Monthly Archives: January 2013

Cerner Certificate in Health Care Leadership in partnership with UMKC Bloch School – Video

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Cerner Certificate in Health Care Leadership in partnership with UMKC Bloch School
The Cerner Certificate in Health Care Leadership (CCHL) in partnership with UMKC Bloch School is one of the Henry W. Bloch School of Management Executive Education Center #39;s custom corporate programs designed for participants in a rapidly changing industry. The nine-month program enhances health care leadership capability for participants who are currently employed in Cerner #39;s health care technology field. With Bloch School faculty instructors and speakers from across the country, participants selected for the program are able to expand their knowledge of health care drivers, trends, policies, and changes that impact the industry. Supported by the Cerner Healthcare Leadership Advisory Board, the program focuses on strategy, growth, and increasing understanding between industry players.

By: BlochExecEd

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Cerner Certificate in Health Care Leadership in partnership with UMKC Bloch School - Video

Health care guide to debt limit battle

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Congresss most recent spending battle left the health industry with some nicks and scratches, but its leery of having to hand over even bigger savings in the next battle looming two months from now.

From hospitals to doctors to insurers to drug makers, industry players are expecting theyll come up in the mix as lawmakers search for ways to pay for another deal to avert sequestration and increase the debt limit.

Some of the biggest ideas for cutting health care spending got pushed to the side when President Barack Obama and Congress turned their attention to cutting a smaller fiscal cliff deal. But now, Republicans say theyll insist on real spending cuts in the debt limit-sequestration fight. And if Obama continues to resist big entitlement changes, the health care industry could be in for another round of cuts.

In many ways, were kind of in the same place as before but there are just different drivers in relation to this cliff, said Rick Pollack, executive vice president at the American Hospital Association. A lot of the same issues are likely, unfortunately, to raise their head again.

Here is a guide to whats at stake for the health care industry in the next round:

Physicians

Doctors are breathing somewhat easier now that Congress has averted dramatic cuts in their Medicare payments for another year and paid for it without seriously docking them elsewhere.

Physician groups feared lawmakers would fund the doc fix by eliminating a part of the health care law that boosts Medicaid payments for primary-care services up to Medicare levels for two years. Medicaid is notorious for paying doctors low rates typically about two-thirds as much as Medicare pays which is one reason the programs low-income patients have trouble finding doctors who will treat them.

Instead, lawmakers pieced together a smorgasbord of savings that cut payments to hospitals and other providers. But that doesnt mean they wont return to the idea when the hunt is on for entitlement savings.

Temporarily increasing Medicaid payments was intended to improve access to care for low-income patients. But with a nearly $12 billion price tag, the measure offers lawmakers a source of savings if they so choose.

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Health care guide to debt limit battle

Health Care Law Provisions Taking Effect in 2013

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LAS VEGAS - The beginning of the year means new facets of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare are now in effect.

Doctors are preparing for 2014 when the majority of the healthcare law takes effect. That's when penalties begin to set in for those who don't have insurance or employers who don't offer it. This year, patients might notice some other changes.

Learn More About the Affordable Care Act

The former president of the Clark County Medical Society says Medicaid coverage will expand slowly into 2014. While that means more people will be covered under the program, it could also mean longer wait times at hospitals.

The law also establishes a program that encourages hospitals, doctors and medical providers to bundle payments, which would eliminate extra costs.

Additionally, more funding will be provided for the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP.

When it comes to unintended consequences of the law, some are saying the cost of health care will go up this year by about four-percent.

Local employers are trying to figure out how this law affects their business, because they'll need to start covering employees or face fines next year. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce sees the law as a hindrance on the employment rate.

"The Chamber thinks it's going to have a real chilling effect on hiring, particularly with our real fragile economy right now," said Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Cara Roberts. "This applies differently for full-time employees versus part-time employees, so there may actually be less incentive to hire full-time employees and more of an incentive to hire part-time employees going forward."

Another provision taking effect this year that many agree is a good thing is a requirement that insurance companies must detail all plans in easy-to-understand terms that most people can understand.

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Health Care Law Provisions Taking Effect in 2013

Health care reform and extra veggies: MSU College of Human Medicine dean Marsha Rappley looks ahead to 2013

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A new medical school curriculum, adapting to electronic medical records, more yoga and extra servings of fruits and vegetables these are all on the 2013 agenda for Dr. Marsha Rappley, the dean of Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine.

Rappley plays a key role in shaping the practice of medicine on a local, state and national level. This spring, the expanding medical school will reach full capacity and graduate 200 students for the first time.

In addition to leading the College of Human Medicine, she is chair-elect of the Council of Deans of the Association of American Medical Colleges. She serves on the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accrediting authority for U.S. medical schools. And she is on the board of directors of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs.

In a question-and-answer session, Rappley discussed some key health care issues for the coming year. And she shared her goals to eat healthier and exercise more amid the daily stresses of a demanding job.

What innovations in medical school education would you like to see considered and possibly implemented this year? This year the College of Human Medicine will pilot an innovative curriculum that is designed to keep students in close contact with the needs of patients, and to learn the science, critical thinking, the skill and the art of medicine within that immediate context, from the first day of medical school. Traditionally, students begin with two years of the sciences, problem-based learning and simulated patient medical education, followed by two years of clinical experience in hospitals and clinics. With our new curriculum, each day students will learn the science in a multimedia classroom and its application in clinical settings.

Related: Dr. Marsha Rappley elected to lead national council of deans Five Grand Rapids health stories to remember from 2012 Five Grand Rapids health headlines we expect to read in 2013

Across the country, medical schools are creating new programs to help students develop as problem solvers, physicians who tackle the big problems of health, disease and delivery of care. We will see positive changes in creating the physician workforce that America needs, in reducing the cost of a medical education, and increasing the accountability of all that we do in health care.

The College of Human Medicine graduates its first class of 200 students this spring, completing the expansion of the school in Grand Rapids and East Lansing. How is the college fitting into Grand Rapids medical mile?

Books she is reading:

Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell How a Dog Became the Dog, from Wolves to our Best Friends, by Mark Derr The Seasons of Emmalee, by Michael Lindley

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Health care reform and extra veggies: MSU College of Human Medicine dean Marsha Rappley looks ahead to 2013

Senators: Health care funding to hit budget

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The two state senators who represent Jackson County as the 2013 legislative session nears see challenges for the General Assembly in funding increased health care costs in the wake of passage of the Affordable Health Care Act.

Sen. Frank Ginn represents the bottom half of Jackson County following the realignment of his 47th District last year. A Republican from Madison County, Ginn has represented the district for two years.

Sen. John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa) represents the eight Jackson County precincts in the northeast half of the county including all of Commerce. A former program manager for the Department of Education, he was elected to the Senate in a special election in 2011.

Wilkinson expects the Affordable Health Care Act to have a big impact on the budget in terms of the states costs for Medicaid and Medicare.

The big issue is the assessment on hospital beds, he said. That comes up to be renewed this year.

The fee was implemented during the administration of Gov. Sonny Perdue. The state levies a per-bed fee against hospitals and leverages that to get federal funding.

We charge a fee, the federal government matches it, but if that assessment is not renewed, well have to come up with $400 million, said Wilkinson.

What the legislature will do, he added, is difficult to say.

Where the challenge is, some people view that as a tax, he noted, which can be fatal for a revenue stream in Georgia. Its something that has been in place already and we actually get two federal dollars for every state dollar. Its a good deal for the state.

Ginn said that the Affordable Health Care Act is basically a $400 million cost in the budget for increases in the state portions of Medicare and Medicaid.

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Senators: Health care funding to hit budget

Health care group lands $1.5 million grant

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A three-year federal grant will help health centers across Montana improve their care for patients.

The Montana Primary Care Association announced Thursday that it has been awarded nearly $1.5 million over three years by the federal Health Resources and Services Administrations Bureau of Primary Care Health Center Controlled Network. The grant calls for annual payments of $475,000.

Within 90 days of the award, the Primary Care Association will meet with participating health care centers to complete a work plan. There are 15 health centers that are members of the association.

Health centers are defined as community-based and patient-directed organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. In Montana, theyre found in both remote locations, such as Ashland, Chinook and Libby, as well as in more populous cities including Helena, Missoula and Billings.

The ultimate goal of the grant is to improve health outcomes in patient treatment, Bob Marsalli, the executive director of the Primary Care Association, said on Thursday.

The grant will help constrain or reduce health care costs, improve the health care experience for patients and seek to improve the health of a population, he added.

Without the grant, Marsalli noted, the innovations already under way at health centers would take longer to complete and each organization would be left to improve its operations without assistance.

David Mark, the CEO of Big Horn Valley Health Center in Hardin, said assistance provided by Primary Care Association is vital to our existence and that is offers a source of technical advice and support services.

The association also gives health centers a unified voice and helps them network on issues, Mark said. The association serves as an advocate for health centers although it does not have a management role in their operations.

Having access to electronic medical records, Mark said, will improve the ability to share information and examine how health care is being provided to patients.

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Health care group lands $1.5 million grant

Bharat Book Presents: China Genetic Engineering Drug Industry Report, 2011-2012 – Video

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Bharat Book Presents: China Genetic Engineering Drug Industry Report, 2011-2012
For more information kindly visit on: http://www.bharatbook.com China gets a late start in developing genetic engineering drug industry, but has achieved leapfrog advance. At present, China has at least one hundred enterprises involved in genetic engineering drugs. In recent years, the compound growth rate of genetic engineering drug market in China is as high as 49%, with an average gross margin of more than 80%. However, the technology strength and efficacy of locally produced genetic engineering drugs are relatively weak. In particular, the pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) for injection of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited that approved for marketing in March 2012 is the only homemade long-acting protein product. Still, due to the impetus of huge market capacity as well as a package of preferential policies, many domestic enterprises, including GeneScience Pharmaceuticals, Amoytop and Anhui Anke Biotechnology, are accelerating the industrialized research of long-acting protein drugs. Monoclonal antibody is one of the most promising genetic engineering drugs. As of May 2012, SFDA approved the marketing of a total of 18 monoclonal antibody drugs. Among these drugs, nearly 60% are foreign brands including Roche, Merck and Novartis with the combined sales accounting for three fourths of the Chinese monoclonal antibody drug market. However, with the marketing of monoclonal antibody drugs made by companies such as Shanghai CP Guojian ...

By: Deepa Kamath

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Bharat Book Presents: China Genetic Engineering Drug Industry Report, 2011-2012 - Video

Whole-genome Testing and the Possibility of Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders – Video

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Whole-genome Testing and the Possibility of Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders
(Visit: http://www.uctv.tv Soon everyone can have their genome sequenced. Will this information improve health, or simply clarify our fate? Series: "MIND Institute Lecture Series on Neurodevelopmental Disorders" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 24540]

By: UCtelevision

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Whole-genome Testing and the Possibility of Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders - Video

Dr. Keith Knutson Joins the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida as A Research Program Director in Oncology

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida (VGTI Florida), a leading nonprofit immunological research institute, is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Knutson, Ph.D., Program Director. Dr. Knutson will be joining VGTI Florida along with several members of his lab. His work will focus on immunotherapeutic approaches in breast and ovarian cancers and how vaccines can boost immunity and help the bodys defense system fight off these cancers.

Dr. Knutson recently received a $3.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to identify immunologic biomarkers or proteins that could be useful in identifying breast cancer patients who are unlikely to respond to certain therapies. This can help to determine whether a drug used in specific patient groups can be effective or whether these patients should be treated with a different therapeutic regimen.

Cancer is an important area of research focus for VGTI Florida, and Dr. Knutsons work will help make great strides in the understanding and treatment of breast and ovarian cancers, said Jay Nelson, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of the institute. Dr. Knutson is a leader in his field and we welcome his expertise in treating two serious diseases that affect so many millions of women around the world, said Rafick Pierre Skaly, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Director of VGTI Florida.

Dr. Knutson is currently the Director of the Ovarian Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota and is also a Member of the U.S. Department of Defenses Breast Cancer Research Program Integration Panel, the primary body that makes decisions on funding. He is the Co-Director of the Mayo Clinic Immune Monitoring Core which is engaged in providing a variety of different immune monitoring and phenotyping services for research purposes across a variety of scientific disciplines including tumor immunology, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases.

Dr. Knutson has co-authored numerous articles in scientific journals including The Journal of Immunology; The American Journal of Pathology; Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy and many others. He has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Washington and earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Georgia. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one in the Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington and another at the Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia. Following postdoctoral training, Dr. Knutson was awarded the Howard Temin Award from the National Cancer Institute.

VGTI Florida

VGTI Florida is a leading immunological research institute that is on an urgent mission to transform scientific discoveries into novel treatments and cures for devastating chronic illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, and infectious diseases. VGTI Florida is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in the Tradition Center for Innovation in Port St. Lucie, Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.VGTIFL.org.

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Dr. Keith Knutson Joins the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida as A Research Program Director in Oncology

Gene therapy reprograms scar tissue in damaged hearts into healthy heart muscle

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Public release date: 4-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Lauren Woods Law2014@med.cornell.edu 646-317-7401 Weill Cornell Medical College

NEW YORK (Jan. 4, 2013) -- A cocktail of three specific genes can reprogram cells in the scars caused by heart attacks into functioning muscle cells, and the addition of a gene that stimulates the growth of blood vessels enhances that effect, said researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College, Baylor College of Medicine and Stony Brook University Medical Center in a report that appears online in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"The idea of reprogramming scar tissue in the heart into functioning heart muscle was exciting," said Dr. Todd K. Rosengart, chair of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at BCM and the report's corresponding author. "The theory is that if you have a big heart attack, your doctor can just inject these three genes into the scar tissue during surgery and change it back into heart muscle. However, in these animal studies, we found that even the effect is enhanced when combined with the VEGF gene."

"This experiment is a proof of principle," said Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman and professor of genetic medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and a pioneer in gene therapy, who played an important role in the research. "Now we need to go further to understand the activity of these genes and determine if they are effective in even larger hearts."

During a heart attack, blood supply is cut off to the heart, resulting in the death of heart muscle. The damage leaves behind a scar and a much weakened heart. Eventually, most people who have had serious heart attacks will develop heart failure.

Changing the scar into heart muscle would strengthen the heart. To accomplish this, during surgery, Rosengart and his colleagues transferred three forms of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene that enhances blood vessel growth or an inactive material (both attached to a gene vector) into the hearts of rats. Three weeks later, the rats received either Gata4, Mef 2c and Tbx5 (the cocktail of transcription factor genes called GMT) or an inactive material. (A transcription factor binds to specific DNA sequences and starts the process that translates the genetic information into a protein.)

The GMT genes alone reduced the amount of scar tissue by half compared to animals that did not receive the genes, and there were more heart muscle cells in the animals that were treated with GMT. The hearts of animals that received GMT alone also worked better as defined by ejection fraction than those who had not received genes. (Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart.)

The hearts of the animals that had received both the GMT and the VEGF gene transfers had an ejection fraction four times greater than that of the animals that had received only the GMT transfer.

Rosengart emphasizes that more work needs to be completed to show that the effect of the VEGF is real, but it has real promise as part of a new treatment for heart attack that would minimize heart damage.

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Gene therapy reprograms scar tissue in damaged hearts into healthy heart muscle

Gene therapy: Local group seeks ‘answers to cancer’

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Written by Kait Shea, Assistant Editor Friday, 04 January 2013 11:00

There may not be a cure for cancer just yet, but the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), a nonprofit established by a Greenwich couple thats dedicated to gene therapy, is making big strides in treatment.

The Stamford-based organization is the only nonprofit in the United States dedicated exclusively to cell and gene cancer therapy research. One hundred percent of all contributions to ACGT go directly to research and fund grants with leading scientists in the country, representing 28 prestigious medical institutions. Many feel that because of this ACGT has played a major role in what many doctors believe may be the key to healing those plagued by the disease.

In an interview with the Post, Ms. Netter said she and her late husband realized this really is a key to perhaps finding the answers to cancer and immediately sought to put their energies and resources into it on hope and faith. After a year of fund raising, the couple officially embarked on their mission to provide grants to the nations leading scientific investigators for cancer gene therapy research.

With the help of ACGTs Scientific Advisory Council, a group composed of leading scientists and doctors who conduct rigorous reviews of grants to ensure that the most promising cancer gene therapy projects are given funding, the Netters awarded more than $22 million in grants within the first 10 years of launching their organization.

The latest strides in gene therapy projects funded by ACGT, however, are the most exciting the organization has seen, Ms. Netter said. The alliance played a significant part in the recent leukemia study pioneered by scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. ACGT provided the initial funds for the study, which has found success using immune-mediated gene therapy for leukemia and lymphoma.

According to Ms. Netter, the therapy used involves removing immune cells from the body of the patient, bioengineering and strengthening them, then reinfusing them into the patient using a gutted out HIV vector, which reprograms the patients immune system genetically to kill cancer. The T cells directly target and kill cancer cells and circulate through the body for at least a few years, and Ms. Netter called it an enormous breakthrough.

Initial ACGT grants for the immune mediated gene therapy project were awarded in 2004 to Carl June of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and to Michel Sadelain, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Gene Therapy and Gene Expression Laboratory, in New York City. Preliminary results were issued by Dr. June in August 2011, with additional results released in December 2012, delivering some of the most promising results seen to date in the search for a cure.

The clinical trial participants, all of whom had advanced cancers, included 10 adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Two of the first three adult patients treated with the protocol remained healthy and in full remission more than two years after their treatment, with the engineered cells still circulating in their bodies. Currently, nine out of the 12 participants show their disease in remission.

Perhaps the most amazing story of recovery, Ms. Netter said, was that of now 7-year-old Emma Whitehead, who was on the brink of death, suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After trying traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy without any improvement, Emmas parents decided to try the experimental T-cell therapy. And although the treatment nearly killed Emma, her health rapidly improved and she emerged cancer-free, Ms. Netter said. The young girl is now out of the hospital and leading the life of a regular second grader, with eight months of remission from the disease under her belt.

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Gene therapy: Local group seeks ‘answers to cancer’

Healthcare Futurist Jack Uldrich to Keynote Three Hospital Association Events in Coming Months

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Acclaimed healthcare futurist and best-selling author, Jack Uldrich has been selected to deliver three keynote presentations to the Montana, Nebraska and Illinois hospital associations in the coming months. Uldrich will focus on future trends in healthcare and discuss the need for senior healthcare leaders to embrace the concept of "unlearning."

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) January 03, 2013

The presentations, based on Uldrichs two most recent books: "Foresight 20/20: A Futurist Explores the Trends Transforming Tomorrow" and "Higher Unlearning: 39 Post Requisite Lessons for Achieving a Successful Future" as well as his popular article, "Top Ten Trends in Healthcare," will begin by discussing how continued advances in information technologies, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, genomics, regenerative medicine and social networking will radically transform healthcare in the decade ahead. (A video of Mr. Uldrich discussing future trends can be viewed here.)

Uldrich will then focus on why these trends will demand unlearning and discuss why participants must embrace the concept of unlearning in order to achieve future success. Uldrich, who has been hailed as Americas Chief Unlearning Officer, will conclude by reviewing specific habits, customs, beliefs and ideas that healthcare professionals canand mustunlearn. Throughout his talks, he will use vivid analogies and memorable stories, drawn from a wide spectrum of industries, to ensure his message of unlearning sticks with his audiences.

In the past year, Uldrich has addressed dozens of healthcare associations and hospitals, including the Alcetel-Lucent/Verizon Forum on Wireless Healthcare, IASIS Healthcare, Allina Hospitals, The Healthcare Trustees of New York, The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, Care Providers of Minnesota, St. Jude Medical, Fairview Hospitals, University Hospitals & Health System of Ohio, and healthcare associations in Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. He has also addressed a number of major, non-health-care-related corporations on the topic of unlearning including United Healthcare, PepsiCo, Cisco, IBM, WiPro, Guardian Life Insurance and General Electric. Uldrich also frequently addresses Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and Chamber of Commerce events throughout the country.

Parties interested in learning more about Jack Uldrich, his books, his daily blog or his speaking availability are encouraged to visit his website at: http://www.jumpthecurve.net. Media wishing to know more about the event or interviewing Jack Uldrich can contact him directly at 612-267-1212 or jack(at)schoolofunlearning(dot)com.

Uldrich is a renowned global healthcare futurist, best-selling author; editor of the monthly newsletter, The Exponential Executive, and host of the award-winning websites, http://www.jumpthecurve.net and http://www.schoolofunlearning.com. He is currently represented by a number of professional speakers bureaus, including Leading Authorities, Executive Speakers Bureau and Convention Connection.

Jack Uldrich Jump the Curve 612-267-1212 Email Information

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Healthcare Futurist Jack Uldrich to Keynote Three Hospital Association Events in Coming Months

Freedom 2.0 (airs tonight at 9pm ET on Fox Business)

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The future looks bleak. Government grows bigger, debt grows, and politicians constantly pass new regulations.

But there is good news. Technology helps us avoid clumsy government. Developments like the Internet bring us what I call "Freedom 2.0."

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales - who cites Hayek as an inspiration for creating Wikipedia - tells me about how the fewer rules he imposed on the site, the better it did. Economist Ed Stringham argues that the Internet proves we don't need much government regulation.

The Internet will also make it easier for us to keep an eye on what government does, although Chris Horner says that our government uses every trick it can to avoid scrutiny.

"Hating Breitbart" producers Maura Flynn and Evan Coyne Maloney say cell phone cameras create "Freedom 2.0" by empowering citizen journalists to expose groups like ACORN. And Instapundit.com blogger Glenn Reynolds discusses scandals exposed by what he calls "An Army of Davids" on the internet.

And what if there were also a website that helped you buy illegal things, without government being able to stop you? Actually, there is, and it uses a nearly-anonymous online currency called Bitcoin to shield users' identities. Katherine Mangu-Ward explains.

What will the future bring? Economist Jim Miller, the author of "Singularity Rising", says that genetics and smart robots could make us beautiful and wealthy - or lead to robots that destroy humanity.

Freedom 2.0 starts tonight at 9pm on the Fox Business Network.

Originally posted here:

Freedom 2.0 (airs tonight at 9pm ET on Fox Business)

America’s worthy freedom journey

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Several months ago, former Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board chair Arthur Griffin shared with me the fruits of his quest to trace his ancestry. The genealogist he hired all but gushed at the treat it was to delve into the background of his grandfather Laurens Griffin. It is unusual, he said, to have the opportunity to work on an African American research case in which there are only three generations back to the pre-emancipation days of slavery.

You read that right. Griffins grandfather - long dead by the time of Griffins birth was a slave.

Slavery is the past many Americans dont want to remember but its not so distant, and its getting some attention these days. Two movies with different perspectives are spotlighting it: Steven Spielbergs fact-based Lincoln focuses on President Lincolns determination to get the 13th amendment, outlawing slavery, passed. Quentin Tarantinos fictional DJango Unchained tells the tale of a freed slave turned bounty hunter.

The more seminal event though is the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The commemoration this week kicks off a yearlong celebration the proclamations sesquicentennial - Lincoln signed it on Jan. 1, 1863. More important the commemoration spotlights the most critical freedom movement in this country since its founding. Thats something all Americans can take pride in, and is worth celebrating. Its a shame so many dont.

The National Archives, where the proclamation was on rare display this week, has dubbed it one of the great documents of human freedom. But though the document declared slaves thenceforward, and forever free, that decree only applied to enslaved persons in states that were in rebellion against the United States. That meant slaves in the Confederacy. For all practical purposes, the document didnt of itself free most slaves.

Yet, the significance of Abraham Lincolns bold move was and still is evident. Lincoln himself said it would be what history would remember him for. It is the central act of my administration and the great event of the nineteenth century, he said. And Lincoln, staunchly against slavery, told friends he would rather die than take back a word of it.

Still, debates over Lincolns true motives for issuing the proclamation and disputes over his complex some say evolving views about blacks (he once contended differences between blacks and whites in the United States were too stark and advocated relocating freed slaves to other countries) plus the discomfort many Americans even now feel when talking about slavery and the war that ended it in this country have nearly relegated the proclamation to an historical dust-bin.

With yearlong sesquicentennial events this year, that may change.

It should. The proclamation helped the country confront the inconsistencies in U.S. slavery and the tenets in Americas founding document, the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln in a debate with Stephen Douglas in 1858 said that though the founders could not have reached agreement on the Constitution without permitting slavery to remain, that did not change the standard of liberty raised in the Declaration : So I say in relation to the principle that all men are created equal, let it be as nearly reached as we can.

The reach of the proclamation was profound even if it was not the widespread liberation many wished for.

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America’s worthy freedom journey

Freedom 2.0 (airs Saturday at 3pm ET on FNC)

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The future looks bleak. Government grows bigger, debt grows, and politicians constantly pass new regulations.

But there is good news. Technology helps us avoid clumsy government. Developments like the Internet bring us what I call "Freedom 2.0."

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales - who cites Hayek as an inspiration for creating Wikipedia - tells me about how the fewer rules he imposed on the site, the better it did. Economist Ed Stringham argues that the Internet proves we don't need much government regulation.

The Internet will also make it easier for us to keep an eye on what government does, although Chris Horner says that our government uses every trick it can to avoid scrutiny.

"Hating Breitbart" producers Maura Flynn and Evan Coyne Maloney say cell phone cameras create "Freedom 2.0" by empowering citizen journalists to expose groups like ACORN. And Instapundit.com blogger Glenn Reynolds discusses scandals exposed by what he calls "An Army of Davids" on the internet.

And what if there were also a website that helped you buy illegal things, without government being able to stop you? Actually, there is, and it uses a nearly-anonymous online currency called Bitcoin to shield users' identities. Katherine Mangu-Ward explains.

What will the future bring? Economist Jim Miller, the author of "Singularity Rising", says that genetics and smart robots could make us beautiful and wealthy - or lead to robots that destroy humanity.

Freedom 2.0 starts tonight at 9pm on the Fox Business Network.

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Freedom 2.0 (airs Saturday at 3pm ET on FNC)

New Freedom PLC Taps Top Investment Banker

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Gary Hamilton joins New Freedom Management

CORRECTION...by New Freedom

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

The corrected release reads:

NEW FREEDOM INC. TAPS TOP INVESTMENT BANKER

Gary Hamilton joins New Freedom Management

New Freedom Inc., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of nutritional and personal care products, today announce that the Company has appointed Gary Hamilton as Executive Vice President of Finance. Hamilton has a background of financing and developing national and inter-national companies coupled with over 30 years in the financial industry. He has worked with large institutions across several different industries on securing financing in the form of equity, debt and other financial structures. He was at a senior management position with firms such as Merrill Lynch, UBS PaineWebber, and large regional firms such as Janco Partners and W.G. Nielsen & Co.

Hamilton began his career with Merrill Lynch, after developing and honing his financial skills in the financial industry. He was recruited by UBS PaineWebber to open a regional boutique firm designed to work with senior professionals and institutional and high net worth individuals.

In 1999, Hamilton joined the investment banking firm of Janco Partners, Inc. Part of his responsibility was the developing and funding of their private investment fund, Janco Capital L.P. a investment banking firm that specializes in media, telecommunications, and technology. Hamilton then joined as Managing Director of W.G. Nielsen & Co. in March of 2003 which is an investment banking firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions, structured and leveraged financing, private financing, and private placements of equity. While at W.G. Nielsen & Co he was responsible for the funding of several private and public companies as well as leading the investment banking team in several mergers and acquisitions.

Gary Hamilton earned a BS in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972.

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New Freedom PLC Taps Top Investment Banker

Freedom wins title at West Coast Jamboree

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by Michael Dixon Thepress.Net

Freedom guard Bria Greenhouse puts up a shot during the Topaz Division final game against Drake at last weekends West Coast Jamboree. The Falcons won their division for the first time in 13 years of hosting tournament games. Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.

Carondelet guard Amy Harioka tries to shoot over Heritage center Sabrina Engelstad during the Cougars' 68-57 win at the West Coast Jamboree. Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr

Freedom power forward Cydnee Kinslow shoots during the Falcons' 73-33 win over Mt. Diablo on day one of the West Coast Jamboree. Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.

The Falcons won the Topaz Division of the worlds most prestigious high school basketball tournament, which was held at eight high schools around the Bay Area. Freedom, Deer Valley, Heritage and Antioch all competed from the Bay Valley Athletic League in the field of 120 teams from around the nation.

Senior guard Elsa Ross led Freedom throughout the tournament. Freshman center Cydnee Kinslow, sophomore guard Bria Greenhouse and junior forward Candra Smith also came up huge for the Falcons. Sophomore Kailyn Brown added versatility to propel Freedom to victory.

Its a good morale boost, said Freedom head coach Albert Nunez. Its been long overdue. I hope we use this to turn a corner and finally compete with some of these top teams.

Freedoms offense was in top shape. The Falcons beat Mt. Diablo 77-33 and Las Lomas 61-39 before downing Drake 62-58 to claim the championship.

Antioch, which has also struggled at the tournament in the past, finished in second place in the Agate Division, beating Rio Vista 47-39 and Contra Costa Christian 52-45 before falling to Encinal 52-16 in the final.

While 104 teams were put in eight-team brackets, the tournaments best were put in a prestigious 16-team bracket.

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Freedom wins title at West Coast Jamboree

Freedom Mortgage Announces Success with its National Holiday Angel Gift Program

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Partnering with the Salvation Army for a second year, Freedom Mortgage successfully surpassed its philanthropic goal this year by broadening its Holiday Angel Gift Program on a national level.

Mount Laurel, NJ (PRWEB) January 04, 2013

More than 400 families in communities throughout the US were able to enjoy holiday cheer this year, thanks to the generosity of Freedom Mortgage and its employees.

We at the Salvation Army are so blessed and grateful to have Freedom Mortgage as a partner in the Holiday Angel Gift Program. There are so many gifts collected from the various Freedom Mortgage locations nationally that we can provide many, many families in need this year including those affected by Hurricane Sandy, said Field Division Representative- Virginia Evans of the Salvation Army. We are thankful that Freedom Mortgage helped us exceed expectations and made holiday dreams come true for many families in need nationwide.

In the coming years, Freedom Mortgage hopes to use the strength and presence of the organization nationally to help support families in need wherever possible.

About Freedom Mortgage:

Freedom Mortgage Corporation is an established, approved lending institution maintaining an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Fully licensed and privately held, Freedom Mortgage provides a wide range of loan choices at competitive rates to new and existing customers.

Freedom Mortgage has been serving residential homeowners throughout the Nation since 1990, is an Equal Housing Lender and an Equal Opportunity Employer with its corporate headquarters located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Freedom Mortgage Announces Success with its National Holiday Angel Gift Program

CORRECTING and REPLACING New Freedom Inc. Taps Top Investment Banker

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LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

The corrected release reads:

NEW FREEDOM INC. TAPS TOP INVESTMENT BANKER

Gary Hamilton joins New Freedom Management

New Freedom Inc., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of nutritional and personal care products, today announce that the Company has appointed Gary Hamilton as Executive Vice President of Finance. Hamilton has a background of financing and developing national and inter-national companies coupled with over 30 years in the financial industry. He has worked with large institutions across several different industries on securing financing in the form of equity, debt and other financial structures. He was at a senior management position with firms such as Merrill Lynch, UBS PaineWebber, and large regional firms such as Janco Partners and W.G. Nielsen & Co.

Hamilton began his career with Merrill Lynch, after developing and honing his financial skills in the financial industry. He was recruited by UBS PaineWebber to open a regional boutique firm designed to work with senior professionals and institutional and high net worth individuals.

In 1999, Hamilton joined the investment banking firm of Janco Partners, Inc. Part of his responsibility was the developing and funding of their private investment fund, Janco Capital L.P. a investment banking firm that specializes in media, telecommunications, and technology. Hamilton then joined as Managing Director of W.G. Nielsen & Co. in March of 2003 which is an investment banking firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions, structured and leveraged financing, private financing, and private placements of equity. While at W.G. Nielsen & Co he was responsible for the funding of several private and public companies as well as leading the investment banking team in several mergers and acquisitions.

Gary Hamilton earned a BS in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972.

It is a privilege to have such a top investment banker on our management team such as Gary Hamilton. His depth and knowledge on international and US markets on mergers and acquisitions as well as financing will be a powerful asset to the company as we move forward to execute our business model for New Freedom. I look forward to working with Gary on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions as well as future financing, said Ted Farnsworth, Chairman and Founder.

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CORRECTING and REPLACING New Freedom Inc. Taps Top Investment Banker