ProfNet Experts Available on Autism, Travel Safety, Healthcare Technology, More

NEW YORK, March 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network – it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/queryform

EXPERT ALERTS

• Impact of New 'Sesame Street' Character With Autism
• Zika and Travel Safety
• Healthcare Technology and Analytics
• Pantone's Color of the Year: Greenery
• Activating Your Untapped Potential
• Why Selfies Are Bad for Your Love Life

MEDIA JOBS

• Product Liability Reporter - Reuters
• Deputy Editor - AccountingWEB
• Senior Communication Strategist – Southern Poverty Law Center

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Media Pushing Back on White House Press Ban
• Freelancers: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes at Tax Time
• Blog Profiles: Plant Blogs

EXPERT ALERTS:

Impact of New 'Sesame Street' Character With Autism
Robin LaBarbera
Director of Special Education
Biola University
Dr. LaBarbera is available to discuss the new "Sesame Street" character Julia, a Muppet with autism, and the impact this will have on how children view others they meet who may be "different": "I think that anything we can do to bring awareness to autism is a win-win. Children can sometimes be afraid of what is 'different,' and showing them, in relevant ways, that different is 'okay' and nothing to be afraid of will bring awareness and sensitivity. I might question whether the characteristics of autism are portrayed in a realistic manner through the puppet, but I read that the puppeteer has a son with autism, so I have confidence that the character will be portrayed appropriately."
Dr. LaBarbera, professor and director of special education at Biola University in Los Angeles, is an expert on autism spectrum disorder. She has conducted numerous local and international presentations (most recently, two trips to Lebanon and two to Vietnam), has published articles related to the education of students with learning difficulties, and co-authored curriculum for English Language Development in Latin American countries. Dr. LaBarbera has two Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration/Marketing and Criminal Justice, two Master's degrees in Education and Special Education/Autism, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. Her dissertation focused on psychological variables that affect the college completion rate for individuals with learning disabilities. She is currently earning her School Psychology (PPS) credential as well.
Website: www.biola.edu
Contact: Jenna Loumagne, jenna.loumagne@biola.edu

Zika and Travel Safety
Dr. Myles Druckman
SVP/Medical Director
International SOS
"It's important that companies understand how Zika and other evolving heath threats impact their staff that are stationed or traveling abroad," asserts Dr. Druckman, a leading expert in pandemic preparedness. "Zika-affected locations are expanding, especially in the 102 countries where the CDC has added or modified travel restrictions, and employees and their families should be aware of what the recommendations and restrictions are, and take them seriously."
Dr. Druckman is a World Economic Forum "Global Leader of Tomorrow," member of TED, and board member of WaterAid. His extensive international healthcare experience includes the development of western medical facilities in Beijing, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev. He also has experience consulting to major fortune 500 companies, and managing global emergencies.
Website: www.internationalsos.com
Contact: Teresa Delaney, teresa@dndpr.com

Healthcare Technology and Analytics
Qasim Hussain
Principal and Senior Architect
X by 2, LLC
Hussain is available to discuss how the role of technology in the healthcare industry is rapidly evolving: "What's really driving innovation faster in healthcare is the fact that there are dollars and cents clearly associated with analytics. When there is a line of sight to how you can make more revenue, that pushes innovation faster. My theory is that the healthcare industry is underinvested in technology infrastructure."
Hussain is available to discuss various aspects of healthcare technology, including claims and clinical analytic/reporting, BI, enterprise data warehousing, EHR, portals, membership/provider/claims systems.
ProfNet Profile: http://www.profnetconnect.com/qasim.hussain
Website: http://xby2.com/
Contact: Audra Wait, audra@waitandco.com

Pantone's Color of the Year: Greenery
Karen Otis
Architect
OtisArchitecture.com
Otis is available for interviews on Pantone's Color of the Year, Greenery: "You will start to see Greenery showing up in stores, homes, fashion -- you name it. There is a boldness and confidence in that color, as well as vivacity and stimulating energy. It grounds us to nature and elevates our spirit simultaneously. I cannot think of a better vibe than that! Embrace the Greenery and allow it to revitalize you. Enjoy!"
Otis is an architect at OtisArchitecture.com, life builder, and author of "Be the Architect of Your Life: Design Build, and Start Living a Life Inspired," a revolutionary new book that uses architectural wisdom to rebuild lives from the ground up. Using her Architectural Method, Otis takes home-building strategies and applies them to life's biggest hurdles.
Book: https://www.bethearchitectofyourlife.com
Press Kit: http://karenotis.onlinepresskit247.com/
Contact: Michelle Tennant Nicholson, Michelle@WasabiPublicity.com

Activating Your Untapped Potential
Marco LeRoc
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Founder
Marco LeRoc & Co
If you find yourself struggling to live up to your own potential, you are not alone. A staggering 92% of people never reach the goals they set as New Year's resolutions -- let alone other life goals, according to a recent study. So, how can you set the foundation for your success in all areas of your life? LeRoc, a successful entrepreneur and former international student, has elevated living intentionally into an art form and wants to help others live their best possible lives. In order to transform weaknesses into personal success stories, he suggests turning your "What if…" questions into "How?" Says LeRoc: "To be competitive, one needs to promote himself or herself. Start by taking a look at your personal brand. Google yourself and see what comes up. If not, someone else will!"
LeRoc recently published "Activate Your Untapped Potential," an essential growth-planning guide for anyone wanting to step out of their comfort zones and get out of their own way. He is an accomplished speaker with notable engagements, including Stanford University, Creighton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and many national conferences. Some of his most requested topics include: Turning Adversity into Advantage, How to Live Intentionally, Secrets to Achieving Your Goals, Why Making an Impact Matters, and Why Time Is Still Your Best Asset. He is based in Nebraska.
Website: http://www.marcoleroc.com
Contact: Penny Sansevieri, authorservices@amarketingexpert.com

Why Selfies Are Bad for Your Love Life
Dr. Frieda Birnbuam
Research Psychologist, Psychoanalyst
"The types of selfies a person takes can reveal if they are confident or insecure to a degree. People who take an excessive amount of selfies may also be showing signs of narcissism. Some people prefer to present an exaggerated or Hollywoodesque version of themselves. Doing this may successfully attract another likeminded individual. However, it could also turn away individuals who prefer honesty above all things."
Based in the New York metro area, Dr. Birnbaum is author of "Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves." She's an expert on depression, women's issues, and attaining happiness.
Contact: Ryan McCormick, ryan@goldmanmccormick.com

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Product Liability Reporter - Reuters
• Deputy Editor - AccountingWEB
• Senior Communication Strategist – Southern Poverty Law Center

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

• MEDIA PUSHING BACK ON WHITE HOUSE PRESS BAN. You know that person, the one who holds the key to access -- the "him" or "her" who stands in your way to talking with their principal. When it comes to covering government officials, press secretaries and communications officers are the gatekeepers. They sit in on your interviews, and sometimes you're lucky enough to be handed a cool story. And while access control isn't new, the manner and tone in which it's being carried out in today's White House is different. Media agencies are taking notice: http://bit.ly/2nRoIDY
• FREELANCERS: HERE'S HOW TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES AT TAX TIME. To the outside world, it would appear freelancing offers many advantages. You get to be your own boss, set your schedule, manage responsibilities, and submit work in a timely manner. But the reality is there's a ton of discipline that goes along with this lifestyle, and at no other time is this more apparent than tax season. We spoke with some professionals about what freelancers must remember to avoid costly mistakes come April 15: http://bit.ly/2mszGTk
• BLOG PROFILES: PLANT BLOGS. Each week, PR Newswire's Audience Relations team selects an industry/subject and looks at a handful of sites that do a good job with promoting and contributing to the topic. This week, the team looks at plant blogs: http://prn.to/2mMXJsa

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SOURCE ProfNet