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Georgia Southern reaches new economic impact record of $1.167 billion

Recent reports from the University System of Georgia (USG) show Georgia Southern University continues its legacy of significant economic impact on its surrounding region. According to the USG’s latest Economic Impact report, the system recorded a $23.1 billion total economic impact from July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2024. In the same period, Georgia Southern continues to reach new heights with a record annual economic impact of $1.167 billion for FY 2024, a 1.9% increase over the previous year. “Georgia Southern’s record economic impact across the region reflects the extraordinary dedication of our faculty and staff on all three campuses to ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our students and our region today and into the future,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “We remain steadfast in our goals of graduating career-ready students, advancing the economic development of the region and elevating our public impact research enterprise.” The report shows there are 3,096 jobs on Georgia Southern’s campuses in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. Because of institution-related spending, an additional 6,627 jobs exist off-campus, totaling 9,723 jobs due to institution-related spending in fiscal year 2024. The report also noted that Georgia Southern students spent $442,818,489 in the region in fiscal year 2024. In addition, the USG’s newest Lifetime Earnings study found that bachelor’s degree graduates from the class of 2024 will earn, on average, more than $1.4 million above what they would without a college degree through their lifetime. The findings confirm how much each level of higher education can add to a USG graduate’s total earnings throughout their lives. Across the entire USG, the analysis showed that the 73,006 degrees conferred by USG institutions can expect combined total lifetime earnings of $230 billion. “A degree from one of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Students see real returns through higher earnings and better opportunities. Meanwhile, our institutions power Georgia’s economy and help local communities thrive.” Georgia high school graduates who obtain a bachelor’s degree will boost their state work-life earnings by 82%, surpassing the 80% increase estimated for the nation. Georgia Southern University conferred 5,172 degrees in FY 2024. This group of degree recipients can expect their combined work in Georgia to total lifetime earnings of $16.54 billion. The report also broke down total Georgia lifetime earning predictions by degree: The 102 GS graduates with doctoral degrees will earn a total of $429 million. The 1,116 GS graduates with master’s degrees will earn a total of $3.8 billion. The 3,870 GS graduates with bachelor’s degrees will earn a total of $12.5 billion. The 45 GS graduates with associate degrees will earn a total of $97.9 million. The 39 GS graduates with certificates will earn a total of $78.2 million. The Lifetime Earnings report also shows the U.S. work-life earnings for graduates. For example, all Georgia Southern students who graduated in the class of 2024 who graduated with a bachelor’s degree will earn a collective $12.6 billion in their lifetimes. Without the degree, their projected lifetime earnings would only be a collective $7 billion. The Economic Impact as well as the Lifetime Earnings studies were both conducted on behalf of USG by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. If you're interested in knowing more about Georgia Southern University  - simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

Largest Cohort in LSU History: Six Distinguished Faculty Members Named Boyd Professors

Named in honor of brothers Thomas and David Boyd, early presidents and faculty members of LSU, the Boyd Professorship recognizes faculty who bring honor and prestige to LSU through their national and, as appropriate, international recognition for outstanding achievements. Before today, only 79 faculty members from all of LSU’s campuses have ever achieved this distinguished rank. The newest cohort of Boyd Professors represent a wide variety of disciplines and hail from three of LSU’s eight campuses: LSU A&M, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and LSU Shreveport. This group includes LSU Shreveport’s first-ever Boyd Professor, a landmark achievement for the campus and a testament to its academic distinction. As the largest group of Boyd Professors ever named at one time, this cohort underscores LSU’s rising reputation for research excellence across all of its campuses. “This is a moment of real pride for LSU. Naming six new Boyd Professors is not only historic in scale, it's a clear reflection of the extraordinary strength and momentum of our academic enterprise,” said Interim LSU President Matt Lee. “These scholars are advancing knowledge in ways that reach far beyond our campuses, and their work is helping to define LSU’s place on the national and global stage. I am especially proud to see LSU Shreveport represented for the first time, a milestone that reflects the growing excellence across our campuses. This achievement is a powerful reminder of our commitment to advancing scholarship and shaping the future through research, education, and service.” The newest Boyd Professors are: Mette Gaarde, Les and Dot Broussard Alumni Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, LSU A&M John Maxwell Hamilton, Hopkins P. Breazeale LSU Foundation Professor, Manship School of Mass Communication, LSU A&M Steven Heymsfield, Professor of Metabolism and Body Composition, Pennington Biomedical Research Center Michael Khonsari, Dow Chemical Endowed Chair and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, LSU A&M Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History, Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair, College of Arts & Sciences, LSU Shreveport R. Kelley Pace, Professor, Department of Finance, E. J. Ourso College of Business, LSU A&M Nominations for the Boyd Professorship are initiated in the college, routed for review and support at the campus level, then considered by the LSU Boyd Professorship Review Committee, which seeks confidential evaluations from dozens of distinguished scholars in the candidate’s field of expertise. Once endorsed by the review committee, the nomination is forwarded to the LSU President and Board of Supervisors for consideration. With this distinction, a Boyd Professor’s compensation is elevated to reflect the stature of LSU’s most distinguished faculty, with a salary set at no less than the 95th percentile of full professors in comparable disciplines at peer public institutions across the southeastern United States. They also receive an annual stipend to further support their research and scholarly pursuits. Please join us in congratulating these faculty on this outstanding accomplishment.

LSU Launches Energy Institute

This strategic move aligns with LSU’s Scholarship First Agenda, where energy is one of five core focus areas for research critical to the future of Louisiana and the nation. It also builds on the successes of LSU’s Institute for Energy Innovation, Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana Geological Survey, and the LSU-led FUEL team while assuming a leadership role in how the university engages with its partners—industry, communities, donors, and state and federal agencies—through collaboration and service. “As Louisiana’s flagship research university, LSU is committed to organizing our efforts in ways that maximize impact and reflect institutional priorities,” said Robert Twilley, LSU vice president of research and economic development. “The LSU Energy Institute will provide a platform for faculty across multiple colleges and disciplines to collaborate on solutions to Louisiana’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges.” The LSU Energy Institute will unify and expand several longstanding programs, chiefly the Center for Energy Studies, the Louisiana Geological Survey, and a range of externally funded initiatives, including cutting-edge energy research catalyzed by the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation through a dedicated $25 million investment from Shell. This results-focused realignment reflects a broader effort across LSU to improve coordination between strategic research projects and teams with increased support from research centers, institutes, and core facilities. As LSU’s flagship unit in the energy domain, the Energy Institute will enhance the university’s ability to align interdisciplinary research and policy with Louisiana’s energy economy and environmental stewardship goals. “The reorganization of LSU energy efforts into this institute reflects both a long-standing legacy of service and a renewed vision for the future of energy research in Louisiana. It’s about building on 40 years of trusted work while expanding our capacity to innovate, support decisionmakers, and serve the people of our state, said Greg Upton, interim director of the LSU Energy Institute and executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies. The LSU Energy Institute will serve as a central hub for faculty, students, industry, and public agencies working at the intersection of energy technology, resource economics, environmental protection, and policy. The integration of the Louisiana Geological Survey will further reinforce the university’s role in providing critical data and analysis to support state planning and hazard assessment. The institute will also continue to seed competitive, high-quality research focused on energy systems resilience, carbon management, and economic opportunity. These investments reflect LSU’s broader vision to translate research into impact and fuel new jobs and technologies to power Louisiana’s future. Original article posted here. 

LSU Expert Carol Friedland on Katrina’s Legacy: What’s Changed, What Still Needs to Be Done

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated Louisiana and brought billions of dollars of damage to the state, lawmakers worked with researchers, engineers and others to create and implement new codes and laws in an attempt to prevent such serious damage happening again. On Aug. 29, LSU and the LSU AgCenter hosted an event at the Energy, Coast and Environment Building in honor of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall in Louisiana on the same date in 2005. The daylong conference featured leading voices from LSU and government officials, who spoke about the impacts that hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on Louisiana and how policies and research have changed since those storms. As a part of the program, Carol Friedland, the director of the AgCenter LaHouse Research and Education Center, spoke alongside Brad Hassert, executive director of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, for a seminar called “Innovating Resilience: Solutions Inspired by Katrina.” The two discussed recent developments in building materials and building codes that showed the changes, or lack thereof, since the two devastating hurricanes. At the time of the storms, building codes were not uniform in the state, and some parishes had almost no building codes at all. After Katrina and Rita, however, officials pushed for a unified code that better protected Louisiana residents from dangerous storms and weather events. “After Hurricane Katrina, we actually enacted very strong legislation to adopt the model code,” Friedland said. “Also, at the same time, the FEMA mitigation assessment team went out and documented a lot of the failures from Katrina. This program really helps us learn around the country what are the practices that are working and what are the practices that are not working and then getting those integrated into the code process.” Friedland went on to talk about some developments for houses that she has been working on, like “fortified roofs,” which are new roofs that will protect residents more efficiently than the codes required in Louisiana. Friedland also talked about the process of implementing new codes. Researchers must find agreement with governmental entities and other parties, like insurance adjusters and contractors, to succeed, she said. Hassert spoke about the importance for homeowners to find a licensed contractor after a weather event causes damage to their house. This is mostly to ensure that the house will be repaired to code and so the homeowners will not be scammed or stolen from. Hassert, who was recently appointed executive director of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, urged researchers and other stakeholders to come together and participate in council meetings so they can make the most informed and beneficial decisions that they can. Both Hassert and Friedland believe there is work to do to improve the codes and building standards in Louisiana houses, but with communication and more involved research, enhancements can be made. “One of the ways I like to frame this is to think about are we happy with the level of losses that we have?” Friedland said. “Do we think that we’re doing well? Who is happy with the level of loss that we see? I think we can still do better.” Original article posted by the LSU AgCenter here. 

Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars Complete Biomedical Research Projects at ChristianaCare

Eight undergraduate scholars recently completed a 10-week immersion in biomedical research through the Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Scholars Program at ChristianaCare. Their projects, spanning oncology, emergency medicine and community health, culminated in a capstone presentation and celebration on August 13 at Christiana Hospital. This year’s cohort included students from University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College, as well as Delaware residents attending college out of state. Each student was paired with expert mentors from across ChristianaCare, contributing to research designed to improve patient care and outcomes. In addition to their primary projects, the scholars explored ChristianaCare’s advanced facilities such as the Gene Editing Institute Learning Lab, gaining hands-on exposure to cutting-edge methods in biomedical research. “This year’s DE-INBRE program at ChristianaCare was a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Susan Smith, Ph.D., RN, program director of Technology Research & Education at ChristianaCare and the INBRE site principal investigator. “We brought together undergraduates from various academic backgrounds and immersed them in real, hands-on biomedical research with some of our most accomplished investigators. “Watching these students go from a little unsure on day one to confidently presenting their own findings by the end of the summer was inspiring, and proof that programs like this are building the next generation of biomedical researchers in Delaware.” Delaware INBRE is a statewide initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health to strengthen Delaware’s biomedical research infrastructure. It supports undergraduate research training, faculty development and core facility investments across partner institutions. At ChristianaCare, the program offers students immersive, hands-on research experiences guided by seasoned investigators, equipping them with the skills, mentorship and exposure essential for careers in science and medicine. Madeline Rowland, a Delaware resident and rising senior at Williams College in Massachusetts, collaborated with Hank Chen, senior medical physicist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, to evaluate tattoo-free, surface-guided radiation therapy for breast cancer patients. She also worked with leaders of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health to explore how different patient populations experience virtual primary care. Rowland praised the program for the research skills and knowledge she gained as well as the meaningful relationships she built with mentors, health care professionals and fellow scholars she might not have otherwise met. “Dr. Chen and the whole Radiation team really adopted me into the department,” Rowland said. “From sitting on the CT simulation table in my first week to working on my project, I felt fully welcomed. I’ve learned so much, and the people I’ve met made this summer unforgettable.” Chen was recognized as the program’s inaugural “Mentor of the Summer” for his exceptional dedication and thoughtful approach to teaching. Having now mentored INBRE scholars for three years, Chen has a personal connection to the program. His own daughter participated as an undergraduate and recently began her general surgery residency after graduating from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. For Chen, mentoring represents an investment in health care’s future. “The greatest asset of any institution is its talent,” he explained. “When you welcome students into your environment, you draw good people to your field, and patients ultimately benefit from that.” Naana Twusami, a rising senior at Delaware State University, spent her summer with the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry Department. She examined social determinants of health in facial trauma patients, analyzing how factors like income, education, transportation and insurance status influence recovery. “Being here showed me that things like income or transportation can matter just as much as the medical care itself,” she said. “The INBRE Summer Scholars Program gave me a real look at how health care works, and how places like ChristianaCare are helping shape where it’s headed.” Amy Minsker, continuing medical education manager, Academic Affairs, served as manager of the summer scholars program. Read more on news.christianacare.org.

Back-to-school stress? Here’s how it can be a good thing.

As America heads back to school, the renewed whirlwind of expectations for students and parents — from demanding coursework to social dynamics and balancing pick-up-and-drop-off schedules — can trigger anxiety for students and parents alike. Jeremy Jamieson, associate professor of psychology who leads the University of Rochester’s Social Stress Lab, studies how social stressors affect decisions, emotion, and achievement and how embracing, rather than battling, those reactions can boost resilience. “We’re not passive receivers of stress,” Jamieson told National Public Radio last year. “We’re active agents in actually making our own stress response.” Jamieson’s research reveals that stress can be helpful when it is reframed as a mobilizer of energy and focus. In a study of students preparing for the GRE, for instance, those who were primed to view physical stress symptoms (like a racing heart) as beneficial outperformed their peers who didn’t reframe those symptoms. As students confront the fall’s demands, a simple shift in mindset can make all the difference. Jamieson’s research has so many practical applications that he is regularly sought out by media outlets on a wide variety of topics. In the last year, he has talked to Golf Digest about battling the “yips,” to The Atlantic about the rise of “anxiety-inducing” television, and to New York Magazine about the stress some people feel when talking on the phone. He is available to discuss his research and to help explain and navigate seasonal pressures. Connect with him by clicking on his profile.

The Rise of Grandparent Scams

Before you scroll past thinking, “Oh, another scam alert,” please pause. This isn’t your average “don’t answer spam calls” notice. What follows is an examination of the growing sophistication of grandparent scams—complete with call centers, scripts, and even AI voice cloning. More importantly, it’s about how to protect yourself and, especially, the older members of your family. Read on—not just for awareness, but for fundamental tools to keep your loved ones safe. Even Elvis Isn't Safe From Scammers You know the world has gone topsy-turvy when even the King of Rock 'n' Roll isn't immune to fraud. I've written before about the recent attempt to scam Elvis Presley's Graceland estate, but a recent story about senior fraud really got my blood boiling. U.S. authorities in Boston just charged 13 people connected to what I can only describe as a "grandparent scam industrial complex" – a sophisticated operation that bilked over 400 elderly Americans out of more than $5 million. These weren't your run-of-the-mill phone scammers calling from their basement. Oh no. These criminals were running call centers with scripts, managers, and daily money-making leaderboards like they were selling insurance, not breaking hearts. The math alone should make you furious: $5 million divided by 400 victims equals about $12,500 per person. That's not pocket change – that's someone's emergency fund, their vacation savings, or money they've been carefully setting aside for healthcare costs. The Grandparent Scam: Emotional Manipulation 101 If you're not familiar with grandparent scams, buckle up. These predators have turned family love into their business model, and they're disgustingly good at it. Here's their playbook: Step 1: The Panic Call – "Grandma, it's me! I'm in jail and need bail money RIGHT NOW!" Step 2: The Identity Theft – Using social media details (yes, those cute Facebook posts about little Johnny's soccer game), they sound convincingly like your grandchild. Some are even using AI voice-cloning technology. Step 3: The Time Crunch – Everything's an emergency. No time to think, no time to verify. Just panic and send money. Real emergencies, by the way, allow time for a phone call to confirm details. Step 4: The Collection – Cash via courier, rideshare driver pickup, wire transfers, even Bitcoin. Anything except the legitimate ways actual legal systems collect bail money (spoiler alert: the good guys don't send Uber drivers to your house). The Boston Grandparent Fraud Case: Scamming at Scale The level of organization in this Boston case reads like a twisted business manual. These criminals weren't just winging it – they had: • Dedicated "Opener" staff who made initial contact with victims • Specialized "Closers" who pretended to be lawyers demanding payment • Management training programs for their scam employees • Daily performance systems (because nothing says "organized crime" quite like gamifying elderly financial abuse) A number of things bothered me about this case The fraudsters got over $5 million from 400 victims. The simple math shows that, on average, each victim would have lost $12,500 – that’s not “walking around” money. I suspect many would have had to tap into a variety of savings accounts or possibly borrow from others to source funds on short notice. This creates an extra degree of hardship for victims who are struggling to manage on a fixed income. The average age of the victims was 84. This breaks my heart. The oldest in this cohort are especially vulnerable. At this age, many seniors live alone or are more isolated, making them easier prey for these deceitful tactics. Many of them are still uninformed about how these scams operate. The scammers showed a very high level of sophistication. According to court documents from the U.S. Department of Justice, District of Massachusetts (2025), the scammers operated a sophisticated “call center” with technology at multiple sites, enabling them to place a massive number of calls to unsuspecting victims. • These scams would begin with an “Opener” employee, who would call victims and read a script (see below) pretending to be a grandson or granddaughter who was in an accident. • Then, a “Closer” would allegedly follow up with another call, pretending to be their grandchild’s attorney, asking for a sum of money to pay for their grandchild’s fees due to the accident. Each of these call center locations had managers overseeing staff who trained, supervised, and paid employees. The most sickening part? They kept detailed records of how much money they stole each day, treating vulnerable seniors like ATM machines with feelings. Here is an actual photo of their “Leaderboard” taken as evidence in the Boston case. When it came to handling cash, they also had a plan for that. Most often, they used unsuspecting rideshare drivers whom they ordered to do a package pickup at the victim’s house. And these heartless criminals often went back for seconds and thirds. Using lines designed to trigger seniors into emptying their bank accounts. They would say things like "Oh, there's been a mix-up," or "A pregnant woman's baby was lost in the crash" – any lie to squeeze more money from people who'd already been devastated once. Now, I’ve been in enough boardrooms to know that leaderboards usually track sales of widgets, mortgages, or, at worst, how many stale muffins are left in the breakroom. But imagine walking into work and your boss says, “Congratulations, you scammed the most grandmas today—you win Employee of the Month!” That’s not just evil, it’s the kind of thing that should earn you a permanent bunk bed in a tiny jail cell.  And using Uber drivers to pick up cash? Please. The only thing Uber should be picking up is takeout and slightly tipsy people at 11 p.m.—not Grandma’s retirement savings. Some of These Scams Are Coming From Inside Canada Here's where this story hits close to home. While we might imagine these scams operating from some far-off location, some of the biggest operations have been running right here in Canada. In March 2025, Montreal police arrested 23 people connected to a massive network that allegedly defrauded seniors across 40 U.S. states of $30 million over three years. The suspected ringleader, Montreal developer Gareth West, allegedly ran call centers from Quebec properties and laundered the proceeds into luxury real estate. West remains at large, proving that sometimes the worst criminals are hiding in plain sight in Canadian suburbs. The Canadian Reality Check According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, emergency or 'grandparent scams' have become one of the fastest-growing crimes targeting seniors in Canada, with reported losses rising from $2.4 million in 2021 to over $11.3 million in 2023. Here's where it gets even more interesting.  Those figures are just the losses for gradparent fraud that are reported – experts estimate the true losses are at least ten times higher since only 5-10% of fraud victims come forward.  Let that sink in: we could be looking at over $100 million in actual losses annually in Canada alone. Here’s the part that really stings: no one is exempt. Not me, not you, not even that friend who insists they “don’t answer unknown numbers.” (Sure, Jan. We all know you still pick up when it says “potential spam.”) This isn’t just about losing money—it’s about losing confidence. The shame, the self-doubt, and the “How could I fall for that?” spiral are often worse than the financial loss. I’ve seen strong, capable people withdraw after being scammed, too embarrassed to tell their own families. And honestly—I get the same chill when I read these stories: Would I have caught it in time? It’s a reminder that vigilance is like flossing—we all know we should do it daily, and yet… sometimes we forget until it hurts. Supporting an Elder Who’s Been Scammed Here’s where we need to step up as families and communities Practical Support: • Help them file a report with the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. • Contact their bank to determine if the funds can be recovered. • Lock down social media and adjust privacy settings so future scammers have less ammunition. Emotional Support: • Listen without judgment. Don’t say, “I would never have fallen for that.” (Trust me—you might.) or “you know better, Granddad”. • Normalize the experience: this can happen to anyone. If AI can clone voices and manipulate emotions, it’s not about intelligence—it’s about being human. • Follow up regularly. Shame makes people pull back, so check in to ensure they’re not withdrawing or losing confidence. Your Family’s Fraud Fighting Toolkit Look, I've spent over 30 years in the financial industry, and I can tell you that preventing fraud is always easier than recovering from it. Here's your family's defence strategy: The P-A-U-S-E Method Pause – Don't act immediately, no matter how urgent the request sounds. Ask questions only family members would immediately know ("What's Mom's maiden name?") Use known phone numbers to call your grandchild directly and verify information Set up systems to protect family members (like a secret family password) Explain to others – share this information widely with all family members Know the Red Flags • Demands for immediate action (real emergencies allow verification time) • Requests for secrecy ("Don't tell Mom and Dad!") • Payment via courier, rideshare, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency • Emotional manipulation ("I'm so scared, Grandma!") • Any request for cash payment to resolve legal issues Family Password System Set up a secret word or phrase that only your family knows. Make it something memorable but not guessable from social media. "Fluffy" (your childhood dog) is better than a pet name you posted on a recent social media post. What to Do If You're Targeted Stop. Don't. Send. Money. Instead: • Hang up immediately • Call your local police to file a report • Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 or visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca • If you've already sent money, contact your bank immediately • Tell other family members what happened – you're not the only target These criminals exploit the most powerful human emotions: love, fear, and the desire to protect our families. They've turned grandparents' natural instinct to help their grandchildren into a multi-million-dollar crime operation. But here's what they're banking on (pun intended): that we'll be too embarrassed to talk about it, too confused to verify it, and too panicked to think clearly.  Don't give them that satisfaction. Remember, the average age of victims in the Boston case was 84. These aren't people who have time to recover from financial mistakes. Every dollar stolen from a senior is a dollar that won't be there for healthcare, housing, or basic dignity in their final years. We Can Fight Back Knowledge is power, and conversation offers protection. The more we discuss these scams openly – around dinner tables, in community centres, at family gatherings – the more we hinder these criminals from succeeding. Share this post with the seniors in your life. Not because they're naive, but because they're caring. And because caring people deserve to know how heartless criminals are trying to exploit their love. What is your family doing to protect against fraud? What are your strategies and ideas for keeping our loved ones safe? I’m also particularly interested in what financial institutions and various government agencies are doing these days to combat fraud and protect this vulnerable group. As I research this topic more, I’d love to hear from you. Remember: Real grandchildren in genuine emergencies can wait five minutes for you to confirm who you're talking to. Scammers can't. Helpful Resources: • Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 • Report online: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca • For more retirement security tips, visit retirewithequity.ca Stay safe. Don't Retire - Rewire!  Sue

New autism and disability training at Aston University aims to close gaps in healthcare

Aston University is leading a national shift in healthcare education with the rollout of Tier 1 of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (OMMT) — a pioneering initiative developed by NHS England to improve support for individuals with autism and learning disabilities. Oliver McGowan was an 18-year-old with autism and learning disabilities who died in 2016 after a bad reaction to medication for epileptic seizures, which both he and his parents had requested should not be given after a previous bad reaction. Oliver's death was ruled 'avoidable' and revealed serious gaps in training for medical professionals caring for those with autism and learning difficulties. Oliver's mother Paula set up a foundation to campaign for appropriate training, and in 2022, an UK act of parliament mandated learning disability and autism training for all healthcare staff registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This is now being introduced. The evaluation of the project at Aston University is being led by Dr Amreen Bashir, senior lecturer in biomedical science, in close collaboration with Dr Mary Drozd, senior teaching fellow in nursing and Dr Jayne Murphy, associate professorial teaching fellow in nursing. Aston is one of the first universities in the UK to implement this training across undergraduate healthcare programmes, including Nursing, Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Optometry, and Physician Associate Studies. “Our students not only gained new knowledge, but they were vocal about the importance of this training staying in the curriculum permanently,” said Dr. Bashir. Student feedback highlights the transformative impact of the training: “I will use the training to ensure the patient care I provide is accommodating to people with special needs and will offer reasonable adjustments when needed. I understand autism and learning difficulties are not like other disabilities which are commonly physically noticed and that they may me hidden.” “The most useful aspect of the Oliver McGowan training is its focus on real-life experiences shared by individuals with autism and learning disabilities. These personal insights help to contextualise the challenges they face, making the training relatable and impactful.” “It opened my eyes as to how even within people who are practising and have already been working in clinical settings lack the understanding on how to care and approach those with autism and/or learning disabilities. It shouldn’t have got to a stage where what happened with Oliver happened and I am glad I have had this training so that I know what I can do as a healthcare professional in these situations. My previous job as a support worker also helped as I worked with service users who had autism and learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities and so this training assisted the knowledge I had already gained.” Measuring the impact A total of 176 students completed the pre-intervention survey and 94 students completed the survey post-OMMT. Participants were drawn from Nursing, Biomedical Science, Physician Associate Practice, Optometry, and Pharmacy at Aston University. How the training works Tier 1 of the OMMT consists of two parts: a 90-minute e-learning session completed independently, followed by a one-hour live interactive webinar co-facilitated by trained professionals and experts by experience. This format allows for reflective discussion and a deeper understanding of autism and learning disabilities through real-world perspectives. Post-training surveys measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. Early results Students showed significantly improved understanding of autism and learning disabilities, as well as greater sensitivity toward tailoring communication to individual needs. The training also identified critical areas for further attention, such as the role of ethnicity in healthcare access and the impact of silent conditions like constipation, which can go undetected and lead to preventable harm. The findings will be presented at the upcoming 'Horizons in STEM' higher education conference, which is being hosted at Aston University, with a manuscript currently in preparation for peer-reviewed publication. By embedding OMMT into its core curricula, Aston University is setting a benchmark for inclusive healthcare education across the UK. To follow this research or explore collaboration on the OMMT initiative, contact: Dr Amreen Bashir – a.bashir6@aston.ac.uk Dr Mary Drozd – m.drozd@aston.ac.uk Dr Jayne Murphy – j.murphy5@aston.ac.uk

Colorado wildfires will have severe mental health impact on residents and firefighters

The historic wildfire season in Colorado includes some of the largest in its history, leading to firefighter burnout and resource shortages. University of Delaware epidemiologist Jennifer Horney says that first responders, as well as Colorado residents, will be at risk for both physical and mental health impacts of the fires. "The fires, and the expected flash floods and mud slides to follow, will also be a test of a reduced focus on, and investment in, federal disaster response and hazard mitigation," said Horney, professor and director of UD's epidemiology program. In addition to research on the impacts of natural disasters on public health, Horney also studies linkages between disaster planning and the actions communities and individuals take to prepare, respond and recover. To set up an interview, visit her ExpertFile profile and click on the "contact" button. Reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.

MEDIA RELEASE: Nearly All Manitoba Parents Report Unsafe Driving in School Zones, CAA Study Finds.

With the new school year days away, CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is releasing new findings on school zone safety. A recent survey found that nearly all (90 per cent) Manitoba parents and guardians have reported unsafe driving behaviours in their school zone. As a result, most parents (62 per cent) consider their child’s school zone very unsafe. “Every parent wants to see their child to and from school safely,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government & community Relations for CAA Manitoba. “Driving dangerously in areas where vulnerable road users are active such as children, always presents heightened road safety concerns.” Parents call for greater safety precautions in school zones According to the data, parents cited speeding, drivers blocking school bus zones and distracted driving as the most dangerous driving behaviours they witnessed in their school zone. The study also found that 43 per cent of parents choose to drive their kids to school over walking, cycling or taking a school bus, contributing to the increase in vehicle traffic in these areas. “This is an eight per cent increase in parents driving their children compared to our last survey in 2023,” says Friesen. “Parents stated their reasons for driving their children included convenience and distance between home and school, but the most concerning answer was because of traffic safety concerns.” Most Manitoba parents favour greater safety precautions in school zones, including lower speed limits, enhanced infrastructure, improved enforcement and education. The data shows that the majority of parents (83 per cent) support reducing speed limits in school zones during the school year, a common practice in the province. A majority of parents also believe that automated speed enforcement (ASE) is an effective deterrent to speeding in school zones, while recognizing there are other tools, including speed bumps and digital speed detection signs, as effective ways to slow drivers around their child’s school. CAA Manitoba is encouraging motorists to make responsible driving choices to protect children as they travel to and from school. CAA Manitoba has the following tips when travelling in school zones: Help reduce traffic with active school travel: Encourage your kids to walk or wheel to school to ease traffic congestion. If your school is a further distance, CAA MB encourages parents and guardians to park a block away and walk to school to reduce the volume of vehicles and improve sightlines. Put away distractions: It’s important to put away distractions such as phones and be extra attentive in school zones for both motorists and pedestrians. Slow down: Know and respect the speed limit in your neighbourhood’s school zones. Give yourself plenty of time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing. Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school: Follow your school’s rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop-off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe. Make eye contact with pedestrians: With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle, so make eye contact with pedestrians crossing the road. Stop for school buses: Never pass a stopped school bus with an activated stop arm and flashing red lights as children get on and off the bus. Passing a school bus as it loads and unloads children – not only is this dangerous, but it’s also illegal. Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers: When travelling through school zones, watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers in their lime green safety vests, as they play an important role in ensuring the roadway is safe before kids cross on their own. Visit schoolpatrolmanitoba.com for more information. CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol® program. The program was developed to protect, educate and empower elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. For more school zone safety tips, visit caamanitoba.com/schoolzonesafety. The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights in May 2025, with 516 Manitoba parents/guardians with children attending school from kindergarten to grade 8. Based on the sample size of n=516 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/- 3%.)