Post-Traumatic Thriving Explores Powerful Ways to Heal After Heartbreak
Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 11, 2020 — Just when everything seems to be going right — our jobs are stable, our children are succeeding, and the stars seem to be aligning in our favor — the floor drops out. Stunned and unable to make the simplest decisions, we shut down completely. In that moment, it’s nearly impossible to imagine things ever being “normal” again. What just happened?
“It is trauma, in all of its forms. It slaps us right in the face, and hard,” says world-renown expert on disasters and trauma Dr. Randall Bell. “When trauma hits, the most critical decision we make is to choose whether to be a victim, aggressor, survivor or thriver.”
In his new book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience, Dr. Bell interweaves science and academic research with stories of people who have not just survived, but have used their trauma as their fuel to thrive. Dr. Bell sits down with survivors of the Holocaust; murder-victim’s families; crime victims; suicide survivors; and those who’ve experienced homelessness, disasters, addictions, depression, death, divorce, disabilities, defeats and disease to explore the rare mindset of the post-traumatic thriver.
Through this unprecedented research, Dr. Bell shares with readers stories of remarkable resilience, including the following:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Ultimately, Dr. Bell documents the science of happiness, as well as the individual styles and common thread that all post-traumatic thrivers have to emerge with a fulfilling life. When trauma hits, your most significant decision will be to dive, survive or thrive. If you choose to thrive, this book is for you.
As an economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history and is widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
YOU ARE *NOT* WHAT YOU EAT: A NEW PARADIGM FOR HEALTH Doctor Shares Insight for Wellness During the COVID Holidays Rolling into the holidays this year is going to look a little different. With the continued rising number of coronavirus cases, more and more people will be staying home, curling up, shopping online, and over indulging in holiday treats. As if the shorter days and colder weather didn't make us depressed enough, our health and wellness this time of year has never been more important. Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic for children and adults of all ages. The diet and weight loss industry is an eighty billion dollar business in America alone and that dollar figure has historically been on a steady rise. Yet with all the resources, scientific and technological advancements in our society, how has obesity remained such a huge problem?According to Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Zvi Pearlstein, there is still one major thing missing from the diet industry: self control. "Studies and research suggest that the very profitable business of weight loss is one big scam and is all about taking advantage of troubled people purely for profit. The truth is, it’s all about having self-control..."...says Pearlstein, whose alternative solutions have helped to transform healthcare from the information age. His new e-book, U R Not What U Eat, introduces a new lifestyle paradigm with the tools to positively transform oneself and thereby positively and impactfully change America and the world for the better. Dr. Pearlstein asks the hard questions associated with the diet industry: "Can all the diet books, plans, and companies sell you self-control? Where does self-control come from? Is it learned, genetic, or developed? Does it exist in the body, the heart, the brain, or the Soul? How does all of this really work? Is there something missing with all the diet business stuff? What about addiction and recovery? Is there a better way?"The problems of obesity and addiction are the focus of the weight loss and addiction recovery industries. As Pearlstein explored these and other devastating problems along with the industries associated with them, he offers alternative solutions to many of humanity’s dilemmas.Through Pearlstein's other sectors of business, including the new SitFit Chair™ (total body gym in an innovative non-sedentary, multi-positional, and multi-functional chair), he is able to connect with patients and provide simple and easy solutions to optimize health, wholeness, and happiness through the concept of "Soul & Body". Dr. Zvi Pearlstein is sharing solutions and tips to optimize health during the COVID holidays. TALKING POINTS (FOR INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES):Health and Wellness Tips During the COVID holidays The New Lifestyle Paradigm What is Missing From the Diet/Wellness Industry?The Power of Self Control Easy Alternative Solutions to Optimize Health, Wholeness and Happiness ABOUT DR. ZVI PEARLSTEIN:Dr. Zvi Pearlstein is a Doctor, Father, Speaker, Author, Inventor... And Trumpeter. From a young age, Dr. Zvi had a deep-seated need and calling to find life’s meaning and purpose to understand and solve pain. His mother Celia passed in 2019 leaving behind writings and poetry of her emotional experiences during the Holocaust in Poland.In 1976 Dr. Zvi received his BA in Biochemistry from Princeton University. In 1981 he received his MD from New York University School of Medicine. He completed a 5-year residency in Orthopedic Surgery at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn in 1986.As a Major in the United States Air Force, Dr Zvi spent three years practicing orthopedic surgery at Clark Air Base in the Philippines and one year at Andrews Air Force Base in Wash. DC. He did active duty service during Persian Gulf War I. While serving in the Air Force he was a marksman shooter and was awarded the Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award.Throughout his career he was looking for truth and often felt that certain problems needed better wellness and lifestyle answers and solutions. As a result, over the past 30 years he developed a series of products, inventions, books, and services, which he now sets in motion with his company Missing Links Health, Inc.For More Information Visit: https://www.drzvi.com/
‘Business for Health’, backed by government, aims to increase business contribution to health of the nation
London, 11 November 2020. It is now shockingly clear that Health Equals Wealth. Business for Health (B4H) is being launched to promote good business practice, innovation and investment to help our society be healthier, and has the support of cross-party political leaders, third sector and the broader business community.
Economic recovery, jobs, growth and business prosperity depend on a healthy nation. The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgent need to address health inequalities and highlighted how our health as we age impacts our resilience.
The recommendation for B4H to promote 5 extra years of healthy life expectancy while minimising health inequalities (‘HLE +5’) was put forward in The Health of the Nation Strategy published in February 2020, under the guidance of Lord Geoffrey Filkin, by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Longevity, chaired by Rt Hon Damian Green MP.
Business helped formulate that strategy and highlighted the important role socially responsible employers, purchasers, investors and innovators can play in promoting better public health and resilience.
Phoenix Group, Legal & General and AXA Health are among initial funders of B4H, and over 100 organisations have signed up to the Register of Interest. B4H, a non-profit CIC (Community Interest Company), will develop a Business Index as its first project to measure and incentivise positive contributions by business to societal health, as part of wider plans to promote preventative health, share best practice and facilitate research for improved population health. The working group to develop the Index will be cross-sectoral and will encourage smaller as well as larger businesses to be represented.
John Godfrey, Legal & General’s corporate affairs director and former Downing Street policy director chaired the Longevity APPG’s business workstream and is board chair and a founding director of the new organisation. He comments: “It is in businesses’ interests to support a healthier population. At its simplest, a healthier workforce is more productive – physical and mental health problems are expensive for employers. But for almost every sector, achieving better population health creates opportunities and drives economic activity. This was true before the pandemic and has now been sadly demonstrated beyond doubt.”
B4H launches during Longevity Week and has government support from Government. Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock says: “I am delighted that Business for Health is being formed – as employers, investors and innovators, business will make vital contributions to reduce future pandemic risks through prevention, improve healthy life expectancy and build economic resilience in communities across our nation. If this pandemic has taught us anything it's that our health and prosperity are completely interlinked. I look forward to working with them in the future.”
Medicago announces positive Phase 1 results for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate
100 per cent of subjects who received an adjuvanted vaccine candidate developed significant antibody and cellular immune responses after two doses
QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - Medicago, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Quebec City, is pleased to report interim results of the Phase 1 clinical trial of its plant-derived vaccine for COVID-19. The results of the trial demonstrated that 100 per cent of subjects developed a promising antibody response after two doses of Medicago's COVID-19 adjuvanted vaccine candidate.
"These are very promising results. After two doses, the adjuvanted vaccine candidate induced robust neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses which is encouraging and support further clinical evaluation," said Nathalie Landry, Executive Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs at Medicago. "We also observed that the antibody levels were higher after vaccination than those observed in convalescent sera from people who recovered from the disease."
There were no severe adverse events reported and reactogenicity events were generally mild to moderate and short in duration.
The Phase 1 clinical trial was a randomized, partially blinded study of 180 healthy subjects, male and female aged 18-55, and evaluated dosages of 3.75, 7.5 or 15 micrograms of the recombinant Coronavirus Virus-Like Particle (CoVLP) vaccine candidate alone or with an adjuvant in a prime-boost regimen. Medicago tested its vaccine candidate with each of the two adjuvants – GSK's proprietary pandemic adjuvant technology and Dynavax's CpG 1018™. An adjuvant can be of particular importance in a pandemic situation as it may boost the immune response and reduce the amount of antigen required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and therefore allowing immunization of the greatest number of people. Significant humoral and cell-mediated immune responses have been observed with both adjuvants. Based on the Phase 1 data, Medicago plans to proceed with the Phase 2/3 clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, subject to regulatory approval.
"The positive results of our Phase 1 clinical trial are a step forward in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and we are confidently moving forward to our Phase 2/3 trial. We're pleased that Medicago's innovative manufacturing technology is helping to diversify the classes of COVID-19 vaccines candidates in development. In addition to supplying up to 76 million doses to the Government of Canada, we are ready to participate globally in the fight against COVID-19," said Dr. Bruce D. Clark, President and CEO of Medicago. "We would like to express our gratitude to the clinical trial participants who have generously dedicated their time to support the advancement of Medicago's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. We also would like to extend our thanks to our partners GSK and Dynavax, as well as the clinical investigators."
The data from the interim analysis have been published on an online preprint server at medRxiv.org.
About Phase 1 results summary
Side effects were mainly mild to moderate and of short duration with no serious adverse events. Safety follow-up continues.
Phase 1 immunogenicity results demonstrate that adjuvants have the potential to improve humoral and cellular immune responses compared to the non-adjuvanted formulations.
All subjects in the group with GSK's pandemic adjuvant developed anti-spike IgG antibodies after a single dose of vaccine – either 3.75, 7.5 and 15 µg.
100 per cent of participants who received an adjuvanted formulation developed neutralizing antibody responses after Dose 2 for all dose groups.
Anti-spike IgG and viral neutralization responses compared favorably to responses from COVID-19 positive patients outside of the study.
GSK's pandemic adjuvant was dose-sparing, with the lower 3.75 µg dose of CoVLP performing comparably with the 7.5 or the 15 µg doses.
Cellular Th1 immune responses of participants who received 3.75 or 7.5 µg doses were significantly higher in the adjuvanted formulations.
CoVLP finished product is a liquid formulation that can be stored at 2°C to 8°C, easing cold chain management with existing vaccine infrastructure.
About Medicago
Medicago is a biopharmaceutical company and pioneer in plant-derived therapeutics. Founded in 1999 with the belief that innovative approaches and rigorous research would bring new solutions in healthcare.
Our mission is to improve global health outcomes by leveraging innovative plant-based technologies for rapid responses to emerging global healthcare challenges. Medicago is committed to advancing therapeutics against life-threatening diseases worldwide. Our team includes over 450 scientific experts and employees in Canada and the United States and academic affiliations in Europe and South Africa.
Medicago has previously demonstrated its capability to be a first responder in a flu pandemic. In 2009, the company produced a research-grade vaccine candidate against H1N1 in just 19 days. In 2012, Medicago manufactured 10 million doses of a monovalent influenza vaccine candidate within one month for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), part of the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2015, Medicago also demonstrated in principle that it could rapidly produce an anti-Ebola monoclonal antibody cocktail for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
To learn more about our plant-based technology: Video / Website
SOURCE Medicago
The Cone+ makes smoking a pre-rolled joint less harmful
THE NETHERLANDS – With the introduction of The Cone+, Dutch company I-nvention is responding to the growing global trend to filter cannabis smoke. The pre-rolled Cone+ joint, in which consumers can put cannabis, comes standard with a patented CTIP™ filter. This cone shaped filter contains high grade activated carbon made from natural coconut shells, which removes harmful and toxic substances from the smoke.
In addition, the innovation drastically softens the sharp taste of cannabis while smoked, without compromising desired components like CBD and THC, resulting in less coughing and irritation to the throat. The typical taste of natural cannabis seems enhanced after filtration.
I-nvention speaks of a real innovation in the cannabis market. The Cone+ is a logical follow-up of the successful introduction of the CTIP™-filter, used for manual rolling, which the company launched a year ago.
The CTIP™- has a unique cone-shaped recyclable aluminium housing that contains activated carbon that adheres tar and most of the other harmful substances like a magnet. As a result, they do not infiltrate the lungs. Nowadays cannabis connoisseurs are very aware of their health. The trend is that consumers put less or no tobacco in a joint, but cannabis smoke also contains undesirable components when burned. The filter does not get everything out, but in any case makes smoking a pre-rolled joint less harmful, says I-nvention.
The company has designed the filter cone-shaped, allowing consumers to roll a joint more easily if they want to do that themselves. In the pre-rolled The Cone+ the CTIP™-filter is included so consumers or suppliers only need to add cannabis. Based on the successful introduction of the CTIP™-filter, I-nvention says millions of ‘cannabis connoisseurs’ around the world will appreciate and utilize the new invention.
I-nvention is an innovative design and manufacturing company with headquarters in Delft and a division in Shenzhen, China, and Indonesia. The company specializes in innovation in the cannabis retail market. I-nvention became famous when it invented the world’s first electronic joint in 2014.
Licensed clinical Psychologist, Dr. Bethany Cook Shares the Top 7 things to think about before committing and attending family events this 2020 Holiday Season:
Ask Yourself “Is This Good or Bad for My Mental Health?”: Bottom line, if you know a visit to your family will knock you off your “center” the answer is you should not go. We are living in a pandemic for goodness’ sake...some families won’t be able to see one another even if they wanted to due to Covid restrictions. I don’t think going out of your way to visit people you know will significantly upset you is worth the added stress. The fall-out from bad family visits can cause a splash big enough to ripple for weeks before and after the event. Some of the ripple’s effects may include:
Increased self-harm, anxiety, depressed mood, anger, feelings of isolation and suicidal ideation.
Increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone) which may cause muscle weakness, severe fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, high blood pressure, and headache.
Increase in digestive issues such as diarrhea and/or constipation.
Disrupted sleep leading up to and after the gathering.
Ask Yourself “Am I Able to Set a Boundary?”: Many of us are learning for the first time in our lives how to respectfully set boundaries in our relationships with others. Often it’s easier to set them with co-workers and acquaintances because we don’t usually have a past with them like we do with our family members. That being said will you be able to ask your family to respect X? Will they be able to? If they don’t, will you even agree to go? What if they say “yes” and then once you arrive they don’t, what now? (*see #7).
Ask Yourself “Will I Be Able to Enforce My Boundary?”: Setting a boundary is different from enforcing it. Think of it like legislators vs. police. One writes the laws and the other makes sure we obey them. Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page with who will enforce the boundary and how. This can include a tag-team effort. Just make sure going into the event that you are in agreement regarding who does what. Also, what happens if extended family cross the boundary? (*see #7).
Write Up a “Cost/Benefits” Analysis: Allowing and encouraging our child(ren) to have close relationships with extended family members has been the “norm” for generations. Families traditionally have done everything together and wouldn’t have survived without the help of each member. That being said, all types of abuse have also been happening in families since the dawn of time. The abuse can range from severe to mild, physical to emotional. It doesn’t matter the type, it’s not ok on any level. If you are potentially putting yourself, spouse and/or your children into a toxic environment you need to look at who benefits and how much. Sometimes parents who abused their children are wonderful grandparents because they’ve changed and grown. While seeing them may trigger you, you know your child(ren) benefit from seeing and interacting with grandparents and your triggers are manageable. Mentally preparing yourself for the visit and having clear expectations allows you to remain in control and decreases feelings of anxiety.
Ask Extended Family to Agree Not to Bring Politics Up (or any other “hot topic”): I believe in setting people up for success. One of the ways to do that with holiday gatherings this year is to have everyone agree to not bring up certain topics. No, this doesn't make the gathering inauthentic. No, this doesn’t mean we are isolating Aunt Edna because she is the “only one who voted that way.” It means we are showing mutual respect for one another and all agreeing ahead of time to STFU about certain things.
Take Smelling Salts: When we feel threatened we stop using our frontal lobes (judgement, reason, understanding) and instead our thoughts stem from either our limbic system (the emotional center which results in over-the-top impulsive responses) or our cerebellum (survival mode which is flight/fright/freeze). One way to regain control of your thoughts and/or feelings in the moment is to ground yourself using one of your 5 senses. Wear a rubberband on your wrist and when you get irritated “snap” yourself out of it. Take some sour candy and/or black licorice with you and “startle” yourself back to the control center by shocking your taste buds. Lastly, if you do have smelling salts (or strong essential oils) bring them with you and take a whiff to calm down when you start feeling bothered.
Have an Exit Plan: Feeling in control will be the number one “stress reliever” you’ve got which means having a solid exit plan ready to implement if things go sideways. Both you and your spouse need to agree on the exit plan, maybe even have a code word and a prearranged excuse (if you don’t want to have to “get into it” at the moment) for when the plan gets implemented. Talk to your kids about it beforehand so they don’t feel sucker punched. You don’t have to get into the nitty gritty of “why” with them if you don’t want to just give them enough info so they know what to do. This will help you get out faster and with less confusion.
Getting along with family in the best of times can be stressful, but add the stress of a pandemic and a hotly divided political climate and you’ve got yourself a hot mess inside a dumpster fire. That being said, every sword has two sides and the counterpoint we’ve seen is families coming together and getting closer than ever before.
There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to how you manage the upcoming holiday season. My final words of advice are this: you aren’t responsible for making sure everyone in your extended family has a “happy holiday season.” Your first commitment should be to protect the mental health of yourself, spouse and child(ren). It’s ok to hit the “pause” button in relationships. This doesn’t mean you’re a failure and it doesn’t mean you don’t care about the other person. It merely means you are strong and self-aware enough to not set yourself (partner and kid(s)) up for failure. Say's Dr. Bethany Cook.
Health Canada Approves MAVIRET® 8-Week Treatment Duration for Treatment-Naïve Patients with Genotype 3 Compensated Cirrhosis
MAVIRET®(glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) is the only 8-week oral treatment approved for all Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Genotypes.1
MAVIRET is indicated for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in adults and adolescent patients 12 to 18 years of age.1
MAVIRET is available and reimbursed across Canada. **
MONTREAL, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company announced today that Health Canada has approved a label change for MAVIRET® (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir tablets) to include Treatment-Naïve Genotype 3 patients with compensated cirrhosis.1 With this change, the recommended treatment duration for ALL individuals* with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who are treatment naïve, genotypes 1-6 with/or without compensated cirrhosis is 8 weeks.
"I witness the destructive effects hepatitis C has on patients, our community and healthcare system. At the Ottawa Hospital, we see thousands of people on a yearly basis with a variety of liver diseases. Having access to effective HCV treatment options that cover all hepatitis C genotypes is a game changer," said Dr. Curtis Cooper, Director, The Ottawa Hospital and Regional Hepatitis Program. "We now have an opportunity to eliminate this deadly virus with testing, treatment and care in shorter periods of time also available for patients with Genotype 3."
"In 2016, Canada committed on the world stage to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. In order to accomplish this important goal, we need population-specific strategies that include equitable access to scaled-up testing and treatment," said, Gerard Yetman, Chair, Action Hepatitis Canada (AHC). "If we want to eliminate hepatitis C in Canada, we need public access to effective treatment options that cover all genotypes."
Health Canada first approved MAVIRET in August 2017. MAVIRET is a once-daily ribavirin-free treatment for adults and adolescent patients 12 to 18 years of age with chronic hepatitis C virus infection across all major HCV genotypes (GT1-6).2 It is an 8-week, pan-genotypic treatment for patients without cirrhosis and who are new to treatment.*
MAVIRET's efficacy and safety were evaluated in nine phase II-III clinical trials, in over 2300 patients with genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 HCV infection and with compensated liver disease (with or without cirrhosis).1
"AbbVie is committed to eliminating hepatitis C by 2030 and sees this objective as a national public health priority. Through meaningful partnerships, we are working to find sustainable solutions that allow more patients to be screened, linked to care, and treated sooner," said Denis Hello, Vice-President and General Manager AbbVie Canada.
About Hepatitis C An estimated 250,000 people in Canada are living with chronic hepatitis C but as many as 44% are not aware that they have it.3 Left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. Currently, hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplant in Canada.4 AbbVie supports a range of efforts to help elevate and prioritize HCV elimination because we know achieving the shared goal of elimination by 2030 will take more than medicine. It will take transparent and collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders – industry, healthcare providers, healthcare systems, patient groups and their support networks. Joint efforts and maximizing the time we have left will enable us to reach this goal.
About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.caand www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
* The safety and efficacy of MAVIRET in patients less than 12 years of age have not been established. MAVIRET exposures in HCV-infected patients 12 to 18 years were comparable to those in HCV-infected adults; however, the safety and efficacy of MAVIRET in patients 12 to 18 years infected with HCV genotype 5 or 6 and/or with compensated cirrhosis and/or previously treated with a regimen containing NS5B inhibitor have not been studied.
** Please refer to your province's or Territory's specific reimbursement criteria.
PRO+ Dual Respirator masks now manufactured with ground-breaking virucidal coating against COVID-19
The virucidal coating, produced by ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., will increase the protection effectiveness of the PRO+ to 99%
COLLINGWOOD, ON, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - As the resurgence of COVID-19 activity continues in Canada, Trebor Rx (Trebor) is resolute in providing the highest quality PPE for front line workers. With that commitment in mind, Trebor has signed an LOI with ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd (ZEN) to commence producing the PRO+ Dual Respirator masks (PRO+ Respirator) with a graphene-based ink with 99% virucidal activity against COVID-19, pending Health Canada approval.
The virucidal graphene-based ink formulation has been tested by Western University's ImPaKT facility Biosafety Level 3 laboratory for antiviral properties in accordance with ISO 18184:2019. The test reported 99% inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that lasted for 35 days after applying to the masks.
The PRO+ respirator is the only PPE mask that provides 300+ hours of usage at a fraction of the cost of current options, reusable and 99.9% recyclable. The PRO+ respirator, combined with ZEN's virucidal coating, will set a new standard of protection, with 99% effectiveness protecting against viruses like COVID-19. Trebor will be using ZEN's virucidal coating across its different PPE offerings, including its 3-ply surgical masks.
George Irwin, CEO of Trebor, commented, "This is truly a game-changer in the PPE space. Trebor is ecstatic to be working with such an innovative company. It is a pleasure to be partnered with Greg Fenton and Francis Dubé on this journey. With our production on the PRO+ mask already started, and our 3-ply beginning in December of this year, we anxiously await masks' production with the ZEN virucidal coating. Trebor's goal is to deliver a quality Canadian made product, and it just got better with Zen as our partner."
The team behind Trebor, Irwin Toy, has leveraged its robust global supply chain network and global sales expertise to secure commercial interest worldwide for its innovative mask technologies in Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Greg Fenton, CSO of ZEN, said, "This is a historic day for ZEN. The signing of this significant commercial agreement is a watershed moment for our organization. Moreover, it is an honour for ZEN to work with a Canadian company like Trebor to develop a 100% Canadian solution to fight against COVID-19 and provide the highest protection to our front-line workers. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with George, and Brenda Elliott, President of Trebor, throughout this process as Trebor and ZEN share a similar philosophy of innovation. This is only the beginning of what we anticipate will be a long and fruitful partnership."
For more information about the PRO+ Dual Respirator mask and how to procure it, please visit TreborRx.com.
About Trebor Rx Corp.
Fueled by a dedicated and compassionate team prioritizing safety and innovation, Trebor is disrupting the PPE industry and setting a new standard of production for masks and face shields while solving problems of cost, comfort, and medical waste. A proudly Canadian company, founded by business trailblazers George Irwin and Brenda Elliott of Irwin Toy, with a production facility located in Collingwood, Ontario, Trebor is committed to providing Healthcare, Frontline and Essential workers with innovative, new patented technology PPE during COVID-19 and beyond.
About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.
ZEN is a graphene technology solutions company with a focus on the development of graphene-based nanomaterial products and applications. The unique Albany Graphite Project provides the company with a potential competitive advantage in the graphene market as independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have independently demonstrated that ZEN's Albany PureTM Graphite is an ideal precursor material which easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of mechanical, chemical and electrochemical methods. ZEN is developing a patent pending graphene-based coating with 99% virucidal activity against COVID-19.
SOURCE Trebor Rx
Former CIO of Niagara Health Sime Pavlovic joins CGI
Toronto, Ontario, 10 November, 2020 –CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) is pleased to announce that Sime Pavlovic has been appointed as Vice-President, Consulting Services, Ontario Public Sector, Healthcare, Transportation & Regulatory. Previously Mr. Pavlovic was Chief Information Officer of Niagara Health, responsible for information, communications and technology strategy.
An experienced executive with demonstrated leadership and over 20 years of experience in the Ontario public sector, Mr. Pavlovic specializes in healthcare, service delivery and enterprise architecture. His goal has always been simple, to implement strategies that advance innovation in improving the delivery of services to citizens.
“I am thrilled to be a member of a Canadian company with a history of demonstrated excellence in the public sector,” says Mr. Pavlovic. “CGI has incredible subject matter expertise including global centres of excellence that support our clients in advancing their digital strategies.”
Mr. Pavlovic’s strategic objectives will include leveraging innovation from other sectors, showcasing CGI’s demonstrated expertise in assisting clients with implementing their vision and transforming public and healthcare systems to provide the most value. His role in achieving these objectives will include providing strategic leadership during the transformational process and translating client ideas and strategy into practical implementations.
“Sime brings to CGI a wealth of experience and relationships across the Ontario public sector,” says Dave Cameron, Senior Vice-President, Greater Toronto Commercial and Public Sector. “He is a recognized leader in delivering innovative solutions including patient care & experience, supply chain, human resources, digital imaging and digital identity.”
CGI is a leader in working with provincial health organizations, health regions, and hospitals to harness the power of technology to improve the quality of care, while at the same time managing costs and enhancing productivity. With over 5,000 health IT professionals globally, and 500 nationally, we are recognized as one of the largest consulting, systems integration, and outsourcing service providers in the Canadian healthcare sector.
About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 77,500 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With Fiscal 2019 reported revenue of C$12.1 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.
For more information: Media Sébastien Barangé Vice-President, Media and Public Relations sebastien.barange@cgi.com +1 514-841-3354
Sime Pavlovic, ancien chef de la direction informatique de Santé Niagara, se joint à CGI
Toronto (Ontario), le 10 novembre, 2020 – CGI (NYSE : GIB) (TSX : GIB.A) est heureuse d’annoncer la nomination de Sime Pavlovic à titre de vice-président , services-conseils, secteur public de l’Ontario, santé, transport et réglementation. M. Pavlovic était chef de la direction informatique à Santé Niagara; à ce titre, il était responsable de l’information, des communications et de la stratégie technologique.
Comptant plus de 20 ans d’expérience dans le secteur public en Ontario, M. Pavlovic se spécialise en santé, en prestation de services et en architecture d’entreprise. Un dirigeant d’expérience faisant preuve d’un solide leadership, son objectif est simple : mettre en œuvre des stratégies qui stimulent l’innovation pour améliorer la prestation de services auprès des citoyens.
« Je suis ravi de me joindre à une entreprise canadienne qui, au fil des ans, a fait preuve d’excellence dans le secteur public, affirme M. Pavlovic. La grande expertise de CGI et ses centres mondiaux d’excellence permettent aux clients de faire progresser leur stratégie numérique. »
Parmi ses objectifs stratégiques, M. Pavlovic tirera parti de l’innovation des autres secteurs et mettra en valeur l’expertise éprouvée de CGI pour aider les clients à réaliser leur vision et à transformer les systèmes du secteur public et de la santé de façon à créer le plus de valeur possible. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, il devra faire preuve de leadership stratégique pendant le processus de transformation et traduire les idées et la stratégie du client en mises en œuvre concrètes.
« Sime apporte à CGI une vaste expérience et un réseau de contacts dans le secteur public de l’Ontario », a déclaré Dave Cameron, vice-président principal, région du Grand Toronto, services commerciaux et publics. « Il est reconnu pour son leadership dans la livraison de solutions innovantes, notamment en soins aux patients et expérience du patient, en chaîne d’approvisionnement, en ressources humaines, en imagerie numérique et en identité numérique. »
En partenariat avec les organismes provinciaux de santé, les agences régionales de santé et les hôpitaux, CGI tire parti de la puissance des technologies afin d’améliorer la qualité des soins tout en gérant les coûts et améliorant la productivité. Comptant plus de 5 000 professionnels en TI dans le secteur de la santé partout dans le monde (dont 500 au Canada), nous sommes reconnus comme l’une des plus importantes entreprises en services-conseils, intégration de systèmes et services en mode délégué dans le secteur de la santé au Canada.
À propos de CGI Fondée en 1976, CGI figure parmi les plus importantes entreprises indépendantes de services-conseils en technologie de l’information (TI) et en management au monde. CGI compte 77 500 conseillers et autres professionnels établis partout dans le monde grâce auxquels l’entreprise offre un portefeuille complet de services et de solutions : des services-conseils stratégiques en TI et en management, de l’intégration de systèmes, des services en TI et en gestion des processus d’affaires en mode délégué ainsi que des solutions de propriété intellectuelle. La collaboration de CGI avec ses clients repose sur un modèle axé sur les relations locales, conjugué à un réseau mondial de prestation de services, qui permet aux clients de réaliser la transformation numérique de leur organisation et d’accélérer l’obtention de résultats. Au cours de l’exercice financier 2019, CGI a généré des revenus de 12,1 milliards de dollars canadiens. Les actions de CGI sont inscrites à la Bourse de Toronto (GIB.A) ainsi qu’à la Bourse de New York (GIB). Apprenez-en davantage sur cgi.com.
CORDANT HEALTH SOLUTIONS AND ADDICTION LEADERS IN TENNESSEE DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF CARE COORDINATION FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT PATIENTS
Cordant Health Solutions®, a leader in providing innovative tools for patients in addiction treatment programs, announced its new pharmacy location in Nashville in a digital open house. Cordant’s managed pharmacy program serves patients in treatment for opioid use disorder using medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Treatment providers across Tennessee joined in Cordant’s open house to listen to two local providers talk about barriers to recovery. Victor Wu, MD, MPH, chief medical officer for TennCare, spoke about the need for more care coordination services to help people cope with a disease that thrives in isolation.
"If you can't get to your appointment, or you're not able to get to the pharmacy, then those can be system challenges that might trip you up and cause you to stop your treatment, even though you have the desire and the will to stay in recovery," said Wu.
Although picking up a prescription sounds like a simple errand, if you are a MAT patient receiving medication as part of your addiction therapy, it can be anything but simple, even though it significantly reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
"Unfortunately, access to this medication is often a significant barrier for patients in recovery. Patients feel stigma or judgment when they pick up these medications or worry about a lack of privacy," said Bob Mann, executive vice president at Cordant. "Not all pharmacies carry or are willing to dispense medicines that treat addiction. And finding transportation to a pharmacy that carries addiction treatment medications is yet another obstacle."
Roger Sherman, MD, owner of Compassionate Recovery Care, also spoke at the open house about his recovery patients' challenges. "I’ve come to believe we need to meet patients where they’re at, not just physically but emotionally."
As Tennessee weathers the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials report that the opioid epidemic has intensified. Health officials in Shelby County, Tennessee’s largest by population, say the number of overdoses related to opioids and other drugs escalated this spring, with 391 suspected overdoses and 58 overdose deaths over 30 days.
In response to these kinds of challenges, Cordant developed a managed pharmacy program to deliver buprenorphine, a common addiction treatment medication, to treatment clinics at no extra cost to the patients or the clinician. Patients attending support group meetings or treatment visits can also pick up their medications from the Cordant coordinator at the clinic.
"Cordant’s pharmacy program helps patients reclaim their lives, removes very real barriers to their success in treatment and helps them return to a productive life," said Mann. "Data from the pilot study of our managed pharmacy program shows that patients using our service were 32% more likely to keep their appointments, had 44% fewer relapse events and had 43% fewer drug-related visits to emergency departments compared with a control group. Perhaps most significant, patient retention increased 52%, particularly in the first six months of treatment, when patients are often in the most vulnerable stage of recovery."
Cordant’s Tennessee location is its sixth pharmacy, and the program has served 10,000 patients in 2020.
"So many of my patients have concerns about going to a local or traditional pharmacy because they worry about seeing someone they know. They've gone through such a tough, traumatic life, and anything we can do to show them compassion and give them some privacy when it comes to their treatment, I think, is important to their success and their ability to beat this disease," said Sherman. "Offering Cordant’s managed pharmacy program to my patients has certainly increased success rates and decreased relapse rates in my clinic."
Cordant Health Solutions® (cordantsolutions.com) provides innovative tools for monitoring behavioral health, chronic pain and criminal justice cases. Cordant’s unique pharmacy and drug testing programs provide accurate, actionable results to protect prescribers, hold patients accountable and optimize quality of life.
A leader in quality standards, Cordant provides solutions for payers, clinicians and organizations involved with substance use disorder, pain management and criminal justice agencies. Cordant is one of the only healthcare companies that offers monitoring and risk assessment tools through its innovative drug testing options and full-service, high-touch pharmacies, which specialize in the management and dispensing of addiction treatment medications. Cordant’s testing protocols and digital case-management tools help clients become more efficient and effective in using drug testing programs to monitor patient adherence, reduce risk and improve patient outcomes.
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