Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2025-02-06T00:01:00

(BPT) – As we settle into the new year, many of us are reflecting on our goals we made in January when declaring our New Year’s resolutions.

For many, mental health was likely a key focus, continuing the trend from last year when about 40% of resolutions were aimed at improving mental well-being. However, as the novelty of January fades, it’s easy for even the best intentions to slip. Studies have shown that by February, many people have already abandoned their resolutions.

Rather than letting your commitment to mental health dim, now is the perfect time to renew your focus and keep your mental health a priority.

Whether you’re following through on your resolution to improve your mental well-being or simply seeking to continue your efforts, staying intentional about mental wellness can have lasting benefits for both your emotional and physical health.

Dr. Donald Tavakoli, UnitedHealthcare’s National Medical Director for Behavioral Health, provides the following tips to help you keep your mental health on track throughout the year:

1. Build a supportive network

Surrounding yourself with understanding friends, family and mentors can provide essential emotional support. A strong social network can help prevent feelings of isolation and promote resilience. Research shows that social support plays a crucial role in mental health. Don’t be afraid to reach out and be open with your loved ones.

2. Emphasize sleep

Adequate sleep is fundamental to mental well-being as insufficient sleep may negatively affect emotional regulation and cognitive function. Prioritize restful sleep by establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a calming bedtime routine and optimizing your sleep environment. Proper sleep also benefits your overall well-being.

3. Limit social media:

Studies have linked excessive social media use to a higher risk of depression and anxiety, particularly among young people. It’s important to keep in mind that a person’s social feed often doesn’t reflect their entire life story. Instead, try to embrace the ups and downs of life as normal, focus on the here and now, and invest in your offline relationships.

4. Reach out for professional support

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care physician (PCP). If you don’t have a PCP, now is a great time to establish a relationship with one. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your PCP can provide valuable insights and care, and referrals if needed.

5. Utilize your insurance benefits

You might be surprised to learn that your health insurance plan includes mental health benefits which may cover employee assistance programs, virtual therapy sessions, coaching or digital self-help tools such as Calm Health. These options make it easy to access the support you need in different ways. If you have mild behavioral health concerns, digital self-help tools and virtual coaching can be a great place to begin. If you have any questions or need more details, simply call the number on your insurance card for assistance.

Prioritizing mental health enables you to work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. By improving your mental well-being, you set the stage for achieving broader goals, including nurturing relationships and fostering personal growth. Make mental health a central focus as you navigate 2025.

For more information about mental health resources, visit UHC.com.

2025-02-05T13:31:00

(BPT) – Do you consider your kitchen safe? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries, so it’s a good idea to take a good look at your kitchen and review the best practices for keeping everyone in your home protected from these common hazards.

Here are important kitchen safety tips to keep in mind for any household, but especially for those with children, the elderly or other vulnerable adults.

Use the kitchen safety features of your electric range

The NFPA advises that households with electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires, so it’s important to read and understand any safety features that your range may provide and to use them consistently.

For example, since 2015, LG electric ranges have a proprietary feature on slide-in and freestanding electric ranges with front-mounted knobs called “Lock Out” or “Control Lock.” This allows users to disable the heating elements when the range is not in use, reducing the risk of accidental activation.

Many electric ranges are also equipped with additional safety features, including a “Burner On” indicator light, an audible alert when a burner is activated, and a hot surface indicator light. These kinds of measures provide multiple layers of protection to promote safe range operation, according to LG, which encourages consumers to review the written instructions and watch this helpful how-to video to make the most of range safety features.

Keep stovetops clean and clear

For any kind of range, it’s crucial to keep any potentially flammable items away from the stovetop, including potholders, kitchen towels, paper or plastic products, etc. You can also help prevent grease fires by ensuring that your oven and stovetop are clean and free of any grease, dirt and debris.

Stay in the kitchen when cooking

Cooking, when done properly, is a safe activity. However, unattended cooking remains the leading cause of kitchen fires in the U.S according to the NFPA, so it’s recommended to stay nearby and keep a close watch on your range while you’re cooking. Wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Turn pan handles inward to prevent spills and put them out of reach of children.

Keep children and pets away from range knobs

It’s also important to help ensure that pets and children have as little access to range knobs as possible. Baby gates can help to keep very small children and some pets out of the kitchen, but close supervision is always the best safety measure.

Ensure all knobs are in the “off” position after cooking

When you’re done cooking, and especially before leaving the house or going to bed at night, doublecheck that all of the range knobs are turned off.

Avoid placing objects on the range when not in use

Limited counter space can be frustrating, but placing objects — especially those that could be flammable — on your range top when you’re not using it can be a safety hazard, especially if a knob accidentally gets turned on. Try to look for other storage solutions so you’re not tempted to use your cooktop as counter space.

Use kitchen ventilation when cooking

Before things heat up in the kitchen, be sure to turn on your kitchen ventilation hood, fan, or even open a window to circulate the air in your kitchen. When things heat up, using proper ventilation will enhance your indoor air quality and the overall cooking experience by reducing odors, heat and other byproducts of the cooking process.

According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, when safety tips, advisories or service upgrades are offered, consumers can trust that the manufacturer is presenting the most current information to help you stay safe and have a positive experience while using their product.

Learn more about LG electric ranges and their safety features at LG.com/us/electric-ranges. LG is ranked the #1 Appliance Brand in the United States, according to the OpenBrand Quarterly Consumer Survey (Units & Dollars, Major Appliances, AHAM Core 6, Q2-Q4 2024).

2025-02-05T09:31:00

(BPT) – What makes for retiring well? For most Americans, it’s living a little by affording experiences that bring joy (68%) and enjoying a high quality of life (49%), balanced by the security of reaching savings milestones (68%), according to new Empower research.

Big and little joys

Most agree satisfaction in retirement includes the ability to pay bills on time and in full (68%) and living debt-free (63%) — including owning a home outright (55%). Some 42% of people say it comes down to experiences, like the ability to travel the world, and to give back by volunteering (25%).

Everything in its time

Having a clear timeline brings peace of mind for many — 66% say they have a goal retirement age in mind, including 73% of men and 61% of women.

Over two-thirds of Americans (67%) have savings milestones to reach before retirement — goals that they’re striving for — including setting aside funds for emergencies (57%), travel (33%) and leisure activities like starting a new hobby (32%). About the same number (68%) say their happiness in retirement depends most on reaching their retirement savings goal. Many Gen Xers emphasize leaving behind an inheritance for their children (42%).

Travel and leisure

When choosing a place to retire, most people (86%) prefer to live where they can maintain their lifestyle without stressing about money, and low cost of living (38%) factors high on the list. For many that means relocating, with 42% saying they plan to move to a different city or state to retire.

Some 37% prioritize proximity to family and friends, although 43% say they prefer to retire where it’s more affordable, even if it means being far from their loved ones. For others, home is where happiness already exists — 23% describe their current location as their happy place.

Many see retirement as an opportunity for a fresh start; 16% of people imagine retiring in a different country altogether, seeking adventure and change in their golden years. Nearly 2 in 5 Gen Zers have set a goal for a travel fund (44%) in retirement.

Methodology

Empower surveyed 1,013 Americans on December 5, 2024.

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2025-02-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – If you are pregnant, or are considering becoming pregnant, you may want to know everything you can about your baby. Often, this process will include prenatal screening.

To help in the learning process, and better understand the options for expecting parents, a resource is now available to help understand how genetic testing — another name for screening — can help you learn more and better prepare for your baby.

The “Know More Sooner” website, provided by Myriad Genetics, delivers information about available screenings tests including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which can identify pregnancies at an increased risk for a wide variety of chromosomal conditions as early as eight weeks. The site reveals common myths about genetic testing and shares the stories of patients who have used and benefited from prenatal screens.

Kristin E., a recent patient, found out she was pregnant. Her doctor ordered NIPT, also known as prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening early in her pregnancy and learned that her baby might have birth defects.

Since some birth defects may cause a miscarriage, Kristin spent eight days thinking her pregnancy would not be viable. Kristin later found out that the test she had taken became less accurate as the person’s weight increased. Instead of providing accurate results, the test simply flagged her as high-risk, without clearly acknowledging that her body mass index (BMI), not the cfDNA, was the primary factor in her test outcome.

Following concerning prenatal cfDNA results that are often impacted by high BMI, Kristin screened with Myriad’s Prequel^® Prenatal Screen, which showed her pregnancy was at reduced risk for specific chromosomal conditions. The results gave her a sigh of relief — she started to enjoy her pregnancy instead of being filled with dread.

Kristin has given birth to a healthy baby who is “immensely happy!” As an older mom, Kristin tells everyone to “go to Prequel right out of the gate.”

“Many patients don’t initially understand the importance of prenatal genetic screening, but with Myriad’s genetic tests you can learn a lot more about risks to your pregnancy and your baby sooner than at typical milestones,” said Dr. Dallas Reed, MD, FACMG, FACOG, obstetrician-gynecologist and medical geneticist who serves as the Principal Medical Advisor of Women’s Health for Myriad Genetics.

“Having this information may allow you to pursue diagnostic testing sooner, meet with specialists, choose a birthing location that specializes in high-risk pregnancies, and/or talk with others who have faced similar conditions.”

Know More Sooner was created after survey results found that most patients want prenatal screening — once they learned how genetic testing can help them be more informed and prepared for their baby.

Four in 10 survey respondents said that they had not been offered any kind of noninvasive prenatal screening tests.¹ Yet, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that this kind of screening be offered to all pregnant patients regardless of ancestry, maternal age or risk of chromosomal abnormality.

Myriad offers three tests to those who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant:

• The SneakPeek^® Gender Test predicts fetal sex as early as six weeks into pregnancy with 99% accuracy.²
• The Foresight^® Carrier Screen identifies couples at risk of passing down serious, inherited conditions.
• The Prequel^® Prenatal Screen identifies pregnancies that may be at an increased risk for a wide variety of chromosomal conditions as early as eight weeks.

Visit the Know More Sooner website at PrenatalScreening.com to learn more about prenatal screening.

1. Large-scale Pollfish survey of 1,000 U.S.-based population who self-identified as ‘pregnant’ or ‘recently pregnant.’ Survey was conducted by the S50 Agency on behalf of Myriad Genetics, December 2023.

2. In a large-scale published study run in 2020, SneakPeek accurately determined fetal sex in 99.9% of 1,029 pregnant women between 7-37 weeks gestational age. In a 2021 laboratory test, SneakPeek accurately determined fetal sex in 99.02% of 102 pregnant women using the Snap device at 8-15 weeks gestational age. In a separate published study run in 2021, fetal sex was accurately determined in 100% of 134 pregnant women at 7 weeks gestational age. In a 2022 scientific study, SneakPeek accurately determined fetal sex for 100% of 103 women at 6 weeks gestational age.

2025-02-01T04:01:00

(BPT) – With the cost of food on everyone’s minds (from social media to campaign promises), we’re all searching for ways to ease the hit to our wallets while still doing our best to provide wholesome food to our families. Maybe you want to reduce your intake of processed, packaged, pricey items by making yummy food yourself, but you worry that it will cost more in time and money. Here are a few reasons why being sustainable pays off.

1. Homemade Saves

“There’s always a trade-off when we lean on packaged foods to keep our pantry full,” says Kris Bordessa, author of National Geographic’s Attainable Sustainable Pantry. When you can make multiple loaves of homemade bread from one $4 bag of flour instead of spending $3 or more on a single loaf of sliced bread, the cost of shortcuts becomes evident. Learn to make some things on your own, and the savings add up when you consider your entire pantry.

2. Move Away From Processed Foods

Not only do pre-prepared or packaged foods cost more, but they are also engineered to make us eat more. Packed with sugar, salt, and fats, they add calories as well as preservatives, artificial flavorings, and food coloring to our daily meals. When you fill your kitchen with homemade staples, you control the ingredients: less sugar, less salt, healthier fats (like olive oil instead of shortening). You can source local produce, select organic ingredients, and generate less plastic waste, all at the same time.

3. Learn to Save for Later

Processed foods are designed for quick cooking and consumption, but there’s value for your health and pocketbook in learning how to preserve the food you make. As we’ve all seen over the last several years, we never know what will come along and interrupt the usual flow of life. In short, stocking up makes good sense. From rising food costs to another global pandemic, when you know how to prepare homemade basics and freeze, can, pickle, and dry your goodies for later, you will be prepared for whatever comes.

4. Up-Front Effort Pays

Sure, making your own bread or yogurt takes time. No one can deny that ready-made is quick and easy. Each time you set aside an afternoon to make a recipe or two for the pantry, you’re giving yourself several easier days in the future. A pantry and freezer well stocked with homemade goodness nearly matches processed food for ease — and way outshines it for the health of your family.

5. Take It Slow and Steady

Bordessa’s most important piece of advice is to ease into these changes gradually. Determine just one convenience item you’d like to replace with a homemade version. When that feels easy enough, add another. You’re not going to unlearn a lifetime of habits in a few short weeks, but you can create new habits over time.

Bonus Suggestion: Start With Salad Dressing

Ready to get started? Here’s an easy first step: salad dressing. The expense of prepared dressings coupled with the waste of the plastic bottle convinced Bordessa to embrace homemade. Here’s her tried-and-true vinaigrette, which can be enhanced with the addition of lemon juice, crushed garlic, or crumbled blue cheese:

Creamy Vinaigrette

Yield: 1 cup

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients in an airtight jar, and shake until combined. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

For a complete guide to stocking a homemade pantry, check out National Geographic author Kris Bordessa’s easy-to-follow steps in Attainable Sustainable Pantry: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Stocking Your Kitchen, publishing March 4. Pre-order now wherever books are sold.

2025-01-31T09:03:00

(BPT) – February is American Heart Month, making it the perfect time to reflect on heart-healthy habits and incorporate positive changes into your daily routine. One of the easiest ways to support your heart health is by adding more Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that support brain health, heart function and overall well-being. They help reduce inflammation in the body, lower the risk of chronic diseases — and even play a role in maintaining healthy skin. Omega-3s are also known to help improve mood and reduce stress, making them a powerful addition to a balanced diet.

To get you started, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares simple and practical tips for including more Omega-3s in your daily routine.

1. Put Omega-3s on the menu

Omega-3s are found in fish and certain types of plant-based foods. When it comes to fish, Omega-3s are found primarily in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring and tuna. So, consider planning a fish night once or twice a week where you experiment with heart-healthy recipes like baked salmon bites on a Caesar salad or mackerel & avocado tacos. For an even quicker option, add canned tuna or sardines to salads or pasta dishes for an effortless way to boost your Omega-3 intake.

2. Harness the power of smarter snacking

Need a mid-day boost or evening pick-me-up? Snacks can be an easy way to incorporate Omega-3-rich foods into your day. Add snacks such as hard-boiled eggs (especially Eggland’s Best Eggs, which have double the Omega-3’s compared to ordinary eggs), walnuts, edamame and even seaweed. Dried seaweed snacks, which are often conveniently packaged, can be eaten straight from the pack or sprinkled over popcorn for a fun twist on a classic movie night treat.

3. Do an oil change

Switching up your kitchen oils is another simple way to add more Omega-3s to your meals. Replace your usual salad dressing with an easy vinaigrette made with lemon juice and flaxseed oil or walnut oil to incorporate more Omega-3s into your diet. You can also drizzle these oils over cooked vegetables or use them as a dip for fresh bread for an added nutritional boost.

4. Sneak it in

Incorporating Omega-3s doesn’t have to disrupt your favorite recipes. Ground flaxseed or chia seeds can be easily added to smoothies, pancake batter or baked goods like muffins without altering their taste or texture. Try mixing a tablespoon of either seed into recipes you already love to give your meals a subtle but powerful Omega-3 upgrade that even picky eaters won’t notice.

5. Make every morning count

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s the perfect time to start incorporating Omega-3s. Trying a new recipe like these Breakfast Cookies from Eggland’s Best, which include heart-friendly ingredients like chia seeds, nuts and Eggland’s Best eggs, is an easy way to kickstart your day with essential nutrients.

Compared to ordinary eggs, Eggland’s Best eggs contain more than double the Omega-3s, which help maintain healthy blood pressure, support blood vessel function, and promote a healthy heart, along with 25% less saturated fat to support healthy blood cholesterol levels.

By implementing these tips into your day-to-day life, you can make heart health a priority this February and beyond. Small changes can have a big impact, and adding Omega-3s to your diet is a simple yet effective way to support your overall well-being.

Breakfast Cookies

Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 10 minutes; Yield: 18

Busy mornings are about to get a whole lot easier with these Breakfast Cookies. They’re full of nutrient-dense ingredients like oats, nuts, dried fruit and eggs. The best part? You can make them ahead and grab them on your way out the door in the morning!

Ingredients

• 2 Eggland’s Best eggs, large
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, blueberries, cranberries, etc.

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line two cookie trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Whisk together coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and almond extract in large bowl. Stir oats, all-purpose flour, almond flour, chia seeds, baking soda and salt into the wet ingredients. Stir in nuts, shredded coconut and fruit.

3. Use a 1.5 tablespoon scoop to measure dough into balls. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie trays.

4. Bake until cookies are set on the bottom and outside, but still look a little doughy in the middle, about 9-11 minutes, rotating the trays once halfway through.

5. Let cookies cool on the trays for 10 minutes before removing.

Using these tips, you’ll be sure to benefit from including a lot more heart-healthy Omega-3s into your diet, every day.

Eggland’s Best is a national supporter of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Eat Smart initiative. To learn more, visit EgglandsBest.com.

2025-01-30T14:01:00

(BPT) – By Sarah Acton, Chief Customer Officer, BILL

One of the most exciting aspects of my role as Chief Customer Officer at BILL is learning from our customers every day. There are always new lessons, especially in today’s world of rapid change in consumer behavior, business practices and technology.

We recently hosted a group of customers to network and share their experiences regarding unlocking business growth with others. This topic proved compelling for our panelists and attendees alike, with many businesses facing some of the same challenges.

Entrepreneurs and leaders are powering through — finding ways to attract and retain customers and developing growth strategies that are working. I was particularly inspired by four pieces of advice that any organization can implement to win.

Understanding your customer

SFJAZZ reminded me that knowing what your customers want, expect and are willing to pay for is music to any organization’s ears.

Based in San Francisco and now in its 41st year, SFJAZZ is the largest non-profit jazz presenter in the world. Originally founded in 1983 as a two-day festival, SFJAZZ serves over a quarter of a million fans and students every year through its year-round concert, commissioning and education programs.

SFJAZZ CEO Greg Stern has built the nonprofit’s success on understanding his audience of jazz fans and artists, connecting with local communities in San Francisco, and finding ways as a nonprofit to build a revenue stream from patrons and donations.

Greg knows that San Franciscans want more jazz, more often. SFJAZZ produces 400 shows a year between two state-of-the-art venues tailored for jazz appreciation. Fans are busy — so shows are generally 90 minutes long, giving people time to enjoy a break and still make it home to go to school or work the next day. He knows his audience wants to feel connected to the community, so outreach through education and artist development are integral to the SFJAZZ mission.

SFJAZZ now has one of the highest rates of audience-sponsored revenue in the artistic nonprofit arena. Donations and sponsors are still important, but knowing what customers want has given SFJAZZ a unique advantage in being self-funding (through ticket sales) for a large part of its operation.

Creating product-marketing fit

Second, create product-market fit. Not every organization nails this. Some try to create a fit over time or believe so much in their own innovation that they power forward, unsure why revenue is slow to keep pace. Sasha Orloff, co-founder and CEO of Puzzle, has been hyper-focused on product-market fit since before the company even shipped.

Sasha knew he wanted to upend the status quo in bookkeeping and accounting. Artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid technological change were creating opportunities for new ways to handle finance, but accounting software wasn’t keeping pace with the rest of the tech world. While Sasha understood some of the frustrations, he explored deeply what customers would want by tackling product development from a variety of perspectives.

He leaned hard into the Sean Ellis methodology, a fast and effective way to evaluate the consistency of a particular product in the market, by taking best practices from the methodology and applying them effectively. He surveyed and had deep conversations with business entrepreneurs and founders to understand what they were missing from legacy accounting technologies. Then he talked with the people who would use any accounting technology on a daily basis and got close to accountants and bookkeepers.

His efforts have paid off tremendously. Puzzle is now positioned as the modern accounting platform for the AI era, enabling its customers to get financials and insights every day. Importantly, Puzzle is trusted by the industry and thousands of start-ups and has auto-categorized $30B+ of transactions.

Remaining flexible

Third, remain flexible. Business is going to change every day — twists and turns are normal. Christine Tedstrom, Senior Director of Finance at apparel powerhouse Marine Layer, tells other business leaders and colleagues to look at long-term value creation and not just short-term gains. The only way to achieve those goals is to acknowledge that flexibility is essential to great outcomes — and while plans are super, they will have to adapt.

A well-known host of a fashion reality show used to say that in fashion, “one day you’re in and the next you’re out.” As an innovative, California-inspired retailer focused on sustainability and recycled materials, Marine Layer’s leadership makes sure they stay absolutely “in” by committing to great products, keen market tracking and business understanding delivered with financial data. They know when to stay the course with a decision and they know when to pivot or change direction.

Marine Layer has created massive success with “absurdly soft shirts that are perfect for a 7-day weekend kinda lifestyle.” The company started when the founder’s girlfriend threw away his favorite shirt and grew with the help of friends and a ’69 VW bus. What was once a shirt company now spans almost every type of apparel.

Flexibility can take you to successes and growth you didn’t anticipate.

Making decisions in real-time

Fourth, make decisions in real-time. This is the counsel of Kate Hultin-Schott, Director, Consulting at Armanino LLP. Armanino is one of the top 25 largest independent accounting and business consulting firms in the United States. They are a nationwide leader serving privately held companies and private individuals, as well as nonprofit organizations and public entities. Kate is a fan of historical trend analysis and looking at trends over quarters. But she is justifiably frustrated when companies make decisions based on old data. She questions why we demand real-time data from every other aspect of our lives — sports scores, weather, traffic — but are fine waiting days, weeks or even months for business data.

To Kate, real-time is the time that matters most. Yes, it is important to combine real-time with historical data and context (no one wants to mistake a blip for a trend), but not having fast, reliable data that presents the “now” is a miss.

With more than 12,000 customers, over 2,500 valued employees, and 21 offices in the U.S., keeping up with what is happening in the moment has obviously paid off.

I hope these lessons for unlocking business growth inspire you as they’ve inspired me. And I hope they unlock your own organization’s success.

When SMBs thrive, so do their communities. At BILL we are dedicated to serving the needs of SMBs and accountants so they can focus more on running their businesses and serving customers. To learn more, visit Bill.com.

2025-01-30T14:01:00

(BPT) – By Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS

Executive Director & CEO, American College of Surgeons

When you or a loved one is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure, you desire confidence that your surgeon is highly skilled, well-trained and prepared to deliver the highest quality care.

Surgery may feel overwhelming, regardless of age or health status. With so many factors to consider, one reliable method to inspire confidence is to select a surgeon with the letters F-A-C-S after their name. This designation means that the surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the largest surgical organization in the world. The ACS has, for more than one hundred years, set the standards for high-quality surgical care.

What does FACS mean?

Earning the FACS designation involves a rigorous application process, verification of credentials, review of a surgical case log, recommendations by colleagues, and interviews conducted by a panel of experts. These steps ensure that surgeons meet and uphold the highest standards of surgical care and ethics.

By choosing a Fellow of the ACS, you are selecting a surgeon who meets and exceeds standard qualifications, such as board certification. The FACS designation is a higher bar.

Who are the Fellows of the ACS?

The ACS currently has more than 93,000 members worldwide. Fellows provide care in settings ranging from small rural clinics to large academic medical centers. Fellows of the ACS are also represented throughout all of the surgical specialties.

Fellows have reached many milestones in surgery, both past and present, and been at the forefront of medical breakthroughs for more than 100 years. In 1935, Columbia University surgeon Allen Whipple, MD, FACS, was the first American to perform a complex operation for treating pancreatic cancer — a procedure that bears his name today. Alton Ochsner, MD, FACS, made the first link between tobacco and lung cancer — in 1939. Cardiac surgeon Bartley P. Griffith, MD, FACS, performed the first successful pig-to-human heart transplant in the world in 2022. The bottom line is that Fellows of the College make it a point to stay at the head of the class so that they can provide their patients with the best possible care.

Why does the FACS designation matter?

Providing high-quality surgical care for our patients has been the focus of the American College of Surgeons since our founding in 1913, and this prioritization continues today. From surgical education and research to patient access, hospital standardization and clinical care, the ACS has remained a global leader in advancing the field of surgery.

When you see FACS after a surgeon’s name, those four letters represent the gold standard in surgical quality. FACS indicates that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence and ethical conduct meet the high standards established by the American College of Surgeons.

When you prepare for surgery, one of your questions should be “Is my surgeon a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons?”

Visit www.facs.org to find a Fellow the next time you need surgical care.

Patricia L. Turner is the Executive Director & CEO of the American College of Surgeons, the largest professional association of surgeons in the world, founded in 1913.

2025-01-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – As winter turns into spring, it’s time for gardeners to consider which plants they’ll cultivate in planters, pots and gardens. If you’re in the midst of planning your garden and need inspiration, Green Thumb Award-winning products are a great place to get inspiration.

The Green Thumb Award is an annual competition recognizing outstanding and innovative new plants and garden products. Winners are selected through two categories: the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the public, and the Professional Choice Award, determined by a panel of expert horticulturists from the National Garden Bureau (NGB).

Whether you’re a novice or an old pro, check out these 10 remarkable plants and tools that can help you take your gardening to the next level in 2025.

1. Calibrachoa LIA™ Abstract Lemon Cherry

The LIA™ Abstract Lemon Cherry Calibrachoa is the newest addition to the LIA™ series. It dazzles with vibrant golden-yellow blooms accented by a bold cherry-red splash, making it an irresistible choice for any garden. Designed with a controlled, semi-trailing growth habit, this lovely annual variety is perfectly suited for hanging baskets and combinations.

2. Broccoli Purple Magic F1

Purple Magic is the first purple-stem, purple-headed broccoli in the world! These nutritious large, dome-shaped heads weigh about 1 pound each and are very high in anthocyanin — a plant-based chemical called a flavonoid thought to be useful in preventing cancer and inflammation. This annual grows well in all regions of the U.S. and matures about 90 days after harvest from transplant.

3. Crescent Too^® Circular Positive Planter Collection

Winner of both the People’s Choice and Professional’s Choice awards in the garden product category, the Crescent Too^® Circular Positive™ planter collection is revolutionary. Each planter is made with UBQ™, a climate-positive material upcycled from landfill waste, helping gardeners of all levels minimize waste. With TruDrop Flex Self-Watering Containers and Emma Planters, these products promote a circular economy and sustainable consumption.

4. Philodendron Prismacolor™ Orange You Gorgeous™

Winner of both the People’s Choice and Professional’s Choice awards in the houseplant category, this tropical philodendron is a living kaleidoscope of citrus-inspired colors with a warm orangey glow reminiscent of a sunrise over a tropical grove. Its elongated, spade-shaped leaves emerge with a mottled bright orange color, then slowly fade to a marbled tapestry of gold and green, brightening your space even in the dim days of winter.

5. Butterfly Bush Little Rockstars Red

Check out the Butterfly Bush Little Rockstars Red, a People’s Choice-winning perennial that is part of a new compact series of Buddleia. Its beautiful, large, cone-shaped inflorescences are perfect for small pot production, offering a complete color assortment and all-season flowering.

6. Hydrangea FlowerFull^® Smooth

The FlowerFull^® Smooth Hydrangea stands out with bold blooms and sturdy upright stems that won’t flop in the wind and rain. With two to three times more blooms per season than other smooth hydrangeas, this perennial shrub makes an outstanding focal point plant for your garden. Disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and maturing at just 3 to 4 feet tall, it’s the perfect choice for small and big landscapes.

7. Cosmos Sea Shells Red

Cosmos Sea Shells Red is a charming and unique flower that brings a delightful touch to any garden. This Professional’s Choice winner is known for its distinctive, tubular petals that resemble seashells. Its beautiful palette of soft pinks and whites adds a romantic flair to flower beds and arrangements. The blooms also make excellent cut flowers and offer a long vase life (7-10 days) that ensures that you can enjoy their beauty indoors as well.

8. Basil Everleaf Lemon

Basil Everleaf Lemon is the first lemon basil bred for this collection, which features basil plants that are tall, upright and highly branched, offering plenty of harvest potential. This particular annual is very late to flower — up to eight weeks later than standard basil — so you can enjoy its tasty leaves all season long. Its bright lemon flavor is a perfect addition to dressings, marinades and fresh salads. This versatile plant performs well in ground and in patio containers.

9. Hellebore JWLS Endless

Hellebores are a must-have plant for gardeners wishing to join in on this year’s Garden of Nostalgia and Romance design trend. This plant was selected as a Professional’s Choice winner for its abundant and long-lasting blooms and features glossy, dark green foliage topped with upward-facing flowers that start out green and transition to a beautiful white. Best of all? This perennial variety offers an extended bloom season in zones 5-9.

10. Burning Bush Fire Ball Seedless™

Burning Bush Fire Ball Seedless is the only seedless, sterile, non-invasive burning bush (Euonymus alatus) on the market! Developed by Dr. Tom Ranney and his crew at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in North Carolina, this shrub has won the Professional’s Choice award for being truly innovative. It has all the durability and inferno-red color that you expect from burning bush but no risk of spreading into wild areas like its conventional counterparts.

Whether you choose one (or all) of these extraordinary plants and products, your indoor and outdoor green spaces will be sure to please and impress. To learn more, visit NGB.org.

2025-01-23T09:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re having a routine procedure such as a colonoscopy or something more complex like heart surgery, your medical team is committed to ensuring a safe and successful outcome. But you also can play an important role in making your procedure as smooth and effective as possible. Do you have a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease? Are you a smoker or over age 65 dealing with memory issues? Maybe you use cannabis? These and other issues can affect your anesthesia care plan, and are important to share with your anesthesiologist before your procedure.

“Your safety is your anesthesiologist’s priority — in fact, anesthesiology was the first medical specialty to recognize patient safety as a discipline,” said Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Patients can aid their anesthesiologists in creating a plan that is tailored to them by being open about their pre-existing health conditions, habits and any medications or vitamins they take.”

During Physician Anesthesiologists Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1, ASA is reminding patients of the importance of being fully engaged during their medical journey — from disclosing pertinent information regarding your health to inquiring about who is involved in providing your anesthesia care.

There are clear distinctions between anesthesiologists and other valued members of the Anesthesia Care Team. Anesthesiologists have unique medical education and training to lead and navigate vital moments of care during surgery or other procedures, including any complications that might arise. That’s why it’s important to know who is providing your anesthesia care. Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesia, pain and critical care medicine, and work with your surgeon and the medical team to develop and administer your anesthesia care and pain management plan. This leadership and oversight of your anesthesia care best ensures safe, high-quality, high-value care before, during and after surgery.

Like all other aspects of health care delivery, understanding the education, skills, and qualifications of the members of your Anesthesia Care Team helps you to make informed health care decisions. Meeting with your anesthesiologist, or an anesthesiologist-led team, before your procedure provides an opportunity to discuss your health and address any concerns. The following are suggested tips for making the most out of this important conversation:

• Talk about your health. Share if you have any health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or lung disease. Even issues that seem minor, such as snoring or allergies, can influence your care.
• List your medications and supplements. Certain medications can interact with anesthesia, so let your anesthesiologist know what you are taking, whether an injection for weight loss or a cholesterol drug. Don’t forget to include over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements.
• Be honest about smoking and cannabis use. Let your anesthesiologist know if you are a cigarette smoker because smoking can raise the risk of anesthesia-related complications. Try to quit before your procedure; the earlier, the better. Cannabis use, including edibles, can affect the level of anesthesia you need during surgery, as well as the type of pain medications you need after surgery. It also raises your risk for nausea and vomiting and may increase postoperative pain. Sharing this information is crucial to your safety.
• Ask about your risk of postoperative delirium. If you are 65 or older or have a history of memory issues, you may be at increased risk for postoperative delirium, which can cause confusion, memory problems or agitation. Let your anesthesiologist know if you have experienced these problems, including after having anesthesia in the past. Learn more about how age can increase your risk and what you can do about it.
• Come prepared with questions. Bring a list of any questions you have, such as those pertaining to the details of the procedure, what kind of anesthesia you’ll receive, possible side effects and pain management strategies. If you’re nervous, share your concerns — your anesthesiologist is there to provide information and reassurance.

Taking these steps not only helps your anesthesiologist deliver the safest and most effective care for you, but also can help you feel more confident and informed going into surgery. Learn more about how you can prepare for surgery and reduce your risks.