ProfNet Experts Available on Veterans Administration, Workplace Investigations, More

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• USA - English

NEW YORK, Dec. 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.

If you are in need of additional experts, you can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network. You can filter your request by institution type and geographic location to get the most targeted responses. The best part? It's free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://bit.ly/findexperts.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

• How Do You Use Mobile in Your Reporting?

EXPERT ALERTS

• Eliminating the VA Would Lead to Significant Negative Consequences
• Feds to Ring in New Workplace Investigations
• Holiday Party Etiquette for Workers, Employers
• In a Divorce, Who Gets to Keep the Dog?
• Mobile Health Innovation Saves Lives, Improves Patient Outcomes
• Medicaid Recipient Sues State for Loss of Home Care

MEDIA JOBS

• Administrative Correspondent – Associated Press (LA)
• Senior Writer – Boston Globe Media (MA)
• Senior Reporter – Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
  

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• 10 Career Tips From Marie Claire's Editor-in-Chief
• How to Build Your Personal Brand
• Blog Profiles: Car Blogs
  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

To better understand how members of the media use mobile devices (phones or tablets) to produce stories, PR Newswire for Journalists is asking users to participate in a quick, eight-question survey. The survey will remain open until Dec. 31: http://bit.ly/prnjmobile

EXPERT ALERTS:

Eliminating the VA Would Lead to Significant Negative Consequences
Sherman Gillums Jr.
Deputy Executive Director
Paralyzed Veterans of America
"Eliminating the Veterans Health Administration would lead to significant negative consequences, particularly for veterans with the severest of injuries, such as spinal cord injury, blindness, amputations, brain injury. Specialized services were developed to care for the complex and unique health care needs of these veterans and is part of the core mission and responsibility of VA. There are no private sector alternatives that can fill the void."
Gillums began his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps when he enlisted at the age of 17. He quickly ascended into leadership, reaching the rank of chief warrant officer in 10 years. During his career, he served in numerous assignments, including a tour as a Parris Island drill instructor, program officer for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton's Close Combat Program, and director of the Combat Visual Information Center. Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, as he prepared to deploy to Afghanistan with the 1st Marine Division, Gillums suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury, ending his military career at age 29. During his military career, he earned two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and a Global War on Terror Service Medal. Based in Washington, D.C., he is available to discuss spinal cord injury; disabled veterans employment; veterans benefits; caregivers for the catastrophically disabled; the Department of Veterans Affairs; and health care legislation concerning veterans.
Media Contact: Kelly Saxton, [email protected]

Feds to Ring in New Workplace Investigations
Micah Prude
Attorney
Thompson & Knight in Dallas
The New Year may bring a new focus by federal investigators on potential wage-and-hour violations, particularly in the oil and gas, construction, and hospitality industries. Backed by a significant increase in budgets and manpower, the Department of Labor has signaled that the agency will increasingly scrutinize employers based on working conditions and the types of workers they hire. Says Prude: "Before the wage-and-hour folks come knocking, employers should ensure all time and payroll records and I-9 forms are organized, intact, and up-to-date. Companies should confirm that all nonexempt employees are accurately recording hours, and that exempt employees actually meet the legal criteria. Labor investigations can result in workplace disruptions, substantial fines and even criminal sanctions, so it's important to remain vigilant and be prepared."
Media Contact: Barry Pound, [email protected]

Holiday Party Etiquette for Workers, Employers
Audrey Mross
Employment Lawyer
Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas
With the holiday season upon us, employers and workers alike should take heed of the legal perils and career-derailing possibilities that come with excessive merrymaking at the holiday office party. A little planning and communication can prevent potential pitfalls. Says Mross: "Skip the mistletoe and the drinking games. Employers should make it known in advance, by policy and by example, that harassment and substance abuse are not OK at work-related events, including the holiday party. If your holiday parties have had problems in the past, then consider a different type of event that does not revolve around an open bar. At the least, nonalcoholic drinks and food should be provided, and arrangements should be made for alternative transportation, if needed, for someone who's had too much."
Media Contact: Robert Tharp, [email protected]

In a Divorce, Who Gets to Keep the Dog?
Jacqueline Newman
Family Law Attorney & Managing Partner
Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, New York
"When a couple gets a divorce, they divide their assets and generally share custody of the kids -- but what happens with the family dog? Litigation over who gets custody of the family pet is on the rise, and the battles are becoming more vicious."
Newman's practice consists of litigation, collaborative law and mediation. She specializes in complex high-net-worth matrimonial cases and negotiating prenuptial agreements. She has appeared as a commentator on various television shows and has been quoted as an expert in numerous publications, including Glamour, Crain's New York Business, U.S. News & World Report, Woman's Day and Huffington Post.
Media Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]

Mobile Health Innovation Saves Lives, Improves Patient Outcomes
Morgan Reed
Executive Director
ACT | The App Association
"Mobile health innovation is saving lives and improving patient outcomes. But, much of this new technology is slow to reach consumers because of regulations drafted before there was even an iPhone. It is essential for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Congress, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make existing regulation more accessible and useful for tech companies making these life-saving resources."
The 2014 mHealth Summit took place this week in Washington, D.C. -- a critical location to discuss advances in mobile health. ACT brought in members to participate in a panel on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Dec. 9, addressing mobile health innovation and regulatory roadblocks. The member companies also met with key Congressional offices to talk about the need for regulatory reform. Reed is available to discuss highlights from the panel and the Congressional hearings, as well as mobile health innovation in general. In addition to leading ACT, he also serves as the policy chair for mHIMSS.
ProfNet Profile: http://www.profnetconnect.com/morganreed
Media Contact: Courtney Bernard, [email protected]

Medicaid Recipient Sues State for Loss of Home Care
Ronald Fatoullah, Esq.
Founder
Ronald Fatoullah & Associates
"Prior to August 2011, Medicaid home care services were obtained through local offices. In 2011, New York State began the process of shifting $6 billion in Medicaid spending on long-term care services (including home health care, personal care and private duty nursing) to private managed care companies -- Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). MCOs contract with states to provide services in exchange for payment at a 'capitated rate,' instead of 'fee for service.' The lead plaintiff, an 84-year-old woman who suffers from numerous medical conditions, has had her home health care hours cut and contacted an attorney to have them restored."
Fatoullah is a nationally recognized authority in the field of elder law and has been voted as a "Best Lawyer" in New York for 10 consecutive years in the fields of elder law and trusts and estates. He co-chairs the Executive Board of the Long Island Alzheimer's Association and is a member of the Executive Council of AARP.
Media Contact: Carol Schell, [email protected]

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/

• Administrative Correspondent – Associated Press (LA)
• Senior Writer – Boston Globe Media (MA)
• Senior Reporter – Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
  

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.

• 10 CAREER TIPS FROM MARIE CLAIRE'S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF. On Nov. 22, NYWICI hosted its annual Student Communications Career Conference. Over the last week, ProfNet's Polina Opelbaum has been sharing highlights from some of the panels. Here, she shares highlights from the luncheon keynote, given by Marie Claire's editor-in-chief, Anne Fulenwider: http://prn.to/163U7sT
• HOW TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND. At a recent NYWICI conference panel, Nicole Ryan of VH1's "Morning Buzz" and SiriusXM's "Morning Mashup"; Amy Cao of FiftyThree Inc. and Stupidly Simple Snacks; Kimmie Smith of Accessory Expert; Kris Ruby of Ruby Media Group; and freelance lifestyle journalist Aly Walansky share their tips for how to build your personal brand: http://prn.to/1vFLezo
• BLOG PROFILES: CAR BLOGS. Every week, PR Newswire's media relations manager, Christine Cube, profiles a handful of blogs that do a good job with promoting, contributing and blogging about an industry/subject. This week, she takes a look at a few car blogs: http://prn.to/1qq07Fh

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SOURCE ProfNet

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