ProfNet Experts Available on Sports Injuries, Washington Redskins, Ageism, More

NEW YORK, June 20, 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

• Treating the Inevitable Professional Sports Injury 
• How Misuses of Language Can Create and Nurture Ageism
• Medical Record Security Still Suspect
• Redskins on Defense After Trademark Canceled

MEDIA JOBS

• Editor - Tech Times (NY)
• Sports Writer - Daily News-Record (VA)
• Reporter, South Bay Courts - Law360 (CA)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Technology and the Human Experience: The Future of Communications
• Eleven AP Style Tips for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
• Media 411: Kid Reporters Are Journalism's Future

EXPERT ALERTS:

Treating the Inevitable Professional Sports Injury 
Dr. Stephen Troum
Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon
Texas Orthopedic Specialists
"With the World Cup upon us, and Major League Baseball in full swing, professional sports injuries are inevitable. Even football, basketball and hockey players will be getting their injuries treated this off-season (which can make for a good special-interest story during slow sports news time). Many of these injuries are similar to those suffered by the viewing public during their own sporting activities, thus making professional sports injuries a topic of particular interest."
Dr. Troum is a board-certified hand and upper extremity surgeon who can provide insight into many of those injuries of the hand, wrist, elbow and arm in a way that is easily understood by the public. He has published many book chapters and medical journal articles on various topics in orthopedic and hand surgery, and he is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at University of North Texas. He has been quoted as a medical expert in such prestigious publications as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and various other national and regional magazines and newspapers. As chairman of their public awareness committee, he was tasked with fielding media requests for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the preeminent national organization dedicated to hand and upper extremity surgery. Journalists doing a story about an injured athlete may want to consider using his expertise to strengthen their story with "real deal" medical information. Responses to serious media inquiries are generally the same day, within hours if possible.
Website: http://www.texashealthyhands.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]

How Misuses of Language Can Create and Nurture Ageism
Howard Eglit
Professor
IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law
"Language is often used to express real, hard-core antipathy against old people and old age. The use of negative epithets such as 'geezer,' 'crone,' 'coot,' 'old bat,' and 'old f-t' in everyday language helps contribute to ageism in our society. The ultimate problem is that negative portrayals of the elderly and the use of pejorative language in popular culture do real harm."
Eglit is a nationally recognized authority on law and aging issues and the author of a new book, "Age, Old Age, Language, and Law: A Dysfunctional—Often Harmful—Mix and How to Fix It," which focuses on the uses and misuses of language as a mechanism both for creating and for nurturing ageism. While pejorative terms and epithets related to sex and race are not tolerated, comparable words and phrases used against the elderly are rarely questioned. He cites studies showing that older people who are indoctrinated to believe that old age means decline wind up performing less well physically and intellectually because of being primed to perform poorly.
Media Contact: Gwendolyn E. Osborne, [email protected]

Medical Record Security Still Suspect
Jennifer Ecklund
Attorney
Thompson & Knight in Dallas
"More than 1,000 major data breaches have now been reported by health care providers since the federal government began requiring disclosure in 2009. That milestone reflects the unauthorized exposure of records for nearly 31.7 million individuals during the past five years. The health care setting has particular challenges in dealing with data breaches because of the high volume of sensitive information to be protected, the large number of people who may be involved in the care of an individual patient, and data available on a wide range of personal and portable devices. While hospitals, pharmacies and associated businesses are increasing investment in encryption software and similar cybersecurity tools, government investigations and penalties are also on the rise."
Media Contact: Barry Pound, [email protected]

Redskins on Defense After Trademark Canceled
William Munck
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas
"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled decades-old federal trademark registrations for the Washington Redskins team name, saying that the term 'redskin' is disparaging to a substantial group of Native Americans. While the action does not prevent the NFL team from using the name, it potentially complicates their business model. The Redskins' trademark has been registered for generations and has been criticized by the Native American community for almost as long, with more voices being added to the chorus recently. While rebranding away from using the name may be costly, the overall brand will likely benefit."
Media Contact: Robert Tharp, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Editor - Tech Times (NY)
• Sports Writer - Daily News-Record (VA)
• Reporter, South Bay Courts - Law360 (CA)

See more listings here.

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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 at [email protected]

• TECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE: THE FUTURE OF COMMUNICATIONS. Technology: it's everywhere we turn. We use it to communicate with clients, family and even newly acquired Internet friends. But what does this mean for our personal lives, especially our interpersonal relationships? Are we missing out on what lies beyond our iPhone screens? A recent panel of experts at a New York Women in Communications event discussed this topic and more. Here's a recap: http://prn.to/SUHclS
• ELEVEN AP STYLE TIPS FOR THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP. With São Paolo, Brazil, in the world spotlight, writers will be kicking around edits to achieve top content. The Associated Press has published its topical guide for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, compiling essential terms, spelling and usage for the month-long competition. Here are things to keep in mind when writing about the World Cup: http://prn.to/SXIb4X
• MEDIA 411: KID REPORTERS ARE JOURNALISM'S FUTURE. If kids are the future, then let's teach them. It is fundamental to their future that they speak and write well. The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps, a nationwide team of kid reporters ages 10-14, is now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year. Students with a strong interest in journalism and writing are encouraged to apply. Learn more: http://prn.to/1oLL47M  

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