11 Ways To Get Back To Routine After Having A Mind-Blowing Vacation – Indiatimes.com

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We have experienced that sinking feeling on the day were about to resume work after a fantastic two-week vacation. We dread to switch on the laptop and witness the flooded mailbox. We repeatedly go through pictures and daydream about being there again.

Its normal to suffer from vacation withdrawal. It would take few days to come back to the routine, and you eventually will. Here are eleven ways you can combat the vacation withdrawal.

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Take a days break after landing because unpacking would obviously take time. Joining immediately a day after will make your vacation withdrawal worst.

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Gather all your vacation pictures and videos and put them on a big screen. Call your friends, family (people you went on a vacation with) and watch it with them.

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Pictures on Facebook are fine, but remember that people dont want to see ten pictures of you sipping coffee at London Starbucks.

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Nobody wants to hear about your skydiving in New Zealand for more than five minutes. Telling each and everybody you meet about the taste of the burger you ate at an eatery in London is not going to interest them because they werent there to experience. Thus, cutting it short to it was amayyyyzinggg would do the trick.

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Youre no more holidaying in Ibiza. Youre back to the grind and youve got to accept it. Tell your friend to slap you everytime you start zoning out to your favourite place during the vacation.

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Remember this you cant pay rent by daydreaming and ranting about how the routine sucks. So, youve got to come back to reality and do what youve got to do.

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Your mailbox would be flooded with mails in your absence. The best way to deal with them is to let the entire mailbox load and then start replying to the oldest mail first.

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Since we travel to return with a fresh perspective and newfound energy, document all good things that the vacation made you realise. Whether it was a nice hour or two of mountain climbing or a tasty meal at a restaurant, write about it and be thankful that you were able to experience it.

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Let your vacation be a source of inspiration for you. Derive positivity and put it in your routine, it will ensure there wont be a dull moment for you.

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All that useful information about your itinerary should be passed on to others who would be taking a vacation at the same place too.

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To fight the vacation blues, start planning your next vacation. Fix the destination; start reading on it, and book tickets way ahead for good deals.

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Sensory upload: Autism in the digital age – Kidscreen

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Leave it to a Muppet to get things done in Washington. The small-screen arrival of JuliaSesame Streets first Muppet with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)broke new ground in April for the long-running childrens series. But her presence is moving much more than just the TV dial. Earlier this spring, in conjunction with the US Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Julia helped deliver findings from a Georgetown University study that measured the effectiveness of digital videos and eBooks in empowering ASD kids and parents. And gaining a better grasp on autism has never been more important, given that one in 68 kids in the US (and 1% of UK children) has a form of ASDand is five times more likely to be bullied because of it.

With the rise in diagnoses and misconceptions, content creators have had the heavy task of portraying autism appropriately, while effectively reaching those with the disorder, and simultaneously educating those without it. And technology, in all respects, has been a game-changer in making it all come to fruition.

The original strategy for Julia was to create her as a digital Muppet with online videos and eBooks, because we knew kids with autism used mobile and tablet devices a great deal, says Sherrie Westin, EVP of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop. After Julias initial October 2015 digital launch evolved into four billion online impressions, Sesame Workshop brought her to life on the broadcast side. She made her US TV debut on April 10 on HBO, PBS and YouTube.

Sesame Workshop debuted autistic Muppet, Julia, digitally first

There is a saying in the community, If youve seen one child with autism, then youve seen one child with autism. Theres not one typical portrait, and each child is unique, says Westin. With assistance from 14 autism associations, Julia was developed to portray kids on the mid-range of the spectrum, so she doesnt always look people in the eye, often repeats words, may not be responsive right away, and doesnt like loud noises.

These traits were highlighted in Sesame Workshops See Amazing in All Children website that features narrated videos, an electronic storybook and eight daily routine card sets. According to Georgetown Universitys quantitative and qualitative study on the website, which surveyed 330 parents of kids with ASD, as well as nearly 700 parents of kids not affected by it, 70% agreed that they had a better understanding of the disorder after using these digital tools.

Dr. Bruno Anthony, deputy director at Georgetowns Center for Child and Human Development and the studys lead researcher, says sites like See Amazing in All Children boost awareness and understanding, which in turn translate to increased empathy and inclusion. What hit home the most for parents of kids without autism were the videos that showed autistic kids interacting in various situations, Anthony says. Based on comments, parents understood things better once they saw these kids in everyday scenarios. They may be behaving differently, but its all very positive. We compare this to educating people about mental health and reducing stigma and attitudes toward it.

Anthony says the prevalence of autism has increased markedly in the last decade, partly because there is a greater awareness of those on the higher functioning end of the spectrum. As such, there is a larger emphasis on identifying those kids earlier and developing interventions that can be implemented in schools. There have also been more moves among those in the medical community to diagnose ASD among adolescents, and not just very young children.

Still, digital tools aimed at reaching kids tend to skew younger. Research is being conducted right now on iPad skill sets. And these games have to be based on good research. I worry sometimes that there are activities aimed at kids with autism that havent been well-researched, Anthony says. The best games need to be flexible enough to adapt to the varying interests of a child.

Hopsters new Sense playroom features calming textures, sights and sounds, with interactivity thrown into the mix

An adaptable environment is the very premise behind Hopsters brand-new Sense playroom. The UK-based SVOD app launched the in-app hub in March as a way for kids, particularly those on the autism spectrum, to develop sensory processing skills. Along with the new features, Hopster also rolled in original content focused on accepting and tolerating differences.

Sense aims to both relax kids and let them play. It includes nine screens with various textures, sights and sounds that can be ignited by the touch of a finger. It is also designed to help develop fine-motor skills, especially when it comes to rotation and positioning, and a section of the app includes calm and meditative animations using water and bubbles.

Given its atypical nature compared to Hopsters entertainment-based fare, the company opted for extensive user testing and consultations. We learned that autistic kids can get really engaged. Tech offers them that one-on-one interactivity that gives control and independent exploration, says Lelia Ingram, head of learning at Hopster. We made sure there were no flashing lights or voiceovers, and the music is relaxing. TV can often be an assault on the senses. But handheld devices represent ownership.

So far, the elements have added up for Sense, which was played more than 370,000 times four weeks into its March launch. Hopster has therefore decided to keep it as a permanent in-app feature, with more activitiesor Sense screens, as theyre calledadded regularly.

Having spoken to many parents and teachers, they say there are a lot of apps out there designed for kids with autism and heightened sensory issues. But we wanted it to be inclusive of all kids with special needs. So that everyone, not just autistic kids, can enjoy it, Ingram says. Its important for kids to diversify their experiences and educate themselves. Everyone has some form of sensory difficulty; even the sound of a hairdryer can bother people. So Sense helps to paint a greater picture.

Apps that promote emotional recognition are also picking up momentum in the space. A recent University of Bristol study confirmed that young people with autism have difficulty recognizing and distinguishing between varying facial expressions, which led the institution to collaborate on an educational iPad app entitled About face to coincide with its findings. The game has similar characteristics to FindMe, an app developed in 2012 by University of Edinburgh professor Dr. Sue Fletcher-Watson that encourages eye contact among autistic children.

According to Maggi Laurie, a PhD researcher with Dr. Fletcher-Watson at DART (Development, Autism, Research, Technology) lab, digital games are powerful tools in unlocking social skills for ASD kids. The medical community says those with autism arent adhering to social norms due to deficit and disability, but there is a grassroots model that asks, Well, what if theyre just not interested in doing these things? says Laurie, who is studying the social implications of tech on autism. Perhaps there is no eye contact because these children dont see rewards from social interaction. Since kids with autism are so interested in tech, it can open up more opportunities for social behaviors.

Laurie says tech can encourage spontaneous social behaviors in autistic kids that may not be seen in non-digital activities. For example, a child may be shy with his or her peers in the classroom, but will be a highly skilled leader in an MMORPG. This is because tech may add structure to an environment, or remove overwhelming elements like noise.

I hope that digital creators are going to pick up on these opportunities to help kids develop social skills. Like encouraging pretend play that they arent getting elsewhere, Laurie says. Its unfair to think autistic kids will only like tech designed for them. Toca Boca games have opened up opportunities for collaboration between autistic kids and parents. They take turns doing actions that have elements of pretending. You dont have to design something specifically for autistic kids for it to resonate with them.

The same goes for kids not affected by ASD. For Grainne McGuinness, creative director at Irelands Paper Owl Films, the hope for her new CBeebies series Pablo is to reach and educate a widespread, mainstream audience.

The co-pro with Kavaleer Productions, which will launch this fall at MIPCOM, is written from the point-of-view of kids with autism. It features an autistic boy (both in live action and 2D animation) as he faces a challenge thats magnified by the lens of his condition. All of the shows voice actors have autism, and its animated characters express traits like flapping and sensitivity to sounds. The shows corresponding digital games, developed with Manchester-based D3T, are based on the personality of each character.

The most important things we saw in developing the games are that instructions have to be clear, there are no levels, and you can choose where to go at any time, says McGuinness. And most of all, it has to be fun. Kids with autism want to have fun, too. Tech can be a useful tool to occupy a mind while in overload. Or exercise a part of the mind thats highly developed.

Rain Man associations aside, there is something to be said about addressing many autistic childrens propensities for numbers. And Craig Smiths Code For Life initiative is among those up for the task.

The Australian teacher has found great success in using tech to reach his autistic students at Aspect Hunter School in Newcastle, Australia. And last December, he launched Coding for Life as a global online Hour of Code course meant for those on the spectrum. Coding just became part of Australias national curriculum. While not all of my students are going to be app developers or engineers, they will learn some of the foundations around logic, sequence and problem-solving. These are very particular concepts that can teach life skills, says Smith. The goal of Code For Life is to encourage independence through the order of daily events, such as a childs morning routine.

Smith says digital programs like Code For Life are a way to inspire kids through a conduit with which theyre already familiar. And big-name mainstream platforms like Minecraft are just as crucial. For example, Smith recently tapped Microsofts open-ended game to educate his class about Australias national Anzac Day.

Its a holiday to remember our involvement in World War One. But autistic kids may not be interested or have the same historical understanding. So we used Minecraft, which they have a common love for, Smith says. We took landscapes from countries that Australia fought in and had our students recreate the spaces on the platform to understand where our soldiers went. They also made images based on original historical photographers, all within Minecraft. It was our canvas to explore the subject matter.

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Allhands: Could Mesa mayor have avoided this catfishing scheme? – AZCentral.com

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Joanna Allhands: It's simple. If you don't want a photo copied and shared, don't upload it on social media.

A photo from Mayor John Giles' Facebook page that was used by an unknown person on an online-dating profile.(Photo: John Giles/Special for The Republic)

Consider this a teaching moment.

Photos from Mesa Mayor John Giles'Facebook page were used in an apparent catfishing schemeon match.com.

A woman who had been chatting with a"man" from Vancouver, British Columbia, became suspicious about his identity and asked for additional photos. He sent her a picture of Giles with U.S. Sen. John McCain, which set off even more red flags.

She did a quick Internet search, realized the photos were actually of Gilesand emailed hismayoral office. The Republic'sJessica Boehm learned of the schemeduring a routine public-records search.

It's easy to see how all of this happened. Giles' Facebook pagecontainstons of photos that are shared publicly. Most are official-looking, mayoral-duty kinds of pics: Giles delivering his annual State of the City speech, speaking with the governor, breaking ground on a new car dealership.

But there are more personal photos in there, including one ata family dinner and another of the grandkids posing with Santa. None of them are inappropriate. In fact, they're probably just like the photos you upload to Facebook.

I'm not faulting Giles for posting them and allowing the public to view them.They give constituents a valuableview into an elected official's life and public work.

But theyalsooffer an important social-media lesson. Anything you share -- and yes, we mean anything -- can potentially be found, saved and used by people with less than honorable intentions.

Marking photos public makes it easier for would-be thieves to find them. But even those you share only with friends can be saved by those friends and potentially redistributed.

In other words, use caution before you put a photo out there. Know your privacy settings and how to change them. As Facebook's official FAQ notes: "Remember, when you post to another person's Timeline, that person controls what audience can view the post. Additionally, anyone who gets tagged in a post may see it, along with their friends."

In other words, you have some control over who sees your stuff. But not ultimate control. So post with that in mind.

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How to Make Medicine More Expensive – Wall Street Journal (subscription)

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How to Make Medicine More Expensive
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Registering outrage over the high price of medicine is a national pastime, especially for politicians whose solution is always handing themselves more power. The latest examples come from Nevada and Maryland, where legislators are passing bills to ...

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Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine salutes 66 graduates at inaugural commencement – Tuskegee University

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May 09, 2017

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (May 9, 2017) The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) bid farewell to 66 veterinary medical graduates during its inaugural commencement on May 6 in the Tuskegee University Chapel. Twenty-seven of the 66 students graduated with honors. This historic day was full of excitement as commencement speaker Dr. Christine Jenkins gave an inspiring commencement address and challenged the Tuskegee University Veterinary Medicine Class of 2017. The students graduating in 2017 are the 68th class to receive the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Tuskegee University.

Jenkins, senior director at Zoetis Veterinary Medical Services and Outcomes Research, U.S., shared five main points with the Class of 2017 as they prepare to enter their professional careers in veterinary medicine. They included the following: One, graduates are entering a profession with many choices in which they are prepared. Two, take advantage of every opportunity early on to develop clinical proficiency and take on the challenging cases that others avoid. Three, always be humble and honest and learn about business to be financially successful as well as put a plan in place to address financial debt from student loans. Four, most importantly, learn how to be healthy both mind, body and soulwork through your challenges then celebrate. And five, take advantage of the strong Tuskegee network because Mother Tuskegee has provided each veterinarian a great education, Jenkins said.

The first inaugural commencement, hooding and oath ceremony was truly a huge success and another historic milestone for the college, said Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Having a separate commencement allowed our veterinary medical graduates the opportunity to have the conferring of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree along with being hooded and participate in the administration of the Veterinarians Oath in the same venue. Dr. Roslyn Casimir Whittington, interim associate dean for Academic and Student Affairs, presented the Class of 2017 after the conferring of the degrees.

The hooding ceremony is recognized in the medical profession to remind the graduates of the high standards that they should uphold as they enter into the profession as veterinarians. Dr. Pamela Martin, small animal internal medicine section chief, and Dr. Andrew Lovelady, director of clinical programs and large animal ambulatory clinician, assisted in the hooding ceremony and placed the professional doctoral hood over the head of each graduate signifying achievement and completion of the veterinary medical program.

In previous years, the College of Veterinary Medicine always participated in the main Commencement Ceremony of the university, and then convened afterward in another building for the Veterinary Oath Ceremony.

In addition to the powerful message from Dr. Jenkins to the graduates, Tuskegee University President Brian Johnson and Dean Perry honored four veterinary medical alumni with the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award during this historic occasion. The recipients included: Dr. Adam E. McKee (58), president of McKee Global Enterprise LLC, an energy and research management consulting business in Rockville, Maryland; Dr. Willie M. Reed (78), the current dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and professor of Veterinary Anatomic Pathology at Purdue University; Dr. William T. Watson (65), retired health scientist administrator and director of the National Center for Research Resources Chimpanzee Sanctuary Program at the National Institutes of Health; and the commencement speaker, Dr. Jenkins (84).

A reception followed for the graduates, family and friends at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of Tuskegee University.

About Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. The TUCVM has educated more than 70 percent of the nations African-American veterinarians, 10 percent of Hispanic/Latino veterinarians and is recognized as the most diverse of all 30 schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. The primary mission of the TUCVM is to provide an environment that fosters a spirit of active, independent and self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, and leadership; and promotes teaching, research and service in veterinary medicine and related disciplines

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Preventive medicine is at risk in Trump’s budget plan – The Hill (blog)

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At a time when greater focus should be placed on the prevention of chronic diseases and injuries that drive up health care spending, lead to millions of lives lost and create significant productivity loss to our economy, it is deeply concerning that President Trumps budget proposes to eliminate large portions of critical prevention funding.

One of the most concerning cuts is the elimination of the sole source of federal support for our nations Preventive Medicine Residency training programs. The budget proposal, which targets funding at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), comes at a time when we should be expanding not shrinking the training of disease prevention and health promotion physicians.

They often train and serve in underserved areas and practice at the community and population level to identify and treat the root causes of ill-health. Their work spans areas from decreasing acute and chronic illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illnesses, to addressing public health preparedness and emergencies such as the Zika virus, disaster preparedness and the growing opioid epidemic.

In addition, these same skills are critical to supporting our nations health system transformation efforts. The move to a more efficient, value-based health system focused on better population health outcomes is accelerated and amplified by applying appropriate population health management skills core to preventive medicine physicians.

At a time when half of the population is afflicted with at least one chronic condition, we must start at the top with public health initiatives that reach the greatest number of citizens possible. America faces an alarming increase in chronic diseases especially due to obesity including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

Though preventable, chronic diseases threaten to overwhelm our health care system. About half of all Americans adults have one or more chronic conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and one in four adults have two or more. Direct medical costs for chronic diseases and conditions exceed $750 billion annually. Research shows that half of these chronic diseases could be preventable, at least.

The return on investment from preventing these conditions is high. Based on current trends, by 2023, chronic disease cases will increase by 42 percent, to 230 million, costing $4.2 trillion in treatment and lost economic output. Reducing our ability to prevent and reduce obesity through cutting preventive medicine funding will thus add far more costs to our nations ever growing debt.

Why is the preventive medicine specialty particularly vulnerable with this budget proposal? Since preventive medicine residents train in community-based settings rather than in the traditional teaching hospital, Medicare and Medicaid do not support the cost of their graduate medical education as with all other clinical specialties. At a time when applications to preventive medicine residency training programs are on the rise due to added emphasis on population health in medical school, the sole source of federal support for these resident positions is now under attack.

The presidents budget will do irreparable harm to the preventive medicine training pipeline, send a signal to our young physicians in training that prevention should be deemphasized and increase our future health care costs adding risk to our nations health and economy.

The National Academy of Medicine (formally known as the Institute of Medicine), recommended adding the capacity to train at least an additional 400 public health and preventive medicine residents per year. Funding to increase the number of residents to meet this workforce gap has been inadequate and further compromised by a cut to HRSAs preventive medicine residency training line-item in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

As a result several programs have been forced to turn away residents who were planning to start their residency training on July 1.

This is tragic.

As a national asset poised to help reduce future disease, health costs and improve our nations key performance indicators, preventive medicine residents deserve stable and sustainable funding and the full support of our federal government as other medical specialties.

Without physicians trained to address and prevent these increasingly high-risk conditions, patients will suffer, our national economic competitiveness will further erode and health systems will continue to strain under the weight of costly and preventable diseases.

Dr. Robert Carr, MD, MPH, FACPM, is president of The American College of Preventive Medicine. He is a professor and director of the Executive Masters program in Health Systems Administration at Georgetown University. Follow him on Twitter @ACPM_HQ.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.

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Preventive medicine is at risk in Trump's budget plan - The Hill (blog)

Emergency medicine in space: Normal rules don’t apply – Medical Xpress

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June 5, 2017 Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Experts at this year's Euroanaesthesia congress in Geneva (3-5 June) will discuss the unusual and challenging problem of how to perform emergency medical procedures during space missions.

"Space exploration missions to the Moon and Mars are planned in the coming years. During these long duration flights, the estimated risk of severe medical and surgical events, as well as the risk of loss of crew life are significant." according to Dr Matthieu Komorowski, Consultant in Intensive Care and Anaesthesia, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK. "The exposure to the space environment itself disturbs most physiological systems and can precipitate the onset of space-specific illnesses, such as cardiovascular deconditioning, acute radiation syndrome, hypobaric decompression sickness and osteoporotic fractures."

In the event of a crew member suffering from an illness or injury, they may have to be treated and cared for by personnel with little formal medical training at their disposal and without the equipment and consumables that would be available in a comparable situation on Earth. Dr Komorowski notes that: "In the worst-case scenario, non-medical personnel may have to care for an injured or ill crewmember. Far from low earth orbit, real-time telemedicine will not be available and the crew will need to be self-reliant." He adds that: "Duplication of skills will be critical to enhance crew safety, especially if the doctor on board himself becomes ill, injured, incapacitated or dies. As such, extending basic medical training to most crewmembers will be extremely important."

Despite these measures, Dr Komorowski cautions that: "In remote environments, medical and surgical conditions with a low probability of success that also require using vast quantities of consumables are often not attempted. Similarly, during future space exploration missions, the crew must prepare for non-survivable illnesses or injuries that will exceed their limited treatment capability."

He will discuss various solutions and countermeasures that could be applied and discuss how they have been inspired by the needs of medical care in austere environments such as Antarctic polar bases, expeditions to remote areas, and during military operations here on Earth. These include ideas such as matching crew members for blood type to enable transfusions in an environment where blood products will not be available, or making use of on-demand 3D printing of medical equipment rather than carrying items that would most likely not be needed during the mission.

In the event of a serious problem such as a cardiac arrest, it may be necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); an especially difficult procedure to perform in microgravity. This will be covered by Professor Jochen Hinkelbein, Executive Senior Physician, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. He is also President of the German Society for Aerospace Medicine (DGLRM).

Prof Hinkelbein points out that "Since astronauts are selected carefully, are usually young, and are intensively observed before and during their training, relevant medical problems are, fortunately, rare in space. However, in the context of future long-term missions, for example to Mars, with durations of several years, the risk for severe medical problems is significantly higher. Therefore, there is also a substantial risk for a cardiac arrest in space requiring CPR." The space environment presents a number of unique problems that must be overcome in order to deliver emergency medical care. In microgravity it is not possible to use one's body weight to perform actions such as CPR as would be done on Earth, and there are strict limits on the amount of medical equipment and consumables that can be taken on a mission.

Prof Hinkelbein will outline the different methods of CPR that have been tested in microgravity experiments onboard aircraft and in specialised underwater space simulators. The research conducted by his team found that using a 'hand-stand' technique was the most effective way to treat a cardiac arrest and most closely matched the guidelines used here on Earth. In situations where that method couldn't be used such as small confined spaces, the alternative is the Evetts-Russomano method of wrapping the legs around the patient to prevent them floating away while performing compressions was judged to be the best alternative.

He concludes that: "In the context of future space exploration, the longer duration of missions, and the consecutively higher risk of an incident requiring resuscitation increase the importance of microgravity-appropriate medical techniques."

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The Specialists’ Stranglehold on Medicine – New York Times

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The Specialists' Stranglehold on Medicine
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Centegra Health System, Northwestern Medicine expect to finalize … – Northwest Herald

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Lauren M. Anderson

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Centegra Health System likely will join Northwestern Medicine by the end of the year, representatives from both health systems said.

Its been more than a year since Centegra announced plans to explore an affiliation with Northwestern Medicine, and officials would not yet discuss details of how the deal would affect both health systems.

It took about six months from the time Northwesterns merger with Cadence Health initially was announced to the time it was finalized in September 2014.

KishHealth joined Northwestern about seven months after talks of a merger started between the two companies.

Both of those deals were finalized after being approved by state regulators. Centegra and Northwestern have not yet applied for approval from the state.

Discussions continue to progress with Northwestern Medicine, Centegra spokeswoman Michelle Green said in a statement. We hope to be part of their health system by the end of the year, pending state and federal approvals. We will continue to provide updates as the process moves forward.

Both Green and Northwestern Medicine spokesman Christopher King said the parties are in the due diligence process. When Centegra announced in April 2016 that it had agreed to a letter of intent to discuss an affiliation with Northwestern Medicine, both parties said it could take many months before an agreement was made.

Any agreement would need approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board and the Federal Trade Commission.

Northwestern Medicine expects Centegra will join its system by the fall, King said.

When asked to discuss why the process has taken more than a year to complete, and what the benefits of partnering are, King declined to comment because the discussions are confidential between us and Centegra. For the same reason, Green also declined to speak further about details on the affiliation and how it would affect Centegra.

In the hospital systems annual report for 2016, Centegra Health System CEO Michael Eesley said: A partnership between Centegra Health System and Northwestern Medicine would increase the depth of Centegras clinical capabilities, enhance possibilities for physician collaboration and improve efficiencies to provide the best possible care for patients and their families.

Centegra operates hospitals in McHenry, Woodstock and Huntley. The health system also includes several immediate care centers, physician care locations, the Centegra Sage Cancer Center, Centegra Health Bridge Fitness centers in Huntley and Crystal Lake, and Centegra Gavers Breast Center in Crystal Lake, according to its website. The top employer in McHenry County, the health system employs more than 4,000 people.

Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the corporate parent for the Northwestern Medicine health system, which has a staff of more than 4,000 people, according to its website. The company oversees Northwestern Memorial Hospital, a highly regarded academic medical center within the industry and the primary teaching hospital to Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine.

The health care system manages seven hospitals Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital in Sandwich and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton.

In 2014, Northwestern merged with Cadence Health, which has hospitals in Winfield and Geneva.

DeKalb-based KishHealth joined the system in December 2015. Northwesterns acquisition of KishHealth grew out of talks that started in May 2015, according to previous reports from the DeKalb Daily Chronicle. That deal had no acquisition price, according to documents filed with the state.

The systems most recent merger, with Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, was announced in March 2016. Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare signed a letter of intent to transfer Marianjoy in October 2015. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the change in ownership in December 2015.

Green has said money will not be exchanged to make the deal happen in the case of Centegra and Northwestern. In business dealings, a merger or acquisition typically involves a money exchange or a corporate governance change. Both health systems are nonprofits.

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Doctor calls on UMass Med School grads to find contribution – Worcester Telegram

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By Susan Gonsalves, Correspondent

WORCESTER Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice encouraged University of Massachusetts Medical School graduates to be what our nation needs, during the 44th annual commencement exercises on Sunday afternoon.

A total of 253 degrees were conferred in the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Graduate School of Nursing.

Dr. Rice, the first woman to serve as president and dean of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and a renowned infertility specialist and researcher, spoke about the challenges the physicians, scientists and nurses would face in the current political climate, and emphasized the need for them to create and advance health equity.

She noted that 23 million additional people would be without health insurance in 2026 and a total of 51 million people under 65 wouldnt have coverage if the Affordable Care Act is replaced. The National Institute of Healths medical research would be cut by 22 percent down to $26 million.

Adding that there will continue to be a physician shortage, Dr. Rice said that these factors are among the mix of opportunities and challenges, that the graduates would have to face.

How will you contribute? How will your contribution benefit (others)?

The commencement speaker said that with every patient that comes in, the medical professionals must ask themselves, whats possible? and realize that access is not enough and is just the start and not the end.

Dr. Rice said that care should not be determined by someone elses definition of all. All actually means all.

Previously, Dr. Rice was the founder and director of the Center for Womens Health Research at Meharry Medical College, one of the nations first research centers devoted to studying diseases that disproportionately affect women of color.

During her nearly 40-minute address, Dr. Rice also focused on the importance of getting to know the specific circumstances of each patient as you bear witness to the most intimate moments of peoples lives such as their first tooth, first steps after a tragic event or the discovery of a tumor.

Listen intensely to their fears as they prepare for that next step, she said. Some will challenge you. Some will invigorate you to new heights. Theyll remind you why you chose this path.

She added, Every day, ask yourself, 'what can I do to make a difference?' There will be challenges. Dig deep for resilience, motivation and grit. Find joy, fill it and allow it to wash over you.

In addition to Dr. Rice, Victor Grifols, humanitarian and businessman, and Dr. Patricia Donahoe, a pediatric surgeon and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and faculty member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, received honorary degrees.

Chancellor Michael F. Collins presided over the ceremony, noting that no wall, would deter anyone from being welcomed into the schools community.

He encouraged graduates to hold the hands, of those whose care is entrusted to them, perform simple acts of kindness and never forget the poor, voiceless and vulnerable.

Before the ceremony, several students offered comments about their future paths.

Kasey Hebert of Greenfield, graduating from the School of Medicine said that she would be staying in the area for her residency at UMass Memorial as an OB/GYN. She called her UMass experience amazing, and wants to continue her training in this environment.

Joseph Young of Shrewsbury, also a new medical degree recipient, will have his residency in orthopedic surgery at Albany Medical Center.

I couldnt have asked for a better experience, he said of his time at the medical school. Everything was great and the faculty is outstanding.

Tyler Mehegan and Alexander Boardman, both of Duxbury, are also School of Medicine graduates, both specializing in internal medicine. Friends since the age of 10, Dr. Mehegan will go on to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston while his friend will work nearby at Brigham and Womens Hospital.

Brian Quattrochi of Groveland is a recipient of a Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy degree who will continue his pathology residency at Brigham and Womens Hospital as well.

He said that he decided to attend UMass Medical because of its expansive research in pancreatic cancer led by Dr. Brian Lewis, associate professor of molecular medicine and a leader in the field of cancer genetics.

Receiving masters degrees of nursing in acute care are Naomi Pappas of New Bedford and Anthony Bueno of Norton. Both plan careers in intensive care units, she at Charlton Hospital in Fall River and he at a location to be determined following some time off.

Both praised the faculty with Ms. Pappas noting that all the instructors are current practitioners in the field, which is not always the case.

Mr. Quattrochi added that the school offers a lot of hands on opportunities in itssimulation lab that students may not get somewhere else.

The following is a list of graduates.

Graduate School of Nursing

Master of Science

Belchertown:Lynn Arthur

Gardner:Amanda Jean Murray*

Grafton:Natalia Krzyzanowski*

Hopedale:Hannah Mitchell*

Hubbardston:Christina Lynn Janssens*

Leicester:Elizabeth Kaylin Moorghen*

Leominster:Heather L. Beckner*

Marlboro:Lauren Philbrick

Milford:Stephanie Salvi*

Northbridge:Kathryn Elizabeth DiFiore

Oxford:Chantelle LaMountain*

Paxton:Krystina Mary Habib*

Sharon:Jamie Noelle Reid*

Shrewsbury:Kaileigh Lavin*, Joana Sun*

Westboro:Jessica Marie Ashman*

Westminster:Kimberly Lyn Marsh*

Whitinsville:Susan Clare Emmerling*

Worcester:Alicia M. Filewicz*, Stephany Boafo Gyasi*, Rebecca Ogembo, James Quaicoe, Estela Trebicka*, Ana Ronderos*, Briana Karen Wise*

*Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Paxton:Mary Margaret Fortunato-Habib*

Upton:Stephanie M. Colman-Brochu*

Worcester:Kathleen Marie Kasper*

*Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Leicester:Helen M. Flaherty*

Marlboro: Susan OHara Sullivan*

Worcester:Akwasi Agyemang Duah

*Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation

Harvard:Patricia Anne McQuilkin, MD

Doctor of Philosophy

Holden:Michael Ian Carr

Lunenburg:Melissa Guildford Derner

Shrewsbury:Meetu Seth

Worcester:Navonil Banerjee, Samantha Grace Palace, Ozlem Senol-Cosar

Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy

Worcester:Kasmir Ramo

School of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine

Auburn:Daniel PatrickLindstrom

Belchertown:Gregory Edward Keefe*

Grafton:Amrit Vaidyanath Vinod*, Taylor Robert Young

Harvard:Naomi Elka Malam

Leicester:Andrew Dowd (g)

Leominster:Kristen Richard

Marlboro: Guyu Du, Christina Anastasia Kunycky

Millbury:Michael Patrick Flynn

Oxford:Sarah Elizabeth McGowan

Princeton:Solange Bayard (g)(a)

Shrewsbury: Caroline Jane Royer (g)(a)(b), John C. Sooy Jr., Joseph Russell Young

Ware:Rayna Lin Trietsch

Westboro: Matthew RossSpring*

Worcester:Patrick Jos Alvarado, Rebecca Katherine Angoff*, Zachary Christo Demma, Arielle Ann Filiberti (b), Nicole J. Koulisis (a), Dongqi Liu, Courtney Marie Temple (g)

* Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

(g)Gold Humanism Honor Society Recognition by their peers as exemplars of humanism

(a)Serving Underserved Multicultural Populations Pathway

(b) Rural Health Scholars Pathway

(c) Clinical and Translational Research Pathway -Pathway students, selected after a competitive application process, are responsible for completing additional curricular requirements above-and-beyond their four-year medical degree program.

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Doctor calls on UMass Med School grads to find contribution - Worcester Telegram

Statesville High School graduate finishing medical school in Chicago – Statesville Record & Landmark

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SALISBURY A Statesville High School graduate who dreamed of becoming a doctor as a child, in part because of a relative who was a physician, attended the Divisional Academic Ceremony at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Medicine last month.

Chris Smyre, the oldest son of Bishop Russell L. and Patricia Smyre, participated in the hooding ceremony on May 26 in the Rockefeller Chapel on the University of Chicagos campus. He was joined by his wife, Benjellica, his brothers Russell Smyre Jr. and Scott Smyre, his maternal grandfather Lovie B. Reid Sr. and his parents.

I have wanted to be a doctor since I was very young, Smyre, 28, said in an interview just days before the ceremony. Growing up I saw my great-uncle, who was a doctor, utilize the biopsychosocial model to help family members understand their conditions and their physicians rationale for their treatment plan. My great-uncle bridged the gap between what my family knew and what they needed to know.

From him I learned the importance of carefully tailored communication with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, Smyre continued. As a family medicine physician, I want to provide holistic care utilizing the cultural and social aspects of the patient to enhance the physician-patient relationship and address their healthcare needs.

Smyre attended Statesville Christian School during his freshman and sophomore years, Victory Christian Center in Charlotte during his junior year and graduated from Statesville High School in 2006. He earned his bachelors degree in chemistry, with a focus in biochemistry and biophysics, from Wake Forest University in 2010. He will continue his training to become a family medicine doctor by doing his residency at Northwestern McGaw Erie Family Health Center in Chicago.

Being a family medicine physician will position me to assist my patients in efficiently navigating and properly utilizing the healthcare system, he said. I am passionate about working with underserved populations and doing research aimed at eliminating healthcare disparities on individual and community based levels.

On Saturday, Smyre will graduate magna cum laude from the Pritzker School of Medicine, ranked 15th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Smyre is the Pritzker School of Medicines 2017 recipient of the Departmental Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of family medicine.

Dr. Sonia P. Oyola, director of the Family Medicine Clerkship at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Medicine, said Smyre was an easy choice.

Chris embodies what family medicine is, which is whole patient care, Oyola said. Hes focused not only on the disease or the problem the patient might be presenting with, but also on

the patient himself as a whole. Chris has always demonstrated that. Hes a leader, hes community service minded and he looks very deeply inside social issues, which is something that our field is constantly managing.

Oyola said Smyre demonstrated a desire and a passion to learn more about the links between mental healthcare and primary healthcare, something that is strongly emphasized in the family medicine field.

Chris is very compassionate and very patient and community centered, she continued. Hes just an amazing student that goes beyond learning only about the biomedicalHe delves deeply into the spiritual and mental well-being of his patients as well.

Smyre enjoyed the hooding ceremony and is excited about beginning the next phase of his career as a doctor.

He credits his parents for their unwavering love, support and encouragement and for teaching him about The Lord. His father is Pastor of The Fathers House of Glory, Inc. in Salisbury and director of facilities for Gaston College in Dallas, North Carolina. His mother is a full-time Ph.D. student at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, working toward a doctorate in Leadership Studies in Higher Education in the Community College track.

My parents taught me that I am valuable and have purpose independent of anything I accomplish or do, Smyre said. I also appreciate the way they modeled strong work values and instilled a belief in me, my brothers and our sister Teadora S. Williams that if we put our minds to it and work hard, we can achieve anything.

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Statesville High School graduate finishing medical school in Chicago - Statesville Record & Landmark

EXCHANGE: Medical school faculty starting to come together – Charlotte Observer

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EXCHANGE: Medical school faculty starting to come together
Charlotte Observer
Salaries for faculty with joint UI appointments will be shared by the medical school and the professors' home departments, with most holding 25 percent appointments in the college of medicine, Li said. Some Carle physicians will have smaller ...

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EXCHANGE: Medical school faculty starting to come together - Charlotte Observer

Alumna Bailey Johnson’s CSU psychology degree opens up doors into medical school – Source

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Not all first-year psychology students see their degree taking them into the operating room. But for one Colorado State University College of Natural Sciences alumna, that is the path that blended her interests and sparked new passions. Bailey Johnson (psychology 10), has lined up the pieces of her studies and experiences and landed an orthopedic surgery residency at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Bailey Johnson (Psychology 10)

Growing up in Fort Collins, Johnson was fascinated by bones. At age 11 she observed her first hip replacement on a dog. She would then go on to have her own experiences with bone injuries and healing, with multiple fractures from playing sports. Johnson was involved in rugby, and this athletic pursuit is what ended up sparking her curiosity for medicine. She received ACL surgery and was able to experience the benefits first-hand. This formed her early interest in orthopedics.

Starting her undergraduate career at CSU with an interest in becoming a doctor or psychiatrist, Johnson entered into the psychology program. Since psychology is a natural science, it made it an easy choice for her. Johnson said, Many of my premed credits were required portions of my degree and I wanted my psychology training to have an emphasis in research and neurobiology both of which were components of the CSU program.

During her sophomore, junior, and senior years, Johnson worked as a research assistant in the late David McCabes Cognitive Aging and Memory Lab in the psychology department. She also worked off campus at an internship at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland and was assigned to the neuropsychology department. Johnson received her B.S. in psychology from CSU in 2010.

After graduation, Johnson took a three-year break and tried out various job positions, including teaching English to middle school and high school students in Spain. Eventually, she decided to apply for medical school.

Johnson began attending University of Colorado School of Medicine for orthopedic surgery in 2013. During this transition, she had to reset her focus from psychology and apply it to orthopedics. She said, Orthopedics had a new tool that was developed and refined during my study of psychology; the ability to rapidly connect and attend to the emotional needs of patients.

Johnson served as an executive member of the Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group from her first year to the present. During her four years in and out of surgeries, she has been able to discern her passion for orthopedics. She said, I was struck with the realization that there are few things more emotionally rewarding for a patient or physician than restoring the independence and happiness that comes with physical normalcy: the ability to walk, feed oneself, to hold a grandchild.

In July, Johnson heads to her residency at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine for orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation. She said, Im so glad I attended CSU, and my training there really prepared me for medical school!

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Alumna Bailey Johnson's CSU psychology degree opens up doors into medical school - Source

Mayo Clinic’s new medical school in Scottsdale may ease statewide doctor shortage – AZCentral.com

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Amanda Luberto, Cronkite News 12:14 p.m. MT June 2, 2017

Mayo Clinic and ASU announce a new Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com

The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in Scottsdale boasts new technology, including touch screens and interactive labs.(Photo: Mayo Clinic)

Dr. Amit Shah smiles as he demonstrates the new technology at the Mayo Clinics new medical school campus in Scottsdale.

There is no center stage in the middle, (with) just a person beaming down information at you, as many of us unfortunately learned in medicine, he said.

Shah, the schools associate dean for faculty affairs, shows off classrooms armed with big-screen monitors and simulated office settings equipped with cameras so teachers can watch and provide feedback to the students.

The school plans to open in July. A spokeswoman said more than 3,000 students applied, but the school only accepted 50 students. The campus will serve as a sister school to the companys location in Rochester, Minnesota.

Shah said the school will provide a new way to learn the practice of medicine.

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Youre not smart anymore as a physician because you know some small detailed fact, Shah said. Youre great as a physician if you know how to communicate to patients, to work in teams and how to access information.

The medical school will feature cadaver labs set up with touch-screen technology. A monitor, the size of a human, mimics a body on a table and allows students to interact with it. And the campus includes a student lounge with a ping-pong table so students can de-stress.

In a 2016job report, health care was one of the fastest-growing job sectors in Arizona. However, experts said the state needs more doctors.

Arizona ranked 34th in active medical physicians per 100,000 residents, illustrating the states doctor shortage, according to a November 2015 study by theAssociation for American Medical Colleges.

Matthew Benson, a spokesman for theArizona Hospital and Health Care Association, said keeping doctors within Arizona is extremely important.

That is a long standing problem, he said. Getting the individuals who train here, who go to medical school here, to stay here.

Shah said he hopes adding a medical school at the Mayo Clinic could help ease that shortage.

Because were in Phoenix, you have lots of opportunities to be involved in patient care, he said. Your clinical training is not just at Mayo Clinic, we have partnerships.

Students in the program also can earn a masters degree from Arizona State University in health care delivery, which trains students to create doctor, patient bonds.

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Mayo, ASU join forces on new medical school

Phoenix Mayo clinic's $180 million cancer-fighting center set to open in March

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Mayo Clinic's new medical school in Scottsdale may ease statewide doctor shortage - AZCentral.com

Record applicants to USF medical school ahead of new facility – Tampabay.com

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TAMPA A record number of students applied to the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine this year, an increase school officials attribute in large part to its expected move downtown.

Nearly 6,400 applicants are competing for just 170 seats, according to a presentation Thursday by USF Health officials. The number of applicants has risen 50 percent in three years, surpassing 2016's record of more than 6,100.

Potential students are likely looking forward to the new downtown location, said Edmund Funai, USF Health's chief operating officer, as the university moves forward with plans for a $165 million facility at the intersection of S Meridian Avenue and Channelside Drive.

The school plans to move from its on-campus location in north Tampa within two years.

Funai said the project is on track to begin construction in August and open in the fall or winter of 2019. "It's on time, on budget and on schedule."

The move would put students less than a 10-minute drive from both Tampa General Hospital and the university's Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, a training facility.

The building will measure 380,000 square feet. The project will also feature an office building and hotel. Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, gave the university the downtown land in October 2014.

USF is the only university with a top-100-ranked medical school more than 25 minutes away from its teaching hospital, according to a report by the school. Only four other universities the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of California at Irvine, the State University of New York at Buffalo and Texas A&M University were even 10 minutes away from their hospitals.

Its current home is 40 years old, and its condition is rated "poor," according to the school report, and the downtown location "accommodates the strong preference of (USF) students."

The Heart Institute at the new location will create at least $56million in economic activity nearby, the school projects, and expects $28 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Students' tuition and fees will be unaffected by the move, the university said in the report.

Contact Langston Taylor at ltaylor@tampabay.com. Follow @LangstonITaylor.

Record applicants to USF medical school ahead of new facility 06/01/17 [Last modified: Thursday, June 1, 2017 8:33pm] Photo reprints | Article reprints

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50 years long enough to find truth on Liberty – Cape Cod Times (subscription)

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June 8 marks the 50th anniversary of the brazen and deliberate attack by Israel on the USS Liberty, a lightly armed intelligence-gathering ship in international waters off the coast of Egypt.

On that afternoon during the Six-Day War in 1967, waves of Israeli jets attacked the Liberty without warning. A subsequent barrage from three torpedo boats nearly sank the ship, while the two attacks killed 34 American sailors and injured 174 others.

According to Paul Craig Roberts of the Institute for Political Economy, who interviewed survivors and government officials, President Lyndon B. Johnson not only aborted an American rescue mission, but also ordered a cover-up of the whole affair. He reportedly said he wasnt going to embarrass an ally.

Notwithstanding the damning conclusions of the Moorer Commission in 2003, no subsequent U.S. administration has dared break an apparent vow of silence.

Its time to honor both Libertys victims and remaining survivors. Its time to tell the American people what happened on that day and why.

L. Michael Hager

Eastham

The writer is co-founder and former director general of the International Development Law Organization.

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50 years long enough to find truth on Liberty - Cape Cod Times (subscription)

10 Amazing Statue of Liberty Facts – Mental Floss

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Since first arriving to New York as a gift from the people of France, the Statue of Liberty has become one of America's most well-known and iconic symbols. Lady Liberty has undergone some updates and changes over 130-plus years she has presided over New York Harbor, but here are 10 amazing Statue of Liberty facts you may not have known.

The Statue of Libertys dedication inspired another uniquely New York institution: the ticker tape parade. New York office workers got the idea to unfurl financial ribbons from windows on October 29, 1886, the day President Grover Cleveland presided over the dedication ceremony.

Up until Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, David Luchsinger and his wife were residents of a very, very exclusive neighborhood: Liberty Island. As the superintendent of the Statue of Liberty, Luchsinger is one of a select few people who have ever called the island home. The National Park Ranger selected to be the seer of the statue is provided with free housinga small brick house, located on the other side of the island. Unfortunately, the cozy little house sustained serious damage during Hurricane Sandy and was not rebuilt, making the Luchsingers Liberty Island's last official residents.

The star-shaped Fort Wood, which now serves as part of the statues pedestal, was home to military families from 1818 until the mid-1930s. These military families often included young children like Pete Bluhm, who, in 2012, recalled to The New York Times a Fourth of July where G.I.s bounced bottle rockets off of Lady Libertys posterior. Another man, James Hill, recalled that he and his younger sister would drop baseballs from Libertys crown to see how high they would bounce. Other Liberty Island kids said they climbed to the torch tower and made it rock back and forth.

Once upon a time, it wasnt just Island kids who could climb to the tip of the torch. Tourists were able to climb up to the precarious perch until 1916, when those privileges were revoked in response to the Black Tom incident. Around 2 a.m. on July 30, Black Tomthen an island in New York Harborwas rocked by the explosion of about 2 million tons of war materials such as TNT, black powder, shrapnel, and dynamite. The blast was the equivalent of an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale; shrapnel flew across the night sky and embedded itself in the Statue of Liberty. Windows shattered as far as 25 miles away.

It was later determined that German agents intent on stopping the munitions from getting to their English enemies had ignited the supply. The Statue of Libertys torch was closed, partially due to infrastructure damage from the blast and partially just out of concern for terrorism. Its been closed ever sincebut you can still appreciate the view from the top with this TorchCam, installed in 2011.

The seven spikes radiating from the Statue of Liberty's crown arent actually part of the crown. Theyre meant to be a halo, also known as an aureole, with the spikes representing the world's seven seas and continents. The rays were temporarily removed from her crown in 1938 so their rusted supports could be replaced.

Sculptor Frdric Bartholdi offered to make Egypt a large piece for the entrance to the Suez Canal called Egypt Carrying Light to Asia, which would have featured a veiled Egyptian peasant woman holding a lantern. The Egyptian khedive declined, based on what it would cost.

It took roughly 20 years for Liberty to patina to the greenish-blue hue she is today.

Frederic Bartholdi has trumped any Mothers Day gift you could ever come up with: He used his mother, Charlotte, as the model for the most recognized statue in the world. This was first discovered in 1876, when Bartholdi invited French Senator Jules Bozerian to his box at the opera. When Bozerian pulled back the curtain to step into the box, he was shocked to find a real-life version of the Statue of Liberty sitting there in the box. When he said so to Bartholdi, the sculptor smiled: But do you know who this lady is? Shes my mother, he told the senator.

According to The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia, Everybodys Gal has a lot of nicknames: Americas Freedom, Americas Great Lady, Aunt Liberty, Bartholdis Daughter, Giant Goddess, Grande Dame, Green Goddess, The Lady Higher Up, Lady of the Harbor, Lady on a Pedestal, Lady with a Torch, Mother of Exiles, Mother of Freedom, Saint Liberty, and the Spirit of American Independence.

Bartholdis name for his gift was Liberty Enlightening the World.

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10 Amazing Statue of Liberty Facts - Mental Floss

Previews of the Liberty, Parkland and Bangor state playoff games – Allentown Morning Call

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The state softball tournament begins Monday with three Lehigh Valley teams in the mix.

As usual, Patriots Park will be a prominent location as it will host District 11 champions Liberty and Bangor in a doubleheader, while Parkland heads to Methaction High School in Montgomery County to begin its PIAA journey.

Here's a look at the games involved the Hurricanes, Trojans and Slaters:

PIAA 6A FIRST ROUND GAMES

Liberty (Dist. 11 champ) vs. Penn Manor (Dist. 3, No. 2)

When/where: 1 p.m. Patriots Park, Allentown.

At stake: A berth in Thursday's quarterfinals against either District 12 champ St. Hubert's or District 1, No. 3 Spring-Ford.

LIBERTY (20-5)

Coach: Sam Carrodo (third season, 51-19)

Players to watch: Sr. 3B Kristin Kaleycik (.454, 26 RBIs, 30 runs, 5 HR); Sr. OF Reyna DeJesus (.421, 19 RBIs, 31 runs, 12 XBH); Sr. C Caitlin Donegan (.430, 21 RBIs, 27 runs, 10 2Bs); Sr. OF Skilee Diaz (.352, 14 RBIs, 32 runs, 8 SBs); Sr. 1B Jess Watts (.362, 28 RBIs, 12 runs, 7 XBH); Fr. P Paige Zigmund (9-2, 2.16 ERA, 81.2 IP, 47 BB, 48 Ks, 74 H).

About the Hurricanes: Won the District 11 title with a 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Parkland thanks to Cailin Donegan's 2-run double in the first, an RBI hit by Mikayla Ruppert and the 5-hit pitching of Paige Zigmund. ... It was Liberty's second district title and first since 2012. ... Making first state playoff appearance since 2012 when they lost 8-1 to Central Bucks South in a first-round game at Pates Park. The 2012 Liberty team finished 20-5.

PENN MANOR (23-2)

Coach: Dave Stokes.

Players to watch: Jr. P Brittany Hook; Jr. C Sydney Duplissey; Sr. 1B Morgan Yingling; Jr. SS Julie Tappany; Sr. OF Pam Perez; Sr. 3B Addy Long; Sr. 2B Abby Busswood.

About the Comets: Lost to Chambersburg, 13-2, in the District 3 final. Chambersburg collected 18 hits and scored 10 runs in the final three three innings. Chambersburg also defeated the Comets, 1-0 in 10 innings, in the 2016 District 3 Class 4A final. ... Advanced to the district finals with a 3-2 semifinal win over Central York when Yingling had a 3-run double and Hook struck out 10 and scattered four hits. ... Penn Manor is in the state tournament for the third straight year. The Comets beat Owen J Roberts 4-0 behind Hook, before losing to Daniel Boone in the second round. Last year, they lost to Hazleton 2-1 in the first round.

Keith Groller's prediction: Hook is a quality pitcher and this one won't be easy, but the Liberty offense and Zigmund have been dynamite lately. Liberty 3-2.

Parkland (Dist. 11, No. 2 vs. Perk Valley (Dist. 1, No. 2)

When/where: 5 p.m. Methacton High School.

At stake: A berth in Thursday's quarterfinals against either District 3 champ Chambersburg or Dist. 7 No. 2 Latrobe.

PARKLAND (25-1)

Coach: Barry Search (eighth season, 158-32).

Players to watch: Sr. P Aubree Fritzinger (20-1, 0.95 ERA, 132 IP, 84 H, 68 K, 12 BB; .368 BA, 28 H, 9 XBH); Sr. OF Alyssa Oakley (.431, 22 R, 31 H, 4 2Bs); Jr. 3B Chelsea Morgan (.328, 22 H, 10 XBH, 23 R, 11 BB); Sr. 1B Shauna Frank (.524, 33 H, 26 RBIs, 13 XBH, 10 BB); So. DP Megan Fenstermaker (.368, 7 XBH, 15 RBIs); Jr. LF Makenzie Wolfe (.309, 17 H, 5 XBH, 11 RBIs).

About the Trojans: Had a 25-game winning snapped with a 3-1 loss to Liberty in the District 11 finals. Also lost for the first time in the district finals after three consecutive wins. ... Limited to five hits by Liberty's Zigmund and left the bases loaded in one inning and stranded two in another. ... Scored just six runs in three tournament games and have scored only 11 runs in their last five games. ... Parkland reached the state semis in 2014 and won the state crown in 2015 before losing 4-3 to West Chester East in last year's first round.

PERK VALLEY (21-5)

Coach: Dan McLaughlin.

Players to watch: Sr. P Abby Wild (20-3, 0.88 ERA, 150.1 IP, 230 K, 42 BB, 57 H; .310, 7 XBH); So. INF Ashley Bangert (.397, 31 H, 23 RBIs); Fr. OF Sela Fusco (.544, 31 H, 19 runs, 15 RBIs); Sr. OF Gillian Barrie(.447, 38 H, 27 runs).

About the Vikings: Rely heavily on the Bloomsburg-bound Wild, one of the few returning starters from a District One title team in 2016. ... Lost to Avon Grove 3-0 in the district finals after beating Avon Grove in the 2015 semis and 2016 district finals. ... Wild gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out seven in the finals. ... In 2015, defeated Archbishop Ryan 6-2 in the first round of the state tournament before losing to Parkland 5-3 in the quarterfinals at Lyons. Last year, beat Dallastown 10-2 in the first round before falling to Hazleton 7-3 in the quarterfinals.

Keith Groller's prediction: An experienced, hard-throwing pitcher like Wild is not the best antidote for a struggling Parkland offense. Perk Valley 2-1.

PIAA 4A FIRST-ROUND GAMEBangor (Dist. 11 champ) vs. Wyoming Area (Dist. 2, No. 2)

When/where: 3:30 p.m. Monday at Patriots Park, Allentown

At stake: A berth in Thursday's quarterfinals against either District One champ Upper Perk or Dist. 3 No. 3 East Pennsboro.

BANGOR (23-1)

Coach: Rich Kessler (fourth season, 79-18).

Players to watch: Sr. 1B Dani Fey (.658, 48 H, 36 R, 21 XBH, 5 HRs, 46 RBIs, 15 SB); Sr. CF CiCi Holmqvist (.538, 43 H, 36 R, 17 XBH, 29 RBIs, 11 SB); Sr. C Kaitlyn Caleen (.458, 33 H, 16 XBH, 31RBIs); Sr. OF Nikki Kessler (.500, 40 H, 33 runs, 8 2Bs); Sr. P Danielle Gannon (15-1, 91 IP, 3.07 ERA, 91 H, 44 K, 24 BB).

About the Slaters: Won second straight district title and third overall with a 5-1 win Tamaqua. ... Have won 20 straight games after a 14-4 loss to Palmerton on Apirl 8. ... Penn State-bound Fey has more than 100 hits and 100 RBIs in her career. Caleen, Holmqvist and Lexi Kessler all have more than 100 hits in their careers. ... Defeated Jersey Shore 10-2 in the first round of last year's state tournament, then lost to Lampeter-Strasburg 8-2 in the quarterfinals. ... Lost to Garnet Valley 4-0 in the first round of the 2008 PIAA 4A tournament.

WYOMING AREA (9-7)

Coach: John McNeil.

Players to watch: Jr. G Gwen Glatz (8-6, 73.2 IP, 35 IP, 24 BB, 45 K); Jr. Kristi Skok (.387, 17 RBIs, 8 XBH); Fr. Nicole Silinskie (.300); Jr. Jess Parente (.368, 25 H, 10 RBIs); Fr. Kari Melberger (.321, 18 H); Fr. IF Bri Pizzano (.290).

About the Warriors: In the state tournament for the first time since 1981 when they reached the state semis. ... Lost to Tunkhannock 3-0 in the District 2 finals, getting just three hits two singles by Kari Melberger and one from Jess Parente. ... Don't have a senior on the roster.

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Previews of the Liberty, Parkland and Bangor state playoff games - Allentown Morning Call