resulting slideshow can be shared by saving it to any of the supported video formats, transferring it to a portable device, or burning it to a CD or DVD.  Integrated video player: Play videos in more than 170 video formats (including DVD and HD), and play online video from popular video-sharing sites on any device. Create and manage custom playlists, adding single tracks or entire folders. Play videos one by one or activate Shuffle mode to play items randomly.  New video editing effects: Use volume envelope to control audio fade-in and fade-out and overall volume level. The opacity envelope can be used to set overall opacity levels and fade video events in and out.  Disc burning: Burn data Blue-ray™ 25GB and 50GB disks.  Extended post-conversion options: Now users can convert videos while they’re sleeping. Just specify whether the program should shut down or hibernate on completion of the conversion.  Automatic video splitting: Automatically format videos by size or duration for smooth playing on mobile devices. Large files can also be split for later burning to DVDs in parts.

Key new benefits of Movavi Video Converter 9 include:
 Fast video conversion: Support for the NVIDIA CUDA parallel computing hardware architecture accelerates video decoding/encoding on a CUDA-enabled GPU and provides up to 400% faster transcoding. Movavi Video Suite 8 is also optimized for Intel multi-core processors.  New format and device presets: Convert HD and HQ Video for YouTube™ with one click using any of the 30+ new format presets. Convert media files to portable devices including Blackberry, Wii and DS, Cowon, Palm, Android, HTC, Xbox360, Nokia, iRiver, and more with 100+ new device presets.  Integrated video player: Play any video — including DVD, HD, and online video —from within the program itself.  Automatic video splitting: Automatically format videos by size or duration for smooth playing on mobile devices. Large files can also be split for later burning to DVDs in parts.  Support for new HD output format: MPEG2-TS with H.264 codec is now supported. Conversion to FLV with H.264 codec is particularly beneficial for bloggers as the conversion process delivers a relatively small output file while retaining the highest quality.  Support for new input formats: Support has been added for MKV and AVI with AC3 sound, MPEG with MP3 audio.  Extended post-conversion options: Now users can convert videos while they’re sleeping. Just specify whether the program should shut down or hibernate on completion of the conversion.

Pricing and Availability
Movavi Video Converter 9 is available as a download at www. movavi. com/videoconverter/buynow. html (http://www. movavi. com/videoconverter/buynow. html) and a number of third-party sites. The software is priced at $29.95 for a single-user home license.

Movavi Video Suite 8 is available now as a download at www. movavi. com/suite/buynow. html (http://www. movavi. com/suite/buynow. html) and a number of third-party sites. The software is priced at $59.99 for a single-user home license.

The applications are currently available in English only. Other language versions will be available in December 2009.

Free 30-day trials of the products may be dowloaded from: www. movavi. com/suite/download. html (http://www. movavi. com/suite/download. html) and www. movavi. com/videoconverter/download. html (http://www. movavi. com/videoconverter/download. html).

Helpful links:
Movavi Video Suite 8: www. movavi. com/suite/ (http://www. movavi. com/suite/), www. movavi. com/suite/features. html (http://www. movavi. com/suite/features. html)
Movavi Video Converter 9: www. movavi. com/videoconverter/ (http://www. movavi. com/videoconverter/)
Free online video converter service: http://online. movavi. com/ (http://online. movavi. com/)

About Movavi Video Suite:
Movavi Video Suite is an all-in-one video and DVD software package that enables users to edit and convert audio and video files, rip them to CDs and DVDs, transfer media files to and from portable devices, download online video, create slideshows, split, capture, burn, play, copy and backup media files and more. Movavi Video Suite is used by over 2 million people in 95 countries. Users may be amateurs or professionals, educators or health service workers, government officials or non-profit volunteers. For more information about Movavi Video Suite please visit www. movavi. com/suite/ (http://www. movavi. com/suite/) or http://www. movavi. com/suite/features. html (http://www. movavi. com/suite/features. html)

About Movavi Video Converter:
Movavi Video Converter is an all popular video and audio formats converter that enables users to rip video & DVDs, convert video & audio, save media files for portable devices, download online video, play videos and burn them to DVDs. Movavi Video Converter is used by over 3 million users in 95 countries. Users may be amateurs or professionals, educators or health service workers, government officials or non-profit volunteers. For more information about Movavi Video Converter please visit www. movavi. com/videoconverter/ (http://www. movavi. com/videoconverter/)

About Movavi
Movavi (www. movavi. com) offers a comprehensive range of multimedia processing software focused on solving compatibility issues of video and audio formats and devices. Additionally, Movavi offers video editing software, CD/DVD recording software, drag-and-drop media file management software, online video applications, and customizable video SDKs for professional use. Over 5 million people in 95 countries use Movavi products for their video and audio processing needs. Partners include Intel®, NVIDIA® and more. The company provides customer service and support in seven languages - English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Russian. For more information about Movavi, please visit www. movavi. com

NVIDIA and CUDA are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the United States and other countries.

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Best Non-Profit Web site of 2007 to be Named by Web Marketing Association in Annual WebAward Competition

Best Non-Profit Web site of 2007 to be Named by Web Marketing Association in Annual WebAward Competition

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 11th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at http://www.07webaward. org. The Web Marketing Association will once again name the Best Non-Profit Web site of 2007.

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) May 10, 2007

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 11th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at Web Award Web site (http://www.07webaward. org). The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including non-profit web sites, based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. The deadline for non-profit web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2007.

"The non-profit industry is very competitive when it comes to Web development and companies can benefit from the independent evaluation of their online efforts," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. "There seems to be a dichotomy within the non-profit community. Even though overall scores are below average, non-profit web sites have won more overall awards than any other industry category."

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward's professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the non-profit category will also receive:
 Image plaque or certificate of achievement  Increased visibility for their company  Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media  Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO  Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Non-Profit Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges. Recent winners of the Best Non-Profit Web site include:

2006 - Bridge Worldwide for VH1 Save The Music/P&G brandSAVER
2005 - IconNicholson for Project Rebirth Web Site
2004 - I. T. UNITED Corporation for WWF Children of the Earth
2003 - I-SITE and AWARE Foundation for Teen Health Talk
2002 - Interactive Knowledge for Corridos Sin Fronteras

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2007 honors can be found at the Best Non-Profit Web site page (http://non-profit. webaward. org).

Using the quantifiable data collected from more than 15,000 Web site evaluations over the past decade, the WebAwards has defined and recognized industry-specific benchmarks for successful Web sites in each of the seven judging criteria and released an Internet Standards Assessment Report to detail the findings of the study. A copy of the 2008 Internet Standards Assessment Report, including details regarding the non-profit industry, will be provided to all participants.

Judging for the 2007 WebAwards will take place in June through August, with winners announced in September. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet marketing professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as Organic, Inc., Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink just to name a few.

The 2007 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, PRWeb, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, SimpleFeed, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, eComXpo, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, AllBusiness, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, OTOlabs, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson and eMarketer.

About the WebAwards
Now in its 11th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.07webaward. org.

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Public relations Denver is the focus of Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who makes use of Internet media relations tactics and achieves placements in Denver, trade press and national media

Public relations Denver is the focus of Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who makes use of Internet media relations tactics and achieves placements in Denver, trade press and national media.

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, owner of Denver's Absolutely Public Relations and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the PRSA Counselors Academy. She recently announced the establishment of www. denverprnewsroom and www. online-presskit. com to help clients achieve greater exposure on the Internet. Recent national placements include More and Entrepreneur magazines, USA Today and Redbook - plus she regularly places clients in the Denver media and trade press.

(PRWEB) November 18, 2002 -

"Personally, I specialize in media relations. And simply put, media relations is the combination of strategy and tactics that yield impactful media placements: in national media like Entrepreneur, More, USA Today or Redbook; trade press such as Water Environment & Technology, Plants Sites & Parks and National Defense; or local exposure in the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Denver Business Journal, 9News, Westword and the like," Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, owner of Metro Denver's Absolutely Public Relations, says.

Holben, who started her Denver consultancy in 1999, has won national awards during her professional career (a Clarion for the Cham-Nicks Portfolio direct mail campaign; Healthcare Advertising Award from Healthcare Marketing Report for the "Galichia Medical Take Your Health to Heart" sales newsletter; and recognition from the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association for the Residence Inn "White Glove" direct mail program), but she puts the focus on getting results for her clients as opposed to winning awards. According to Holben, she has plenty of verve, enthusiasm and creativity to energize her client's media campaigns to the fullest.

Part of taking "media campaigns to the fullest" is making effective use of Internet exposure. Holben's sites, www. denverprnewsroom. com and www. online-presskit. com do just that. At Absolutely PR, Holben sells these products: awareness packages (either local, trade or national); feature article placement, newsmaker awareness and crisis response plans.

Clients purchasing awareness plans are posted on www. denverprnewsroom. com during the media pitching process. Similarly, clients contracting for twelve months or more of feature article placement, receive a five-page Online Press Kit as part of the agreement. A sample online press kit can be found at www. online-presskit. com. Holben - who doesn't typically create company websites for clients - does all of her own webmasting for her media relations websites. She says this hands-on approach provides for speed to launch and rapid response on important, time-sensitive matters.

"I've experienced numerous industry segments over the years," Holben explains, "Most recently I've been working in construction/real estate (see www. holbenhomes. com); healthcare technology (go to www. denverprnewsroom. com and click "Prosthetic Contacts"), public sector issues (see www. savemountcarbon. com), environmental engineering, social science research and alternative medicine."

Prior to opening Absolutely Public Relations, Holben was the public relations director for Denver's GD&A Advertising and Public Relations, located in LoDo at the time. While at GD&A, Holben established the organization's PR Department and spearheaded PR efforts for the 1998 Colorado State Fair, Mountain Chateaux Lodges in Telluride, the Boulder-based baby-products. com comparison shopping website, and the Rocky Mountain BLIMPIE Subs and Salads fast food chain.

The press kit Holben created at GD&A for the Colorado State Fair won a 1998 PRSA/Colorado Silver Pick award. The baby-products. com press kit - also created during Holben's tenure at GD&A won a 1999 Business Marketing Association Silver Key designation.

"I'm both a second-generation Denver native and an only child with aged, disabled parents. I returned to Colorado in 1997 from Wichita, Kansas, to be more responsive to the special needs of my parents who now reside at the Lakewood Meridian," explains Holben, "That's why working full-time for another entity, at a facility that required a commute, necessitated starting my own venture in 1999."

Accredited by the Public Relations Society of America in 1985, Holben served as vice president of client services for The Lida Groups ad agency in Kansas before relocating to the Denver area in August 1997. She has taught both advertising and public relations on the university level. Her professional experience includes extensive, award-winning work for the national Residence Inn by Marriott and Safelite AutoGlass chains.

A veteran publicist (both in traditional and online tactics), Holben is a skilled issues manager and strategic planner. She is a member of PRSA's Counselors Academy, Denver Metro Chamber, Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Healthcare Communicators, the American Marketing Association and the Business Marketing Association. She subscribes to webclipping. com, Bacon's MediaSource, Colorado Media Directory, PR Newswire, Profnet, Business Wire, Internet Wire and Media Relations Canada.

Holben, who's maiden name is Roth, is a 1971 graduate of Jefferson High School, Edgewater, CO. While a Jefferson, she served as yearbook editor and assistant editor of the school newspaper. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where she completed her undergraduate degree in three years, and has done post-graduate studies in business at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. Her career review is available at www. maggieholben. com.

At this time, Holben works from an office in her Lakewood home and can be reached at 303-984-9801 or by e-mail at maggie@absolutelypr. com. Additional information is available by requesting a copy of the Absolutely Public Relations brochure (available both in downloadable PDF format or by mail in the traditional printed format). The company website is www. absolutelypr. com.

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Top Health Plan and Leading Medical Liability Carrier Join Forces with Ohio Physicians to Deliver Personal Health Records

Top Health Plan and Leading Medical Liability Carrier Join Forces with Ohio Physicians to Deliver Personal Health Records

Historic collaboration targets online patient communication & safety.

Cleveland, OH (Vocus) November 6, 2007

Today, the largest Ohio-based healthcare insurer, Medical Mutual of Ohio (http://www. medmutual. com/)], and one of Ohio’s largest medical liability carriers, The Doctors Company (http://www. thedoctors. com/)], and its Ohio based subsidiary OHIC Insurance Company (OHIC) (http://www. ohic. com/) announced an initiative to better connect patients to their physicians using iHealth (http://www. medem. com/)], a secure, online and transportable personal health record (PHR) service. The initiative will reach out to Medical Mutual’s network of physicians in Ohio, several of whom already offer the iHealth service, regarding the patient and practice benefits of secure online connectivity and patient-owned PHRs.

"The best way to encourage our members to take an active role in their personal health is in association with their own doctor and the trust that comes with the patient-physician relationship,” said Medical Mutual's Vice President of eBusiness, Bob Mau. “We will enable our members to directly engage with their own physicians by providing them with a transportable online PHR with automated data updates from our member portal.”

Mau added that more employers are requesting the ability for their employees to interact with their physician online through secure e-mail, health and prevention messages and appointment requests, which saves time for both patients and their doctors.

The Doctors Company through its Columbus-based subsidiary OHIC is supporting Medical Mutual’s effort to reach out to physicians to promote the use of PHRs and secure online patient-physician communication through iHealth.

“The Doctors Company regards iHealth as an important patient safety and connectivity initiative and believes that it has the potential to improve the quality of patient care, disease management and facilitate medication compliance. We want physicians to know there are prudent and efficient ways to communicate online that provide direct benefit to them. We encourage all of our insured physicians nationwide to utilize iHealth,” said David Troxel, M. D., Medical Director for The Doctors Company, which is the nation’s largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurance carrier in the United States. The Doctors Company insures more than 3,000 doctors in Ohio and 32,000 physicians nationwide.

This collaboration will include communications designed to improve the value of patient-physician connectivity and patient-owned PHRs, and a better understanding of how these elements can improve patient safety, documentation, disease management, and more actively engage patients in their own care.

"We are expecting to enhance the level of service to our patients by using iHealth," said John Schaeffer, M. D., president of North Ohio Heart Center (http://www. nohc. com/). "Giving our patients the ability to securely e-mail us, make appointments online, and receive useful health and prevention information is going to be very convenient for them and efficient for us."

"The physician-patient relationship has proven to be the key to engaging patients online and driving the use of PHRs," said Edward Fotsch, M. D., CEO of Medem Inc., which provides the iHealth services to physicians. "This innovative and powerful model between physicians, health plans and liability carriers aligns with patient interests and with the new initiatives announced in Ohio by Governor Ted Strickland. Patient-centered networks connected to physicians and PHRs is an ideal model to improve healthcare not just in Ohio, but nationwide."

There is a keen and growing interest being expressed in terms of healthcare quality and cost-savings potential of electronic personal health records by many, including President Bush, other major candidates for the presidency, elected officials – including Ohio's Governor and its legislative leaders –and other influential healthcare and public policy organizations.

For more information, visit www. medem. com.

About Medical Mutual of Ohio
Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. The company serves its customers through high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. Based in Cleveland, Medical Mutual also has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton and Youngstown. For more information, visit the company's award-winning Web site at www. MedMutual. com.

About The Doctors Company
Founded by doctors for doctors in 1976 to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine, The Doctors Company (www. thedoctors. com) is the nation’s leading physician-owned medical malpractice insurer. With $2.2 billion in assets, 32,000 physician members nationwide and A - ratings by A. M. Best Company and Fitch Ratings, The Doctors Company enjoys a reputation as the industry vanguard.

About OHIC Insurance Company
Headquartered in Columbus, OHIC Insurance Company (www. ohic. com) is the leading physician-owned medical malpractice carrier in Ohio, and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Doctors Company. OHIC was established in 1978 to address the acute shortage of medical malpractice insurance capacity in Ohio and has honored its commitment for over 28 years.

About iHealth
IHealth is a suite of integrated Web-based services proven to effectively engage patients in better managing their health. Powered by Medem, this comprehensive physician-patient communication resource includes the leading patient-owned and standards-based Personal Health Record (PHR), which provides a secure vehicle for communicating online with healthcare providers and is interoperable with EHRs, health plans, pharmacies and other health systems. iHealth’s online registration process also eliminates the medical clipboard, while patient-specific education, care management programs, FDA warnings and Health Risk Assessment tools improve the quality of information across the continuum of care. Founded by the American Medical Association and several national medical specialty societies, iHealth is supported by a broad constituent of industry partners, 45 medical societies, patient advocacy groups and government agencies. To learn more about iHealth, visit www. iHealthRecord. com.

Press Contacts:
Don Olson
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Phone: 216-687-2899
Don. Olson @ mmoh. com

Suzanne Meraz
The Doctors Company/OHIC
Phone: 707-226-0261
Smeraz @ thedoctors. com

Jason Willett
IHealth, powered by Medem
Phone: 415-644-3926
Jason. willett @ medem. com

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