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In the attached Q&A, Baylor University’s Karon LeCompte, Ph.D., associate professor of curriculum and instruction and an expert on civics education and leadership theory, discusses the importance of investing in student leaders and how parents and teachers can identify leadership characteristics in their children. LeCompte co-directs Baylor’s iEngage Summer Civics Institute, a five-day program that helps students learn how to make a difference in their neighborhoods, schools and communities. "Authentic leaders with experiences that manifest characteristics of extensive skills and high moral values will be on the front stage of our democracy,” she said. “They are the future. It is our responsibility to give them the best gifts that we can – our attention and faith in their ability to lead. Source:

Diabetes Canada’s 20th Annual Professional Conference Comes to Edmonton
Diabetes Canada and the Canadian Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Professional Conference and Annual Meetings at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton from November 1 to 4, 2017. The event, which brings together thousands of health-care professionals and researchers focused on diabetes care, is the biggest of its kind in the country. Registration for the event opens today. “The treatment and management of diabetes continues to evolve, making it more and more critical to bring together inter-disciplinary health-care teams to discuss the latest discoveries in diabetes care and prevention. I know this year, as we mark this important milestone, we will be pulling out all the stops to provide health-care professionals with the best information, including a sneak peek at the Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Professional Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada.”Rick Blickstead, President and CEO, Diabetes Canada. “The Professional Conference is of extraordinary benefit to health-care professionals who attend because of the opportunity to learn about the newest advances in clinical practice and about new data and interpretations. This is also an opportunity to engage and interact face-to-face with colleagues, including world leaders in research.” Dr. Bruce A. Perkins, clinician-scientist at the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, Conference co-chair Source:

Trump to Congress: Repeal and replace Obamacare! Is it easier said than done?
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump called on lawmakers to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He cautioned that the ACA, which covers 20 million people, is "collapsing." But how will lawmakers dismantle a nationwide healthcare system? President Trump is supposedly in support of a GOP bill repealing Obamacare but still provides protections for those with pre-existing conditions, allows individual states more flexibility on Medicaid and encourages tax credits and savings accounts. Is all of this easier said than done? How long will it take? How much will it cost? What will replace it? Missouri State University's expert can help answer some of these questions. Professor Michael Merrigan is a management expert who focuses on the healthcare sector. He has more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles in the industry and is known as a leading expert on a variety of issues related to healthcare, including the ACA. He is available to speak to media about this topic. Click on his icon to schedule an interview. Source:

Since Jan. 20, 2017, America has seen a new style of leadership and authority under President Donald Trump. Trade agreements that were already in place are now under renegotiation, and even agreements like the Trans Pacific Partnership that were expected to be scrutinized by Congress have all but been abandoned. On the international stage, even long held reservations and hesitations to comment on sensitive topics like Taiwan and the ‘One China’ policy seem to be off the table when brought up in public conversation. So, what will this mean for the short- and long- term relationships between the world’s two most powerful countries? Can we expect conflict, military posturing, trade wars and currency battles? Or will the two sides have to simply ‘re-learn’ how to negotiate and cooperate in the new Trump era? But a new person in charge isn’t just an American issue. China too may see a change in leadership at its highest levels this fall. That is a factor that has many watching and wondering about that country’s future direction. For America’s economy, and the global economy – there is much at stake and many world leaders are watching. A recent discussion at the Brookings Institution explored the expectations for China’s leadership change and the prospects for U.S.-China relations in the interim. Dr. Dennis Hickey is a global studies expert specializing in Asian politics and American foreign policy at Missouri State University. His extensive experience and perspective have made him one of the leading opinions on this topic. Simply click of Dr. Hickey’s icon to arrange an interview. Source:

With precious time until the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janiero, what should be a point of pride for Brazil has been reduced to a cause for concern and worry for athletes, tourists, and international organizers. Concerns have ranged from venue readiness, Zika virus, bacteria- infested water and most importantly -- security. Brazil is currently in political turmoil. Police and firefighters have been protesting and striking after going unpaid, body parts have been washing ashore and crime is rampant. In fact, in the first five months of 2016, 2,083 murders were reported (14 percent more than last year). With the world watching and the quality of security coming into question, is there reason to worry about the safety of our athletes or a potential terrorist threat at the Summer Games? Lieutenant General P. K. "Ken” Keen is a retired U.S. Army Officer and the Associate Dean of Leadership Development at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. General Keen is available to speak to media regarding security issues of such large events, potential threats, what athletes and visitors should consider if attending the Olympics. Source:

Erika James, Dean of the Goizueta Business School, studied at the University of Michigan and is a renowned researcher and speaker on the topic of Crisis Leadership -- What went wrong in Flint? Source:




