Semantic Health Launches its Medical Coding & Auditing Platform Validated at Leading Hospitals in Major Metropolitan Areas
Launching with an oversubscribed seed round of US$2.7 million and expertise in AI, medicine, and medical coding put Semantic Health in the best position to transform medical coding and auditing while enabling actionable use of clinical data for improved care delivery and AI analytics
TORONTO, June 24, 2021 /CNW/ - Semantic Health Inc. ("Semantic Health"), a Toronto-based healthcare technology company, today announced the launch of its premier coding & auditing platform, the Semantic Health Information Platform. Semantic Health's platform empowers medical coders and auditors to conduct concurrent review of clinical documentation, reduce revenue cycle inefficiencies and enable actionable use of unstructured data. The platform was developed in close collaboration with medical coding and auditing professionals across various health systems in North America.
Semantic Health launches with the support of leading hospitals and venture capital investors. In September 2020, Semantic Health secured an oversubscribed seed round of USD$2.7 million led by DCVC with involvement from Preface Ventures, Liquid 2, RiSC Capital, Wayfinder VC and others. Semantic Health has also partnered with leading hospitals to demonstrate how its foundational technology identifies missed reimbursement opportunities, increases coder and auditor productivity, and generates actionable data for additional analytical use-cases. The initial traction from investors and clients signals the company's success in providing solutions to reduce healthcare providers' financial inefficiencies.
"Semantic Health will fundamentally change the way that we look and consider our medical coding and auditing processes" said Peter Bak, Chief Information Officer at Humber River Hospital. "Their underlying artificial intelligence technology presents us with an opportunity to deliver a wide variety of improvements at the frontline of care delivery."Artificial Intelligence for Medical Coders and Auditors
Semantic Health's platform seamlessly integrates with electronic health records to pull patient charts as they are created, assigns medical codes to them and identifies any coding-related deficiencies. Within an intuitive user interface, medical coders can then finalize AI-suggested codes while auditors focus on high-value opportunities for additional documentation improvement. Semantic Health's solution is optimized for long and complex inpatient documentation where traditional solutions often fall short. Their platform is also capable of automating more simple outpatient workflows. Semantic Health also offers fully-managed audit services where they review a healthcare provider's already coded charts for completeness, missed opportunities, and payer audit risk.
"When I first encountered medical coding in a hospital, and coming from the perspective of my machine learning background, I quickly saw the potential for artificial intelligence to improve these processes," said Dr. Nicola Sahar, CEO and co-founder of Semantic Health. "Our product has already started streamlining medical coding and auditing processes at leading hospitals to optimize their revenue cycles, allow hospital operational staff to focus on high value activities and, most excitingly, uncover healthcare insights from clinical documentation. We are proud to pioneer the deployment of our transformative technology to healthcare providers across North America."
"It's rare to see a platform that can have cascading benefits throughout a hospital or health system," said James Hardiman, partner at DCVC. "Semantic Health has done exactly that. They have built the most sophisticated technology for tackling complex inpatient documentation workflows. Its platform will have clear results on financial outcomes, patient care and operational efficiencies, affecting many stakeholders in a hospital or health system. We see great potential for the company as it continues to scale its technology across North America."ABOUT SEMANTIC HEALTH
Semantic Health is a Toronto-based healthcare technology company leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence to help hospitals improve their medical coding, auditing, and CDI processes. Their Semantic Health Information Platform enables real-time access to coded data to drive clinical decision support and optimized reporting, reimbursement and operations. To learn more about Semantic Health, visit www.semantichealth.ai/
SOURCE Semantic Health
Support for BC Workplaces to Assess, Improve or Develop a Disability Management Program
PORT ALBERNI, BC, June 24, 2021 /CNW/ - Today's global economy forces organizations to offer the best products and services at the lowest cost. Organizations are not only competing with the business down the street, but businesses all over the world.
BC workplaces are being provided with the opportunity to have a free assessment of their DM program
An organization that can reduce the socio-economic costs related to disabilities for itself and its workforce, has an advantage. Large or small, organizations have found that by implementing sound stay at work / return to work policies and practices, have been able to reduce their costs, retain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, and have become more competitive.
International research has proven that the implementation of disability management (DM) programs is the most effective way of restoring and maintaining workers' abilities while reducing the cost of disability for workers, employers, government and insurance carriers.
Through this initiative, BC workplaces are being provided with the opportunity to have a free assessment of their DM program. The Workplace Disability Management Assessment (WDMA) tool is optimized to allow for an accurate program assessment through a face-to-face interview, conducted onsite or online.
Program assessments are carried out through certified auditors who have completed a dedicated training program in the use of the assessment tool and who also have achieved the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) designation.
The framework of the WDMA Assessment tool was developed based on a global review of best practices in DM. The key elements identified as crucial when administering effective DM programs are embodied in the tool.
The end result is that the WDMA provides a written analysis that includes:
a snapshot of the current program identifying gaps, and
provides best practice recommendations moving forward.
Common benefits derived from undertaking such an assessment are:
Reducing the number of days lost due to injuries and illness
Reducing costs associated with short and long term disability assessment rates
SOURCE National Institute of Disability Management and Research
Archive Owned by Kung Fu and Hollywood Legend Bruce Lee, including Apparel, Workout Equipment and Correspondence to be Auctioned
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2021 – A special collection of martial arts immortal Bruce Lee’s apparel and equipment will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders on June 24. Interested bidders may participate in the auction online.
The highlight of the 43-item collection being auctioned is Lee’s brown suede suit worn onscreen for the famous ''Lost Interview'', Lee's Only English TV interview on The Pierre Breton Show on December 9, 1971. The interview was thought to be lost to history until it reemerged in 1994, and in it, Lee gives many of his famous statements including ''I have no fear'', and ''Be water, my friend.'' He continues, ''Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. Now, you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash! Be water, my friend''.
From the collection of Herb Jackson, well-documented as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do protege, builder of custom martial arts training equipment for Lee and ultimately his good friend. Lee gifted the suit to Jackson at the time of filming ''Return of the Dragon'', when the latter went to visit him on location in Hong Kong.
Additionally going under the hammer, are Bruce Lee’s personal letter signed, personally owned shoes, boxing gloves, medicine ball, heavy bag, roman chair, bench press, pajamas, kicking shield, cassette recorder, headgear, sparring mask, punching shield, leather blocking shield, speed bag, groin protector, training baton, focus mit, custom-built striking pad, palm bag, exercise bar, abdominal belt, striking ball and wrist roller. These items are also part of the Herb Jackson collection.
An industry leader in documents and autographs, Nate D. Sanders Auctions has conducted auctions in Los Angeles since 1990 and now holds major auctions on a monthly basis. Owner Nate Sanders is recognized for his knowledge of sports, historical and Hollywood memorabilia. To learn more visit natedsanders.com
Early results from a national study confirm antibody levels are stronger after receiving two doses
TORONTO, June 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Initial preliminary results from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) COVID-19 Antibody Study, based on close to 6,000 dried blood spot samples collected between February 8 and May 17, 2021, show a high degree of variability in the level of antibodies produced by a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. These findings highlight the importance of accelerating second doses as the Delta variant continues to spread, particularly with the vast majority of Canadians having received only a single vaccine dose. This is the first pan-Canadian study using samples from a wide range of participants to confirm evidence from vaccine manufacturers’ clinical trials, as well as findings in a recent preprint from the United Kingdom and other smaller studies.
“Our preliminary results, based on a sampling of adults from across Canada, show that the level of antibodies elicited in response to a first dose of different vaccine types varies,” says Dr. Philip Awadalla, National Scientific Director of CanPath. “Consistent with earlier reports, we also found that single doses of the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) vaccines produced short-term antibody levels over one and a half times greater than those produced by the viral vector vaccine (Oxford-AstraZeneca).”
CanPath is a national population health research platform that follows the health of 330,000 volunteer Canadians (or 1% of the population). The Government of Canada, through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force(CITF), funded this pan-Canadian COVID-19 seroprevalence study, which invited more than 20,000 of its participants age 30 and older to take part.
Early results from this study show a lag in the development of antibodies after a single vaccine dose. Through a supporting online questionnaire, CanPath recorded who had been vaccinated, the date of vaccination, and the vaccine type and name.
“Approximately 10% of participants who reported being vaccinated with a single dose of an mRNA vaccine and 30% of those vaccinated with a single dose of the viral vector vaccine did not show signs of antibodies above thresholds differentiating them from the population at large,” explains Dr. Awadalla. Additionally, and again consistent with recent international reports, antibody levels appeared lower in those over the age of 60 after a single dose of any vaccine type.
“The ‘first-doses-fast’ strategy adopted in Canada has worked extremely well so far in reaching more Canadians. We have seen a drastic reduction in case numbers and hospitalizations, despite the arrival of variants, allowing us to look forward to a better summer,” says Dr. Catherine Hankins, CITF co-chair. “That said, this study offers more evidence that Canadians considering only one dose need to know that they are not fully protected. Getting a second dose is vital now with the Delta variant on the rise.”
“Although participants may still be protected through other immune mechanisms, these findings underscore the fact that, after a single dose, antibody production is far from what is produced after two doses,” explains Dr. Awadalla. The study detected high levels of antibodies in participants with two doses of an mRNA vaccine, with levels almost twice as high as those after the first dose. Whereas other studies have shown waning of antibodies after single doses of mRNA vaccines, CanPath found that levels of antibodies after two doses of an mRNA vaccine appear to stabilize over a period of 95 days.
The initial results do not yet include individuals who had received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. “Clinical trials have shown that two doses of AstraZeneca provides good protection against COVID-19” adds Dr. Hankins.
“These preliminary study results reinforce the need for Canadians to get their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Completing a two-dose vaccine series provides stronger protection against symptomatic infection, severe illness and variants of concern including the Delta variant,” states Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. “Vaccines, in combination with public health measures and individual precautions continue to be key in reducing the spread of COVID-19.”
“These initial results clearly highlight the importance of continuing to follow current public health guidelines. It is vital that Canadians continue to practice public health measures and ensure uptake of second doses because a single dose does not provide complete protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” says Dr. Victoria Kirsh, Scientific Associate for the Ontario Health Study, one of CanPath’s regional cohorts.
Continued Sample Collection
Between February 8 and June 7, 2021, CanPath participants completed more than 23,000 online questionnaires and submitted close to 13,000 dried blood spot samples. So far, 5,678 of those samples have been tested and have been used to establish the above preliminary results. CanPath will continue to collect dried blood spot samples to reach the target of 20,000 samples. Further findings from the complete study are expected this summer.
About the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) is Canada’s largest population health study and a national platform for health research. Comprised of more than 330,000 volunteer participants, CanPath is a unique platform that allows scientists to explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour interact and contribute to the development of chronic disease and cancer. CanPath is hosted by the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health with national funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. To learn more, visit www.canpath.ca.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Arthritis Society calls for Canadian Task Force to address joint replacement wait times
Releases working group report with recommendations to improve the system for patients
TORONTO, June 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With far too many Canadians facing excessively long waits for joint replacement surgery, the Arthritis Society is calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis.
“The waiting is terrible. It’s very depressing. Some days, the pain is so bad in my knee, I can’t even stand,” says Holly Klein, a retired teacher from Montreal. “It impacts my quality of life. When you’re experiencing pain that is so debilitating you can’t enjoy life anymore, people need to take that seriously.”
Klein has been waiting 18 months for a knee replacement with her current surgeon but has been living with knee pain for more than 17 years.
Long waits for joint replacement surgery were common across the country before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the health-care system and the pandemic just exacerbated the crisis. About one-third of hip and knee replacements weren’t happening within the recommended six months in 2019, but that jumped to about half during the first six months of the pandemic.
“We need to innovate and make bold changes because the status quo is not working,” says Trish Barbato, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society. “We’re calling on everyone – policy experts, clinicians and governments – to collaborate to make things better for patients through the creation of a Canadian Wait Times Task Force.”
The call for a pan-Canadian task force to address wait times is at the heart of The Wait: Addressing Canada’s Critical Backlog of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries, which was released today.The Wait harnesses the collective experience of a working group of experts from across the country convened by the Arthritis Society. They offered solutions to address long wait times, which include:
Ensuring innovative models of care are replicated and shared widely so more Canadians have access to their benefits.
Standardizing how patient data is collected and reported on across the country, to make it easier to set national standards and benchmarks.
Leveraging digital technology to reduce wait times, maximize limited health resources and improve co-ordination of care.
Increasing access to community-based joint health management programs, so more patients have access to proven programs that effectively manage pain pre-op and better optimize results post-op.
Ensuring savings from surgical efficiencies are re-invested into improving patient care.
“The time for Band-Aid solutions and temporary stop gaps is over,” says Dr. Bob Bell, a member of the Arthritis Society's working group. “It’s time to do things differently and make real changes. Patients deserve answers to the backlogs and deserve shorter wait times for care.”
While the surgery backlog balloons, the demand is also increasing significantly. In recent years, hip and knee replacement surgeries have increased by 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of people living with arthritis – the condition responsible for the vast majority of these procedures – is expected to grow by 50 per cent by 2040.
About the Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society is Canada’s national charity dedicated to creating a world where people are free from the devastating effects of arthritis. The passion to alleviate suffering that inspired our founders in 1948 continues to drive us today. Thanks to the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, the Arthritis Society is the largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research in Canada and a leader in proactive advocacy, innovative information and support that delivers better health outcomes for the people we serve. The Arthritis Soc
New Study: Eating Prunes Daily Improves Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Inflammation in Postmenopausal Women
TORONTO, June 22, 2021 /CNW/ - New research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food suggests eating prunes each day can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including raising antioxidant capacity and reducing inflammation among healthy, postmenopausal women.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide posing a significant public health challenge. The research led by San Diego State University reveals that prunes can positively affect heart disease risk.
"When you look at our prior research and the research of others combined with this new data, you'll see consistent evidence that eating prunes can promote health," said lead researcher Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, RD, Professor at the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University.
In this randomized, controlled study, researchers found that eating 50 grams of prunes (about 5-6 prunes) each day for 6 months resulted in improved CVD risk biomarkers – including raising the body's "good" cholesterol, known as HDL, and lowering the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL. Eating 50 grams of prunes daily also promoted higher antioxidant capacity and lowered levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha associated with CVD risk.
Researchers recruited 48 healthy, postmenopausal women who were divided into three groups – a control group who ate no prunes, and two treatment groups who consumed either 50 grams or 100 grams of prunes daily, throughout the six-month study. All other aspects of the women's diets and lifestyles remained similar to before the study. Various biomarkers of CVD risk were collected at the beginning and conclusion of the study to determine if there were any improvements in those biomarkers among those who consumed prunes. Interestingly, there were some similar positive results among those who ate 50 grams of prunes and those consuming 100 grams – suggesting that adding 5-6 prunes or more into the daily diet may have a positive effect on CVD risk.
"Reducing chronic inflammation and increasing antioxidant capacity in the body is associated with lower risk of CVD, along with many other diseases," said Mark Kern, PhD, RD, CSSD Professor of Nutrition at the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University. "Not only does this study show that prunes may be a good way to reduce inflammation and increase antioxidant capacity, it also suggests that eating prunes every day may improve cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women."
While the precise mechanisms and specific compounds that contribute to these beneficial effects have yet to be determined, naturally occurring antioxidant-powered phenolic compounds, fiber and other nutrients are thought to play a role. This study demonstrates that prunes may be a promising and convenient addition to the diet to reduce CVD risk and inflammation, while also improving antioxidant capacity.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence about the overall health and nutrition benefits of prunes, including bone health. Previous clinical research demonstrates a favorable bone response to prunes among postmenopausal women.
FUNDING The Journal of Medicinal Food study was funded by the San Diego State University Grant Program, the California Prune Board (No. 57114A; ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02325895), and the Kasch-Boyer Endowed Scholarship in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences in San Diego State University.
REFERENCES Hong MY, Kern M, Nakamichi-Lee M, Abbaspour N, Ahouraei Far A, Hooshmand S. (2021) Dried Plum Consumption Improved Total Cholesterol and Antioxidant Capacity and Reduces Inflammation in Healthy Postmenopausal Women. J Med Food. 10.1089/jmf.2020.0142.
Strock NCA, Koltun KJ, Weaver C, De Souza MJ. (2021) Dried Plum Consumption Improves Bone Mineral Density in Osteopenic Postmenopausal Woman: A Case Report. Bone Rep. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bonr.2021.101094.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA PRUNE BOARD Created in 1952, The California Prune Board aims to amplify the premium positioning and top-of-mind awareness of California Prunes through advertising, public relations, promotion, nutrition research, crop management and sustainability research, and issues management. The California Prune Board represents approximately 800 prune growers and 28 prune, juice, and ingredient handlers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
SOURCE The California Prune Board
Study finds schools are not at higher risk for COVID-19
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A study, funded by the Government of Canada through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), has found the risk of staff acquiring SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in schools is no greater than their risk of acquiring the virus in day-to-day life in the community. The findings have been published as a pre-print ahead of peer review.
Researchers from BC Children’s Hospital, the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) examined COVID-19 infection among Vancouver School District staff during the 2020-2021 school year. Researchers tested school staff for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies—a sign of prior infection—to determine how many had been infected with the virus, whether or not they had felt symptoms. Of the 1,556 school staff who had their blood sample tested, 2.3 per cent tested positive for antibodies. This percentage was similar to the number of infections in a reference group of blood donors matched by age, sex and area of residence. The results confirm the low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among staff in the school setting.
“These findings show that, with appropriate mitigation strategies in place, in-person schooling is not associated with significantly increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission for classroom-based staff compared to members of the general population,” says Dr. Pascal Lavoie, principal investigator of the study, an investigator at BC Children’s Hospital, a pediatrician and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UBC.
“Even when we account for asymptomatic infection using sensitive blood tests, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted in schools overall remains very low,” says Dr. David Goldfarb, co-investigator and lead author of the article. Dr. Goldfarb is an investigator and a medical microbiologist at BC Children’s Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC.
Of the 1,689 school staff surveyed, 278 reported close contact with a student or co-worker who was a COVID-19 case, but only five staff who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 believed they likely acquired the virus in the school setting. Another seven staff infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported a close contact with a friend or family member as the main source of contact.
“The results suggest that only a few teachers and school staff contracted SARS-CoV-2, and most assume that they did not contract it at school and thought they caught it from friends or family,” adds Dr. Lavoie.
The study also reports on positive viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in students and staff—the number of people who were tested and were found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time they were tested. Within the Vancouver School District, 0.98 per cent of the 47,280 students, and 1.3 per cent of the 7,071 staff attending the Vancouver School District received a diagnosis of COVID-19 between the start of the pandemic and March 4, 2021. In this study, school staff reported consistent rates of positive viral tests which are similar to the Vancouver School District—1.3 per cent.
“We hope our findings will help inform school opening and closure policies moving forward,” says co-lead researcher Dr. Louise Mâsse, an investigator at BC Children’s Hospital and Professor in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC.
“We know how important in-person schooling is for our students, not only for learning, but also for their social, mental and physical well-being,” says Suzanne Hoffman, superintendent of schools for the Vancouver School District. “These results reaffirm that with the protocols we have in place, schools are safe places to teach and learn.”
“Our Task Force has funded three research projects looking at the risk of COVID-19 for school staff and this is one of them,” says CITF Leadership Group member Dr. Mel Krajden, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC. “This study highlights that COVID-19 in a school setting typically mirrors transmission from family and community contacts. As more and more Canadians are vaccinated, this will be expected to further reduce family—and community—based COVID-19 transmission. The results of this study are very timely as provincial governments across the country are planning and announcing back-to-school scenarios for the next school year. This and the results of other Task Force studies will help guide an evidence-based return to in-person teaching.”
The research team was led by Dr. Lavoie and Dr. Mâsse, and also includes Dr. Goldfarb, Dr. Vilte Barakauskas, Dr. Julie Bettinger, Dr. Tim Oberlander, Dr. Mike Irvine and Dr. Manish Sadarangani from BC Children’s Hospital and UBC, as well as Dr. Daniel Coombs from UBC’s Department of Mathematics, Dr. Eva Oberle and Dr. Anne Gadermann from UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, Agatha Jassem from BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Dr. Alex Choi from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
BC Children's Hospital Research Institute conducts discovery, translational and clinical research to benefit the health of children and their families. We are supported by BC Children's Hospital Foundation; are part of BC Children’s Hospital and the Provincial Health Services Authority; and work in close partnership with the University of British Columbia. For more information, visit www.bcchr.ca or follow us on Twitter @BCCHResearch.
Vancouver Coastal Health is responsible for the delivery of $4.1 billion in community, hospital and long-term care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. VCH also provides specialized care and services for people throughout BC and is the province’s hub of health care education and research.
The Vancouver School District is a large, urban and multicultural school district. It is committed to providing the highest quality learning experience for all students, helping them to reach their intellectual, social, and physical potential in a safe and inclusive environment. The District is among the most diverse public school systems in Canada with an annual enrolment of approximately 50,000 students in kindergarten to Grade 12. In addition, the District provides educational programs and services to Adult Education students.
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world. For more, visit www.ubc.ca or follow us on Twitter @UBC.
BC Children’s Hospital, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority provides expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, youth and young adults, including newborns. Child and Youth Mental Health provides a diverse range of specialized and one-of-a-kind tertiary mental health and substance use services for children, adolescents and young adults across the province. For more information, visit www.bcchildrens.ca/ or follow us on Twitter @BCChildrensHosp.
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working with the five geographic health authorities to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us on Twitter @PHSAofBC.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Arterra Wines Canada introduces the first official wine of WW Canada, On Point
On Point provides consumers a balanced wine offering, continuing to establish the better-for-you wine category in Canada
TORONTO, June 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Canada's leading producer and marketer of award-winning wines, Arterra Wines Canada, today announced the launch of On Point, the first Canadian wine created in collaboration with global weight loss and wellness brand, WW Canada. Canadians now have the first ever SmartPoints®-conscious wine, valued at three WW SmartPoints per serving*, versus the four-to-five SmartPoints of traditional wine.
"We know Canadians are seeking variety and wellness-inspired products – as such we are thrilled to be partnering with WW to support consumers and their community," said Andrea Hunt, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Arterra Wines Canada. "We are excited to introduce a new better-for-you brand, On Point, with two delicious, balanced wines."
With 54 per cent of Canadians looking for beverages with less sugar, and 67 per cent interested in options with no or low alcohol, On Point brings a new choice for not only the Canadian WW community, but consumers eager to make healthier choices when it comes to food and drink1.
"When living the WW program, everything is on the menu. With red and white wine being the number two and three top tracked beverages in our award-winning app – right behind coffee – we know many of our members incorporate wine into their healthy lifestyle," said Kevin O'Brien, General Manager and President, WW Canada. "Collaborating with the country's leading wine producers to create On Point enables us to deliver our members a wine that helps them stay true to their weight loss and wellness journey."
On Point is available in two varietals, Smooth Red, featuring dark fruit and plum flavours with a hint of spice, providing a soft and smooth finish, and Crisp White, containing bright aromas and flavours of citrus and passion fruit, with a refreshingly light and crisp finish. Each On Point serving is 90 calories, one gram of sugar, and two grams of carbohydrates, and is nine per cent alcohol by volume. For the WW community, one serving is equivalent to three WW SmartPoints. SmartPoints is a science-backed system created to help WW members understand nutritional data, empowering them to make healthier choices.
On Point is now available at Wine Rack and will be rolling out in LCBOs across Ontario and in Newfoundland in July. Product will be available in BC and Alberta as of Fall 2021. Price varies by province from $10.99 to $12.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
About Arterra Wines, Inc. Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. is the country's leading producer and marketer of award-winning, globally recognized Canadian and imported wines.
Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. has grown and evolved to owning and distributing 100+ wine brands, including seven of the top 20 brands in Canada: Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Sawmill Creek, Wallaroo Trail, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Ruffino and Kim Crawford. In the last five years, the company's portfolio has received over 1,500 accolades and awards in national and international wine competitions.
Headquartered in Mississauga, ON, Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. operates eight wineries across the country, with over 1,700 acres of premium vineyards in Canada's wine regions. It owns and operates 164 Wine Rack retail wine stores in Ontario and sells wine kits and products for winemaking through its RJS Craft Winemaking brand. It employs approximately 2,000 full-time and part-time staff across the country.
WW is a global wellness company powered by the world's leading commercial weight management program. We inspire millions of people to adopt healthy habits for real life. Through our engaging tech-enabled experience and group workshops, members follow our livable and sustainable program of healthy eating, physical activity, and a helpful mindset. Leveraging more than five decades of experience in building inspired communities and our deep expertise in behavioral science, we aim to democratize wellness and to deliver wellness for all. To learn more about the WW approach to healthy living, please visit ww.ca. For more information about our global business, visit our corporate website at corporate.ww.com.
* serving size is 5 oz (148 ml)
Source 1: Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. Study, 2019
SOURCE Arterra Wines Canada Inc.
First-ever Tamil Radiothon raises more than $275,000 for Scarborough's hospitals
The inaugural event surpassed its fundraising goal to support the highest priority needs at Scarborough Health Network
SCARBOROUGH, ON, June 22, 2021 /CNW/ - More than $275,000 was raised for Scarborough's community hospitals on Wednesday, June 9 as Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation hit the airwaves for the inaugural Tamil Radiothon event. Proudly presented by the Canadian Tamils' Chamber of Commerce (CTCC), the event went live-to-air on EAST FM 102.7. The all-day event invited listeners to hear unique stories from SHN patients, physicians, staff, community members and volunteers who inspired the community to help shape the future of health care in Scarborough by showing their support through donations.
Featured speakers included:
MP Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park;
MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP for Scarborough Rouge-Park;
Yalini Rajakulasingam, Trustee, Ward 21 from the Toronto District School Board for Scarborough North;
Dr. Senthuran Gunaratnam, Psychiatrist at SHN; and,
Dr. Coomarasamy Kirupananthan, OB/GYN at SHN.
Funds raised through this event will support SHN's highest priority needs, including the purchase of urgently needed medical equipment across our three hospitals – Birchmount, Centenary and General – which helps keep SHN's teams and patients safe and healthy. With an initial goal of $100,000, several community leaders came forward before the event to lend their support, and donations came pouring in throughout the day with online, telephone and in-person donations at pop-up donation centres in Scarborough. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, donors, volunteers and sponsors, including presenting sponsor the CTCC, a final fundraising total of over $275,000 was reached by the event's end – surpassing the original target.
More than 75% of Toronto's Tamil population resides in Scarborough. Members of the SHN team are part of the Tamil community and work specifically to support their unique health care challenges. This includes a dedicated Tamil-speaking mental health therapist who exclusively addresses and supports mental health within the Tamil community and a full-time Tamil interpreter available to help patients and families.
Funds from the Radiothon will support the highest priority needs at SHN and help improve health care in one of Canada's most vibrant and diverse communities. This includes North America's largest nephrology program and regional community-based cardiovascular rehabilitation service and the second-largest community hospital-based mental health and addiction program.
QUOTES
Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO, SHN "We are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support from our donors and community. The generosity of our Tamil community for this inaugural event is truly inspiring and these donations enable Scarborough Health Network to provide the highest level of care for our patients and their families, right here in Scarborough."
Nada Rajkumar, Chairman, EAST FM 102.7 "East FM 102.7 is extremely humbled to be able to collaborate with SHN Foundation to run the first-ever Tamil Radiothon to raise funds for our Scarborough hospitals. While we had our initial target set at $100,000, we received an overwhelming amount of support from the Tamil community across the GTA, which allowed us to raise more than $275,000 in the span of the 12 hour-Radiothon. East FM 102.7 (CJRK- FM) is proud to be the most popular multicultural radio station in the Eastern Greater Toronto region, especially among the Tamil community. We would like to thank all of our listeners, contributors, sponsors, and volunteers."
Alicia Vandermeer, President & CEO, SHN Foundation "Our Scarborough hospitals face a huge gap between the exceptional quality of care we provide and the outdated facilities in which our teams provide that care. We are extremely grateful to our Tamil community and partners who helped make the first-ever Tamil Radiothon a tremendous success. These funds will not only support our frontline workers as they continue to fight COVID-19, but will help give our talented health care teams the tools and equipment they need to continue caring for Scarborough into the future."
Sritharan Thurairajah & Logan Velumailum, Co-Chairs, SHNF Tamil Radiothon "We are honoured to support the inaugural Tamil Radiothon as co-chairs. We have always believed in the true potential from the Tamil community and this event has displayed the community spirit. We are already looking forward to next year's plans and supporting healthcare in Scarborough."
Krishni Narine, Community Development Manager, SHN Foundation "We were thrilled to organize an event for the Tamil community to create awareness and educate the listeners on programs and stories from the incredible work from SHN. We are extremely grateful to the donors, sponsors, speakers and listeners who made the inaugural event a huge success and are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support."
About Scarborough Health Network Foundation Situated in one of Canada's most diverse communities, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation inspires the support necessary to improve patients' lives through exceptional care at Scarborough Health Network across three hospitals and eight satellite sites. Since its inception, the Foundation has worked with generous donors, volunteers and community members to raise funds needed to build state-of-the-art infrastructure and purchase the latest medical technology, supporting the SHN's vision to be Canada's leading community teaching health network.
About Scarborough Health Network Across our three hospitals and eight satellite sites, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is shaping the future of care. Our many programs and services are designed around the needs of one of Canada's most vibrant and diverse communities. We are home to Ontario's largest nephrology program, as well as the designated cardiac care centre for Scarborough and surrounding communities to the east. We are proud to be a community-affiliated teaching site for the University of Toronto and partner with a number of other universities and colleges, helping to train the next generation of health care professionals. Learn more at shn.ca.
SOURCE Scarborough Health Network Foundation
Sentinel U® Launches First Population/Community Health Virtual Nursing Simulation Designed Specifically for Canadian Nursing Education
Sentinel City® Canada Teaches Nursing Skills in a Risk-Free Virtual Canadian Setting
Waterbury, June 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sentinel U®, a provider of web-based simulation education technology solutions for nursing schools, hospital systems and healthcare professionals, today announced that it launched Sentinel City® Canada, the first population and community health virtual nursing simulation product designed specifically for the Canadian market.
Sentinel City Canada is an online learning platform that teaches community and population health virtually using Canadian locations, data, and demographics. Nursing students practice critical thinking, observation, and professional caring of a client population in a risk-free environment. Sentinel City Canada was designed with concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusivity from a population health perspective such as including Indigenous, Black Canadian and 2SLGBTQIA citizens. It also includes 22 assignments and a Family Support and Home Assessment virtual clinical scenario.
“We are excited to offer this customized product to Canadian nurse educators,” said Jeffrey Caplan, president of Sentinel U. “Our virtual nursing simulations are less expensive than in-person clinicals, can be accessed remotely at any time, and are effective in teaching critical thinking skills. They’re also a great complement to didactic teaching methods and in-person clinicals because they increase student confidence and help standardize clinical activities.”
“With in-person clinical hours challenging to schedule and coordinate we believe this product will help nurse educators provide an effective alternative,” said Dr. Laura Gonzalez, vice president of clinical learning resources at Sentinel U. “Sentinel City Canada allows nursing students to earn up to 30 clinical hours – virtually. And it is engaging and fun!”
Sentinel U®, formerly Healthcare Learning Innovations, strives to meet the evolving needs of healthcare education and training by providing simulation-based technologies and digital learning tools. Sentinel U, a division of American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University, with 20 years of online education experience, offers virtual simulations and clinicals for nursing degree programs, hospital systems and healthcare facilities around the world. To learn more about Sentinel U, explore our solutions and find a product that is right for you.
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
