ProfNet Experts Available on Holiday Roundup, Ebola, Eating Disorders, More
Also in This Edition: Jobs for Writers and Media Industry Blog Posts
NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.
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EXPERT ALERTS
- Building Aware and Caring Communities Where Ebola is Present
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
- Clinical Decision Support Tools
- French Study Says Antibiotics Could Treat Eating Disorders
- Texas Law Strands Public, Ebola Victim's Family
- Dallas Ebola Case Spotlights Med Records
- Vocology: Building and Strengthening the Voice to Meet Specific Needs
EXPERT ROUNDUP
- Holiday Roundup
MEDIA JOBS
- Trends Reporter - Tech Times (NY)
- Investigative Reporter - The Daily Press (VA)
- Editorial Photographer - Crain's Chicago Business (IL)
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
- The Power of Visual Storytelling
- Writing Business Stories That Matter
- Ello: Lessons From the Social Networking Entrant
EXPERT ALERTS:
Building Aware and Caring Communities Where Ebola is Present
Dove Pressnall
Founder
Survivors' Truths
"People need to know that Ebola can be brought under control, so there can be increased compliance with needed interventions, and for medical personnel to be safe to do their work. Many have left Liberia because it is so dangerous -- not just the risk of infection but the risk of unrest. There are all kinds of conspiracy theories: 'maybe Ebola isn't real. Maybe they're just doing this to get more international aid, so they can embezzle it.' People mistrust the government that much. Still, Liberia has incredibly strong cultural norms around caring for people and around communities coming together. The missing piece in Ebola eradication efforts is the need to understand and leverage cultural assets, and gain public trust at the outset of an outbreak. There is an opportunity. So let's build treatment centers, but let's also have a model of caring in the community and show how that actually can happen."
Pressnall is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Survivors' Truths, an L.A.-based nonprofit that empowers communities by collaborating with marginalized groups to challenge stereotypes and raise awareness through powerful storytelling. It aims to bring together the best of social service and social media to promote positive social change. At the start of the Ebola outbreak, the organization established a division in Monrovia, Survivors' Truths Liberia -- a local entity to carry out peace-building work through strategic communications. Survivors' Truths' focus is on strengths, and helps those who share their stories. These stories inspire reflection, hope, and action; and create social change by challenging the way we think and talk about people affected by violence and discrimination. A licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 2001, she is inspired by the possibilities for challenging less respectful ways of describing those we seek to help and the opportunities created by new media to connect, ally, and advocate. Her work is also heavily influenced by her experience at -- and ongoing relationship with – Woodbury University and its College of Transdisciplinarity. While she earned an undergraduate degree in business administration at Woodbury, she eventually migrated to the helping professions, serving individuals, families and communities. She credits Woodbury's embrace of transdisciplinarity, "the breaking down of the silos of understanding and seeing the connection between things," as providing context for that shift -- and a new framework for her work in and for Liberia.
Website: http://www.survivorstruths.org; http://cot.woodbury.edu
Media Contact: Ken Greenberg, [email protected]
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
Rohit Varma, M.D., M.P.H.
Director; Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology
University of Southern California (USC) Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC
"The prevalence of health problems differs among Americans. We hope that our research will help those in the position to influence policy to get a better handle on costs and where the need for treatment is the greatest."
Dr. Varma is one of the world's leading experts in the epidemiology of eye diseases, especially among vulnerable populations. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, his studies include the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES); the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Diseases Study (MEPEDS); African-American Eye Disease Study; and the Chinese American Eye Study (CHES). He can speak to the visibility of racial and ethnic disparities in health care and the development of programs and strategies to reduce those disparities.
Website: http://eye.keckmedicine.org
Media Contact: Alison Trinidad, [email protected]
Clinical Decision Support Tools
Dr. Art Papier
CEO
VisualDx
"Diagnosing a disease they've never seen before can be difficult for physicians, especially if they fail to take note of a patient's travel history, and they're working in a busy emergency department. A clinical decision support tool will help physicians quickly and accurately diagnose disease by ensuring their patients' international travel history is recorded and their symptoms are compared against a database of diseases prevalent in the countries where the patients traveled."
A graduate of Wesleyan University, Dr. Papier completed his premed studies at Columbia University, received his M.D. from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and completed his graduate medical training at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is an associate professor of dermatology and medical informatics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. In 2010 he testified to the Institute of Medicine.
Website: http://www.visualdx.com
Media Contact: Laura Mecoy, [email protected]
French Study Says Antibiotics Could Treat Eating Disorders
Dr. Renae Norton
Family Practice Psychologist
"The research revealed in a new French study supports my theory that polluted food drives disordered eating. I would however be very cautious about treating gut problems with antibiotics as it can create even more imbalance because antibiotics also kill the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. A better solution is to eliminate the pollutants that cause the bacteria to grow and to provide natural remedies such as probiotics and fermented foods that reestablish balance in the gut. Their finding that dysbiosis (an imbalance) of the bacteria of the gut may cause disordered eating is true. When the gut becomes unbalanced it communicates with the brain and damages the systems that regulate eating behavior and fat storage."
Dr. Norton is an eating disorder expert. A family practice psychologist for more than 20 years, she specializes in the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, obesity, and the consequences of disordered eating.
Website: http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com
Media Contact: Scott Lorenz, [email protected]
Texas Law Strands Public, Ebola Victim's Family
Steven C. Laird
Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Law Offices of Steven C. Laird in Fort Worth
"The death of Ebola virus patient Thomas Eric Duncan at a Dallas hospital on Oct. 8 has raised questions about what legal protections are available to his family and the public. However, existing laws may prevent either group from having any meaningful chance in a Texas courtroom. Even if Duncan's relatives or others contract the deadly disease from him, Texas tort reform measures enacted in 2003 will make it almost impossible for a related lawsuit to succeed. Emergency facilities and health care providers such as the one Mr. Duncan visited are virtually exempt from civil penalties unless you can prove that a staff member willfully and wantonly injured the patient. It is horribly ironic that these restrictive laws were touted as protecting Texans' health, but, as this case shows, they're actually protecting those health care providers who may have made serious errors with the initial care and diagnosis of a contagious patient."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]
Dallas Ebola Case Spotlights Med Records
David M. Walsh IV
Health care appellate lawyer
Chamblee, Ryan, Kershaw & Anderson, P.C. in Dallas
"The medical case of Thomas Eric Duncan should serve as a reminder to hospitals to verify that their electronic medical record systems and procedures for handling infectious diseases are in place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned U.S. health care providers for months about the Ebola threat, but initial media reports still indicated that Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas prematurely released Mr. Duncan – who since has died – in part, because physicians couldn't see the patient information that was entered into the nurses' medical record system. Though the hospital later said its record system was operating properly, it's important that health care providers double-check their medical record systems' connectivity to make sure that all caregivers are literally on the same page when it comes to sharing patient information. In addition, hospitals should ensure that staffs are properly trained in obtaining patient histories."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]
Vocology: Building and Strengthening the Voice to Meet Specific Needs
Lynn Helding
Associate Professor of Voice
Dickinson College
"'Drink honey with lemon juice. Sing from your diaphragm.' If you have ever heard one of these voice myths you are not alone. But these are the types of subjective methods that a relatively new field, vocology, wants to dispel by applying the objectivity of science to the artistry of the voice. Vocology is the science and practice of voice habilitation, which means going beyond simply repairing a voice or bringing it back to its normal state and building and strengthening the voice to meet specific needs. Performing at The Met and teaching a roomful of restless first graders put different but equally rigorous demands on the voice. These two may have different voice needs, but both will benefit from the same scientific methodology. An estimated 10 million workers in the U.S. rely on their voice as the primary tool of trade — teachers, performers, salespeople, stock traders, lawyers — and they are at risk for vocal injury because of inadequate recovery times from prolonged speaking."
To ensure that science and research, and not guesswork, remain at the forefront the Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA) was recently formed to create professional standards and credentials. Helding earned the certificate in vocology from the National Center for Voice in Speech and performs funded-research on neurological voice disorders and rehabilitative therapies. Her column "Mindful Voice" appears bimonthly in the Journal of Singing. In recent years, she has used cutting-edge digital software to analyze student voices at Dickinson, where she teaches an innovative Vocal Techniques class that combines instruction in physiology, acoustics and vocal training.
ProfNet Profile: http://www.profnetconnect.com/lynnhelding
Website: http://www.pava-vocology.org/index.html
Media Contact: Christine Dugan, [email protected]
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EXPERT ROUNDUP: Holiday Topics
Following are experts who are available for interviews on various topics related to the holidays, including etiquette, family issues, stress management, cooking tips, health and safety, holiday shopping and spending, home decor, and volunteering during the holidays. If you need additional experts on holiday-related topics, you can also submit a query to reach the hundreds of thousands of experts in the ProfNet network.
Etiquette:
Lydia Ramsey
President and Founder
Manners That Sell
This is the time of the year when your professional conduct can help you outclass and outlast your competition. Are you worried about making mistakes during the holidays that will haunt you year-round? Do you feel confident about how to conduct yourself over holiday meals or at the office party? Are you sure of the correct protocol to follow in sending out greeting cards? Do you stress over the proper way to give and receive business gifts? Ramsey is available to share tips to leave a memorable impression that will last all year.
Ramsey is a business etiquette expert and the author of several books, including "Business Etiquette for the Holidays: Building Business Relationships Amid the Perils of the Season." She has three decades of experience speaking and writing about business etiquette, and has presented programs to businesses, corporations, college students, and individuals nationally and internationally.
Website: www.lydiaramsey.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Family Issues/Stress:
Denise Daniels
Parenting and Child Development Expert
Daniels is a Peabody award-winning broadcast journalist, parenting and child development expert and author who specializes in the social and emotional development of children. Her books have reached more than 15 million parents and children offering practical, simple and essential advice on how to deal with grief, loss and family transitions, as well as the everyday challenges of growing up. Daniels hosted her own daily parenting show, "Parents Helper," on NBC's cable network and has appeared on numerous morning and primetime TV shows, including "Oprah" and "The View," and was a regular contributor on "Today." She can speak on a variety of family issues surrounding the holidays, including but not limited to: dealing with divorce during the holiday season; teaching your children about giving and empathy skills; and ways to help children deal with loss of a loved one during the holidays.
Website: www.denisedanielsparenting.com
Media Contact: Jodie Thomas, [email protected]
Anthony Cirillo, FACHE
Cirillo is an international healthcare consultant, thought leader and professional speaker who has reached thousands with his message of educated aging and its simple premise: how we live our lives when we are younger directly affects how we age. His passion for this issue started when he walked into a nursing home one day and sang for the residents. He fell in love with them and their stories. This passion is backed by deep knowledge and experience in the business of healthcare. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with a master's degree from Penn, he connects the dots others can't because he sees the big picture of healthcare and aging in the U.S. He is the About.com expert in assisted living, a member of the Dementia Action Alliance and a board member of CCAL, Advancing Person-Centered Living. He is a guest blogger for many long-term care and caregiving organizations and has been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report and many more. He is available to discuss such Thanksgiving/Christmas topics as: five things to look for when visiting elders during the holidays, and elder-proofing your house for the holidays.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Dr. Terri Erbacher, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The holidays can be a time of joy for many people, but for those who have lost a loved one, this season can bring pain and loneliness. The loss can feel all the more profound at this time, so what can a survivor do to cope? Dr. Erbacher can discuss this and offer tips for those dealing with grief and loss around the holidays: "Establishing new rituals is key. For example, if Mom used to cook holiday meals, change that up a bit so that now, maybe dinner becomes a potluck. Or, if you and your spouse used to do holiday shopping together, perhaps now you do your shopping online, or shop with another family member or friend. It's also important for those who know someone who has lost a loved one to continue to reach out, even after that first year. Clients tell me often that the first holiday after their loss, friends and family members rally around them, which makes it a bit easier. But after that first year, that rallying stops, and that client is often left feeling even lonelier."
Erbacher has been a practicing school psychologist for the last 15 years. Her research areas include helping children in crisis and training school-based professionals, and she has often consulted with local school districts after a critical incident. In 2011, she was named Pennsylvania's School Psychologist of the Year, and has received multiple awards for her service to the community, including recognition from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In addition, she has authored several publications on suicide prevention and ideation, including the forthcoming Suicide in Schools, to be released in December of 2014.
Media Contact: Renee Cree: [email protected]
Sue Detweiler
Author, Radio Host
"Every mom has a perfect picture in her mind of how she wants to celebrate Thanksgiving. With Instagram and Pinterest, many moms feel pressured to perform. Holidays are never picture-perfect. Going back and remembering the history of Thanksgiving can provide the simple foundation to have a more grateful heart. Teaching your children these lessons not only help them to enjoy the season, but to build their character."
Detweiler used the history of "the five kernels of corn" to help her family understand the sacrifices made by the original pilgrims and find gratefulness today. She has also used "the blessing jar" as a way to write down things they are thankful for throughout the year and then to pull them out at Thanksgiving time.
Detweiler is a mother of six, author, speaker, and radio host with over 25 years of experience in leadership, ministry and education. Her book, "9 Traits of a Life-Giving Mom," hit No. 1 on Amazon's hot new releases for Christian women's issues.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
A psychologist and relationship stress expert, Raymond is available to share tips on how to manage holiday stress with families, including: 1) Clear out the bad images you stored from the last holiday family gathering. Anticipated negative reactions ("My mother is going to find fault with my parenting again") stimulates stress hormones to be released into the bloodstream. 2) Pay attention to the actual evidence in front of you (your mother's face lights up when she sees you) and use that as an emotional boost, to act as counterweights to the stress you imagined. 3) Be authentic and say what's on your mind. Suppressed emotions enhance stress and make you sick. 4) Avoid trying to be perfect with gifts, potluck items, dress and parenting displays. Trying to be perfect by portraying a particular image fuels stress due to tension, fear of failure or fear of being judged. 5) Focus on the purpose of the holiday -- rest, catching up with family, celebrating an event. That will reduce the fears of not being perfect, and you can relax and enjoy the moment.
Dr. Raymond is also the author of "Now You Want Me, Now You Don't! Fear of Intimacy: Ten ways to recognize fear of intimacy, and ten ways to manage it in your relationship."
Website: http://LosAngelesWestsidetherapy.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Dr. Kim Dennis
CEO and Medical Director
Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center
"Although the holidays are intended to be a season of peace, they are often riddled with stress. Much of this is predicated on having too much to do in too little time. Purchasing gifts, decorating the house, preparing meals, and going to parties often translates into fatigue, which results in heightened stress levels. Stress affects our health, though we may not fully realize it. A nagging headache may be blamed on a recent cold. An upset stomach may be blamed on the appetizers we ate at the office party. Back pain may be blamed on hoisting the Christmas tree off the roof of the car and into the house. The truth is, headache, upset stomach, back pain, along with chest pain, heart palpitations, and decreased immunity can also be attributed to stress. It is important to keep in mind the idea of balance -- the necessity to maintain good sleep patterns, reasonable exercise and food consumption throughout the holidays. Perhaps the single exception is water. During the holidays especially, you want to drink plenty of water to ensure all-around health."
Dr. Dennis is available to share tips for readers on how to diminish stress during the holidays.
Website: http://www.timberlineknolls.com
Media Contact: Mary Anne Morrow, [email protected]
Carleton Kendrick, Ed.M., LCSW
Family Therapist, Speaker, Author
Kendrick is a licensed psychotherapist, noted national speaker and social commentator. His book, "Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going to Grandma's: Hanging In, Holding On and Letting Go of Your Teen," has received considerable, critical praise. He regularly appears on national and international broadcast media, such as "Good Morning America," "The Early Show," CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, Fox, CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, ABC National Radio, Sirius Radio and Voice of America, as well as websites such as Oprah.com, WebMD.com, NPR.org Salon.com, PsychologyToday.com, Parents.com, Disney.com, Babble.com and WalletPop.com. Kendrick has been quoted in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, USA Today, Parade Magazine and many more.
As former, resident online family therapist and parenting expert for FamilyEducation.com, he answered over 3,000 questions from parents and adolescents and wrote over two hundred commentaries. He has been a family therapist, speaker, educator and consultant for more than 30 years, and delivers parenting, motivational, corporate and work/family presentations nationwide on topics ranging from the relationship approach to parenting to maintaining family rituals. He is available to discuss the following holiday family topics: first holidays after a divorce; first holidays after a death in the family; first holidays as a blended family; first holidays as an interfaith family; first holidays as a single parent; how to prevent and resolve holiday family conflicts; when both families want you with them for the holidays (for married couples); and how to handle difficult family conflicts during the holidays.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Food/Cooking:
Greg Hachenbracht
Tastee Apple, Inc.
Hachenbracht can provide valuable tips on how to ensure your candy and caramel apple gifts are always fresh and of the highest quality and taste: "Candy, chocolate and caramel apples make great gifts, as they are unique and fun treats that can easily be shared with family, friends and co-workers. But how can you be sure your gift is fresh, crisp and delicious every time? No one wants to bite into an old and mushy or unripe apple! No apple should leave a facility without going through a stringent, freshness-rating-system. Ensure that the company providing your candy, chocolate or caramel apples has a rating process with numerous steps, including: selection, testing, cleaning, decorating, packing, shipping -- and enjoying!"
Website: http://www.tasteeapple.com
Media Contact: Melanie Rembrandt, [email protected]
Molly Morgan, RD, CDN, CSSD
Owner
Creative Nutrition Solutions
Morgan is the author of "Skinny Size-It," "The Skinny Rules," and the forthcoming "Drink Your Way to Gut Health." She is a registered dietitian, owner of Creative Nutrition Solutions, and board-certified sports specialist dietitian. She is available to discuss topics related to food, nutrition, recipes, sports nutrition, and gut health.
Website: http://www.creativenutritionsolutions.com/about.aspx
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Health and Safety:
Cheryl Luptowski
Home Safety Expert
NSF International
Luptowski is a home safety expert at NSF, a nonprofit public health and safety organization that focuses on the areas of dietary supplement, food, and water safety. NSF writes safety standards for these areas and certifies products against those standards. For example, it ensures product and ingredient safety in dietary supplements, helps businesses in the food industry navigate the food safety and regulatory environment, and provides certifies municipal and home water filtration products to help ensure the quality and safety drinking water.
Luptowski can speak on an array of topics centered on food safety, including: buffet safety; hosting a safe holiday dinner; and keeping food safe if guests are delayed.
Media Contact: Stephanie Guzman, [email protected]
Dr. Jennifer Caudle
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Caudle is a board-certified family physician, and appears regularly on CBS Philadelphia News, Fox News, CNN, "The Dr. Oz Show," Doctors Radio (Sirius) and many others. She is available to share tips on how to beat holiday stress, tips to avoid holiday weight gain, ways to avoid getting sick during the holidays, five ways to stay healthy during the holidays, and more.
Website: www.jennifercaudle.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Kathy Gruver, Ph.D.
Natural Health and Mind/Body Medicine Practitioner
Holiday stress is upon us, and we know stress is a killer in our society, contributing to 60-80 percent of our doctor visits. Says Dr. Gruver: "It's not the stress that's really the problem. It's our reaction to the stress, and that we can control. We have so many options for dealing with our stress response, from meditation to visualization, affirmations, mindfulness practices, massage, Reiki, and yoga. The possibilities are endless for modalities that allow us to regain control. And for those people who think they don't have time, or can't meditate, I can teach you a mini meditation that will change your life."
A recovering type-A personality, Dr. Gruver is available for on-air and written interviews on stress, holiday health, cold and flu season. For her own stress relief, she does hip-hop and flying trapeze. She has been working in the massage and natural health field for over two decades and prides herself on her balanced approach of combining safe natural remedies with judicious use of Western medicine. She is an award-winning author and the host of the national TV show based on her first book, "The Alternative Medicine Cabinet" (winner, Beverly Hills Book Awards). She has earned her Ph.D. in natural health and has authored two books on stress: "Body/Mind Therapies for the Bodyworker" and the just-published "Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques" (winner, IndieExcellence Awards, Global Ebook Awards, Beverly Hills Book Awards; finalist, USA Best Books Award). She has studied mind/body medicine at the famed Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and pursued further education at The National Institutes of Health. She has been featured as an expert in numerous publications, including Glamour, Prevention, Huffington Post, Yahoo.com, Ladies' Home Journal, Massage and Bodyworks Magazine, and Massage Magazine. She has written dozens of health and wellness articles and contributing posts. She has also appeared as a guest expert on over 250 radio and TV shows, including NPR, Las Vegas' Morning Blend, SkyNews London, CBS Radio, and Lifetime Television, and has done dozens of educational lectures around the country.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Justin Price
Education Director
The BioMechanics Method
"The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration and joy. For people with back, neck, knee and/or shoulder pain, however, the start of the holiday season triggers an increase in depression and stress and exacerbates muscle and joint pain. Fortunately, there are many simple techniques and exercises people can use to minimize the impact of stressful holiday experiences (e.g., travel, shopping, cooking, family gatherings, etc.) on their musculoskeletal system and reduce painful symptoms."
Price, one of the world's foremost experts in musculoskeletal assessment and corrective exercise, has spent 20 years studying the causes and cures for chronic muscle and joint pain. He travels extensively teaching his innovative techniques, The BioMechanics Method(R), to fitness professionals around the world. He is a subject-matter expert for many of the world's most notable health and fitness organizations, including The American Council on Exercise, PTA Global, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, Personal Training on the Net, FitPro UK, Australian Fitness Network, Fitness Anywhere/TRX, and Fitness Quest/BOSU. He is also a consultant to media outlets such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, WebMD, FoxNews, Discovery Health, Prevention Magazine, BBC, Men's Health, Women's Health and Fitness, Tennis Magazine and Arthritis Today. He is available for interviews to discuss why people experience increased muscle and joint pain during the holidays, typical causes of back/neck/knee/foot/hip/shoulder pain, how stress contributes to pain/dysfunctional posture, psychological contributors to muscle and joint pain, and ways to alleviate pain quickly without spending a fortune.
Websites: http://www.thebiomechanicsmethod.com, http://www.tennisballbackpaincure.com
Media Contact: Mary Bratcher, [email protected]
Dr. Martha White
Pediatric and Adult Allergist
Dr. White is a nationally recognized pediatric and adult allergist and Mylan Specialty paid spokesperson who is available to discuss food allergy-friendly holidays. Food allergies are on the rise in the U.S. In fact, an estimated one in 13 U.S. children lives with food allergies, which are a common cause of anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction). For Halloween, there are a wide variety of tips Dr. White could provide, including: 1) If your child with food allergies is attending a Halloween event, let the host or school know in advance; 2) Shift the focus of the celebration to activities that don't require food, like pumpkin painting, mask making, hypoallergenic face painting or spooky scavenger hunts; 3) Reinforce to your child the importance of not eating any candy until you've examined it; 4) Put together a bag of treats you know your child can eat, and when your child arrives home with their "bounty," do a swap for the "approved" treats; 5) While avoidance of triggers is the critical first step, it's also important to make sure your child has two epinephrine auto-injectors immediately available at all times on Halloween night.
Dr. White began her research career at the National Institute of Health, where she spent nine years studying asthma and allergic diseases. She has participated in over 225 multi-centered drug trials, has presented scientific data both nationally and internationally, and has authored over 145 scientific papers, chapters and abstracts. She was a founding board member of the Allergy and Asthma Network and is past president of the Society of Principal Investigators. She has been active in several committees of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, including past chair of the Public Education Committee.
Media Contact: Stephanie Ross, [email protected]
Holiday Spending/Personal Finance:
Gail Cunningham
Spokesperson
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
"With credit card debt on the rise, it is highly likely that 2014 is the holiday season retailers have been waiting for. Issuers have relaxed lending standards at a time when consumer confidence is rising. This marriage could bode well for the American economy. However, it should not be at the expense of an individual's personal economy. Our hope is that consumers do not repeat the financial sins of the past and will spend responsibly during the holidays. However, we may we may not have that answer until January, when they have to begin paying for their holiday generosity."
As spokesperson for the NFCC, Cunningham has 27 years of experience in the credit counseling sector.
Media Contact: [email protected]
Elle Kaplan
CEO and Founding Partner
LexION Capital Management
"The holidays are a wonderful, busy time full of family, festivities, and fun, but it's important to keep one extra F in mind -- your finances. It's easy, with all the gift-giving, meals, parties, and so on, to quickly get overwhelmed, so it's important to practice some good solid money management going into the holiday season. First, consider planning well in advance. As much as possible, buy supplies (decorations, gifts, candles, etc.) ahead of time. You'll save time -- your most precious resource and gift -- and your spending won't jump as much all at once during the holiday season. Start planning January and February now. Chances are, you'll indulge in one or two lovely parties with family and friends, and your budget might be slightly out of sync. To make up for the cost of the holiday season, go into the New Year ready to be a little more frugal and make up for the splurging in December.
"You can also alleviate the stress over finances by making holiday gifts and goodies that you actually enjoy making! Have a fun (and intentionally low) dollar limit for supplies. I infuse my own organic vodka with fresh ingredients, everything from vanilla bean to pineapple to chili pepper. I label and package the vodka myself to give to friends. A homemade gift shows the recipient that you not only thought of them, but gave the gift of time to create something unique and personal that was made with love. I also make chocolate chip cookies or homemade dog biscuits for my friend's pets."
LexION Capital Management is the only 100% woman-owned asset management firm in the U.S.
Website: http://www.lexioncapital.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Chris Hogan
Personal Finance Expert
Ramsey Personalities
"It's easy to overspend during the holidays if you don't have a plan. Take the time to create a simple holiday budget so you can avoid debt and the costly payments that will follow you into January."
A popular and dynamic speaker on the topics of financial education and leadership, Hogan works with businesses and high-profile clients across the country, helping them develop strategies to increase revenues, protect wealth and secure their financial futures. He is also the host of the popular EntreLeadership podcast, one of the leading podcasts on business and leadership. He is available to share tips on holiday budgeting, avoiding debt during the holidays, and the importance of using cash.
Website: http://www.daveramsey.com/speakers/Chris-Hogan
Media Contact: Meg Grunke, [email protected]
Home Decor/Style:
Sally Morse
Interior Designer and Creative Director
Hunter Douglas
"The holidays are about remembering, cherishing and being warm and festive. Less is less and more is more."
Tradition plays a part in Morse's holiday decorating, as it does in homes across America, but it's always fun to invent and come up with creative new ideas. There isn't a room in her home, she says, that isn't touched by the holidays during the season. Among her tips: 1) Start at the front door. "Use your urns to put greens in and dress them up with a gazing ball or mercury glass balls, ribbons, shiny ornaments and even twigs painted silver, gold and white." 2) Themed Trees: "In the dining room, put a small tree on a silver tray and hang mismatched forks, knives and spoons on it with skinny ribbons or raffia. In the kitchen, tie holiday cookie cutters with colored raffia ribbons onto the tree." 3) DIY gift boxes and wrapping paper: "Under the smaller trees, try taking a cardboard jewelry box, hot-gluing moss onto it and tying it up with a nice ribbon. For wrapping, make your own with the help of the little ones in the household -- take white paper and stencil it using a sponge with silver and gold paint."
Morse can offer additional ideas on how to do the holiday up in style.
Website: http://www.hunterdouglas.com
Media Contact: Sarah Fletcher, [email protected]
Robert W. Johnson
Estate Manager
Kirkwood Hall & Blue Elephant Farm
With the holidays around the corner, this is, for many, the most stressful time of year. A house filled with guests is expected, so where does one start to make sure everything is ready and taken care of before the guests' arrival -- and during their stay? Says Johnson: "From my experience as a butler for many years, I've learned that advance planning is the key to minimizing stress and frustration. There should be no surprises upon your guests' arrival. By paying attention to your guests needs in advance, your guests will be more relaxed, as well. A happy guest makes for a more relaxed host."
Formally trained as a British Butler, Johnson oversees the operations of 20+ staff on the 70-acre expansive Pennsylvania estate, which includes Kirkwood Hall (a 20,000-square-foot restored farmhouse), guesthouse, staff housing, refurbished barn for entertaining, and Blue Elephant Farm, a full working farm with two barns, livestock and other animals. He routinely organizes special functions, including the services of housekeepers and caterers, to ensure appropriate menu planning and wine pairings and that guest are properly accommodated. He recognizes that hosting holiday guests is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you don't have someone to help.
Johnson is available to share tips on how to help keep things calm and organized to ensure a festive holiday experience for family and friends, including: turning the guest room into a nice hotel room; stocking up on toiletries; using fresh flowers; and having "gadget guests" (additional power strips, Wi-Fi, etc.) handy.
Media Contact: [email protected]
Jacky Teplitzky
Licensed Residential Real Estate Broker
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Teplitzky, who has sold over a billion dollars' worth of housing in New York City and South Florida, can speak to how home sellers should decorate their home during the holiday season, whether the holiday season is a good time to buy/sell a home, and other related topics.
A recognized expert, Teplitzky is regularly called upon by the media to discuss a variety of real estate related issues, such as current trends (i.e., foreign buyers, capital flight), the state of the market and hot new neighborhoods. She has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, New York Observer, WNYC, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, FoxBusiness, MarketWatch Radio, CNN en Espanol, The Real Deal, The Real Deal Florida and Florida Realtor. She is also a sought-after speaker as recently presented at the 92nd Street Y (for the seventh consecutive year) talking about the state of the real estate market. She has also presented at Florida Realtor Convention. She is fluent in Spanish.
Website: www.elliman.com/jacky
Expert Contact: [email protected] or +1-212-891-7263
Media Contact: Sandy Shen Rice, [email protected]
Philanthropy/Volunteering:
Carolyn Miles
President and CEO
Save the Children
"The holidays are a perfect time for parents to teach their children to not only be thankful for what they have, but also to give back to those less fortunate, such as other kids who are living in poverty. There are many ways kids can help brighten up the holidays for other kids right in their community, from stocking their local food pantry to donating books and toys to their hometown charity. Kids can also help kids around the world by taking part in fun, holiday-themed global initiatives, such as Save the Children's Make the World Better with a Sweater campaign."
Miles is president and chief executive officer of Save the Children. She joined the organization in 1998, was COO from 2004-2011, and became president and CEO in September 2011. During her senior leadership tenure, the organization has more than doubled the number of children it reaches with nutrition, health, education and other programs. Resources have gone from $250 million to almost $700 million, with 89.4 percent spent on programs for children. Miles has focused on hunger, learning outcomes, and ending preventable child deaths as her signature issues. She is available to discuss how kids can get involved in various activities during the holidays to help kids in need both in their community and globally.
Media Contact: Ajla Grozdanic, [email protected]
Christine Connolly-Bell
Media Relations Manager
World Vision Gift Catalog
Following her career as a reporter, Connolly-Bell has provided direction for World Vision's media relations efforts for nearly four years. She has helped establish World Vision's Gift Catalog as a leading tool for creative, charitable giving during the holiday season. Through her extensive experience working with the nonprofit organization, Connolly-Bell knows what motivates people to give, how much and how often people give, and how to determine if an organization is handling their donations effectively. She is available to discuss topics related to charitable holiday giving.
Media Contact: Natalie Bisaro, [email protected]
Shopping:
Eliot Orton
Proprietor
The Vermont Country Store
Orton can comment on shopping for products that are considered "practical and hard-to-find" or "classic/vintage," as The Vermont Country Store specializes in products of that nature.
Orton is one of three brothers who, along with their father, currently serve as proprietors of the 68-year-old country store based in Weston, Vt. The store was started by Orton's grandparents in 1946 as a place to purchase practical and durable household items. The company now has a second retail location in Rockingham, Vt., along with a bustling mail order catalog and e-commerce site. One of The Vermont Country Store's greatest strengths, and something Orton could speak to, is selling a wide variety of classic products from yesteryear: classic fragrances, toys/games, household items, homeopathic remedies, penny candies -- the list goes on. Many of these products are nearly impossible (and in some cases literally impossible) to find elsewhere. Because of his familiarity with classic products, Orton could speak to any trends the company is seeing in the market and in their own business.
Website: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com
Media Contact: Dante Bellini, [email protected], or Michael Masseur, [email protected]
Jim Silver
CEO
TTPM.com
With more than 30 years working in toys and play, Silver has forged relationships with industry leaders and influencers. These relationships provide him with the inside track for industry trends, news and analysis. Silver will be able to speak on the topic of holiday shopping tips (TTPM's app is an extremely useful tool for parents looking for gifts, as it shows live price comparisons at major retailers, written reviews and more). He can also speak to the state of the toy industry and what trends to expect this holiday season.
Media Contact: Leah Schwint, [email protected]
Kara Kamenec
Editorial Director
Faveable.com
"On Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's wise to adopt some flexibility. An item may not be exactly the model you want, but if the price is insanely good, making the purchase is probably a smart move. On the other hand, practicality is key. Cyber Monday is a great day to find online deals, but stick to your list. Cyber Monday isn't the end-all-be-all of deals, as there will continue to be great online deals for the next three weeks. Therefore, if you really can't find anything relatively close to what you want, don't buy just to buy. Instead, step back from the situation (and the very temping high-percentage discount) and wait around for a better deal on the item or type of item you really want." Kamenec is editorial director at Faveable.com, a new website offering suggestions, tips, advice and shopping lists for men and those shopping for the man in their lives. Kamenec is available to share secret tips to score the best deals.
Media Contact: Chris Powell, [email protected]
Ron Reimann
President, MyGiftster Corporation
According to a study by a University of Minnesota economics researcher, in the U.S. alone there is a $14 billion loss of economic value during the holidays. Says Reimann: "In order to prevent this type of waste, families should consider creating wish lists that can be shared. This also makes holiday shopping less stressful, and you'll be able to spend time on the other stuff that is more important, especially around the holidays."
Reimann is president of Giftster.com, a free universal family wish-list sharing service. An entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, he has had great success as an online retailer with his websites ZapTel.com and SupportStore.com. He is passionate about helping people use their time and money wisely and has helped Giftster.com become one of the fastest-growing social networking services, connecting family and friends around wish lists and gift registry services.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Aimee Hansen, [email protected]
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