Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group Announces New Name - ASAP TODAY -

to Advocate the Urgent Need for Safe Global Surgery and Anesthesia

Nashville, TN, March 17, 2010 (PR Web) -- The Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group (BoSD WG) www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com held its 3rd annual global meeting at The Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health www.globalhealth.vanderbilt.edu/bosd on March 10-12, 2010 in Nashville, TN. The meeting focused on the global anesthesia crisis, raising the standard for surgical outcomes, the role of academic partnerships in the role of delivery of care and improving education and training, and the importance of decreasing maternal mortality through surgical intervention. The meeting also had a focus on the role of corporate relationships and improved communications to attract new members, build diversity and advocacy to advance the mission. The 300 member global group was well represented with participants from surgery, anesthesia, obstetrics, public health, corporate partners and i.e. healthcare.

Kelly McQueen, founder BoSD WG, commented: "The group focused on the global anesthesia crisis. There is a shortage of qualified providers, an inability to monitor patients during surgery (pulse oximetry), and limited access to necessary medications and blood products which makes the provision of anesthesia in low income countries a dangerous reality. Many preventable anesthesia deaths occur daily in many countries worldwide. The global community must recognize the crucial role of anesthesia in all surgical settings, and rally to improve anesthesia education and training, improved monitoring and better access to medications and blood products."

The meeting opened with a keynote from the Honorable Senator Bill Frist, M.D., ‘Lessons Learned in Haiti: Using Crisis to Highlight Surgical Need'. Senator Frist, a surgeon and humanitarian, and Chairman of Hope Through Healing Hands www.hopethroughhealinghands.org commented on the important role of surgery and anesthesia in the initial and on-going response to Haiti, and the continuing needs to address amputation revision, treatment of infection, and acute and chronic pain management.

Bob Isherwood, Chief Creative Dude and Co-CEO of i.e. healthcare www.iehealthcare.com delivered a keynote, „For crying out loud', to address the communication challenges facing the BoSD WG?s objectives and how they might overcome them. Bob Isherwood is the former Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi and Saatchi, Clio Hall of Famer, and co-author of the book „World Changing Ideas?. During Isherwood?s keynote, he proposed the need for a new name for the organization, ASAP TODAY, to reach a broader audience with a compelling and understandable messsage. Isherwood said: "While the Burden of Surgical Disease (BoSD) is well understood within the organization?s peer group, it has little meaning to the world at large. ASAP TODAY stands for the Alliance for Surgical and Anesthesia Presence. It conveys in a memorable way the Group?s focus to be advocates that build awareness on the urgent need for safe global surgery and anesthesia facilities, and take action to solve this critical world health need. In the developing world, millions of people are dying unnecessarily in childbirth, road accidents and conditions that are commonly overcome in developed countries. We need to address this with all necessary resources - Today!"

Kelly McQueen commented: "I was very pleased that the Group achieved consensus on the name change to ASAP TODAY, and purpose ‘Advocacy for Safe Global Surgery and Anesthesia', to

better communicate the absence of safe anesthesia and surgery in many low income countries, and the importance of advocating for surgical resources TODAY! We also believe ASAP TODAY will improve engagement with strategic business partners and the public sector to increase support and involvement. I would like to thank Bob Isherwood of i.e. healthcare for using his creative communications experience and passion for world changing ideas to help our Group better achieve our purpose. i.e. healthcare www.iehealthcare.com provided incredible insight on how to improve engagement with key stakeholders and the public to draw attention to the global surgical and anesthesia crisis. Bob Isherwood has become a permanent member of ASAP TODAY and will continue to collaborate with the Group."

Other ASAP TODAY members had similar comments.

? "The new name, ASAP TODAY, conveys well the emergency to address surgical disease, not only right now in Haiti, but in low income countries around the world. This new name will aid in stimulating interest and advocacy for safe surgery and anesthesia practices which will save the lives of thousands." Senator Bill Frist, M.D. www.hopethroughhealinghands.org

? "The annual ASAP TODAY forum promotes collaboration among a diverse group of individuals from NGOs, academic institutions, research, and industry all committed to the important role of surgery within global health. ASAP TODAY supports and informs the mission and message of the American College of Surgeons?Operation Giving Back initiative, and we are grateful for their on-going work, innovation and vision." Dr. Kathleen Casey, Director, Operation Giving Back, American College of Surgeons www.operationgivingback.facs.org

? "ASAP TODAY is an invigorating platform for advocacy and an incubator for ideas and networking. This group is leading the way in addressing the crisis of inadequate surgery and anesthesia on a worldwide scale. I look forward to involvement with ASAP TODAY for years to come." Medge Owen, M.D., President, Kybele, Inc www.kybeleworldwide.org

? "NuOrtho Surgical is supportive of the initiatives of ASAP TODAY. As a company focused on surgical instruments for Tissue Preservation in the orthopedic arena, we feel the core work being done by ASAP TODAY is critical to improving the quality of surgical delivery worldwide. We look forward to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership and urge other firms to support their Global efforts to improve surgical outcomes." Jeff W. Morrill, President and CEO, NuOrtho Surgical, Inc. www.nuorthosurgical.com

? "I found it a particularly stimulating day meeting with the Working Group, and felt that significant steps have been taken to move the ASAP TODAY organisation forward. This great initiative encourages partnerships to grow and improve global surgical capacity." Denis J Robson, Director, African Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies www.jnj.com

? "We at Operation Smile International believe that no child anywhere should have to live with the stigma of a facial deformity. We applaud our ASAP TODAY colleagues for helping us with this goal." Michael Stabile, M.D., MBA, Anesthesia Board, Operation Smile International www.operationsmile.org

The ASAP TODAY meeting had an elite group of 145 participants from 10 countries with representatives from: World Health Organization, International Committee for the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Operation Smile, Global Burden of Disease Project, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California at San Francisco, University of Washington. University of Utah, University of Toronto, University of California at San Diego, Society of Anesthesiologists, American College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons, International Society of Surgeons, and World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists.

All the presentations from the ASAP TODAY (BoSD WG) meeting can be found at the www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com

The current website www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com will be the domain for ASAP TODAY until the new site www.asaptoday.org is launched in several weeks. A press release will be issued at the time of the new site launch, and other ASAP TODAY social media locations

About ASAP TODAY, formerly Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group

ASAP TODAY

is an international group of anesthesiologists, surgeons, economists and public health specialists committed to improving the infrastructure for and delivery of surgery in low and middle income countries, with the purpose of building Advocacy for Safe Global Surgery and Anesthesia. The Group formed in 2007 with 25 members and has grown to more than 300. Members of the group represent North American and European Academic Institutions, International Institutions and professional societies, non-governmental organizations and other non-profit organizations. ASAP TODAY has collectively published more than 20 articles in peer reviewed journals and remains committed to promoting the importance and cost effectiveness of surgical intervention in preventing disability and premature death. Recent efforts have focused on advocacy within the Global Health Community for increased commitment to and funding for surgical programs in low income countries. Information on ASAP TODAY can be found at www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com To join the list serve, please send an email to [email protected]. You can also follow us at: www.facebook.com/pages/Burden-of-Surgical-Disease-Working-Group/111916378354

ASAP TODAY, formerly Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group, Media Contact:

Kelly McQueen, MD, MPH

ASAP TODAY

(BoSD WG) Founder

kamcqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

602-617-0907

####

Burden of Surgical Disease Conference at Vanderbilt

Has Call to Action with Speeches by Senator William Frist and Bob Isherwood

Nashville, TN,  March 9, 2010 (PR Web) --  The Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health will host the annual meeting of the Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group (BoSD WG) in Nashville, TN on March 10-12, 2010.  www.globalhealth.vanderbilt.edu/bosd  BoSD WG mission is to advocate for the global delivery and improvement of surgical services, especially in low-income countries where the needs are great. www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com 

According to the BoSD WG  founder Dr. K. A. Kelly McQueen, MD, MPH and Fellow, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative: "The BoSD WG has grown quickly and diversified in the 4 years since its grass root beginnings. While the group has made great strides in contributing peer-reviewed literature, to international collaboration and network building and to proactive academic discussion, we have yet to be broadly recognized by the global health community as an essential element of public health, contributing to decreased disability and premature death in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.  This year we hope to expand our focus and improve advocacy through increased communication and corporate collaboration, as well as continuing with our goals to improve surgical infrastructure in low income countries, invest in education and training, and improve surgical and anesthesia outcomes."

Speaking on behalf of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Douglas C. Heimburger, M.D., M.S. said: "Given the multidisciplinary missions of the BoSD WG and of the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health www.globalhealth.vanderbilt.edu , and the strength of Vanderbilt University faculty in many departments involved in  global health, it is a natural fit for Vanderbilt Institute of Global Health to lead in an interdepartmental effort on behalf of surgical needs in developing countries.  We are pleased and privileged to partner in this effort and host this conference."

The Honorable Senator William H. Frist MD will deliver a keynote address ‘Lessons Learned in Haiti: Using Crisis to Highlight Surgical Need'.  Senator Frist, a surgeon and humanitarian, and Chairman of Hope Through Healing Hands www.hopethroughhealinghands.org has recently returned from Haiti where he performed surgery for five days at Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital. Dr. Frist said: "While surgery is taken for granted in the U.S., in developing countries many people die unnecessarily from lack of surgical and anesthesia presence. The disaster in Haiti has highlighted the desperate need for surgeons for those who did survive the earthquake, but were severely injured. We should seize this moment to draw attention to this need, not just for Haiti, but for low income countries around the world."

Bob Isherwood, Chief Creative Dude and Co-CEO of i.e. healthcare www.iehealthcare.com will also deliver a keynote ‘For crying out loud' to address the communication challenges facing the BoSD WG's objectives and how they might overcome them.   Bob Isherwood is the former Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi and Saatchi, Clio Hall of Famer, and co-author of the book ‘World Changing Ideas'.  Isherwood also has an Honorary Doctorate in Communications.  Isherwood is using his consumer engagement and communications experience to bring attention and resources to needed healthcare issues.  In February 2010, Isherwood was a mHealth Alliance panelist as part of the GSMA Mobile World Congress  www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3633584.htm where he talked about i.e. healthcare's work with the mHealth Alliance to bring healthcare solutions through the mobile phone to improve maternal and newborn health, particularly in Africa as part of the UN Foundation's Millennium Development Goals.

Jeff W. Morrill, President and CEO, NuOrtho Surgical, Inc. www.nuorthosurgical.com added: "NuOrtho Surgical is pleased to recognize the immeasurable contributions of the Global Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group in changing the face of surgical care globally.  However, a tremendous need still exists in areas such as mobility and basic orthopedic surgical procedures. NuOrtho looks forward to assisting the BoSD WG in building sustainable relationships for global health and expanding their efforts to preserve healthy tissue and enhance mobility." 

The BoSD WG March 10-12, 2010 meeting will have an elite group of 145 participants from 10 countries with representatives from: World Health Organization, International Committee for the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Operation Smile, Global Burden of Disease Project, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California at San Francisco, University of Washington. University of Utah, University of Toronto, University of California at San Diego, Society of Anesthesiologists, American College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons, International Society of Surgeons, and World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists.

About Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group

The Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group (BoSD WG)  is an international group of anesthesiologists, surgeons, economists and public health specialists committed to improving the infrastructure for and delivery of surgery in low and middle income countries.  The Group formed in 2007 with 25 members and has grown to more than 300.  Members of the group represent North American and European Academic Institutions, International Institutions and professional societies, non-governmental organizations and other non-profit organizations.  The BoSD WG has collectively published more than 20 articles in peer reviewed journals and remains committed to promoting the importance and cost effectiveness of surgical intervention in preventing disability and premature death.  Recent efforts have focused on advocacy within the Global Health Community for increased commitment to and funding for surgical programs in low income countries.  Information on the BoSD WG can be found at www.burdenofsurgicaldisease.com  To join the list serve, please send an email to [email protected].  You can also follow us at: www.facebook.com/pages/Burden-of-Surgical-Disease-Working-Group/111916378354

Burden of Surgical Disease Working Group Media Contact:

Kelly McQueen, MD, MPH

BoSD WG Founder

kamcqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

602-617-0907

        http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3696134.htm

 

‘Big Kenny' Alphin, Culpeper's country music superstar
"I don't believe in getting off the playing field"
By Audrey T. Hingley

"Big Kenny" Alphin's energy puts most people half his age to shame. Alphin, 46, cheerfully admits to having "eight jobs," including overseeing his new Nashville-based music company and releasing a new solo CD, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy. The kinetic singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed company CIO ("chief imagination officer") wears multiple hats onstage - and in real life.

"I don't believe in getting off the playing field," he says. "I think you do all you can till you can't do it anymore."

The Culpeper native burst onto the music scene in 2004 as one-half of the eclectic duo Big & Rich. He and musical partner John Rich took the music world by storm with their "country music without prejudice" fusing of country, rap and rock. Their success has produced four albums, sold-out concerts and a slew of awards.
In March, Rich released a solo CD, Son of a Preacher Man, on Warner Brothers, but Alphin has taken a different route.

"I got out of Warner completely as a solo artist and put my whole team together. I was at a place in my life where I didn't want to ask permission," he says. "Now I run my own show. If I'm sitting in L.A. and decide to cut a video tomorrow, I'll cut a video. You could never work like that in the normal label system, where everything had to go through some committee."

The video illustration is an apt one: That's just what Alphin did. In Los Angeles for meetings last May, he "decided to catch a perfect spring day in Virginia" and returned to his parents' large working cattle farm to film the video for Long After I'm Gone, his new single.
"No matter where I go, Virginia is still home. There's just something real comforting about being on the farm. I made the decision one day and did it the next," he says of the video featuring breathtaking vistas of his parents' lush farm and shots of Alphin with wife Christiev, son Lincoln, and parents Bill and Mary Alphin. "We wrote it, directed it and filmed it right there on the spot with no plan."

Alphin adds: "Farming has its ups and downs, but, boy, when I go back there and see it as everyone does in the video, I think it looks pretty doggone close to heaven. It really was quite an idyllic way to grow up."
The seeds of Alphin's success were sown as he was growing up with siblings Charleene, Robert and Wallace, overseen by parents who emphasized Christian faith, family and hard work.

"I never saw anybody around me with dust growing on them," Alphin admits. "My dad still works as hard as he can go."

Longtime farm employee George Ellis observes: "Kenny was determined not to be outdone. If somebody was lifting a bale of hay, he would roll 'em if he couldn't lift 'em."
By the time Alphin finished high school, he'd operated a variety of businesses. When he was in his early 20s, he ran a construction/development business until a real estate recession sent him into bankruptcy. Steve Southard, senior vice president with Virginia Community Bank in Culpeper, worked with Alphin then and recalls, "If you want to succeed, you can't be afraid to fail, and Ken was not afraid to fail. He always focused on the positive."

Close friend Paul Bates, who owns Bates Body & Repair, says, "Ken has always been the type of person who would go after what he set his mind to ... he would get these big ideas and not let up."

Bates remembers Alphin making a prosthetic arm for a high school physics project: "It had fingers on it, a motor to let the fingers move, and we fiberglassed it. ... His mind was just on a different level than most people."
Alphin's music career started after he was dared to sing at a Northern Virginia club. Afterward, a stranger asked if he wanted to join a band, and the die was cast. He moved to Nashville in 1994 and in 1995 inked a songwriting/music publishing deal. A 1998 recording deal with Hollywood Records ultimately fizzled, but when Alphin met Rich something clicked.

Mary Alphin admits there were times she and Bill wondered if Kenny was fooling himself: "We heard he was living off credit cards. John later said Kenny had $140,000 in credit card debt, and he wasn't far behind [when Big & Rich hit]. But Ken never said anything to us about it [money problems]."

Bates recalls, "He always had an optimistic outlook. Sometimes I'd think he just doesn't want to accept the fact that he's a little too old to go to Nashville. The odds were against him. But Ken has the gift of gab and charisma; he could strike up a conversation with anybody. I think that has a lot to do with his success."
His father also modeled later-life career success, beginning a 20-year insurance career in his mid-40s while continuing to farm.

Alphin, whose first marriage ended in divorce, married stylist Christiev Carothers in 2005, becoming a stepfather to her two sons from a previous marriage. Friends say the birth of son Lincoln, now 4, has "grounded" Alphin.

Asked if parenthood has changed his perception of his own parents, Alphin replies with a hearty laugh: "Heck, yeah. I gave my parents hell! I was a kid; I didn't know. I love my wife completely, and Lincoln ... it's a crazy kind of love I've never experienced and can't explain. It [parenthood] has made me stronger and more enlightened to the world around me."

He's joined musicians such as Sheryl Crow in Music Saves Mountains, an effort to end mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia and is helping fund doctors in Appalachia via a nonprofit called Hope Through Healing Hands. Moved by the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, Alphin is also involved with My Sister's Keeper, a nonprofit whose projects include a Sudanese school for girls and medical clinic.

Alphin says to fellow boomers, "I'm sure everybody goes through discouragement; I'm not saying I haven't. But the way you deal with it is the choices you make. If someone wants to talk themselves out of something, they'll find a reason. But if someone wants to go after their life's passion, and that passion can also be their life's work, that's a pretty good thing. I firmly believe that anyone is capable of finding that place in life."

Audrey T. Hingley is a Richmond-based freelance writer.