Another Way Of Empowering End Of Life Choices

At the end of life, choices can be made.

Sometimes when a big name star becomes involved with a health care organization, it is a great help to that organization fulfilling its mission. It was with that hope that NARUS HEALTH, an organization that combines managed care with palliative care, joined forces with country singer Tim McGraw. This company's founding CEO, Michael Burcham, cuts a fairly large figure himself within Nashville's health care and entrepreneurial arena. But adding Mr. McGraw to the board of directors does provide additional star clout.

You see, by adding Tim McGraw, Narus Health has now combined country music with health care and expanded its audience at the same time. Besides his fans, Mr. McGraw also brings in the resources from the TUG MCGRAW FOUNDATION, his personal foundation.



Tim McGraw's father is well-known baseball pitcher Tug McGraw, who died from brain cancer. So, pairing with this palliative care organization was a good fit. Tim said, "When I learned of Narus Health's patient-focused approach, helping people with serious illness live their lives, it struck a chord. I remember all the decisions my dad had to make along the way, and the support system he needed throughout his journey."

Mr. McGraw continued, "When you are facing a serious illness, you need a dedicated team to ride alongside you. People who will listen, provide support and guidance for you and your family, and give you a voice in your health care decisions. That's the kind of care everyone deserves, and it's why I'm partnering with Narus Health."

Having had the experience of a loved one who required that type of support will certainly enhance the contribution that Tim McGraw can make as a board member. Even CEO Michael Burcham has had personal experience in losing a beloved friend and family member, Tommy Cato, before he launched Narus Health last year.

In fact, Mr. McGraw and Mr. Burcham had already met through some friends and had been discussing their shared experience in supporting loved ones who were facing terminal illnesses. Both Narus and the Tug McGraw Foundation are hoping to work collaboratively in some shared initiatives within the next few months.

Mr. Burcham discussed their relationship, "When Tim and I shared our personal stories of loved ones who faced a serious illness and the incredible amount of stress it placed on our families, we quickly realized we shared a passion for making a difference. We talked about ways we could give consumers a voice in their health care choices, support their families, and provide them the guidance and resources they need to make informed decisions. We both knew at that moment: we could combine our teams and our talents to do something meaningful for families all over America."

Tug McGraw pitching for the Phillies.

Giving patients and families a voice in their care is something that nurses everywhere will recognize, since we try to do that every day in patient care. Making sure patients and families have all the information and resources that they need to make complex decisions is empowering. The end of life presents choices in how that important life passage happens. I think it is something for which we all have our wishes.

Joe Gibbs and team in front of The Brain Food Garden, funded through Tug McGraw Foundation.

Thanks for information from this article on Tug McGraw Foundation: http://www.tugmcgraw.org/tmfnews/Tim_McGraw_Joining_Forces_to_Further_Improve_Quality_of_Life_for_others; and the above links.

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Good Times While Providing Secure IT Services

New conference room allows for onsite training.

It's a company that has two different offices, with headquarters in Columbia, MD, and its other location in Augusta, GA. INTELLIGENESIS (IG), which has now been in business for nine years, is a small company that is both veteran- and woman-owned. It provides IT security, AI, and other cyber-related services to National Security missions and companies.

Recently, the company has been on the lookout for various levels of software developers. Career opportunities are available in the Cloud Collaboration lab that includes high end, massive scale development. Some of the benefits include 10% matching contribution to your 401k; complete education, training and certification reimbursement; and a technology bonus. If you have the skills and experience, you might be interested in giving this company a look.



As occurs with a company that is on the move and growing, so it is with IntelliGenesis. The company's administrative offices have moved to a new suite. Headquarters is still in the same building on Columbia Gateway Drive, but is now upgraded into a larger suite that can house its growing numbers of staff. The main renovations have been completed and all that remain are a few minor touch-ups. The suite downstairs is still owned by IG, but they now share it with Traversed.

Among the nicer touches, the new suite gives the company larger offices, a bigger conference room, and a larger kitchen. The employees are happy with the bigger space. The building itself now includes the company's name on the outside.

A measure of IG's commitment to the community is its Neal Sullivan Memorial Scholarship. It is available to high school seniors and provides a $1,000 award to three graduating seniors, who are planning to major in Computer Science, or some other technological field. Applications for this year have ended as of March 31.

Work staff out in the roomy hallway.

Now here's a measure of how much IG can be a fun place to work! In March, the company invited its employees out for a Paint Night. The event was held at Pinot's Pallette in Ellicott City. Participants spent time learning how to paint their own masterpieces. Then it was off to painting their masterwork. The theme was a Maryland favorite, interpretations of blue crabs. All for Maryland's best, raise your blue crab. Good times, good fun, friendly workplace - there's nothing better.

Time to kick back and do a little painting.

Thanks for information from this set of articles on IntelliGenesis: http://www.intelligenesisllc.com/category/news/; and the above link.

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A Microsanctuary Saves Farm Animals

Henrietta the pig relaxing in her temporary home.

Whenever it is discovered that a group of vegans is running a farm sanctuary, there is a difference in its functioning. Like TRIANGLE CHANCE FOR ALL (TCFA) in North Carolina, these sanctuaries make sure that the rescued animals are not placed in the care of a person who intends to use that animal for the products that can be harvested from it.

However, since TCFA is located on a smaller plot of about three acres, which keeps the numbers of animals that can be maintained at a lower number, with the staffing all-volunteer. This sanctuary has acquired its animals through animal control and county shelters. None of those animals are used in any way to produce commodities. That means no milk, eggs, wool, hide, leather, is used for human consumption. If any animals can no longer be maintained at this microsanctuary, that animal is placed with another sanctuary or in an adoptive home that is carefully screened. Currently, there are 19 chickens, two ducks, one guinea fowl, and two pigs, who are permanent residents.



One of the recent rescues has been Henrietta, the pig, who was kept as a pet until a dog attacked her, leaving both ears chewed off. Not only that, she has a large tumor on her left front leg that started bleeding while she was at the local shelter. The shelter couldn't provide her with the needed care, while an animal control officer was housing her at home. When the leg area became abscessed, Henrietta needed immediate vet care. TCFA was able to coordinate with a vet, who boarded her for treatment. Luckily, the tumor wasn't malignant, but turned out to be bone proliferation from an old fracture. She still needs leg surgery, but won't require amputation. The microsanctuary is looking for someone interested in adopting her, once her treatment is completed.

A young visitor gets a chance to interact with the chickens.

 While caring for their resident animals and rescue animals, like Henrietta, is the bulk of the work, TCFA also provides educational outreach through such events as potlucks, bake sales, and cooking classes. Their website also includes a collection of vegan recipes.

Some of the literature and photos TCFA had available at a recent bake sale.

 Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/justin-van-kleeck-triangle-chance-for-all/; and the above link.


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Honoring San Francisco's Champions of Mental Health

One of this year's honorees, Jane Kim, SF Supervisor.

When I think about the issues of mental health, about which I was quite familiar as a health care professional, I am generally drawn back to society's tendency to stigmatize those who have been diagnosed with mental illness. It isn't that these people are broken or defective, they aren't mean or hostile or likely even to shoot you, although that is how the media characterizes them. They are average, ordinary people, who happen to have more than their share of challenges. Yet, they live their lives the best that they can, even with those challenges.

Maybe one way to challenge societal views is to celebrate those with mental illnesses, those who have reached beyond their deepest dreams and made a contribution. That's certainly what an organization like THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO (MHASF) does when it holds an annual event, NORTH STARS - CELEBRATING INNOVATORS & CHAMPIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH.

This year, this wonderful event is being held on May 19, 5-7 PM at Farella Braun + Martel LLP, in the Russ Building. This event recognizes those mental health leaders that have assisted in MHASF's mission to fight the stigma of mental illness. The event provides hors d'oeuvres and is also holding a silent auction, with proceeds going to MHASF.

The emcee for the evening is Dave Clark, the co-anchor of The KTVU Channel 2 Morning News since 2007. Kevin Hines, the featured speaker, is an author, documentary filmmaker, recognized speaker, and mental health and suicide prevention advocate. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after he tried to take his own life.

Named as Outstanding Government Leader is State Senator Mark Leno. He is well-known for backing legislation to support better schools, single-payer universal health insurance, safer streets, and equal rights. This year he introduced legislation to establish a peer and family support certification program.

Outstanding Community Leader is Jane Kim, San Francisco Supervisor. She is the first Korean-American to be elected to office in San Francisco. Since her assuming office, she has championed better access to affordable housing, better protections for renters, and reducing gaps in income. She is now running for State Senate.

The Outstanding Mental Health Leader is Eve Meyer, Executive Director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention, a position she has held for more than 20 years. Under her leadership, the suicide prevention line has been expanding its services and offering innovative approaches. She continues to be an outspoken advocate in the field of suicide prevention.

Dr. Mason Turner, MD, has been named Outstanding MHASF Champion. He serves as Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco.

The Outstanding San Francisco Community Leader recognition is being extended to Dr. David Elliott-Lewis, who has been a mental health advocate his entire life. He has focused on helping himself through helping his community, democratic participation, and the spread of social justice. He is one of the speakers with MHASF's S.O.L.V.E. Speaker's Bureau.

Jo Robinson, the former Director of Behavioral Health Services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, has also been named Outstanding San Francisco Community Leader. During her thirty years in the Department of Public Health, she has worked towards transforming the mental health system into a leader in providing recovery and other integrated services.

The Outstanding Community Champion is Estela Garcia, DMH, who is now Executive Director of Instituto Familiar de la Raza, Inc., and also supervising clinical psychologist. During her many years in the field, she has worked and led tirelessly in the effort to provide integrated services to Latino children, families, and adults.

Onsite registration table for Propel Peer convening session.

Finally, another Outstanding Community Champion is Jennifer Friedenbach. She has spent much of her life's work fighting for those who are homeless. Some of her efforts have prevented people from losing their homes, or provided easier transitions back into more permanent dwellings. She has worked to develop more substance abuse treatment programs, leading to a reduction in overdose cases and shorter waits for services. Her work has resulted in benefits for many, including a number of saved lives. 

MAHSF table at local street fair.

Thanks to information from this event announcement by MHASF: http://mentalhealthsf.org/north-stars/; and the above links.

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Demonstrations Against Mining Damages

Yang Yang performing in Munich.

Last month, while the US was focusing its attention on Presidential primary races, protests were occurring in Munich. The protest was against Chinese bank groups supporting the Mirador mining project, across the ocean, in Ecuador.

Protesters came from the YASUNIDOS coalition, ACCION ECOLOGICA, and the LATIN AMERICAN NETWORK OF WOMEN DEFENDERS OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS. They quietly occupied the lobby of Munich's Philharmonic Hall (Gasteig Munchen) during the intermission of a scheduled concert that featured Chinese pianist Lang Lang. They were holding posters and distributing leaflets.



Joined by German environmental groups, the Ecuadorian demonstrators were calling upon Lang Lang to demand that the banks funding the Chinese owners of Ecuacorriente SA, end their monetary support. This company was being held responsible for its role in the environmental and social damages to the CORDILLERA DEL CONDOR, situated in southern Ecuador.

Once the Hall's security personnel became aware of the demonstration, they ejected the groups, despite the developing interest of concertgoers.

The groups chose Lang Lang because of his being sponsored by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the China Merchants Bank, two of the banks that are involved. In fact, he is Global Brand Ambassador for the latter bank.

The day prior to the Philharmonic Hall demonstrations, protesters had presented a letter directly to Lang Lang, where he was appearing to promote the concert at a Munich shopping mall. They also presented letters to the banks' Munich offices and to the Chinese consulate.

Sit-in in New Zealand, similar to the one in Munich.

The demonstrations were in support of the Shuar peoples who reside near the mines. There were promises to continue the groups' campaign at future concerts and through social networking.

Yasunidos continues its fight against fossil fuel mining at many different locations.

Thanks for information from this article on Yasunidas: http://sitio.yasunidos.org/en/press/blog/28-prensa/blog-english/235-press-release.html; and the above links.

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A Dose Of Kindness Every Day

One of the affirmation memes on the Facebook page.

Today I am doing something just a bit different. I want to share some inspiration from LIFE VEST INSIDE (LVI), an organization whose mission is to "unite and empower the world with kindness." They have several different projects and offer various tools so that everyone can become "a catalyst for positive change", essentially making the world a better place one person, one act at a time.

One thing that LVI does is to send out a daily newsletter. If you check out the website, you can sign up for a daily dose of positive thinking to motivate you to perform acts of kindness. The site also has a blog and today we check out The Daily Kindness Digest #37.



There is a daily kindness quote from ARTHUR C. CLARKE, who hosted a few PBS series, such as Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World, along with wearing several other career and vocational hats. He said, "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."

Next comes an act of kindness: "Have a friend who has a major event happening. such as a birthday party, wedding, or graduation? Offer to go and take behind the scenes photos for them! The pictures will be a great keepsake to remind them of a great time in their life." What would be a behind the scenes theme for a photo? First thing that comes to mind is the preparation. Photos of making the birthday cake and the gathering of the guests before the official birthday party start; adding final touches to wedding gown and tuxedo, such as boutineer, removing the bouquet from its delivery box, any antics by the flower girl and ring bearer; family photos with the graduate, both in cap and gown, and in the clothes being worn underneath, a close-up of the diploma; all of those informal pictures that no one else thought to photograph.

Then comes a positive affirmation: "I awaken in the morning feeling happy and enthusiastic about life." Even if you happen not to feel that this is true as you are starting your day, repeat it to yourself several times and think over the meaning of this affirmation, and before long, your mood will rise, and you'll feel the truth of this statement.

Finally, there is a youtube video about a 14-year-old boy, Marcus Ugarte, who appeared on the Ellen Degeneres Show. He and his father had spotted a neighboring house on fire during the night and they ran over, while the boy called "911". Both of them entered the house after they spotted the mother exiting the front door. They encountered the father running down the stairs, his face covered with soot. The father was coughing and couldn't talk; he pointed up the stairs. Marcus knew that there was a son, eight years old, whom he hadn't seen. He tried the bedroom door, but it was locked. Another neighbor had a ladder and it was propped under the bedroom window. As Marcus climbed the ladder, the young boy started coming out onto the ladder. When Marcus reached him, he tucked the young boy under his arm and helped him down the ladder. For his quick thinking and willingness to help during a crisis, he became known as a hero and received several gifts from Ellen.

LVI recognizes Kindness Ambassadors, this one Ann Kopel.

So, if a dose of kindness is something that will inspire you, check out the website and sign up for the newsletter. Not only could you be making someone else's day, you'll also be helping yourself to a kinder, healthier life.

Research has shown that kindness helps the doer as much as the receiver.

Thanks for information from this post by Life Vest Inside's blog: http://www.lifevestinside.com/the-daily-kindness-digest-37/; and the above links.

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Moser Consulting Has The Capability To Use Google Cloud Dataproc For Its Clients

Ty and Paula Moser accepting an award at 2016 TechPoint Mira Awards.

An IT consulting firm, MOSER CONSULTING, which has a location in Windsor Mill, has announced that the company is providing support for GOOGLE CLOUD DATAPROC. That means that they can now assist businesses in utilizing the Google Cloud Platform and can also help them leverage Cloud Dataproc.

Google Dataproc allows companies to manage large datasets at lower prices. The fact that it is fully integrated across the Google Cloud Platform gives companies a complete and powerful data processing platform.



Brice Giesbrecht, Practice Director of Big Data Services with Moser, stated, "Google Cloud Dataproc allows Moser to develop and deploy data processing solutions that leverage other key Google Cloud Platform services to quickly address our clients' needs. Moser's 'Quick Start Lambda Architecture' project is a great example of this, allowing our clients to setup both streaming and batch analytics capabilities within a matter of hours, not days or weeks."

By using the capabilities of Google Cloud Dataproc businesses can create data clusters and resize them, allowing for scalability. These processes also utilizes Google Cloud's pricing structure, so costs are kept low and users can easily understand the pricing structure, which is based on usage time down to the minute.

According to Willy Demis, Senior Consultant on the Big Data Services Team, "The beauty of Cloud Dataproc is that it allows you to create a native HADOOP cluster in a matter of seconds. It's phenomenally convenient."

Since this process is integrated across the Google Cloud Platform, businesses don't need to plan, purchase, and deploy extra hardware in a physical data center. Mr. Demis added, "That also makes Google Cloud Dataproc invaluable in developing proof of concept scenarios and models."

Employees ready to participate in 2 mile/walk run for vitality points.

Obviously, it is quite helpful to businesses that utilize IT consulting firms like Moser, to know that they are being served by consultants who are keeping up with new information and knowledge. That translates into cost savings and trust in the capabilities of those partners.

Time for a slice of cake in celebration of Moser's 20 years in business.

Thanks to information from the newsfeed article presented by Moser on this topic, found here: http://www.moserit.com/Home/NewsFeed; along with the above links.

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