ProfNet Experts Available on Infertility, Same-Sex Divorce, Prescription Drug Abuse, More

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Apr 24, 2015, 10:17 ET

NEW YORK, April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

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EXPERT ALERTS

The 'Other Side' of Mother's Day and Surrogacy
Put Same-Sex Divorce Plans on Hold -- For Now
Prescription Drug Abuse is Lower, But Heroin Use Up
6 Things That Change When Boyfriends/Girlfriends Become Husbands/Wives
Bruce Jenner's Transformation: Authentic or a Plea for Attention?

MEDIA JOBS

Senior Writer – Carbonated.TV (CA)
Syndication Writer – NerdWallet (CA)
News Editor – NBCUniversal (NY)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

Free Webinar: Breaking Into Freelancing, Book Writing
10 Twitter Tips for Bloggers
PR Newswire's Media Moves, April 20 Edition

EXPERT ALERTS:

The 'Other Side' of Mother's Day and Surrogacy
Mindy Berkson
Infertility Consultant
Lotus Blossom Consulting
Unfortunately, Mother's Day is not joyous and flower-filled for everyone. There are thousands of women who are longing to become mothers, but who are not able to achieve their dreams because they aren't able to conceive. Says Berkson: "Before families choose a surrogate, they need to decide what the end goal is. Is it one baby? Is it more than one over several pregnancies or at the same time? That will determine how many embryos to fertilize and how many to insert at first or freeze for later."
Berkson, a nationally recognized infertility consultant, struggled with infertility for years before successfully getting pregnant with twins. It was her struggle, and the lack of information and options while she was going through the hardest time in her life, that prompted her to want to make it easier and less stressful for others. Since starting Lotus Blossom 10 years ago, she has helped thousands of people (heterosexual couples, gay couples, and single men and women) build their families. Because of her first-hand experience with the world of infertility, as well as her extensive knowledge, guidance, national resources, and strong connections with industry professionals throughout the country, over 700 babies have been born through surrogates and/or egg donors. A member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Human Rights Campaigns, she is aligned with fertility doctors and attorneys across the country to provide the right match to her clients.
Website: http://www.lotusblossomconsulting.com
Contact: Alisa Bay, [email protected]

Put Same-Sex Divorce Plans on Hold -- For Now
Jim Mueller
Divorce and Custody Attorney
VernerBrumleyMcCurley in Dallas
Legally married same-sex couples who live in a state where their union is not yet recognized should wait until after June if they are now considering divorce. That's when the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on the national recognition of same-sex unions. Says Mueller: "There is so much ambiguity and confusion right now in the area of same-sex marriage and divorce that any same-sex couple considering splitting up would be well-advised to put those plans on hold for a few months. The court may or may not make a decision that makes their divorce easier, legally speaking. But at the very least, the court will provide some clarity to the current patchwork of marital laws regarding same-sex marriage."
Contact: Amy Hunt, [email protected]

Prescription Drug Abuse is Lower, But Heroin Use Up
Kyle Simon
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD)
"Recent changes in the prescription drug market may have helped curb abuse of a class of prescription drugs known as opioids, but it may have also fueled a comparable rise in heroin use, according to an analysis released this week."
In his role, Simon manages policy and advocacy initiatives, provides policy analysis and drafting, directs rapid response efforts, and oversees a coalition of allied organizations focused on advancing common goals. His background includes several years of health care policy, advocacy, and political experience. He has worked with policy makers on Medicare, Medicaid, and regulatory issues; served members of Congress; managed a statewide political organization representing the president of the United States; and held leadership roles in multiple political campaigns.
Contact: Mark Goldman, [email protected]

6 Things That Change When Boyfriends/ Girlfriends Become Husbands/Wives
Ashley Papa
Contributor
FOX News Magazine
"Marriage is one of life's milestones, marking a major change in a couple's life -- which may be why some couples delay marriage longer than others. But besides the obvious, like changing names, gaining in-laws, and joining bank accounts, what other changes can couples expect when they go from boyfriend and girlfriend, to husband and wife?"
Papa is a relationship reporter covering it all: sex, love, dating, marriage and more. She has been featured in various radio and TV interviews all over the U.S.
Website: http://www.ashleypapa.com
Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]

Bruce Jenner's Transformation: Authentic or a Plea for Attention?
Dr. Frieda Birnbaum
Research Psychologist, Psychoanalyst
"I don't think Bruce Jenner is transitioning into a woman for the sole purpose of garnering public attention. For a person to put their body through so many changes as he has thus far, the reasoning is a deep-seeded one. He may be allowing this private side of himself to be made public as a way of gaining acceptance and reassurance he may not have gained in his last marriage. This acceptance and reassurance might also be something he is personally seeking from within as well. He may actually eclipse some of his family members with the public attention and fame he is receiving through his transition into a woman. He may also have a positive impact on how the masses accept transgender individuals."
Based in the New York metropolitan area, Dr. Birnbaum is a research psychologist, psychoanalyst and author of "What Price Power: An In-Depth Study of the Professional Woman in a Relationship." She's an expert on depression, women's issues, and attaining happiness, and has been featured on "Oprah" and "20/20" as the oldest woman in the U.S. to have twins.
Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

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Senior Writer – Carbonated.TV (CA)
Syndication Writer – NerdWallet (CA)
News Editor – NBCUniversal (NY)

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

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