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“There was a guy standing at the end of my hospital bed that I didn’t know,” recalled Brandon Younce. “I’ll never forget this. He had a shirt on that said ‘Got Narcan.’ He introduced himself as Aaron from Voices of Hope. He said he was a peer recovery specialist, and he asked me, ‘Hey, man, are you ready to go to treatment?’” This encounter took place before the peer recovery specialist program at Voices of Hope formally partnered with ChristianaCare’s Union Hospital and the Cecil County Health Department in 2023 to grow the program into the robust offering it is today. For Younce, the program has meant not only a path to reaching and maintaining his own sobriety: It has also allowed him to become a specialist himself. And for the over 600 patients assisted through the program in fiscal year 2024, 440 of whom were connected to long-term recovery treatments, the program has meant receiving a chance at healing under the stewardship of peers who have themselves experienced addiction and recovery. Emily Granitto, M.D., of Emergency Medicine at Union Hospital, said that the process “works really seamlessly: We have a discussion with a patient and say ‘hey, we have someone available. Would you like to talk to peer recovery and see what we can do to help?’ Then a specialist comes, and they talk through the resources and options.” By having the specialist located in-hospital and ready with resources at the patient’s bedside, said Granitto, the chances for a patient’s successful transfer to long-term treatment are much higher than if the patient is expected to fend for themselves upon discharge. “We’re able to address their substance abuse concerns and tie it all into their visit here in the Emergency Department. That opportunity may not necessarily arise otherwise in the community — so offering it here and providing that olive branch can be a good bridge to the next step,” she said. The need for programs like these has never been more urgent. According to a 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment report from ChristianaCare and the Cecil County Health Department, Cecil County’s “drug poisoning death rate” is nearly double the statewide rate and triple the national average. Services like the peer recovery specialists at Union Hospital are a critical lifeline for many. Harnessing the Power of Lived Experience The peer recovery specialist program currently places 10 trained peer specialists at Union Hospital to provide supportive coverage for patients admitted to the emergency room in active withdrawal or with a history of addiction. “The peer program at Union Hospital is the perfect example of what is possible when you harness the power of lived experience and strong community partnerships,” said Health Officer Lauren Levy, JD, MPH, of the Cecil County Health Department. “The collaboration between caregivers and the peer workforce has been integral to strengthening linkages to care and improving health outcomes for people with substance use disorder.” In collaboration with caregivers — including doctors, nurses and social workers — these specialists help to support patients and to connect them with longer-term treatment and rehabilitation options within and outside of ChristianaCare. They’re present and available at the hospital from 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. Doctors and nurses who work alongside peer recovery specialists can pair patients with specialists based on patients’ needs; some patients are admitted in active withdrawal, whereas for others, a need for treatment comes up as part of their intake. “What the peers do is really very magical because they can connect to the patient,” said Lisa Fields, manager for community engagement on ChristianaCare’s Cecil County campus, “They can tell their story to the patient and say, ‘This is where I have been. I do understand.’” Partnerships Support People in Need Voices of Hope, with a primary mission of supporting addiction recovery for Maryland residents and their families, trains peer specialists alongside the Cecil County Health Department, another vital partner in the peer recovery specialist program. Training requires 500 hours in the role and 25 hours of supervision from a registered peer supervisor. Peer recovery specialists provide a form of connection that is unique and impactful for someone struggling with substance use disorder: empathy informed by personal experience. For Erin Wright, Voices of Hope’s chief operations officer, this partnership has enabled all the involved providers to build a unique, vital community to support people in need of help. “The opposite of addiction is connection,” she said. “I’ve had doctors come to my peers, and say, ‘How did you just do that?’ A peer can walk in the room and, in 20 minutes, walk out and say, ‘Listen, here’s the plan.” Back in 2019, Younce’s emergency-room encounter with Aaron led to a treatment plan that included rehab, which led to his graduation from treatment and ongoing sobriety, which then led to his decision to become a peer recovery specialist himself and eventually, he hopes, a social worker. “It’s very surreal,” he said, “working at Union Hospital and actually telling patients, like, ‘I know how you feel. I’ve been in this position.’” Recovery Support Through Project Engage in Delaware ChristianaCare’s commitment to supporting patients with substance use disorders is systemwide. Project Engage, a vital initiative serving ChristianaCare’s Newark, Wilmington and Middletown campuses, aids patients struggling with alcohol or drug use by providing early intervention and referrals to substance use disorder treatment. Peer recovery specialists engage with patients in the emergency department and at the bedside, helping them understand their substance use and offering treatment options. Since 2012, Project Engage has served more than 13,000 patients and conducted over 27,000 patient engagements, with more than 60% of these engagements resulting in referrals to community treatment at discharge.
Defining Oligarchy: The Fusion of Wealth and Power in American Democracy
Oligarchy is being thrown around a lot these days. But what does the term mean? Is America an oligarchy? And how does oligarchy help explain American democracy today? Political rhetoric scholar Luke Winslow, Ph.D., associate professor of communication at Baylor University and author of “Oligarchy in America: Power, Justice, and the Rule of the Few,” has traced the evolution of oligarchy in the United States to shed light on how modern oligarchy is reshaping America through the increasing fusion of economic power and political influence. Winslow’s research focuses on how the influence of oligarchy has impacted American political rhetoric, as well as how it is showing up in modern politics and political communications. Defining Oligarchy Oligarchy is a term that most people associate with other countries, but it “is not something that just happens in Russia. It's something that happens everywhere, and it always has,” Winslow said. In the simplest of terms, oligarchy attempts to explain the convergence of economic and political power. Winslow offered four key distinctions on oligarchy: Oligarchy is exclusive. It represents a form of governance focused on preserving the political and economic influence of the wealthy by securing the approval of the rest of the population. “It assumes not everyone is qualified to deliberate, participate and legislate,” Winslow said. When it comes to oligarchy, there is a belief that extreme wealth is equated to intellectual fitness across all domains, including governance. Wealth vs. income. It is important to distinguish between wealth and income. Income covers daily expenses, whereas wealth is more easily used to exert political power. “What truly sets an oligarch apart is the political power their wealth can command,” Winslow said. Understated and subtle. Modern oligarchy operates through persuasion by “enticing rather than commanding citizens and maintaining what seems like an absence from political authority,” Winslow said. It is in this absence that oligarchs can influence indirect political actions, especially since they are not (typically) elected officials and cannot be removed from office. Legal Immunity. Oligarchs have no fear of legal consequences because oligarchy itself is not against the law, Winslow said. The First Amendment protects the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” legitimizing lobbying and campaign donations. A robust system of campaign contributions and political lobbying – both of which are perfectly legal – can shape media narratives and put pressure on state and local governments. While wealth and politics have always coexisted, oligarchy is about how these forces merge to create a system where the ultra-rich exert undue influence over democratic institutions, Winslow said. “This convergence has long existed in history but is now unfolding in the U.S. more visibly – and perhaps more accepted – than ever before,” he said. Communication of Oligarchy Winslow’s research shows that American society has come to view billionaires as transcendent figures – individuals whose success in business qualifies them to lead in politics – a mindset that is not new. The Gilded Age of the late 19th century saw figures like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller wield enormous economic and political power, shaping legislation to favor their interests. Winslow’s research traces this historical precedent, suggesting that today’s tech titans are the latest iteration of a long-standing trend. Perhaps the most intriguing question Winslow raises is not just how oligarchy and its fusion of wealth and governance has taken root, but why the American public has been so willing to accept it as natural – perhaps even beneficial. “The arguments being made in public discourse encourage us to go along with it,” he said. “We’re being told, implicitly, that this is just how things work now.” Yet, these practices also reveal how the government serves the narrow interests of the ultra-wealthy, diverting resources from productive economic opportunities for the majority toward political wins that benefit a small, affluent minority, Winslow said. “What's so interesting about oligarchy now is that the cover has been ripped off, the veil has been thrown open and we’re not even hiding the fact that money gets you more influence,” he said. Ultimately, Winslow hopes his work will get people to be curious as to why Americans are now accepting oligarchy in the U.S. “The ways that the extremely wealthy are yielded political power is seemingly acceptable now, and that is a question that we all should be asking,” Winslow said. Looking to know more? Then let us help. To connect with Luke Winslow, simply contact Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, M.A, Assistant Director of Media and Public Relations now to arrange an interview today.
University of Delaware experts exploring Black and brown history and topics all year long
While Black History Month officially ended on Friday, the topic is one that is always top of mind for many professors and experts here at the University of Delaware. Below are a small list of these experts and the areas they explore throughout the year. Click on their profiles or email mediarelations@udel.edu to connect. Roderick Carey, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, can discuss the importance of gender and race diversity in teaching. Ann Aviles and Ohiro Oni-Eseleh, both professors in the College of Education and Human Development, can share resources for displaced families and guidance for parents, educators and other community members who want to support them. Yasser Payne, professor of sociology, examines notions of resilience, structural violence and gun violence with Black Americans.
Aston University collaboration to develop injectable paste which could treat bone cancer
A £110k grant from Orthopaedic Research UK is to help to conduct the work Study is a collaboration with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Researchers to use gallium-doped bioglass to produce a substance with anticancer and bone regenerative properties. Professor Richard Martin Aston University is collaborating in research to develop an injectable paste which could treat bone cancer. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has secured a £110,000 grant from Orthopaedic Research UK to conduct the work. The project will see researchers at the hospital and the University use gallium-doped bioglass to produce a substance with anticancer and bone regenerative properties. If proved effective it could be used to treat patients with primary and metastatic cancer. Gallium is a metallic element that when combined with bioactive glass can kill cancerous cells that remain when a tumour is removed. It also accelerates the regeneration of the bone and prevents bacterial contamination. A recent study led by Aston University found that bioactive glasses doped with the metal have a 99 percent success rate of eliminating cancerous cells. Dr Lucas Souza, research lab manager at the hospital’s Dubrowsky Lab is leading the project. He said : “Advances in treatment of bone cancer have reached a plateau over the past 40 years, in part due to a lack of research studies into treatments and the complexity and challenges that come with treating bone tumours. Innovative and effective therapeutic approaches are needed, and this grant provides vital funds for us to continue our research into the use of gallium-doped bioglass in the treatment of bone cancer.” Professor Richard Martin who is based in Aston University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences added: “The injectable paste will function as a drug delivery system for localised delivery of anticancer gallium ions and bisphosphonates whilst regenerating bone. Our hypothesis is that this will promote rapid bone formation and will prevent cancer recurrence by killing residual cancer cells and regulating local osteoclastic activity.” It is hoped the new approach will be particularly useful in reducing cancer recurrence and implant site infections. It is also thought that it will reduce implant failure rates in cases of bone tumours where large resections for complete tumour removal is either not possible, or not recommended. This could include incidents when growths are located too close to vital organs or when major surgery will inflict more harm than benefit. It could also be used in combination with minimally invasive treatments such as cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation to manage metastatic bone lesions. Dr Souza added: “The proposed biomaterial has the potential to drastically improve treatment outcomes of bone tumour patients by reducing cancer recurrence, implant-site infection rates, and implant failure rates leading to reduced time in hospital beds, less use of antibiotics, and fewer revision surgeries. Taken together, these benefits could improve survival rates, functionality and quality of life of bone cancer patients.” Other members of the team include the hospital’s Professor Adrian Gardner, director of research and development and Mr Jonathan Stevenson, orthopaedic oncology and arthroplasty consultant, Dr Eirini Theodosiou from Aston University and Professor Joao Lopes from the Brazilian Aeronautics Institute of Technology. ENDS About the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe, offering planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally, and internationally. The Trust is an accredited Veteran Aware organisation and a Disability Confident Leader. Ranked 8th in the 2024 UK Inclusive Top 50 Employers list, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is the highest-ranking NHS organisation for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has a vibrant research portfolio of clinical trials, observational studies and laboratory studies exploring new treatment options, new approaches in rehabilitation and therapy, and new medical devices. This research is delivered by our researchers and clinicians spread across the Knowledge Hub, our home for education and research, and the Dubrowsky Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, a state-of-the-art lab opened in 2019. About Aston University For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally. Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world. Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020. Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world. For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press & Communications Manager on 07941194168 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
Experts in the Media: Before Kickoff Media Went to the Experts at TCU for Some Super Bowl Insight
The lead up to last Sunday's Super Bowl was tremendous. All eyes and an enormous global audience were all fixated on the big game in New Orleans. With the Kansas City Chiefs looking to make history, the Philadelphia Eagles looking for revenge and with President Trump and Taylor Swift in attendance - the attention from media was overwhelming. When Newsweek needed some expert insight and perspective - they connected immediately with TCU's Dustin Hahn. Last year's Super Bowl LVIII ranked as the most-watched Super Bowl of all time, according to findings from Nielsen's National panel measurement. Dr. Dustin Hahn, associate professor of film, television and digital media in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University, told Newsweek the Super Bowl could see a decline in viewership because fans are tired of seeing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Plus, excitement about Taylor Swift's relationship with Chief's tight end Travis Kelce is less novel. However, Hahn said it's possible more people will be watching the Super Bowl to see if the Chiefs make history by winning the championship three times in a row, plus the possibility that Kelce could make a retirement announcement. February 09 - Newsweek Covering sports, media and major events? then let us help with your ongoing or future coverage. Dustin Hahn is associate professor of film, television and digital media in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University. Dustin is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Avian Flu: Understanding the Threat and Global Response
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that affects birds but has the potential to spread to humans and other animals. With recent outbreaks raising concerns among health officials worldwide, understanding the origins, transmission, and potential risks of avian flu is critical for public health preparedness. The virus poses significant threats to global food supply chains, economic stability in agriculture, and pandemic prevention efforts. As governments and health agencies monitor the situation, the public must stay informed about the latest developments and protective measures. Key story angles include: Origins and Evolution of Avian Flu: How the virus emerges, mutates, and spreads among birds and humans. Public Health Risks and Prevention Measures: Assessing the likelihood of human transmission and the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. Economic Impact on Poultry and Agriculture: How outbreaks affect food production, trade restrictions, and industry regulations. Global Response and Preparedness Efforts: What governments and health organizations are doing to contain outbreaks and prevent a pandemic. Wildlife and Environmental Factors: The role of migratory birds in spreading avian flu and the impact of climate change on disease patterns. Lessons from Past Outbreaks: Comparing the current situation to previous bird flu strains and what history teaches us about managing the threat. As concerns over avian flu grow, staying ahead of the science and policy responses will be key to safeguarding public health and economic stability worldwide. Connect with an expert about avian flu: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com
Has the SuperBowl Priced Itself out of Fans?
It's arguably one of the 'must-see' sporting events in the world. But this year fans seem to be a little reluctant to spend those hard earned dollars to watch the Kansas City Chiefs attempt a three-peat and a chance at history. It's a topic that's getting a lot of coverage leading up to the big game this Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs might make history this weekend, but ticket prices aren’t reflecting that. The cheapest ticket for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans has fallen below $4,000 on the secondary market, according to reseller TickPick, marking a 30% decline over the past week — and more than 50% cheaper compared to last year’s record-breaking Super Bowl. The Chiefs, who face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, are hoping to be the first team to win three successive Super Bowl rings. Despite that historic feat on the line, fans apparently aren’t excited to splash out big bucks. There are a few potential reasons related to this year’s host city — and perhaps a slight dose of Chiefs fatigue. Last year’s matchup between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers was the most expensive Super Bowl on record, partly because it took place in the party mecca of Las Vegas for the first time. However, New Orleans “doesn’t have the same appeal” as Las Vegas, TickPick CEO Brett Goldberg said. New Orleans’ larger seating capacity is pushing prices lower as well, Goldberg said. The Caesars Superdome holds about 74,000 seats, whereas the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas holds around 65,000 seats. The host city is also still reeling from a terrorist attack last month when a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd and opened fire, killing 14 people and injuring at least 35. Then there’s the matchup itself. Football fans are bored by a third straight Chiefs Super Bowl bid, resulting in TickPick “seeing less interest from fans looking to attend,” Goldberg told CNN. “Had the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders or Buffalo Bills made it this far, it’d be a much different story as it relates to current prices.” February 03 - CNN It's an interesting topic and there are questions to be asked Does ticket demand and attendance really matter to the NFL and its sponsors? Why is viewership more important than attendance and ticket prices for the Super Bowl? Location, location, location. It’s always the same issue but what’s different this year? The NFL is big business and if you're a journalist covering the Super Bowl this Sunday - then let us help with your stories. Kirk Wakefield, Ph.D., is The Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Retail Marketing at Baylor University, where he is the Executive Director of the Curb Center for Sales Strategy in Sports and Entertainment (S3E) program in the Hankamer School of Business. Kirk is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon ow to arrange an interview today.
The Rev. Randall Meissen, LC, Florida Tech’s chaplain and director of the Catholic Campus Ministry and an adjunct faculty member of the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, has published a new book chapter, “Contemplating Bats and Bees,” in the academic compendium, “In The Dominicans in the Americas and the Philippines (c. 1500-c. 1820),” edited by David Thomas Orique, Rady Roldán-Figueroa and Cynthia Folquer. The book was published online in August by Routledge. Meissen’s chapter examines the man credited with preserving the only surviving Mayan language texts, Friar Francisco Ximenez, and examples of the influences of Dominican spirituality on natural history. He conducted research in the rare book archives of Guatemala and Spain, and the chapter developed from a presentation Meissen gave at the International Conference on the History of the Order of the Preachers in the Americas several years ago. Ximenez was an 18th century Dominican priest and missionary linguist known for his preservation of the Maya–K’iche’ creation myth the Popol Vuh. He also had a keen interest in the plants and animals of Guatemala during his ministry, Meissen highlights, and recorded observations in his manuscript, “La historia natural del reino de Guatemala.” Meissen’s chapter examines Ximenez’s observations of nature and explores the cultural factors inspiring Ximenez’s research of the region. Those include: “the Dominican tradition of collecting anecdotes about animals as exempla for use in preaching, the expansive highland Mayan vocabulary for naming native organisms, the Mayan religious myths about animals in the Popol Vuh, the practice of using mission churches as spatial reference points and the material need of the Order of Preachers in Guatemala for items such as beeswax,” the abstract reads. Meissen’s research also connects back to the classroom. He is teaching a World Religions course this spring. If you're interested in learning more or a reporter looking to speak with Father Randall Meissen - simply contact Adam Lowenstein, Director of Media Communications at Florida Institute of Technology at adam@fit.edu to arrange an interview today.
Just before the holiday season, as he entered his final month as President of the United States, Joe Biden announced that he would be granting clemency to roughly 1,500 American citizens. The clemency acts, which included sentence commutations for individuals placed on home confinement during the pandemic and pardons for 39 individuals with non-violent offenses, were touted by the administration as the most ever in a single day in modern history. A month later, on January 17, he commuted the sentences of roughly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, shattering December's mark and giving him the most pardons and commutations of any president in United States history. The unprecedented size of the actions has been underscored throughout The White House’s press materials and has headlined most subsequent news coverage. But for Anton Robinson, JD, associate professor of law and director of Villanova’s Caritas Clemency Clinic in the Charles Widger School of Law, the importance of the clemency went far beyond the impressive scale. “Acts like these bring much needed awareness to the clemency process, and to the epidemic of excessive sentencing in United States courtrooms,” Professor Robinson said. “At our clinic, we are already having people call to ask about opportunities for pardons and additional support for their cases.” Public perception of presidential acts of clemency can, at times, be marred by partisan divisiveness. To some, these latest acts were overshadowed by President Biden’s earlier pardon of his son, Hunter, and eyes are already on incoming President Trump regarding how he might handle those charged in relation to the January 6 insurrection. Professor Robinson acknowledges that acts like these can cause people to “rightfully question the power that is being used,” but those are the outliers, not the norms, and steer the conversation away from the root purpose of clemency. “People deserve a second chance,” Professor Robinson said. “There’s a tendency for system actors to focus primarily on the crime committed when considering whether a person’s sentence should be cut short. But many are different people today—sometimes decades later—than they were at the time of the crime’s commission. “There is also no shortage of individuals in prison for whom a charge doesn’t tell the whole story. For example, a young person’s involvement in a crime, while sufficient for a legal conviction, might be weighed differently today, given increasing acceptance of scientific research on the portion of the human brain which controls decision-making, impulse control and executive function. Research shows all of that continues to develop well into adulthood.” Determining who fits the criteria for clemency, Professor Robinson says, is not always easy to do. Collecting records of good behavior that illustrate change while in a carceral setting is much more difficult than collecting records of bad behavior. That’s why entities like the Caritas Clemency Clinic, in which Villanova Law students work directly on behalf of such clients under Professor Robinson’s guidance, spend so much time talking to anyone who has had a relationship with the incarcerated person. “What we often find is that despite being incarcerated and having very little given opportunity, these individuals make their own opportunities to build community and rich relationships and try their best to contribute to society in a positive way,” Professor Robinson said. A military veteran who helped church members in poor health perform tasks. A nurse who spearheaded COVID vaccination efforts and natural disaster response. A counselor who helps guide youth away from destructive behavior and involvement with gangs. Those are the types of actions Professor Robinson references, all of which were highlighted specifically in the White House’s fact sheet for President Biden's December acts, just before the words “The United States is a nation of second chances.” “I'm hoping that these large acts of clemency encourage folks to think, ‘Hey, what about my loved one? What about me? I am a completely different person than I was 20 years ago, what can I do to try to secure my freedom and my ability to live the life that I've missed out on?’” Professor Robinson said. “It really is a great opportunity to remind ourselves that people are far better than the worst things that they've ever done, and that we have an opportunity to acknowledge that as a society and to encourage more of this action, both on a federal and state level.”
The History and Strategic Significance of Greenland
Greenland, the world's largest island, holds a fascinating history and a crucial role in global geopolitics. With its deep connections to Inuit heritage and colonial ties to Denmark, Greenland's past reflects a narrative of resilience, adaptation, and evolving autonomy. Today, it is not just a cultural and historical landmark but also a strategic asset in military and security considerations. Its location between North America and Europe, coupled with its rich natural resources, makes Greenland a focal point for Arctic sovereignty, climate research, and geopolitical maneuvering. Key story angles of interest include: Greenland's colonial history and its path to greater autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark The island's role in World War II and the Cold War as a strategic military outpost Thule Air Base: the U.S. military presence and its implications for NATO Greenland’s vast natural resources and their impact on international relations The growing importance of Arctic territories in global security strategies How climate change is transforming Greenland's geopolitical and economic significance Connect with an expert about Greenland: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com