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Anyone can experience PTSD – let our experts help answer questions about PTSD Awareness Month
June is PTSD Awareness Month. It’s not just an affliction that affects soldiers and first responders – it can also impact anyone who may have been in an accident, experienced abuse or witnessed a tragedy. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after you have been through a trauma. A trauma is a shocking and dangerous event that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger.” According to Veteran’s Affairs: About 7 or 8 out of every 100 people (or 7-8% of the population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a trauma. About 10 of every 100 women (or 10%) develop PTSD sometime in their lives compared with about 4 of every 100 men (or 4%). There is nothing new about PTSD, other than its terminology. In World War 1, it was labeled “shell shock” and many perceived it as a sign of weakness as opposed to an injury. Since then it has been called “combat fatigue” and in the 1970s, “post-Vietnam syndrome.” But what about now? With so many veterans returning from overseas and the public now being more informed of those who may have been afflicted domestically, questions include: Is acceptance of PTSD improving? Does the stigma still stick with those looking to return to their careers? Are there new and innovative ways to treat PTSD and how do they work? As we round out PTSD awareness month, let our experts help with your stories. Dr. Nagy Youssef is an associate professor of psychiatry at Augusta University and is a leading expert in PTSD and suicide prevention who treats civilians, active duty military and veterans. His research focuses on mechanistic and therapeutic innovation for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders and suicide prevention. Dr. Youssef is also in the early stages of forming a study to better detect genetic markers associated with PTSD and resilience to trauma. Participation in this study is voluntary. Learn how to participate in “Epigenomics Association Study of PTSD and Resilience” at https://www.augusta.edu/research/studies/list.php.
Recently in Brainerd Lake…one lucky fisherman reeled in quite the catch. What looked like a giant goldfish was in fact a very old and very rare bigmouth buffalo fish. The catch left a lot of people confused – what was it and how did it get there? And that’s where our experts can wade in to help. “We’re starting to study them more, and they’re living far longer than we ever thought possible,” explained Dr. Josh Lallaman, assistant professor of biology at Saint Mary’s University, and large river fish expert. “It shows the importance of not always focusing on popular species; there are other species out there that need to be researched. “It’s often difficult for my students to understand that in fish identification color can be variable. Two individuals of the same species can look very different. That coloration (of the golden bigmouth buffalo) was pretty unique. It’s one of those situations similar to albinism. Every once and a while a rare set of genetic conditions makes species look very different from others. That’s what makes my job really interesting. There are these rare exceptions you don’t know are out there.” Climate change is definitely putting more pressure on fish and wildlife populations. If their habitat changes, then their ability to survive in that habitat changes. It relates to this story in that if there are these unique or old lived species, then climate change is a threat to these unique individuals. “In the end, we are decreasing species diversity within the populations. Climate change increases the temperature of the water, and it may not increase it more than a couple of degrees but how quickly it changes has big impact on food availability. Fish are adapted to very specific seasonal changes. Warmer water, even a couple of degrees, increases their metabolism so they’re hungrier and need more oxygen to survive but warmer water decreases the amount of oxygen in water. So it’s a double hit because they’re less active. It’s synergistic. That stress, but also new and synthetic chemicals being introduced to in the water, as well as flooding and navigation — all of this combines together to harm fish populations a lot more than we realize,” he said. Are you covering climate change and its impact on fish and other wildlife? Do you need to know more about fish populations in rivers and lakes across America? And what does the future look like for species and their ecosystems as the impacts of climate change starts to be seen and felt? There are a lot of questions, and that’s where our experts can help. Dr. Josh Lallaman is an assistant professor of biology at Saint Mary’s University, and large river fish expert. Josh is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Otterbein’s engineering program focuses on adding diversity to the profession
In April, Otterbein granted degrees to its first class of engineering graduates. While it’s a historic moment for the school, the class is important for another reason: it exceeds the national graduation rate for women in engineering. Otterbein is working in an intentional way to recruit a diverse class of engineers in a field that is increasingly looking for well-trained professionals who bring diverse opinions and ideas to the table. According to the American Society of Engineering Education, the national average for females earning bachelor’s degrees in engineering is 19.9%. The average for minority students graduating with engineering degrees is just 7%. Amongst the 21 students graduating from Otterbein, 29% are female and 29% are minority students. The inaugural class was also the first class to study in The Point at Otterbein University, an experiential learning facility focused on collaboration with businesses, community makers and academics. At The Point, students have opportunities to pursue industry projects and on-campus internships with resident professionals from some of the country’s largest and most respected businesses, like JPMorgan Chase and Nestle, and locally based companies, like Worthington Industries, Nikola Labs and edgeThingZ. Of the 21 graduating students, several are pursuing graduate studies at The Ohio State University and Santa Clara University, while others have already accepted full-time jobs at companies like Honda and Williams-Sonoma. “The students in this class helped us develop a strong program and accomplished a lot during their four years,” said Mike Hudoba, assistant professor of engineering. “Looking back on what they started with, it’s such a neat legacy they get to leave behind. They’re all hardworking students who entered into this new program with us.” Are you covering or would you like to learn more about Otterbein University and its engineering program? Let our experts help. Michael Hudoba is an assistant professor of engineering at Otterbein University and he is available to speak to media regarding this historic time at the school. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. To learn more, click on the link below: https://www.otterbein.edu/news/first-engineering-class-a-highlight-of-otterbein-universitys-commencement-weekend/
This year, 26 students from Columbus (Ohio) City Schools (CCS) walked across the stage to receive their Otterbein degrees as part of the Class of 2019. It was a result of a partnership between two great educational institutions that is ensuring post-secondary education is accessible to students in central Ohio. “(The event) was a great example of how two educational institutions can come together and make an impact on the lives of young people and the larger community,” said Tanya L. McClanahan, supervisor of higher education partnerships for CCS. For some time now, Otterbein and CCS have been working together to provide several academic options and initiatives to students from Ohio’s largest school district. Since 2014 the Urban Districts Initiative has been working with Columbus City Schools, as well as South-Western City Schools, Westerville City Schools, Whitehall City Schools and Cristo Rey, all districts with more than 35%of students living in poverty. The Initiative is an enhanced need-based aid model that reduces the gap between aid and expected family contribution to the smallest amount possible and has driven significant increases in enrollment of low-income students at Otterbein, as well as sparking a significant increase in student success. The Seniors-to-Sophomores program, where Otterbein offers a summer College Credit Plus course for CCS students that pairs an academic course with a for-credit study skills course. The University also has a STEM skills refresher course for entering students funded through a grant from Nationwide. Otterbein offers Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for district teachers and Otterbein faculty. In PLCs, teachers and faculty come together to discuss issues related to pedagogy and serving students to enhance the work of both institutions. Recently, Otterbein introduced a scholarship for the dependent children of CCS district (benefits eligible) employees that reduces the cost of an Otterbein education to the average of the state supported universities in Ohio. There are a lot of great things happening in Otterbein’s financial aid and recruitment models that are seeing positive outcomes in the Otterbein and central Ohio communities - and if you need to know more, that’s where our experts can help. Jefferson Blackburn Smith is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and is an expert in financial aid, scholarships, politics, and higher education. He is available to speak to media regarding these topics – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. To learn more, click the link below: https://www.otterbein.edu/news/cohort-of-columbus-city-schools-alumni-to-graduate-from-otterbein-university-sunday/
Not this time, but expect interest rates to get cut soon – our expert can explain why
It was all eyes on the Fed this week, but when it came to decide, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell held U.S. Interest rates steady and unchanged. The pressure was on to lower the rates amid serious concerns that the current trade wars and tariff action could start impacting America’s economy and slow it down. Narayana Kocherlakota, the Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester wasn’t surprised by the June decision to remain steady. And with serving six years as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, his expertise and perspective indicates lower rates will come at the next meeting. “I am not expecting a change in policy, which means the interest rates should remain the same. What I am expecting is a lot of discussion, which takes place in secret, about cutting interest rates by a quarter percentage point at their next meeting in July. Why would they do that? The Federal Reserve is tasked with trying to keep inflation at 2 percent and keep unemployment low. Right now unemployment is about as low as it’s been in the past half-century, which is very good. Inflation remains lower than the Federal Reserve would like—it’s been below 2 percent for most of the last seven years. I think they’re mainly worried about risks. There are signs of risk around the world partly due to big variations in trade policy emerging from the White House. So, the Fed is thinking about cutting rates now in order to keep the economy as healthy as possible, if there’s any danger of a recession.” University of Rochester Newscenter. Will lower rates really keep America’s economy humming? Won’t lower rates impact the strong US dollar? And if we are headed toward recession, what else can de done to turn the economy around? There are a lot of questions – and that’s where our experts can help. Dr. Narayana Kocherlakota was the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis from 2009-2015. As part of his responsibilities in that position, he served on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the monetary policymaking arm of the Federal Reserve System. He is currently a Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics and is an expert in financial economics, interest rates and monetary policy. Narayana is available to speak with media regarding the economic effects of the shutdown – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
It’s been 50 years since Stonewall…but has America really accepted gay rights?
It’s been a half-century since the Stonewall Uprising and the emergence of the gay pride movement. As cities across the world celebrate this month, it might also be time to look at where America stands today when it comes to gay rights. “From the perspective of veteran activists, the progress has been astounding. In 1969, every state but Illinois outlawed gay sex, psychiatric experts classified homosexuality as a mental disorder, and most gays stayed in the closet for fear of losing jobs and friends. “Today, same-sex marriage is the law of the land in the U.S. and at least 25 other countries. LGBT Americans serve as governors, big-city mayors and members of Congress, and one — Pete Buttigieg — is waging a spirited campaign for president.” June 17, ABC News But there is still a lot of work to do. LGBTQ people not only face discrimination in the workplace, in health care settings and even public restrooms, but can also suffer threats of violence. Just last month, the nation was shocked to learn of the chilling attack of an American woman and her partner overseas in London. The lesbian couple was violently assaulted by teens on a double-decker bus, leaving one of the women with a broken jaw, after they refused to publicly kiss one another in front of the group of young men who were harassing them. Are you covering this topic? There are a lot of questions about what needs to be done and that’s where our experts can help. Todd Powell-Williams, associate professor of Sociology at Augusta University, is an expert in social movements, social control, religion, police science and symbolic interactionism. Dr. Powell-Williams is available to speak with media about gay rights and where America stands 50 years after Stonewall. Simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.
Learn the facts – and falsehoods -- about ‘curing’ cancer
When it comes to cancer awareness, any news, promotion and exposure is good news. The goal of those on the frontlines of the battle against this disease is to inform the public, every message encouraging healthier living, prevention methods and hopefully, inspiring more people to support cancer research. Doctors can successfully treat cancer. However, there is no cure. Just this month, as the political rhetoric continues ramping up for the 2020 election, former Vice President Joe Biden used cancer as a platform. "A lot of you understand what loss is and when loss occurs, you know that people come up to you and tell you 'I understand' if you lose a husband, a wife, a son, a daughter, a family member," he said. "That's why I've worked so hard in my career to make sure that — I promise you if I'm elected president, you're going to see the single most important thing that changes America, we're gonna cure cancer." – USA Today, June 12 For Biden, cancer is an issue that is close to him. He lost his son to brain cancer in 2015. He’s passionate and deeply invested in those who have also lost a loved one to the disease. But his messaging was not accurate. If you are covering cancer research, prevention and the quest for the best possible outcomes for those diagnosed and being treated for the disease, the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University has experts who can help with your stories. Dr. Daniel Albo is able to discuss the fact that yes, there are highly successful treatments for a variety of different cancers. But, there is no “single bullet” that will cure every kind of cancer there is. This is the mistake Biden made during his speech. For some cancer patients, it’s about working with their doctor to find ways to manage their disease during the entirety of their life, similar to high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. To find new treatment options and therapies for all kinds of cancer, it will take investment from multiple levels of government. But money is not all that is needed. It will take basic science researchers working with clinicians to make new “bench-to-bedside” treatment discoveries. Also, public health and prevention, as well as improving access to health care, are essential to ending the burden cancer puts on patients, their family and their friends. Dr. Albo serves as Chair in the Department of Surgery for the Medical College of Georgia, the Surgeon-in-Chief for Augusta University Health System and associate director of surgical services for the Georgia Cancer Center. He is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
College readiness: Why it’s time to turn the page on one-off developmental courses
With summer officially here, millions of recent high school graduates and adult learners alike are preparing for college this fall. Unfortunately, a large percentage of them need developmental courses in order to advance, and many of those students will drop out within their first year—victims of a college preparedness approach that is generally not working. While it is true that education provides one of the surest pathways to a better life, millions of individuals do not have the academic background, confidence, mindset, and study habits to succeed in postsecondary programs and achieve their career dreams. Underprepared students face serious hurdles when attempting to enroll in college, and often struggle with one or more of the following: Poor self-image, lack of confidence (and overconfidence), and undeveloped study skills Weak math skills and math phobia Poor writing/language skills Lack of preparation for rigorous reading of texts, analytical thinking, and problem-solving Despite the poor track record, an estimated $7 billion is spent annually on traditional remedial education by students and institutions. According to research, 68 percent of community college students and 40 percent of public four-year college students take at least one developmental course, and among them less than 10 percent of two-year students graduate within three years, and only 35 percent of four-year students graduate within six years. Solutions exist, according Pat Partridge, president of WGU Academy—an independent nonprofit entity established by Western Governors University (WGU) to help solve the growing college-readiness gap. He suggests that for college readiness to be effective, programs must incorporate noncognitive personal competencies. “The Academy’s approach is based on the premise that to make college-readiness effective we must address the whole person rather than just getting them through one-off math or English courses to satisfy admissions requirements. Our two-pronged approach to preparing students—focused on academic coursework and noncognitive personal skills—is challenging traditional thinking paradigms that are not working well. The program is designed to be transformative for students who need confidence and persistence, social and emotional learning skills, and customized support to position them for long-term academic and career success.” Studies show that students and families pay an extra $3,000 on skills and content they should have learned in high school—a hefty price for courses that typically offer no transferable credits. Partridge suggests that programs like Academy—which uses an online, competency-based learning model similar to WGU’s—can change that by offering a scalable, replicable solution. WGU Academy students pay $150 per month, and most enrollees should finish the program in three to four months, or even less—making it a low-cost, low-risk solution. And the courses are ACE (American Council on Education) recommended, which hundreds of colleges and universities recognize. “The challenge is far larger than WGU alone can tackle, which is why Academy is designed to help serve hundreds of thousands of individuals who are not likely to attend WGU” Partridge noted. “We look forward to working with other entities that share the same mission to help individuals succeed in college and their careers—both recent high school grads and adults—by boosting completion rates.” WGU Academy’s first partnership is with tnAchieves in support of Tennessee’s flagship scholarship program that allows any resident without a postsecondary certification to attend community college tuition-free. WGU Academy, which launched May 1, 2019, already has more than 600 enrolled students. To speak with Partridge, contact WGU Academy’s PR Business Partner, Matt Griffin, at matt.griffin@wgu.edu or (615) 472-6056.
Keratoconus – ever heard of it? It’s an eye condition where genetics and environmental factors like ultraviolet light and vigorous eye rubbing conspire to make the usual curvature of the cornea more pointy, leaving us with double vision and nearsighted. National Basketball Association and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry helped make keratoconus, which affects an estimated 1 in 2,000, a more visible eye condition this April. A $2.1 million grant from the National Eye Institute is now helping Dr. Yutao Liu, vision scientist and human geneticist, learn more about keratoconus’ causes and identify points to better diagnose, treat and possibly prevent the progressive disease that typically starts in our teens. “We want to help patients better understand what is happening to their vision by better understanding how keratoconus happens, and give physicians better points to intervene,” says the scientist in the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Georgia and James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute at Augusta University. For Curry, his solution was simple – treatment with corrective contact lenses. But keratoconus does progress and some who suffer may eventually require a corneal transplant surgery or corneal collagen cross-linking as treatment. Keratoconus is a fascinating disease and the research by experts at Augusta University will be groundbreaking. Do you need to know more? That’s where we can help. Dr. Yutao Liu is an associate professor of Cellular Biology and Anatomy with the Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine at Augusta University. Dr. Liu and is available to speak with media regarding this rare disease - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Juneteenth: Our experts can explain the history, meaning and truth behind this historic moment
Most will know that Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. It’s taught in schools and is even part of the Disney experience. But fewer know or are even taught that it took more than two and a half years before a large number of enslaved people even knew they were free. It’s an astounding and sad part of our collective history that is finally being told on a broader platform. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that many enslaved people were finally told they were free. What followed was by no means a celebration or easy life for those slaves who were finally broken from the bonds of their owners. They faced lynching, murder, violence and what would be more than 100 years of segregation and discrimination. Across the country, the day will be recognized with various forms of reflection and celebration. Though Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, it meant only partial staffing was required and most government offices and agencies stayed open. Across the country, more than 40 states operate in similar fashion. As America reconciles with its past – is it time Juneteenth was given more attention? Are children taught about the hard and painful journey most African Americans had to take between now and when they were set free? Does it need to be recognized as a national holiday? What do our educators and legislators need to do to make sure Juneteenth is known on a wider scale? There are a lot of questions to be answered – and that’s where the experts from Augusta University can help. Professor Seretha Williams is an expert in Africa and African Diaspora, Digital Humanities, and Digital Publication. She is available to speak with media regarding Juneteenth – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.