WEST PALM BEACH, FL–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  HearUSA, Inc. (NYSE Amex: EAR), the recognized leader in hearing care for the nation’s top managed care providers, reported that several of its contracted health partners have expanded or reinstated hearing benefits for their members, effective January 1, 2011.

Several plans have enhanced their Medicare offerings for 2011, including Preferred Care Partners (Florida), BCBS Horizon Medicare Blue (New Jersey) and BCBS Medicare Blue HMO (Florida). In addition, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies, has reinstated hearing benefits in its 2011 senior HMO product in Florida.

The new agreements will provide hearing aid benefits to an additional 400,000 members who are located in HearUSA’s major markets, including Florida and New Jersey. These new agreements are expected to increase revenues by approximately $3 million in 2011 and will bring the total number of enrollees covered by HearUSA’s exclusive capitated and fee for service contracts to 2 million. The new and expanded managed care contracts are capitated contracts.

HearUSA has contracts with more than 400 payors in the health plan market, including agreements with the nation’s top five largest insurance companies and eight of the top 10. HearUSA also has national partnerships with several major health plans, including Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Humana Health Plans, and WellCare Health Plans, and has expanded its service agreements to keep pace with the growing managed care Medicare market. The company is also a hearing care provider for the Veterans Administration, providing hearing services to thousands of qualified veterans.

“Partnering with health plans that seek quality care and value for their membership continues to be a key strategy for HearUSA,” said Stephen J. Hansbrough, HearUSA’s president and CEO. “We have added several new plans for 2011 that will be serviced by our Hearing Care Network, as well as key accounts in our company owned territories. This represents an important segment of our business in an area where HearUSA is generally regarded as the industry leader. We estimate that these enhancements for 2011 will result in a $3 million increase in revenues from the increased directed business and related capitation payments.”

Independent studies, like those from the National Council on Aging, have demonstrated the negative impact of untreated hearing loss on quality of life and independence — factors very important to seniors and their families. Despite concerns over reimbursement levels related to national healthcare reform, many plans are continuing to offer important ancillary coverage, including hearing. Full or partial hearing aid coverage helps to defray out of pocket costs and is an important benefit for the Medicare population.

According to Dr. Cindy Beyer, audiologist and senior vice president of professional services at HearUSA: “These plans recognize the important role that hearing plays in our overall health and well-being. By making hearing aids more affordable, plans enable their members to benefit from today’s advanced digital technology.”

The Better Hearing Institute reports about 10% of Americans, or more than 36 million people, have some degree of hearing loss. Fifteen percent of adult baby boomers (age 45-64) and almost one third of those over age 65 have hearing loss. Increased exposure to noise is cited as a primary cause of hearing loss, which is most often found in males (60%) compared to females.

HearUSA is uniquely qualified to partner with managed care organizations because of its company-owned centers’ accreditation by URAC, a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement programs (www.urac.org). URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. By contracting with an accredited and qualified hearing care provider network, the health plan ensures that their membership receives quality care, consistent delivery of services and products, and added value features, including discounted rates.

About HearUSA
HearUSA (NYSE Amex: EAR) is the recognized leader in hearing care for the nation’s top managed care organizations through its network of more than 2,000 hearing care providers and 176 company-owned centers. HearUSA is the nation’s only hearing care network accredited by URAC, an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation. HearUSA is also the administrator of the AARP Hearing Care Program, designed to help millions of Americans aged 50+ who have untreated hearing loss.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including those relating to the company’s expectations that the new agreements will increase revenues by approximately $3 million in 2011 and will bring the total number of enrollees covered by HearUSA’s exclusive capitated and fee for service contracts to 2 million. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include effective marketing to the expanded covered members, changes in the pricing environment; general economic conditions in those geographic regions where the members are located; consumer confidence in the general economy; the impact of competitive products; and other risks and uncertainties described in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2009 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 26, 2010.

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA–(Marketwire – Oct. 20, 2010) – DiaMedica (TSX VENTURE:DMA) today announces the appointment of James Parsons, CA as Vice President of Finance. Mr. Parsons will be assuming the role previously held by Mr. Eric Johnstone. Mr. Parsons has an extensive background in the life sciences industry and over 20 years of finance management experience. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer for both private and public life science companies including Amorfix Life Sciences, Trillium Therapeutics and Lorus Therapeutics. He has also consulted for numerous firms including Astra Zeneca.

“The board of directors of DiaMedica welcomes Mr. Parsons to the DiaMedica team”, stated Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica. “James brings to DiaMedica a wealth of expertise through his numerous years of experience as CFO with public and private biotech companies where his responsibilities included the negotiation of product licenses and strong links with the investment community. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Eric Johnstone for his contributions.” continued Mr. Pauls. 

DiaMedica today issued 40,000 stock options that are exercisable at a price of $0.44 for 5 years and are subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture exchange.

Please also note DiaMedica’s new office address below.

About DiaMedica

DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and other disorders. DiaMedica has completed two successful proof-of-concept Phase II studies with DM-71 and DM-99, which demonstrated human efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

DiaMedica’s lead product DM-199 is a novel recombinant next generation form of DM-99, which has shown the potential to increase insulin sensitivity, reduce the autoimmune attack and trigger proliferation of pancreatic beta cells, neural stem cells and bone marrow cells. DiaMedica is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol “DMA”. For further information please visit www.diamedica.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation (collectively, the “forward-looking statements“). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, DiaMedica’s objectives, goals, targets, strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, estimates and outlook, and can, in some cases, be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “may” and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding matters such as, but not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, management’s assessment of DiaMedica’s future plans, information with respect to the advancement of DiaMedica’s research and development programs, and DiaMedica’s other estimates and expectations. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: uncertainties and risks related to our research and development programs, the availability of additional financing, risks and uncertainties relating to the anticipated use of proceeds, changes in debt and equity markets, uncertainties related to clinical trials and product development, rapid technological change, uncertainties related to forecasts, competition, potential product liability, additional financing requirements and access to capital, unproven markets, the cost and supply of raw materials, management of growth, effects of insurers’ willingness to pay for products, risks related to regulatory matters and risks related to intellectual property matters. Additional information about these factors and about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements may be found in the body of this news release, as well as under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in DiaMedica’s 2009 annual information form. DiaMedica cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on DiaMedica’s forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to DiaMedica, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding the availability of additional financing for research and development companies, and general business and economic conditions. These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and investors and others should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, DiaMedica cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. DiaMedica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. 

BETHESDA, MD–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) – GetWellNetwork, Inc. today announced that it ranked number 386 on Technology Fast 500™, Deloitte’s ranking of 500 of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. Rankings are based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth during the period from 2005-2009. GetWellNetwork grew an impressive 220% during this period.

Along with achievements in revenue growth, GetWellNetwork has attributes its growth to new innovative health care solutions that are changing the way hospitals and clinicians interact and care for their patients. In 2009, the company launched the industry’s first pediatric solution — GetWell Town — to help children’s hospitals better engage and educate young patients about their health and recovery. This year, the company introduced a new product offering for elderly patients — GetWellNetwork for Seniors — to revolutionize how clinicians interact and provide critical education such as medication teaching, pain management and discharge readiness for elderly patients and their families.

“It’s exciting to see our work with hospitals grow in such a significant way over the past several years. This year’s ranking by Deloitte Fast 500™ is a wonderful recognition of the fast growing movement among hospitals that are leveraging our award-winning patient care platform to support the patient journey throughout the continuum of care,” said Michael O’Neil, CEO and founder of GetWellNetwork, Inc. “This is a critical time for the health care industry and we are proud to play a central role in improving the quality of patient care and engagement across the U.S.”

“GetWellNetwork has proved itself to be one of the fastest growing tech companies in North America, and we are proud to honor them as one of the 2010 Technology Fast 500™,” said Mark Jensen, managing partner, venture capital services, Deloitte & Touche LLP. 

For additional details on the Technology Fast 500 including selection and qualifying criteria, visit www.fast500.com.

About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. uses the bedside TV to entertain, educate and empower hospital patients and caregivers to be more actively engaged in their care. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. GetWellNetwork is the leader in interactive patient care solutions and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.

*As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.

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BOTHELL, WA–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII), a developer of RNA-based therapeutics, today announced the presentation of data from the Company’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy and influenza programs at the 6^th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society in Dana Point, Calif.

Peter Sazani, Executive Director, Preclinical Development at AVI, will present during the poster session at noon PDT on Friday, Oct. 22. The presentation, 063, is titled “Preliminary toxicological evaluation of AVI-7100, a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer with selectively introduced positive charges (PMOplus™) targeted to a highly conserved region of Influenza A virus.” The presentation will feature preclinical data evaluating AVI-7100 for use in treating Influenza A.

Ryszard Kole, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Discovery Research at AVI, will present during the oral abstract session, Splicing Applications, at 8 a.m. PDT on Saturday, Oct. 23. The presentation, 766, is titled “Oligonucleotide-Induced Skipping as Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Development of AVI-4658.”

Both presentations will be posted on the AVI BioPharma Web site in the “Our Programs” section after their respective sessions are completed.

AVI-7100 is AVI’s lead therapeutic candidate for influenza virus infections. The investigational drug candidate employs AVI’s patented PMOplus™ technology that selectively introduces positive charges to its phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) backbone to improve interaction between the drug and its target.

AVI-4658 is AVI’s lead investigational drug candidate in development as a systemically administered treatment for a substantial subgroup of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic muscle wasting disease caused by failure to produce dystrophin.

About AVI BioPharma

AVI BioPharma is focused on the discovery and development of novel RNA-based therapeutics for rare and infectious diseases, as well as other select disease targets. Applying pioneering technologies developed and optimized by AVI, the Company is able to target a broad range of diseases and disorders through distinct RNA-based mechanisms of action. Unlike other RNA-based approaches, AVI’s technologies can be used to directly target both messenger RNA (mRNA) and precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) to either down-regulate (inhibit) or up-regulate (promote) the expression of targeted genes or proteins. By leveraging our highly differentiated RNA antisense-based technology platform, AVI has built a pipeline of potentially transformative therapeutic agents, including one in the clinical development stage for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For more information, visit www.avibio.com. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  At Digital Pharma East, HCPlexus, publishers of The Little Blue Book™ (TLBB), a trusted resource for 300,000 doctors, announced a partnership with Healthline Networks, a leading provider of intelligent health information services reaching more than 100 million consumers each month, to provide pharmaceutical companies with a solution to inform physicians and patients on modes of treatment and care choices. As part of the strategic relationship, the companies will extend their current advertising networks, as well as the new point-of-care information platform, to provide contextual and direct marketing program offerings to Direct to Physician (DTP) and Direct to Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical marketers.

The joint offering will support and deliver physician-mediated patient education at the point of care. Through the alliance, physicians will continue to receive high-quality, medically credible content delivered from a reliable resource, The Little Blue Book, augmented with patient education resources from Healthline. Sponsorship opportunities will be made available to pharmaceutical manufacturers, allowing them to benefit from increased consumer engagement and brand presence.

“As consumers embrace the HealthWeb, physicians need to play a central role in providing their patients with the highest quality, most contextually relevant health information,” said West Shell III, Chairman and CEO, Healthline Networks. “Our partnership with HCPlexus will enable physicians and patients to engage in shared decision-making around health care treatment options, thereby elevating health literacy and compliance.”

Adds HCPlexus CEO David L. Shrier, “Our pharmaceutical and payor clients have been demanding one stop shopping for marketing solutions aimed at both HCP and consumer audiences. Healthline is an innovative partner with scope and depth in the online consumer health market and the largest condition-specific DTC advertising network. We look forward to offering pharmaceutical companies more opportunities to help physicians and consumers make informed healthcare decisions.”

In a survey conducted by HCPlexus last December of more than five hundred physicians, 42% said they were looking for patient education from The Little Blue Book.

About HCPlexus
HCPlexus provides physicians with personalized, timesaving and multi-platform products so they can focus on healing patients. At the heart of the company’s physician-focused offerings is The Little Blue Book (TLBB), a referral directory, which for more than 20 years has been a trusted and high usage resource for healthcare providers. The Little Blue Book data is now available on-line and in a mobile phone application. Leveraging the deep insights gleaned from more than 400,000 TLBB physicians, HCPlexus delivers high ROI marketing programs to pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals, health plans and independent practice associations. For more information, visit http://www.hcplexus.com.

About Healthline
Healthline Networks is a leading provider of intelligent health information services, enabling 100 million consumers a month to make more confident, informed healthcare decisions. The company’s proprietary consumer healthcare taxonomy, the largest of its kind, powers a suite of intelligent health search, content and advertising services. Combining advanced search technology with deep medical expertise, Healthline partners with a network of over 40 trusted destination sites that include publishers, portals, search engines, employers and health plans. Headquartered in San Francisco, Healthline is backed by Aetna, GE/NBC Peacock Fund, Investor Growth Capital, Kaiser Permanente, Reed Elsevier, U.S. News & World Report, and VantagePoint Venture Partners. For more information, visit http://www.healthline.com.

MADISON, WI–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  A group of health care leaders from across the country convened at Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on October 16, 2010 to hold the founding meeting for the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH, www.aaosh.com). The new organization has 50 founding members and anticipates rapid growth as more and more professionals absorb the data that demonstrates the close relationship of mouth health to body health and vice versa.

“When dentists and physicians work together, medical outcomes will be improved and lives will be lengthened,” states AAOSH President Dr. Chris Kammer, the nation’s most active advocate for an oral systemic approach to disease prevention. “Many people still don’t understand that good dental health can add years to your life, so one of our missions is to educate the public about the facts.”

The newly-inaugurated AAOSH will bring together medical professionals from all fields and try to eliminate the “tunnel vision” that can exist between medical specialties. Members will commit themselves to working and learning together in the ultimate spirit of cooperation so that patients everywhere can enjoy the resulting benefits of improved general health, healing, longevity and wellness.

“We’re excited about finally working closely with cardiologists, diabetic specialists, obstetricians and many more medical specialties,” explains Kammer. “AAOSH is all about opening those doors of communication and offering to help, so that we can contribute to the improved health for the patients we share.”

Several nationally-known clinicians who attended the meeting gave presentations on the latest findings related to the seriousness of oral disease in America. One speaker revealed how a couple was not able to conceive a child until the mother’s rampant gum infection was put under control. Another speaker discussed how diabetes can make gum disease worsen, but that gum disease can also make diabetes worse — a vicious “circle of death” unless dentists and physicians unite and intervene.

In addition, advanced dental techniques and systems for treating periodontal disease and tooth decay were shared, as well as an extended program on the importance of nutrition.

“The formation of this organization could not have come at a better time,” adds Kammer. “More and more research just keeps pouring in that confirms the connections between the health of the mouth and the resulting health of the body.”

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MIAMI, FL–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  Simulated Environment Concepts (PINKSHEETS: SMEV), the manufacturer and developer of medical, aesthetic and wellness equipment, increases its global medical appeal with a successful tradeshow hosted by Salon Rééducca — a show dedicated to Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Practices. There, more than 200 physiotherapists tested the company’s flagship product, SpaCapsule, receiving increased interest and sales as a result.

Dr. Ella Frenkel, Chairman and CEO of Simulated Environment Concepts (SE Concepts), Inc. said, “With all of the excitement swirling around our corporate orders, installations in hotels and fitness centers as well as the major distribution contracts, it could be forgotten that the Spa Capsule is a medical grade product. So while our capsules can certainly be used for relaxation, as medical equipment, the Spa Capsule’s foremost purpose is to assist physical therapists and doctors in delivering therapeutic treatments to patients.” 

Zen & O, a French distribution company with which SE Concepts has a multi-million dollar four year manufacturing deal, supported SE Concepts by displaying the H2O Body System – SpaCapsule at Salon Rééducca’s tradeshow last week. Roughly 225 physiotherapists tested the Spa Capsule units giving higher than expected approval ratings — with Zen & O capturing significant interest of nearly two dozen physical therapists resulting in multiple units sold at the show. 

Sales within the global medical community expected to continue as medical equipment providers and PT (Physical Therapy) centers look to distribute and own the Spa Capsule. SE Concepts has plans for an upcoming November tradeshow where the company anticipates further growing its international distribution base and medical appeal worldwide.

About Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc.

Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc. (SE Concepts) is an industry leading manufacturer and developer of cutting edge medical, health and wellness equipment.    

Its flagship product, SpaCapsule®, is a high pressurized dry water massage therapy system used for rehabilitation, relaxation, weight loss, cellulite management and general wellness.  Using its patented dual “dry-barrier” environment, users can remain fully clothed — a matter of gender and cultural significance within the markets the SpaCapsule is offered.  The product can be found in over 37 countries, offered by medical clinics, gyms and fitness centers, spas, retail locations, corporate offices, luxury hotels, and other venues.  Incorporating self contained oxygen, aromatherapy and iPod compatible audio/video features, users receive an enjoyable, rehabilitating and de-stressing therapeutic experience. 

The SpaCapsule has been featured on numerous Network and cable television programming including Good Morning America and The Doctors, and continues to receive global publicity.

For more information on SE Concepts, SpaCapsule®, PTjetCapsule™ and Celude Laboratories™ products you can visit the company’s product website at www.spacapsule.com, the corporate website at www.seccorporation.com, the corporate blog at http://www.spacapsule.wordpress.com or request more information via email at [email protected], or call at (888) 757-0797 or (305) 651-9200.

Safe Harbor

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding products and opportunities, demand and acceptance of new or existing products, capital resources and future financial results are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed. These uncertainties and risks include changing consumer preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of the Company’s customers, competition and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SpaCapsule is registered trademark of Simulated Environment Concepts, Inc.

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NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – October 20, 2010) –  Allied Healthcare International Inc. (NASDAQ: AHCI), a leading provider of flexible healthcare staffing services in the United Kingdom, announced today that Sandy Young, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the Oppenheimer 21st Annual Healthcare Conference to be held on November 2-3, 2010 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.

Allied’s presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The presentation will be webcast live and will be available on the Investors section of Allied’s website at www.alliedhealthcare.com. For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, the presentation will be archived.

About Allied Healthcare International Inc.
Allied Healthcare International Inc. is a leading provider of flexible healthcare staffing services in the United Kingdom. Allied operates a community-based network of approximately 115 branches with the capacity to provide carers (known as home health aides in the U.S.), nurses, and specialized medical personnel to locations covering approximately 90% of the U.K. population. Allied meets the needs of private patients, community care, nursing and care homes, and hospitals. For more news and information please visit: www.alliedhealthcare.com.

POMONA, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) – Western University of Health Sciences programs received more than $1.3 million in federal funding to enhance learning and bring critically-needed care to vulnerable populations.

The Department of Physician Assistant Education, part of the College of Allied Health Professions, received about $100,000 in Health Resources and Services Administration grant funding to buy 10 Student Auscultation Manikins.

The College of Dental Medicine (CDM) received about $180,000 in HRSA grant funding for Project TEACH (Training Equipment for Access and Community Health). The money will be used to provide mobile dental care to rural and underserved populations.

The College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) received about $1.05 million for students in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) master’s program. The money will cover full tuition and educational expenses, as much as $22,000 per year, for six full-time students per year who, upon graduation, are planning to work with vulnerable populations in the delivery of Primary Care to patients in medically underserved areas. These underserved areas include those with “financial, racial, linguistic and cultural barriers to health care services and (to varying extents) need for services,” according to the National Health Policy Forum.

This grant expands access to primary care by allowing part-time FNP students to become full-time students so they can finish the program quicker and begin making a difference in the community.

The scholarships will also benefit new incoming FNP students who were accepted as part of CGN’s expansion. The FNP program averages 25 to 35 students per class. This year the program accepted 47 new students.

CDM is partnering with the Victor Valley Dental Center in Victorville to furnish the center’s mobile dental van with two fully-equipped dental chairs, said Timothy Martinez, DMD, CDM Associate Dean for Community Partnerships and Access to Care. CDM students will travel with the mobile van to schools in the Victorville area to treat students.

The grant funding also paid for three portable digital radiographic units, three portable sterilization units and two complete hand piece set ups. These portable units will help the college address multiple needs, such as providing dental care to students in the El Monte and Pomona unified school districts.

CDM will also provide perinatal dental education and prevention services for the California Department of Health’s Black Infant Health (BIH) program, which provides health education, health promotion, social support and service coordination to pregnant women and their children.

The Department of Physician Assistant Education will use about $100,000 in federal funding to improve student education and testing by purchasing 10 torso mannequins that simulate heart, lung and abdomen sounds.

Students could listen to each other’s heartbeat and breathing, but they would typically not be exposed to the broad range of abnormal sounds that they need to learn, said Tina Boykin-Mowrey, MPH, MS, PA-C, PA Department Clinical Education Coordinator.

“This will expand our training capabilities,” she said.

COLUMBUS, OH–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  Twenty First Century Communications (TFCC) is pleased to announce that its TFCC Alert emergency notification system has been selected by Public Safety Communications as a winner of the 2010 Hot Product review.

66 products were submitted for consideration in the Hot Products review. An anonymous team examined the products during the APCO Conference in Houston. Based on the reviewers’ experience and comments, TFCC Alert was selected for the award.

“Public Safety Communications is one of the leading publications in the industry, therefore it’s a real honor to be recognized for our work,” said Bently Collier, TFCC vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re fortunate to work with great public safety, 9-1-1 dispatch centers and first responder customers.”

TFCC announced the release of its newest notification system, TFCC Alert, in early June. An easier to use system includes weather alerts, new user interface, advanced security controls, social media integration, and an enhanced public sign-up page, which are just a few of the new features of TFCC Alert. 

Full details of the Hot Products review will be featured in the November issue of Public Safety Communications magazine. To learn more about TFCC Alert visit us online. 

Public Safety Communications is a monthly publication published by Elsevier Public Safety on behalf of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. For more information about APCO, please visit www.APCOintl.org. For more information about Public Safety Communications, please visit www.apcointl.org/digitaledition.

About Twenty First Century Communications
By using technology to connect people to information, TFCC provides time-sensitive communication solutions that help clients quickly receive and send high volumes of information to the right people at the right time, using most any communication device.

For more than 20 years their suite of web-based, high-speed, high-volume notification solutions have been the industry standard. Backed by the largest and most reliable telecommunications network in North America, TFCC’s reliable inbound and outbound communication solutions are in place at hundreds of government, corporate, utility, education and healthcare organizations all across the country. For more information visit: www.tfcci.com.

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WEST HARTFORD, CT–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  BroadcastMed, the leader in online medical video, starts the week with a live broadcast intended for European audiences focused on Adhesion Prevention in Gynaecological Surgery. Later in the week the focus turns to low back pain in a live broadcast of a minimally invasive spine surgery. Rounding out new content this week are new on-demand CME features available on our BroadcastMedCME channel.

Additional on-demand features this month include our library of procedures and educational programming focused on breast cancer surgeries and BroadcastMed invites you to take part in the latest installment of the Virtual Brain Tumor Board.

NEW ON ORLIVE

LIVE SURGERY VIDEO – Contemporary Adhesion Prevention In Gynaecological Surgery

Premieres Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 2:30PM EDT/19:30 GMT

Participate in this live interactive webcast as gynaecological surgeons Prof. Jeremy Wright and Mr. Andrew Kent review surgical footage and discuss the inherent challenges with conventional adhesion prevention techniques. The faculty will share case reports and will contrast the pros and cons of available options, including the SprayShield™ adhesion barrier system.

This program features the SprayShield™ adhesion barrier system. It is intended for audiences outside the United States where the SprayShield™ system has CE Mark approval, and is indicated for use in patients undergoing laparotomy or laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery as an adjunct to good surgical technique intended to reduce the incidence, severity, and extent of postsurgical adhesions.

This surgery video is available exclusively to members of the ORLive community, and members can interact and ask questions via the ORLive website. Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

LIVE SUGERY VIDEO – Treating Chronic Back Pain with Minimally Invasive Surgery

Premieres Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4PM EDT

Surgery for chronic back pain doesn’t have to mean a long stay in the hospital and a slow recovery. On Thursday, October 21, Baptist Hospital neurosurgeon Sergio Gonzalez-Arias, MD, will perform a minimally invasive spine surgery during a live webcast. The minimally invasive approach is used to relieve various types of pain. The advantages over a traditional surgical procedure are less blood loss, less pain, smaller incisions and a quicker recovery. Many patients go home the same day of the surgery. Watch the live webcast and see this fascinating procedure as it happens. 

Viewers are invited to send e-mail questions to Dr. Gonzalez-Arias during the webcast.

Viewers can also choose to watch the webcast in Spanish.

Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

NEW CME ON BROADCASTMED

NEW CME VIDEO — Antiplatelet Therapy: Difficult Situations in Everyday Practice

Premiers Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Join Doctors from multiple specialties discuss common solutions for the management of patients requiring antiplatelet therapy. Presenters include cardiologist Oscar C. Marroquin, MD, internists Robert E. Schoen, MD MPH and Catalin Toma, MD, and surgical oncologist A. James Moser, MD, FACS.

Educational Objectives

• Draw informed clinical decisions in cardiovascular medicine.
• Cite responsible and balanced debate on conventional and controversial issues in the area of cardiovascular medicine.
• Discuss the management of patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis.
• Forecast and discuss important issues and trends in cardiovascular medicine.

You can find more CME on the BroadcastMed CME Channel on ORLive.com, and a complete multispecialty library of CME offerings at the UPMC Physician Resources website.

ORLIVE REFERRALS — Week of October 18, 2010
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and each week ORLive highlights related on-demand videos for our membership and visitors. 

Breast Cancer Surgery Referral: Surgical Advances in Axillary and Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, from Ethicon Endo-Surgery

CME Referral: New Perspectives in Sepsis for the Critical Care Nurse, from CMEducation Resources

Viewer’s Referral: Cancer and Thrombosis Management: DVT and Prophylaxis and Disease Modification in Cancer Patients, from CMEducation Resources

HIGHLIGHTS

NOW ON-DEMAND – LEGION™ Total Knee System with VISIONAIRE™ Patient Matched Insturmentation

Now Available On-Demand

Kenneth Cherry, MD will demonstrate his approach to address efficiency in the OR by utilizing the LEGION Total Knee System in conjunction with VISIONAIRE Patient Matched Instrumentation while Dr. Steven Haas, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, moderates the procedure. Combining the two technologies, will reduce OR time and eliminate up to 23 surgical steps from the TKA procedure thereby making efficiency more accessible.

Learn more about this broadcast or get a reminder at ORLive.com, and be ready to view this exciting procedure by activating your free membership to ORLive today.

NOW ON-DEMAND — Acute Onocologic Emergencies

Now Available ON-Demand

Join Ahmad Tarhini, MD as he reviews onocologic emergencies in this presentation from a recent UPMC Medical Grand Rounds.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Better manage epidural spinal cord compression in patients.
• Better management of hypercalcemia of malignancy in cancer patients.
• Increase the management of superior vena cava syndrome in cancer patients.

You can find more CME on the BroadcastMed CME Channel on ORLive.com, and a complete multispecialty library of CME offerings at the UPMC Physician Resources website.

About BroadcastMed
BroadcastMed is the leading provider of video communication channels and solutions to the healthcare community. Working collaboratively with hospitals, device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies, BroadcastMed produces and distributes customized, interactive, video programs that demonstrate the latest advances in medicine, surgical techniques and product innovations, and promotes them to a verified audience of more than 700,000 healthcare professionals. The BroadcastMed network of sites provides an intimate look at over 650 live and on-demand surgeries, medical education, and symposia to global audiences that watch and learn from more than 40 million video views annually. The BroadcastMed network can be found on-line at www.BroadcastMed.com. 

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MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC–(Marketwire – 19 oct. 2010) –

Note aux éditeurs : Une photo accompagnera ce communiqué de presse sur le site de Marketwire.

Quelques semaines à peine après la mise en service de sa solution à l’Hôpital juif de réadaptation de Laval au Québec, Solutions Extenway inc. (TSX CROISSANCE:EY) est heureuse d’annoncer que c’est maintenant au tour des patients du centre de traitement de chimiothérapie du Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center situé à Brooklyn, à New York, de profiter des avantages offerts par ses terminaux. Cette annonce marque la première phase du déploiement de la solution technologique Extenway en sol américain.

Une solution pour améliorer la qualité de vie des patients en milieu hospitalier

Les terminaux de chevet Extenway permettent aux patients de profiter à la fois d’un moyen de communication avec le personnel et leurs proches (vidéoconférence et service d’assistance), d’une plateforme de divertissement numérique (télé, jeux, lecteur MP3, radio et livres audio) et éducatif (capsules d’enseignement aux patients), ainsi que d’un environnement de bureautique (Internet, courriel, Microsoft Office, etc.).

« Notre solution permet aux patients de vivre une expérience plus positive durant leur traitement, a déclaré John McAllister, président et chef de la direction d’Extenway, une entreprise de Baie d’Urfé, dans la région de Montréal. Certains d’entre eux passent parfois de longues semaines en milieu hospitalier et les témoignages que nous avons reçus confirment que notre technologie améliore leur qualité de vie durant cette période. »

Les patients peuvent consulter les contenus proposés en utilisant l’écran tactile ou le clavier sans fil des terminaux. Dans le cas du Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, il était très important d’offrir un environnement agréable et le moins « hospitalier » possible à ses patients. Le panneau d’installation mural des terminaux Extenway a été adapté afin que ces derniers puissent être fixés directement sur les chaises de traitement de chimiothérapie.

Une solution pour améliorer l’efficacité des services hospitaliers

La solution Extenway permet aussi de maximiser la communication entre le patient, les cliniciens et le personnel.

Les patients peuvent notamment consulter les menus et transmettre leurs sélections en ligne, ou encore contrôler la lumière et la température de leur chambre sans se déplacer. En étant plus autonomes, les patients permettent ainsi au personnel de se concentrer davantage sur les besoins médicaux.

Extenway tiendra sa prochaine assemblée annuelle et spéciale de ses actionnaires le 21 octobre à 11 h, au salon Musset du Centre Sheraton Montréal situé au 1201, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest.

À propos de Solutions Extenway inc.

Solutions Extenway (TSX CROISSANCE:EY) (www.extenway.com) est un fournisseur de solutions technologiques d’information, de communication, de divertissement et d’éducation dans le domaine de la santé. Les terminaux Extenway offrent une vaste gamme de contenus et services intégrés dont la télévision, Internet, Microsoft Office, la vidéoconférence, la gestion de l’environnement des chambres des patients et la gestion des rendez-vous des patients. Basée à Baie d’Urfé, dans la région de Montréal au Canada, Extenway permet aux organisations d’optimiser la gestion et la coordination des interactions entre les partients et le personnel médical et administratif.

Clause libératoire et d’exonération

À l’exception des informations concernant les antécédents de l’entreprise ci-haut mentionnées, ce communiqué contient des déclarations futures qui impliquent des risques et des incertitudes. Les résultats réels peuvent être différents au niveau matériel. Les facteurs qui peuvent causer une différence incluent, mais ne sont pas limités à, l’acceptation des produits au niveau du marché, l’impact des produits compétitifs et technologies, la possibilité que certains produits portent atteinte aux brevets et autres propriétés intellectuelles de tierces parties, et aux coûts associés aux développements de produits. Solutions Extenway inc. ne procédera pas à la mise à jour de ces déclarations futures afin de refléter les événements ou circonstances après la date ci-haut mentionnée. Des informations plus détaillées sur les facteurs potentiels qui pourraient avoir une influence sur les résultats financiers sont incluses dans les documents fournies aux autorités canadiennes en valeurs mobilières.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire – Oct. 19, 2010) –

Editors note: A photo will be included with this press release on Marketwire’s website.

Just weeks after its solution was put into service at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital of Laval in Quebec, Extenway Solutions Inc. (TSX VENTURE:EY) is delighted to announce that its terminals will now be used by patients at an outpatient chemotherapy center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Brooklyn, New York. This announcement marks the first time Extenway’s technology solution has been deployed on American soil.

Improving the quality of life for hospital patients

Extenway’s bedside terminals allow patients to benefit from a means of communication with staff and family (via video conference and assistance request service), a digital entertainment platform (TV, games, MP3 player, radio, and audio books), educational tools (patient teaching capsules), and a desktop work environment (Internet, email, Microsoft Office, etc.).

“Our solution allows patients to have a more positive experience during their cancer treatment“, said John McAllister, President and CEO of Extenway, a company based in Baie d’Urfé in the Montreal region. “Patients sometimes have to spend weeks at a time in hospital, and feedback confirms that our technology improves their quality of life during this period.”

Patients can consult the different contents by using the terminal’s tactile screen or a wireless keyboard. For Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it was very important to provide a positive and not “hospital-like” environment for patients. Extenway typical wall installation was adapted for direct mounting of the terminal onto the chairs used for chemotherapy treatment, thus creating a better patient experience.

Improving the efficiency of hospital services

The Extenway solution also helps optimize communication between the patient, clinicians and hospital staff.

Patients can also consult online menu and send their orders online. They can even adjust the light and temperature in their room – without having to move. Patients are therefore more autonomous, allowing staff extra time to concentrate on their medical needs.

Extenway will hold its next general meeting for shareholders on October 21 at 11am in the Musset room of Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, located at 1201 boulevard René-Lévesque West.

About Extenway Solution Inc.

Extenway Solutions (TSX VENTURE:EY) (www.extenway.com) provides IT, communications, entertainment and education solutions to the healthcare sector. Extenway terminals offer a wide range of integrated content and services, including television, Internet, Microsoft Office, and video conferencing. The terminals also offer the possibility of managing patient appointments and regulating a patient’s bedroom environment. Extenway allows healthcare organizations to optimize the way they manage and coordinate interactions between patients, medical staff and those working in administration. The company is based in Baie d’Urfé in the Montreal region of Canada.

Disclaimer – Safe Harbour Forward–Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the future financial conditions, results of operations or business of the Company. These statements may be current expectations and estimates about the markets in which Extenway Solutions Inc. operates and management’s beliefs and assumptions regarding these markets. These statements are subject to important risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate. The results or events predicted in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In particular, forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any merger, acquisitions or other business combinations or divestitures that may be announced or completed after such statements are made.

WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  She is a ray of hope, arriving Oct. 18 in one of the world’s poorest, most volatile regions. She is Aisha — the 50,000^th baby born at Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem.

“This is a very special moment for the hospital, for us, for our future and especially for the mother,” said Dr. Jadallah Najjar, who delivered the baby and is head of Holy Family Hospital’s Gynecology and Obstetrics Department. “I hope there will be peace in this land, and that this birth is a symbol of that peace.”

At 9:30 a.m. local time on Oct. 18, 2010, Dr. Najjar delivered Aisha to Hafsah Omar Radaydiah, 19, and her husband Isam, 24. She weighed 7.5 pounds and was 19.7 inches long. Mother and baby are doing well!

 “I am so happy,” Hafsah Radaydiah said. “I have been waiting to become a mother. This will change my whole life. I’m happy because she is so beautiful.”

“We’ve just heard the exciting news,” said Colleen Marotta, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Holy Family Hospital Foundation. “We are thrilled to welcome the 50,000^th life at our hospital.”

“This birth is very exciting and symbolic,” said Dr. Jacques M. Keutgen, general director of the hospital. “A young lady, 19 years old, giving birth to her first baby. This is the future of this hospital.”

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has operated Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem since 1990 at the request of Pope John Paul II who declared the Hospital one of the top 100 global priorities for the new millennium. Over the past 20 years, it has provided a variety of maternity, gynecological and pediatric services to families in the region without regard to race, religion or ability to pay. Located only 500 yards from the traditionally recognized birthplace of Jesus, no family has ever arrived at its doors to hear that “there is no room.”

In addition to Colleen Marotta of the U.S.-based Foundation, hospital staff are available for limited interviews. Please contact Christine Schicker of The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871 or by email at [email protected]. To learn more about the hospital, or download press materials and photos, please visit www.BirthplaceofHope.org.

WALNUT CREEK, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  On Thursday, October 28^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., recently opened Skye Wellness of Walnut Creek, CA will host a free seminar providing an in-depth look at why detoxification is vital to maintaining health and well being.

The seminar, limited to 10 guests, will be presented by Laura Hollabaugh, a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist and Managing Member of Skye Wellness, and Sarah Carlson, a Certified Nutrition Coach of Be Wellness Nutrition. Those interested in attending the “Dump the Junk” seminar may call (925) 939-7069 or send an email request to [email protected], receiving a confirmation if space remains available.

“Clearing out the inner ‘junk’ is the key to returning your digestive and immune system back to optimum functioning. Detoxification or cleansing is the process of eliminating the buildup of waste and toxins from your cells, organs and blood,” Laura Hollabaugh explained, summarizing, “It’s the foundation of getting your health back.”

The class will provide an in-depth look at why detoxification is vital to improving and maintaining health and the necessary components of a Total Body Cleanse Protocol (TBCP).

The practice of colon cleansing, long recognized and practiced among European cultures, has undergone resurgence in U.S. holistic and complementary health care. Colon hydrotherapy is also known as colonics or colon therapy.

Skye Wellness, with its new eco-friendly facility located at 2123 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek, CA 94598, provides colon cleansing and wellness services. Its mission is providing colon cleansing with nutritional guidance to assist health-conscious individuals in achieving their optimal life and body balance, uniquely offering clients in the San Francisco Bay area both gravity-fed Angel of Water and closed Dotolo state-of-the-art cleansing systems to satisfy client preference and comfort.

Laura Hollabaugh is certified by and a member of the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) and trained at the Internal Environment Institute. She holds a BS degree from Kean University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and she attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she obtained a masters degree.

Sarah Carlson holds a BA degree from San Francisco State University where she graduated Cum Laude and holds a Nutrition Educator certification from Bauman College in Berkeley, CA. Sarah also sits on the Board of Directors of the Health Medicine Forum.

Visit the Skye Wellness web site at http://www.skye-wellness.com.

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MADISON, WI–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  TomoTherapy Incorporated (NASDAQ: TOMO), maker of advanced radiation therapy solutions for cancer care, announced today that its 2010 third quarter earnings conference call, originally scheduled for Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. CDT, has been rescheduled for one day earlier, to Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. CDT. The call has been rescheduled to avoid conflicts with other industry earnings calls. TomoTherapy will release its 2010 third quarter results on October 27, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. CDT.

During the investment community conference call, Fred Robertson, M.D., CEO, and Thomas Powell, CFO, will review third quarter performance and discuss the company’s strategies. To join the conference call, dial 1-800-638-4817 (international 1-617-614-3943) and enter passcode 19539609. A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the call ends through 10:59 p.m. CDT on November 3, 2010. To access the replay, dial 1-888-286-8010 (international 1-617-801-6888) and enter passcode 40905886.

For individual investors, a live Webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations page of TomoTherapy.com. Institutional investors can access the Webcast through a password-protected site www.streetevents.com. An archived Webcast of TomoTherapy’s conference call will be available for two weeks.

About TomoTherapy Incorporated 
TomoTherapy Incorporated develops, markets and sells advanced radiation therapy solutions that can be used to treat a wide variety of cancers, from the most common to the most complex. The ring gantry-based TomoTherapy^® platform combines integrated CT imaging with conformal radiation therapy to deliver sophisticated radiation treatments with speed and precision while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. TomoTherapy’s suite of solutions include its flagship Hi·Art^® treatment system, which has been used to deliver more than three million CT-guided, helical intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment fractions; the TomoHD^™ treatment system, designed to enable cancer centers to treat a broader patient population with a single device; and the TomoMobile™ relocatable radiation therapy solution, designed to improve access and availability of state-of-the-art cancer care. TomoTherapy’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TOMO. To learn more about TomoTherapy, please visit TomoTherapy.com.

©2010 TomoTherapy Incorporated. All rights reserved. TomoTherapy, Tomo, TomoDirect, TQA, the TomoTherapy logo and Hi·Art are among trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of TomoTherapy Incorporated in the United States and other countries.

IRVINE, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  SK&A, A Cegedim Company, a leading provider of healthcare Information solutions and research, today announced the addition of longtime information-industry sales professional David Simon to its management team as Senior Director of Sales.

“David brings to SK&A a very accomplished and very successful performance record selling information solutions to companies throughout his career,” said SK&A’s Dave Escalante, Vice President, Data and Information Solutions. “As we expand our high-quality, innovative healthcare data products and services into new markets, we are fortunate and honored to have such a skilled manager and leader join our organization.”

Simon has held positions in sales management, sales, and marketing management with companies such as Experian, D&B, and McGraw Hill. As Vice President of Data Sales at Experian, Simon led a large nationwide team of account executives to record product-line growth over an eight-year period. In his 15-plus years of sales leadership experience, Simon has managed field, inside, broker / reseller, and agency sales teams with a strong focus on new business development.

Simon will manage SK&A’s staff of 21 sales representatives and one sales manager, which includes inbound, outbound, reseller, and solution sales teams. Simon will be based from SK&A’s parent company office, Cegedim Relationship Management, in Bedminster, N.J.

About SK&A, A Cegedim Company:
SK&A is a leading provider of healthcare information solutions and research. SK&A, as part of Cegedim’s global OneKey® offering, researches and maintains contact and profiling information for over two million healthcare practitioners, including 800,000-plus U.S. prescribers. SK&A also offers the only 100-percent telephone-verified database of email addresses of prescribers and professionals working at active healthcare sites. SK&A’s customers include many of America’s most recognized healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. Please visit www.skainfo.com for more information or www.skalivecounts.com for counts and ordering.

About Cegedim: 
Founded in 1969, Cegedim is a global technology and services company specializing in the healthcare field. Cegedim supplies services, technological tools, specialized software, data flow management services and databases. Its offerings are targeted notably at healthcare industries, life sciences companies, healthcare professionals and insurance companies. The world leader in life sciences CRM, Cegedim is also one of the leading suppliers of strategic healthcare industry data. Cegedim employs 8,600 people in more than 80 countries and generated revenue of EUR 874 million in 2009.
Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).
To learn more, please visit www.cegedim.com.

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BETHESDA, MD–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  GetWellNetwork, Inc. today announced that the company’s Chief Outcomes Officer, David Wright, and Chad Mulvany, Healthcare Financial Management Association, will share how new health care provisions such as Value-Based Purchasing(1) will impact U.S. hospitals’ reimbursements by CMS. 

Mr. Wright and Mr. Mulvany will provide attendees with a thorough overview of the new health care law and “Pay for Performance” provisions, as well as to demonstrate how interactive patient care technologies are raising performance measurements used by CMS to measure hospitals’ effectiveness in treating patients — in areas of quality, safety, cost and satisfaction. 

Attendees will also hear how leading hospitals and health systems are using interactive patient care solutions to achieve evidence-based outcomes and improve hospital performance in the areas that directly impact the “Pay for Performance” provisions.

Date: October 20, 2010
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM EST
To Register Click: Using Patient Engagement to Prepare for the Pay for Performance

About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. uses the bedside TV to entertain, educate and empower hospital patients and caregivers to be more actively engaged in their care. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. GetWellNetwork is the leader in interactive patient care solutions and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.

(1) More information about CMS’ Value-Based Purchasing Program is available at http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/HospitalVBPPlanRTCFINALSUBMITTED2007.pdf and http://www.cms.gov/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/downloads/VBPRoadmap_OEA_1-16_508.pdf

BOSTON, MA and WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  Large companies forced to scale back healthcare coverage. Employees left stranded, picking up the difference. The stakes for American business are at an all-time high. Unmanaged, preventable healthcare costs are one of the largest drains on corporate income statements. But, employers have the power to turn the tables. They play a vital role in encouraging healthy behaviors amongst their workforce and must create a workplace culture of prevention to avoid a profitability crisis of epic proportions. 

That’s the message delivered to major employers by Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles at the 2010 Integrated Care Summit in Washington, DC on October 15. Virgin HealthMiles is a leading provider of employee health and productivity programs that pay people to get active. More about Boyce’s and other experts’ perspectives on creating a workplace culture of prevention and insights on employee health trends can be found on Virgin HealthMiles’ new blog, www.theuprisingblog.com.

More than 75 percent of today’s healthcare costs stem from preventable, chronic diseases that are largely driven by our own personal health behaviors. And while companies pay for employee healthcare coverage at amounts rising more than 10 percent each year, said Boyce, they’re also absorbing 70-80 percent of these cost increases. At the same time, employees are incurring higher out-of-pocket costs and larger shares of their premiums. The Kaiser Family Foundation found the average family coverage premium increased 131 percent from 1999-2009, while worker contributions increased 128 percent.

Employers can no longer shoulder this burden alone. With the US median wage at about $43,000 per year, employees can’t bear much more, either. The good news? Companies can take action and impact the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and their resulting medical and productivity costs by getting employees to make healthy behavior changes.

Boyce said many employers are proactively managing these costs by creating a workplace culture of prevention and getting employees to become more physically active. Yet, more employers could, and should do more. According to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, 94 percent of employers believe they could do a better job in supporting their employees’ health improvement efforts. What’s more, an April 2010 study by Virgin HealthMiles showed nearly 85 percent of the 1,926 employee respondents believe an employer has a responsibility to take a leadership role in encouraging and promoting wellness in the workplace.  

“Chronic diseases drain our nation’s health, our businesses, and our economy. It’s imperative we focus on prevention and keeping people healthy so we can avoid the rising demand for costly healthcare services,” said Boyce. “Focusing on prevention promotes personal responsibility and links lifestyle choices to good health. It also allows companies to ensure their interests are aligned with those of their employees so they can productively work together to drive down lifestyle-related healthcare costs.”

Savvy companies across the country are using innovative, technology-based employee wellness incentive programs to build this culture of prevention, reported Boyce. These programs go beyond traditional wellness programs by motivating entire employee populations to participate through meaningful and affordable incentives. The programs are measurable, and help both companies and workers quantifiably track progress and program impact. And they’re manageable, so organizations can integrate various, splintered wellness efforts and incentives structures while aligning incentives for actual performance. When employed, such strategies fuel long-term healthy behavior change and healthcare cost reductions for employees and companies alike.

About Virgin HealthMiles
Virgin HealthMiles provides employee health programs that pay people to get active. The company’s Pay-for-Prevention™ approach, based on physical activity and healthy lifestyle change, attracts an average of 40 percent of employees who participate, which helps organizations reduce medical costs and improve employee productivity and satisfaction. The program is offered by employers, government entities, and insurers. Over 120 industry leaders representing more than 500,000 employees across the U.S., including American Diabetes Association, Intuit, MWV, OhioHealth, Ochsner Health System, Protective Life, SunGard, SunTrust, and Timberland have selected Virgin HealthMiles’ award-winning program for their employees. The company is a member of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. For more information, visit www.virginhealthmiles.com

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NATICK, MA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  The Healthcare IT Solutions Exchange (HITSE) announces its slate of speakers and updates on tracks to be featured at its healthcare IT conference, HITSE New England 2010, to be held October 26 and 27 at the Doubletree Hotel, Westborough, MA. This is the first in a series of conferences to provide healthcare IT professionals with continuing education, purchase planning assistance and peer networking around issues facing hospitals and healthcare systems. 

HITSE New England‘s speakers include healthcare industry experts and CIOs, who will discuss topics related to the four conference tracks:

• Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE);
• Meaningful Use;
• Migrating to MEDITECH 6.0; and
• Revenue Cycle Management. 

Each track includes two speaker presentations, one panel discussion and an interactive session with vendors responding to issues raised by the speakers and attendees. Issues such as interoperability, business continuance and workforce scheduling will be addressed and case studies, product demonstrations and participation in user group discussions will be offered.

Key presentations are scheduled featuring the following speakers:

• Ray Campbell, Executive Director and CEO, Massachusetts Health Data Consortium, provides information and updates on Meaningful Use; 
• Dr. Cupid Gascon, Medical Director of Emergency Services at Oswego Hospital, discusses CPOE: A Physician’s Perspective;
• Bill O’Toole, Founder of O’Toole Law Group, provides valuable insight on Contract Considerations for MEDITECH 6.0;
• Ron Kilmer, Patient Services Manager at Nathan Littauer Hospital, presents The Evolving Role of Case Management in the Revenue Cycle; and
• Chuck Duncan, CEO of Healthcare Revenue Strategies, shares his experience in Effective Revenue Cycle Management.

“By organizing the HITSE New England conference, we are trying to leverage the benefit of peer-to-peer interaction, particularly to the delivery of healthcare,” states Arthur Young, president of Interbit Data and one of the founding HITSE members. “Healthcare IT professionals will have the opportunity to share experiences and exchange information and best practices, as well as collaborate with vendors on implementing solutions.”

All members of the healthcare IT community can participate and benefit from HITSE, including CIOs, IT managers, IT department managers, IT staff and consultants, as well as IT vendors. Vendor exhibition and sponsor opportunities have already sold out for this conference, however vendors are welcome to register as conference attendees.

More information on HITSE New England conference registration can be found at http://www.hitse.org.

About Interbit Data
Founded in 1997 and named to the 2009 and 2010 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing companies, Interbit Data helps healthcare organizations deliver better, more consistent patient care with secure, reliable and cost-effective software solutions that improve operational efficiency. The company’s information distribution products deliver information securely over the Internet in multiple formats, such as fax, print, email, encrypted file or HL7 message format, and integrate it easily into physicians’ practice EMRs. Interbit Data’s business continuance products give healthcare providers continuous access to patient data in the event of a network or system outage. Interbit Data products are used by more than 650 MEDITECH^® customers worldwide. For more information about Interbit Data and its NetSolutions products, visit the company Website at www.interbitdata.com.

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COLUMBUS, OH–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  Robert M. Honigberg, MD, MBA has joined the innovative Quantum Health as the company’s new consulting Medical and Healthcare Strategy Director.

Dr. Honigberg is also the current Chief Medical Officer of URAC (Utilization Review Accreditation Commission) in Washington, D.C., and is a steering committee member of the Aspen Health Stewardship Project and on the Board of Directors of the Center for International Health. 

As Quantum Health’s Medical and Healthcare Strategy Director, Dr. Honigberg will evaluate strategic opportunities and review Quantum Health’s programs to ensure patient safety and promotion of healthcare quality as well as provide guidance on reporting and publication of data. “As a physician focused on quality and innovative solutions, I am especially attracted to Quantum Health’s approach and creation of ‘Virtual Medical Homes’ to both improve quality and reduce waste and inefficiencies. I think it’s the right approach and their track record proves the efficacy,” said Dr. Honigberg.

“Healthcare is undergoing seismic change in the United States; adding Bob to our team strengthens our ability to grow with consistent and sustainable focus on quality. His unique background will also contribute to the already very positive relationships we have with providers across the country,” remarks Kara Trott, founder and CEO of Quantum Health. “His overall thought-leadership and influence will only strengthen our ability to continue to help make healthcare more effective for physicians and patients alike.”

Dr. Honigberg was recently the Chief Medical Officer, Global Medical Affairs and Clinical Strategy, for GE Healthcare’s $17 billion portfolio, which is a unit of the General Electric Company that provides a broad range of products and services to better diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological disease and other medical conditions earlier. Dr. Honigberg was responsible for strategies and operations related to clinical research and trials, the protection of patient safety, and medical communication to providers and governments. Before joining GE Healthcare, he was the Vice President, Worldwide Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson Operating Company, for seven years. He undertook his internship and residency in surgery at Montefiore Hospital and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. His educational background includes a B.A. in Economics from Duke University, an MD from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

ABOUT QUANTUM HEALTH
Quantum Health is an award-winning and fundamentally different health care company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serving employers nationally.

Quantum Health guarantees their clients a 5-8% reduction in total claims spend. By reorganizing benefits delivery and creating a “virtual medical home” for each member, Quantum Health maximizes each service opportunity to intercept patients when they have a problem to solve or questions about their benefits or healthcare. Real time, informed involvement allows our Care Coordinators to help patients, their families, and their physicians to work together to ensure proper care, eliminating redundant, delayed and questionable care — literally driving unnecessary medical events and cost out of the system. All with a 100% guarantee.

HONG KONG–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  First China Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. (OTCBB: FCPG) (“First China” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has recently signed agreements to distribute medicinal and pharmaceutical products to three district hospitals in Yunnan Province, thereby dramatically increasing its regional market share.

The agreement comes, in part, as a result of a proposal put forward in 2009 by the Ministry of Health during the National Health Conference that public hospitals should gradually phase out the existing 15% medicines and pharmaceutical products “cost plus” pricing system within 3 years. The government also advised that medical institutions should centralize their procurement and distribution of drug and pharmacare products.

These new guidelines identified that the previous system maintained high prices and commissions which have been deemed unsustainable and that these institutions should move towards agreements with large scale pharmaceutical distributors. This new methodology has been welcomed and is increasingly becoming popular as many leading hospitals and clinics move to this new system of procurement.

This news has been welcomed at First China and the results are just now coming to fruition with these new contracts now in place with the Yunnan No. 1 Peoples Hospital as well as the Kunming Yanan and Lin Cang Peoples Hospitals. The Company is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this Government approved purchasing directive and stands ready to be catapulted into the forefront of this rapidly growing market segment.

First China’s combination of bulk purchasing, low prices and growing variety of product lines (both Chinese and Western) complements its high capacity supply chain and B2B operating system all of which fully utilizes and exploits the benefits of their exclusive government issued internet ordering and distribution license. As a result, the Company is daily increasing its differentiation from the rest of the competition in this region of over 45 million inhabitants. 

Currently any hospital or clinic in Yunnan Province can easily sign up to procure the medicines they need from First China, enjoying instant response, rapid fulfillment and secure services combined with excellent price points, allowing those institutions to recover increased margins while offering lower retail pricing in many instances.

First China Pharmaceutical Group plans to continue the growth of the company from its current position as a provider of approximately 5,000 drugs to more than 4,700 pharmacies, hospitals and clinics in China’s Yunnan Province. The Company anticipates its business model will change to leverage the efficiencies of internet ordering and fulfillment and intends to rapidly expand its capacity to approximately 30,000 products. It is estimated that a broader product line will ensure customers will be able to order 80% to 90% of their product needs directly from the Company.

The Definitive Agreement contains customary representation and warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions and conditions. Details of the company’s business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company’s continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) EDGAR database.

About First China Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. (OTCBB: FCPG)
First China Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. aims to develop a high growth pharmaceutical distribution company generating significant revenue from the sale of healthcare products in China. As part of its business strategy, the Company has acquired the assets of Kun Ming Xin Yuan Tang Pharmacies Co. Ltd. (XYT), which includes a strategic advantage over its competitors as it is the only pharmaceutical distribution company in Yunnan Province that has obtained government approval to fulfill orders over the internet. First China Pharmaceutical Group plans to continue the rapid growth of the company from its current position as a provider of approximately 5,000 drugs to more than 4,700 pharmacies, hospitals and clinics in China’s Yunnan Province. For more information visit: www.firstchinapharma.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, regulatory incentives, the development of new business opportunities, and projected costs, revenue, profits and results operations. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
First China Pharmaceutical Group, Inc.
————————————————-
Zhen Jiang Wang
Chairman and CEO

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LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) – MMRGlobal, Inc. (OTCBB: MMRF) (MMR) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Chartis to offer its energy casualty clients a suite of secure, online products that will allow their employees to manage critical, sensitive information such as medical, financial and vital records. The Chartis insurers will offer this service as part of their Global Marine and Energy workers’ compensation policies. The program will be offered to policyholders starting later this month at www.chartisinsurance.com/mmr.

Powered by MMRGlobal using its MyMedicalRecords technology (www.mmrvideos.com), clients’ employees and their families will be able to store and manage their medical records and personal health information, including lab reports, X-rays and scanned images, wellness tools and family health history, in a secure, encrypted Web-based application that can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere in the world using the Internet. The program will also allow for storage of other important documents, such as passports, deeds of trust and wills.

“At a time when the world is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on health information technology, I am proud that MMRGlobal is working with a company that is first to deploy personal health records in their industry,” said Robert H. Lorsch, Chairman and CEO of MMRGlobal. “As part of the program launch, MMR produced a training video featuring MMRGlobal Advisory Board member, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who joins Tom Morelli, President of the Global Marine and Energy Casualty Division of Chartis, to demonstrate how to utilize MMR’s proprietary personal health record products to employees and agents.”

“As part of an ongoing commitment to support our clients, we will expand our offerings as their needs evolve. We are very excited to offer our energy business clients this new benefit,” said Mr. Morelli.

In addition to a comprehensive file management system, each personal health record will feature a separate emergency log-in that will allow first responders and other medical personnel to access potentially life-saving information such as blood type, medications and allergies.

For more information on the electronic personal health records program, please visit www.mymedicalrecords.com.

About Chartis

Chartis is a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organization serving more than 45 million clients in over 160 countries and jurisdictions. With a 90-year history, one of the industry’s most extensive ranges of products and services, deep claims expertise and excellent financial strength, Chartis enables its commercial and personal insurance clients alike to manage virtually any risk with confidence. Chartis is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty and general insurance operations of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at http://www.chartisinsurance.com.

All products are written by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of Chartis Inc. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain coverage may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.

About MMRGlobal

MMRGlobal, Inc., through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, MyMedicalRecords, Inc. (MMR), provides secure and easy-to-use online personal health records (PHRs) and electronic safe deposit box storage solutions that enable individuals and families to maintain and access all their medical records and other important documents anytime from anywhere in the world using the Internet. The MyMedicalRecords Personal Health Record is built on proprietary, patented technologies to allow documents, images and voicemail messages to be transmitted and stored in the system using a variety of methods, including fax, phone, or file upload without relying on any specific electronic medical record platform to populate a user’s account. The Company’s professional offering, MMRPro, is designed to give physicians’ offices an easy and cost-effective solution to digitizing paper-based medical records and sharing them with patients in real time through an integrated patient portal. MMR is an Independent Software Vendor Partner with Kodak to deliver an integrated turnkey EMR solution for healthcare professionals. MMR is also an integrated service provider on Google Health. To learn more about MMRGlobal, Inc. and its products, visit www.mmrglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical matters are forward-looking statements, and some can be identified by the use of words (and their derivations) such as “need,” “possibility,” “offer,” “development,” “if,” “negotiate,” “when,” “begun,” “believe,” “achieve,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “maintain,” “plan,” and “continue.” MMRGlobal, Inc. and Chartis disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable expectations of both parties as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The information discussed in this release is subject to various risks and uncertainties related to changes in MMRGlobal’s relationship with Chartis, the parties’ business prospects, results of operations or financial condition, government regulations and such other risks and uncertainties as detailed from time to time in MMRGlobal’s and Chartis’ public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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TUSTIN, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  Radient Pharmaceuticals Corporation (RPC) (NYSE Amex: RPC) and its exclusive India-based distribution partner Jaiva Technologies, Inc. (JTI) and Jaiva’s Indian subsidiary Gaur Diagno, Pvt Ltd (GDL) announced today the launch of a cancer education and screening program in India — a key international market where GDL is actively commercializing RPC’s Onko-Sure® in vitro diagnostic (IVD) cancer test. The goal of the program is to drive public education; raise market awareness; and offer Onko-Sure® as a commercialized cancer screening test that can potentially help stem the rising cancer epidemic in India.

According to the Cancer Foundation of India, cancer impacts up to 2.5 million people in India annually and the fight against cancer — in both the public and private healthcare sectors — is largely restricted to improving diagnostic and treatment facilities throughout the country. Because of this, it has become increasingly vital to enhance activities and programs that support cancer education and offer treatment options to potential and existing cancer patients. 

With the launch of its cancer education and screening program on behalf of RPC, GDL is taking an aggressive leadership role in India with two distinct launch strategies. The first comprises a widespread deployment of GDL’s mobile cancer screening laboratory units where Indian-based physicians and other medical staff travel to local towns to provide counseling and education, along with patient screening using RPC’s Onko-Sure® IVD cancer test. The second program is focused on Company collaboration with Indian government agencies to establish GDL-sponsored cancer screening and testing facilities directly on-site in government hospitals. Physician-referred general cancer screening will also be conducted at these hospitals and it is anticipated that RPC’s Onko-Sure® IVD cancer tests will be administered to patients contacted through the program. The goal of both strategies is to reduce the incidence of cancer in India, and through each program, patients will be provided with registered health cards that will track a patient’s health records for future reference and statistical analysis.

RPC’s projected Onko-Sure® IVD test kit purchase plan is focused primarily on the ramp-up of the government sponsored cancer testing program. RPC estimates test kit purchases to be approximately US$2 million in FY2011, and US$3 million in FY2012. These estimates are subject to change based on results of the 64-point questionnaire and these figures have the potential to increase if GDL’s results show more than 50% of the patients at high-risk when screened through the 64-point questionnaire.

According to Mr. Douglas MacLellan, Executive Chairman and CEO of RPC, “The introduction of GDL’s new cancer education and screening program in India is the next most important and major milestone in the commercialization of Onko-Sure® in India. GDL is taking a leadership role in providing a market with 2.5 million cancer patients with not only educational resources and support through this program, but also the potential of early disease detection and on-going monitoring though our USFDA approved Onko-Sure® IVD cancer test.”

According to Dr. Umesh Bhatia, CEO of JTI and GDL, “This government screening program is a breakthrough project and we believe a continuous and aggressive approach is necessary if we are to reduce the incidence of cancer in India. We anticipate this is just the beginning of additional large-scale screening programs we employ. GDL is committed to continuing all efforts to work with Indian government agencies with the ultimate goal of reducing cancer rates in this country.”

RPC’s Onko-Sure® IVD cancer test is a simple, non-invasive, patent-pending and regulatory-approved in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test used for the detection, screening, and monitoring of various types of cancer. The test enables physicians and healthcare professionals to effectively monitor and/or detect certain types of cancers by measuring the accumulation of Fibrin and Fibrinogen Degradation Products (FDP) in the blood. FDP levels rise dramatically with the progression of cancer. Onko-Sure® is approved by the US FDA for the monitoring of colorectal cancer and by Health Canada as a lung cancer detection and monitoring test. For more information visit www.onko-sure.com.

For additional information on Radient Pharmaceuticals, ADI and its portfolio of products visit the Company’s corporate website at www.Radient-Pharma.com. For Investor Relations information contact Kristine Szarkowitz at [email protected] or 1.206.310.5323.

About Radient Pharmaceuticals:
Headquartered in Tustin, California, Radient Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to saving lives and money for patients and global healthcare systems through the deployment of its Onko-Sure® In Vitro Diagnostic cancer test. The company’s focus is on the discovery, development and commercialization of unique high-value diagnostic tests that help physicians answer important clinical questions related to early disease detection; treatment strategy; and the monitoring of disease progression, prognosis, and diagnosis to ultimately improve patient outcomes. Radient Pharmaceutical’s current Onko-Sure® cancer test is used to guide decisions regarding patient treatment, which may include decisions to refer patients to specialists, perform additional testing, or assist in the selection of therapy. To learn more about our company, people and potentially life-saving cancer test, visit www.Radient-Pharma.com.

About Jaiva Technologies and Gaur Diagno:
Jaiva Technologies, headquartered in Houston, TX, and subsidiary Gaur Diagno, headquartered in New Delhi, India, are working to develop and license novel products for life-threatening diseases. Through science and innovation the company aims to develop novel therapies that will significantly impact and extend the quality of life for patients. Part of the company’s effort is large-scale screening of populations that result in meaningful and epidemiological slow-down of life threatening diseases, such as cancer. For further information visit www.gaurdiagno.com.

Forward Looking Statements:
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this document include certain predictions and projections that may be considered forward-looking statements under securities law. These statements involve a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, the performance of joint venture partners, as well as other economic, competitive and technological factors involving the Company’s operations, markets, services, products, and prices. With respect to Radient Pharmaceuticals Corporation, except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this document are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  ImmuneWorks, Inc. today announced the initiation of its Phase I clinical trial in patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease. The clinical trial will move the biotech company one step closer to commercialization of its lead IPF treatment compound.

Eight leading academic research universities will conduct the IPF clinical trial: Indiana University, Medical University of South Carolina, Ohio State University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of Chicago, University of Louisville, University of Michigan and University of Vermont.

“We are pleased to move forward into clinical investigation of our purified Type V collagen solution in patients suffering from IPF,” said ImmuneWorks Chief Scientific Officer David S. Wilkes, M.D. “This clinical trial is important to study the safety of this naturally derived protein and investigate its ability to influence the ongoing immune response in IPF patients.”

To promote the clinical trial and recruit participants across the eight cities, ImmuneWorks partnered with Indianapolis-based Synergy Marketing Group to develop a new website and conduct search engine optimization (SEO) to reach IPF patients and their physicians, friends and family members in Indianapolis; Chicago; Louisville, Ky.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S.C.; Burlington, Vt.; and Columbus, Ohio. The new website is www.ImmuneWorks.com.

ImmuneWorks has been conducting research and development of treatments for serious autoimmune lung diseases for the last five years. Over that time, the company attracted the attention of several key investors, raising nearly $4 million. This funding came from groups including Indiana’s 21^st Century Research & Technology Fund, BioCrossroads’ Indiana Seed Fund and the IU Medical Group Foundation.

IPF is a devastating lung disease that is progressive and generally fatal. An estimated 128,000 persons in the United States suffer from IPF, with 48,000 new persons diagnosed annually and 40,000 patients dying from the disease each year (source: Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis). The number of deaths annually is the same as breast cancer and greater than other cancers such as multiple myeloma. Currently no FDA-approved medicines exist for IPF in the United States or Europe.

About ImmuneWorks
Headquartered in Indianapolis, ImmuneWorks was formed in 2006 to develop and commercialize treatments for serious autoimmune diseases of the lung. Led by founders David Wilkes, MD; Michael Klemsz, PhD; Ronald Meeusen, PhD; and President and CEO Wade Lange, the company has made pioneering scientific discoveries that ImmuneWorks is developing as novel therapies and diagnostic products for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung transplantation. In November 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug exclusivity to ImmuneWorks’ lead compound, IW001, a purified bovine Type V Collagen oral solution. In June 2010, the U.S. FDA granted ImmuneWorks approval to begin clinical trials on the compound. Now, in collaboration with Lung Rx, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR), ImmuneWorks is conducting clinical trials among IPF patients to test the effects of its new drug candidate. For more information about the company, visit the new website at www.ImmuneWorks.com.

MARKHAM, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 19, 2010) – Extendicare Real Estate Investment Trust (“Extendicare REIT” or “Extendicare”) (TSX:EXE.UN) today announced it will hold a conference call and live audio webcast on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

Following the issuance of the news release on November 4, 2010, Extendicare will post a copy, along with an update of the supplemental information package, on its website www.extendicare.com under the investors/financial reports section.

The call will be hosted by Tim Lukenda, President and Chief Executive Officer; Doug Harris, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Paul Tuttle, President of Canadian Operations. Following management’s presentation, there will be a question and answer session for analysts and institutional investors.

To participate in the November 5, 2010, conference call, please dial 1-866-696-5910 or 416-340-2217 followed by the passcode 8528242#. The conference call will also be accessible via webcast at www.extendicare.com under the investors/presentations & webcasts section. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live call until midnight on November 19, 2010. To access the rebroadcast dial 1-800-408-3053 or 416-695-5800, followed by the passcode 1846353#.

About Us

Extendicare REIT is a leading North American provider of long-term and short-term senior care services through its network of owned and operated health care centers. We employ 37,800 qualified and experienced individuals dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service that includes post-acute care, rehabilitative therapies and home health care services. Our 263 senior care centers in North America have capacity for approximately 29,200 residents. Extendicare REIT is a specified investment flow-through trust (SIFT) that has been subject to the SIFT tax since January 1, 2007.

IRVINGTON, NY–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA) today announced that the results of the company’s MelaFind^® pivotal trial and pilot reader study have been published in the online edition of the journal Archives of Dermatology. The paper will appear in the February 2011 print edition of the journal.

“We are extremely pleased to see the results of the MelaFind^® pivotal trial reviewed by outside dermatology experts and published in this prestigious medical journal in the field of dermatology,” said Joseph V. Gulfo, MD, President and CEO of MELA Sciences. “We remain diligently focused on preparing for the November 18^th panel meeting where these data will be presented to and discussed with the Food and Drug Administration’s advisors.”

The paper shows that MelaFind’s performance satisfied all primary and secondary sensitivity and specificity endpoints, as defined by the study protocol and a Protocol Agreement between MELA Sciences and the FDA. The Protocol Agreement calls for 95% lower confidence bound on sensitivity to be greater than 95% and for MelaFind^® to be more specific than the study physicians at a p-value of less than 0.05. Since the measured values of sensitivity were very high, the “exact mid-P” statistical method was used to compute the 95% lower confidence bound. Specificity endpoints were based on relative performance of MelaFind^® and investigators, with significance established at p-value less than 0.05.

In order to generate a comparison with dermatologists’ biopsy sensitivity to melanoma, MELA Sciences conducted a parallel pilot readers’ study with 39 other dermatologists who were blinded to the study results. Importantly, the average biopsy sensitivity of the readers was only 80%, and the inter-reader variability was high.

“The pilot reader study found that dermatologists do miss early melanomas,” study author Kenneth Gross, MD, said. “Only 20% of the melanomas in the pilot reader study would have been biopsied by all readers and different readers missed different melanomas. Thus, even though all lesions in the clinical trial were biopsied by the examining dermatologists, many of the melanomas would not have been biopsied by other dermatologists, underscoring the need for an objective tool to aid in the decision to biopsy. We believe that the results of the pivotal trial and the pilot reader study underscore the clinical utility of MelaFind^® as an objective tool to aid clinicians in the detection of early melanoma.”

About MELA Sciences

MELA Sciences is a medical technology company focused on developing MelaFind^®. MelaFind^® is a non-invasive and objective multi-spectral computer vision system designed to aid physicians in the detection of early melanoma from among clinically atypical (those having one or more clinical or historical characteristics of melanoma, such as asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, diameter greater than 6 millimeters, evolving, patient concern, regression, and ugly duckling) cutaneous pigmented lesions that are non-ulcerated, not bleeding, and less than 2.2 centimeters in diameter, when a physician chooses to obtain additional information before making a final decision to biopsy to rule out melanoma.

The MelaFind^® Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application was filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2009 and is currently under review at the FDA. MELA Sciences cannot predict either the timing of the FDA’s decision on the PMA application or the outcome. FDA approval is required prior to marketing MelaFind^® in the United States.

For more information on MELA Sciences, visit www.melasciences.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include but are not limited to our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that contain words such as “expects,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our beliefs or expectations will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from our beliefs or expectations due to economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors.

PLEASANTON, CA–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  Callidus Software Inc. (NASDAQ: CALD), the leader in Sales Performance Management (SPM), today announced the launch of its new Onboarding solution for the extended enterprise. With the new solution, Callidus now enables businesses to target, communicate with, and onboard sales professionals and independent channel partners as part of a comprehensive sales talent lifecycle management solution. The Onboarding solution has already been successfully implemented at one of the nation’s largest providers of healthcare programs.

“The sales professional is the principal driver of top-line business performance and one of the most costly hires businesses make,” said Leslie Stretch, president and CEO, Callidus Software. “The Callidus Onboarding solution is an integral component of managing the sales talent lifecycle to optimize on business goal execution. Companies with large independent partner networks in particular require a solution to seamlessly onboard new producers and drive sales velocity. The new solution automates each step of agent and producer deployment, accelerating recruiting, licensing, contracting, and field communications to enable companies to eliminate the bottlenecks that can threaten critical sales capacity targets, and control the costs of doing business with large producer volumes. At the same time, through built-in background checking and accreditation processing and tracking, the solution manages the risk of new appointments for our customers, enabling them to focus on driving revenue and long-term sales growth.”

By integrating the new Onboarding solution with its SPM suite, Callidus extends its footprint to provide the most comprehensive offering of sales talent lifecycle management solutions in the market today. The new solution leverages Callidus’ Business Process Management platform, adds sales professional and channel partner marketing and targeting, communications, and onboarding support to the suite’s capabilities to deliver a comprehensive operations platform that includes recruiting, licensing and appointing, goal setting, pay for performance, and coaching and training.

Key features of the solution include:

• Integrated agent marketing and communications for recruiting and capturing greater channel mindshare
• Flexible workflow platform that can easily be customized to meet a wide range of onboarding process configuration requirements
• Comprehensive electronic signature tracking
• Real-time verification of sales and agent data for background checking and accreditation requirements, including seamless integration with third-party registries and services
• Integrated with single repository for storing all agent demographics and contracts throughout onboarding and appointing
• Support for self-service portal for all field information, forms, and reports
• Full integration with the Callidus SPM suite for channel management, compensation management, and reporting and analytics

For more information on Callidus’ new Onboarding solution, click here.

“The needs of the selling network are fundamentally unique,” said Lorna Heynike, senior vice president, marketing at Callidus Software, commenting on the launch. “Sales lifecycle management, emerging from the discipline of sales performance management, is experiencing dramatic growth as more businesses make a strategic investment in their sales talent to drive top-line results. Callidus’ SPM suite makes it possible for businesses to significantly increase the likelihood for success in meeting top-line goals by driving goal execution throughout the sales force and channel network. Our new Onboarding solution strengthens our position as the leader in this very important market.”

Callidus Software’s award-winning solutions manage the entire sales lifecycle from onboarding, to incentives and rewards, to talent development, while providing visibility into sales operations and financial performance. This gives customers the ability to align their sales force and channels with their top business goals to consistently and reliably execute on target results. The software is used by leading companies in a broad range of verticals including high-tech, telecommunications, banking, insurance, and pharmaceuticals. Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, the company has evolved into the most experienced, proven, and reliable SPM vendor in the marketplace. Callidus Software manages over $50 billion in incentives and compensation for more than two million payees in over 140 countries.

About Callidus Software®
Callidus Software (NASDAQ: CALD) is the market and technology leader in Sales Performance Management (SPM). Callidus customers gain a competitive advantage by maximizing sales cost efficiencies and driving improvements in sales effectiveness. Our award-winning Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications set the standard for performance management of a company’s sales force and channel partners. Over 2 million employees and channel partners have their performance managed by Callidus Software. For more information, please visit www.callidussoftware.com

©1997-2010 Callidus Software Inc. All rights reserved. Callidus Software, the Callidus Software logo, and TrueComp Manager are trademarks, service marks, or registered trademarks of Callidus Software Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand, service or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or owners.

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NASHVILLE, TN–(Marketwire – October 18, 2010) –  In conjunction with Vanguard Health Systems, Inc.’s 2011 First Quarter Earnings press release, you are invited to listen to its conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet with senior management of Vanguard discussing the operating results.

WHAT:

Vanguard Health Systems, Inc.’s 2011 First Quarter Earnings Conference Call on the Web

WHEN: 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time

WHERE:

http://www.vanguardhealth.com or
http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=73288

HOW: 

Live over the Internet — Simply log on to the web at one of the addresses above. If you connect through www.vanguardhealth.com, select the “Latest News” link on the Investor Relations page.

Vanguard Health Systems, Inc. will release its 2011 first quarter operating results on Monday, November 8, 2010, after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Company’s earnings press release will be posted under the “Latest News” link on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s web site www.vanguardhealth.com.

Vanguard Health Systems, Inc. owns and operates 18 acute care hospitals and complementary facilities and services in Chicago, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas and Massachusetts.

If you are unable to participate during the live Webcast, the call will be archived on our web site www.vanguardhealth.com. To access the replay, click on the “Latest News” link on the Investor Relations page of our web site.

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwire – October 18, 2010) –  The Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE)’s U.S. Uninsured Help Line 800-234-1317 received its 100,000th call last week, having experienced an uptick in queries from Americans about their options since the passage of health care reform six months ago. 

The professionally-trained call-center counselors have been inundated with callers seeking information about both low-cost government-sponsored and private health coverage options. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in 190 languages, the Help Line counselors walk callers through their public and private options by distributing the FHCE’s 5-question Health Coverage Eligibility Quiz. The 100,000^th call is a milestone and indicator that FHCE and its resources are as important as ever.

“We actually expected a decrease in queries after the passage of the landmark health care legislation in the spring, but instead we’re finding the exact opposite,” said Ankeny Minoux, President of the FHCE. “The combination of individuals coming to the end of their COBRA coverage and those who are confused by the implementation steps of health care reform make up the bulk of those calling us for help.” 

The 24/7 U.S. Uninsured Help Line found a niche when it was created as a solution to the problematic statistic that one-third of uninsured Americans were eligible for government-sponsored health coverage, but not enrolled. The WellPoint Foundation has been the primary funder of the Help Line since its inception and continues to offer its exclusive support to advocate the importance of one-on-one live assistance when dealing with health coverage needs. The Call Center receives an average of 3,000 callers per month and acts as a consumer support system for the non-profit’s website, www.CoverageForAll.org. The website has likewise experienced a 20% increase in traffic in recent months, averaging 85,000 visitors per month. 

“In 2004, the WellPoint Foundation partnered with FHCE to establish the first-ever national Uninsured Hotline and we could not be more pleased that one hundred thousand individuals have utilized this important tool to understand their coverage options,” said Lance Chrisman, executive director of the WellPoint Foundation. “Our Foundation has provided more than $1.7 million in funding to keep the call center open 24/7 and we want to recognize FHCE for its continued commitment to the uninsured and on achieving this milestone.”

Five years ago, the pioneering non-profit put the entire U.S. health insurance system on CoverageForAll.org, including applications for 176 government-sponsored plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As the first website of its kind to offer information on every public and private health coverage program in the country, CoverageForAll.org has already had more than 2 million visitors. Both the Call Center and website offer consumers the chance to ask questions about the complex health coverage system and many changes that will be occurring over the next few years. 

“When the government launched its own health care website in July, we figured it would pick up the slack of these queries,” said Minoux. “However, the government’s online function does not have a live counselor option. Along with the Call Center, CoverageForAll.org is configured differently and helps people actually figure out for which programs they qualify.”

The U.S. Uninsured Help Line 800-234-1317 will not slow down now that it has reached 100,000 callers. The landmark simply motivates the call center staff and non-profit to continue providing answers and guidance for the most complex health coverage questions.

About the Foundation for Health Coverage Education:

The Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization with a mission to help simplify public and private health insurance eligibility information in order for more people to access coverage. In addition to its U.S. Uninsured Help Line (800) 234-1317 and website www.CoverageForAll.org, FHCE offers free consumer guides, such as the Health Care Options Matrix™, available for all 50 states.

About the WellPoint Foundation

The WellPoint Foundation is the philanthropic arm of WellPoint, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of WellPoint, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that WellPoint, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual associate giving campaign and provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. To learn more about the WellPoint Foundation, please visit www.wellpointfoundation.org.

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