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Getty. of different ages, cultural backgrounds, genders) feel valued and respected, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute their perspectives and talents to improve their organisation. While no organization has implemented all practices in every area, this model enables organizations to evaluate their current state and plan improvement strategies. Canadian Best Practices Portal. Method. The Patient-Centered Care report is the third in a three-part series of Diversity Best Practice studies focused on the healthcare industry. Companies that create diverse and inclusive work environments are more adaptable, creative, and become magnets that attract top talent. Examples of Top Ten Diversity Best Practices. The first study, Industry Overview, provides a big picture look at healthcare today, and offers a snapshot of the major challenges and trends impacting the industry. Contains links to background resources for learning more about diversity, equity, and inclusion or obtaining a high level overview on best practices to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion across a university campus. For decades, companies have been slowly incorporating diversity and inclusion best practices into their talent strategy. According to the Census Bureau, by 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older. The practice of equity auditing isn't just something to be carried out by Big Pharma. Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 7, 2018 – Spectrum Health has been named to the Diversity Best Practices 2018 Inclusion Index for diversity and inclusion practices in recruitment, retention and advancement; organizational culture; and demographic transparency by Diversity Best Practices, a division of Working Mother Media. Aurora Healthcare 2017-2018 MORE BEST PRACTICES INFORMATION The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) provides a comprehensive list of recommendations and resources to craft your diversity & inclusion strategic plan. As the year comes to a close and a new decade swiftly approaches, it's time to assess what organizational practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion … Following the best practices on diversity and inclusion, will bring innovation and revenue stream, eventually helping your organization leverage the benefits. "Smaller companies are starting to embed equity diversity and inclusion early on, they are learning from what the larger companies are doing. Diversity and inclusion is a company's mission, strategies, and practices to support a diverse workplace and leverage the effects of diversity to achieve a competitive business advantage. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms – University of Washington – School of Public Health Gaucher, D., Friesen, J., & Kay, A. C. (2011, March 7). Best Practices of Supplier Diversity in the Healthcare Industry . Organizational allocation and planning. A. In order to change behavior, firms must develop appropriate goals and metrics, share thems. As patients get older they require "For every $1 it … Consistent with the recommendations of the Equity & Diversity in Research & Innovation Working Group, the Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI), has compiled a list of useful equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) education resources, including both internal and external materials, to support best practices in research and innovation activities. Nonprofit leaders committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their organizations will need to adopt new practices and behaviors to live into this goal. "While we know this is an area of continuous improvement, […] An annual inclusion survey is conducted to get feedback on the D&I initiatives from the various diverse groups. Register for the Mayo Clinic Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare Conference 2019. Social determinants of health This web page provides Canadian and international resources to assist in addressing the social determinants of health. The Journal of Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity is a publication from the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. Best Diversity and Inclusion Practices Shown by Our Customers Diversity and Inclusion as a business topic area is necessary yet delicate and intricate. ... Diversity & Inclusion, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) Mark Cartwright, Sr. Director of Supplier Diversity, Vizient . Beyond Diversity Towards Inclusion Inclusion occurs when a diversity of people (e.g. The relationship between diversity practices and trust climate was examined at different levels of inclusion, measured by perceptions of feeling valued, appreciated and encouraged to contribute and share ideas. This national conference, organized by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion through the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, is open to Mayo and external audiences. SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., is seeking its first CDO, and Boston-based Partners HealthCare named Dani Monroe its first chief diversity and inclusion officer in January. Evidence That Gendered Wording in Job Advertisements Exists and Sustains Gender Inequality. Mensi-Klarbach, H. (2014). Best Practice 7: Diversity and inclusion Measurements. Before you can plan and travel fast, you need to know how good, or how bad you are doing. Inclusion and diversity are critical drivers for creating the ideal experience for every patient, family, employee and member of the communities we serve. Strong support from top management and board chair (written statement of commitment) Diversity linked to the strategic planning process, mission, vision "Diversity" or "Inclusion" identified as a core value for the organization in the appropriate documents (see also the first item on this list) Diversity Best Practices, a division of Working Mother Media, is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for culture change. Charles Schwab is a leader in implementing diversity and inclusion best practices in a company-wide way. Gender in top management research: Towards a comprehensive research framework. Same as your diversity and inclusion commitments. All business units are also assessed on their performance in the space of diversity and inclusion. The Health Care Manager (forthcoming), PMID:29957659. About RemotePanda: RemotePanda is … These practices ensure that Diversity & Inclusion are on top of every business unit's and leader's agenda. The effect of diversity practices on trust and engagement are statistically significant with higher perceived levels of inclusion. One example in Diversity Best Practices' Diversity Primer demonstrates how Sodexo Corporation exponentially increased its return on investment through D&I initiatives. Schwab has especially excelled in implementing its innovative Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that connect and engage team members of various backgrounds. As a leading pediatric healthcare system, we know how many individual lives we impact on a daily basis, and we take our responsibility seriously to uphold these values and standards. Include inclusive practices to increase the participation of underrepresented groups as part of a strategic plan. This "book club" style facilitated discussion will be focused on this article Getting Over Your Fear Of Talking About Diversity.Please take a few moments to read prior to the event. Management Research Review, 37(6), 538-552. Lee Perlman, President and CEO, Greater New York Hospital Association . You can't go far without knowing where you are right? The subject of diversity and inclusion is not always discussed openly and has not been brought to the forefront of business strategy until the last few years. Best Practices for Diversity Recruitment in the Healthcare Sector ... of including ERG members in these events is that they show prospective employees the value your organization places on Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) while also fostering employee recognition and reward. DIVERSITY BEST PRACTICES Page 6 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY Aging population The number of individuals 80 and older is projected to triple between 2010 and 2050. Health Nexus. Consider equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) when assessing organizational needs, goals and risks. with stakeholders, and embrace accountability for outcomes. The Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health … Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework The following table summarizes best current practices in each of the key performance areas in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Gillespie, Dunsire, & Luce (2018) Attaining gender Parity: Diversity 5.0 and 10 Best Practices for Global Health Care Organizations. At the height of the #metoo debate in the nation's entertainment sector, actress Francis McDormand used her 2018 Academy Award acceptance speech to promote the "inclusion rider." The population 90 and older will quadruple. In our Diversity and Inclusion Report 2020, we looked at the data to find out if it's really working.. And like most reports, there's good news and bad news. Diversity People Analytics is the answer to that. Public Health Agency of Canada. A multiyear plan to expand diversity and inclusion is as essential a business priority as implementing financial controls and managing quality improvement. Its mission is to provide a forum for the discussion of factors that promote or constrain the development and sustainability of a diverse health professions workforce. Lunch & Learn. The Mayo Clinic Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare Conference will be held Oct. 25-26, 2019.. As Stringfellow explained, SMEs can benefit from reviewing equality levels in their own organizations. Establishing a diversity & inclusion strategic plan and incorporating it into overall corporate culture has many benefits. The aim of the interviews was to identify the nature of "best" diversity and inclusion practice in global companies. Creating an inclusive workplace is fundamental to maximising diversity and creating Diversity & Inclusion Best Practices in the Workplace. The best organizational research shows that the magic recipe for achieving diversity is no different from the steps necessary to achieve other business goals.
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Fairmont Quasar Istanbul rises up above the slopes of the Bosphorus Strait, looking out over centuries of history, silhouetted against the modern skyline of Istanbul's main business district, presiding over the vibrant Mecidiyeköy area with its rich and eclectic blend of office towers and shopping centres, colourful side streets and neighbourhood shops. The hotel is within easy reach of both airports, the Grand Bazaar, Taksim Square and the Maslak financial district by metro and has a private helipad for executive travellers on a tight schedule and VIP guests seeking to avoid the crowds and the cameras.
The Fairmont is ideally suited for both executives travelling on business and sophisticated travellers looking to experience the best that the city has to offer with balcony views that survey the dynamic heart of the city or gaze out across the Bosphorus. 209 luxury guest rooms and suites, decorated with understated elegance and the latest technology.
A Turkish-style "ocakbaşı" grill and show kitchen serves a selection of authentic kebabs and meze appetisers. Stations Restaurant offers a vibrant array of live cooking stations at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The tea lounge serves teas from Turkey and around the world, cakes and pastries in a relaxed setting. Sample cocktails at the Marble Bar against the lively backdrop of a striking lobby or the Asian-inspired cuisine, Bosphorus views, and luxurious décor of the poolside bar.
Other facilities include: Willow Stream Spa with Turkish bath, Yoga Room, indoor pool, Fitness Centre, outdoor pool in the summer months with views across the Bosphorus; columnless Ballroom and 2000 square metres of meeting / event space.


New Haven Homes is a company built completely on relationships with everyone involved in the home building process. We fully understand that building a great home takes a chain of events with every link just as critical as the last. Over the past 20 years we have built strong bonds and relationships with everyone involved with all aspects of the building process. We are passionate about what we do and only work with people just as passionate as us.
With so many great home builders in the Colorado Springs area to choose from we try to set our homes apart with our included features, some of which you might not even realize, like the 2x6 exterior walls and taller garage doors, just to name a few. As for the interior, you will find granite counter tops, stainless appliances, 12x24 tile and a huge list of upgrades included as standard features in every home.
We pride ourselves on creating an amazing home with the very best quality and features all at affordable prices. New Haven Homes is building new homes in communities throughout Colorado Springs with housing options to fit your lifestyle. Our goal is to allow the dream of home ownership to our customers and enjoy the process from beginning to end.
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Home Articles Electric Lightning Receives CARB Executive Order for Transit Bus Repower Powertrain
Lightning Receives CARB Executive Order for Transit Bus Repower Powertrain
Betsy Lillian
Lightning Systems, a developer of zero-emission powertrains for commercial fleets, has received an executive order from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the Lightning Electric Transit Bus Repower, with CARB's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) approval expected in the coming weeks.
The Transit Bus Repower is a full-featured powertrain conversion of an existing diesel transit bus to a battery-electric bus.
"The Transit Bus Repower powertrain is a product that our customers have been demanding for some time," says Nick Bettis, director of business development at Lightning Systems. "Transit buses are excellent repower candidates for a variety of reasons, including the wide availability of parts and experienced service mechanics. It makes additional investments in these older buses both safe and sensible. Just as important, a repower keeps these buses out of the landfill, making the repower choice the most sustainable option today."
The Lightning Electric Transit Bus Repower is available for order now, with delivery in six months. It offers a range of up to 200 miles (depending on the configuration), and the powertrain features an active, thermally managed battery system, sourced from a Tier 1 battery cell manufacturer.
Lightning's first Transit Bus Repower powertrain was deployed in a 2004 30-foot GILLIG bus and has been on the road with a transit operator in Colorado for the past nine months. During this time, the Lightning Systems analytics team has collected data from the 1 Hz Lightning Telematics on the vehicle and analyzed the impacts of cold and hot weather on efficiency, range and battery life. Using this data, the team is now able to provide customers with real-world range expectations in a variety of weather and load conditions.
With California and other states now beginning to mandate zero-emission vehicles, "a repower is a cost-effective and timely solution for transit agencies," according to Tim Reeser, Lightning Systems' CEO.
"It is half the cost of buying a new electric bus, and with leasing and financing options available, many transit fleets will find that the Lightning Transit Bus Repower is cash-neutral – meaning the monthly finance payments are the same price as the fuel and maintenance savings," Reeser adds.
In addition to these operational savings, customers can benefit from several funding programs that states such as California, Colorado and New York have implemented to promote commercial EV adoption. Eligible California customers can receive up to $71,250 in HVIP vouchers toward the price of the vehicle.

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QuadJobs: Revolutionizing College Employment
Judy Koutsky
(from left) Co-founders Bridie Loverro, Andra Newman and Betsy O'Reilly
Since its launch in 2014, Fairfield, CT-based QuadJobs has created thousands of jobs and forged a presence at more than 500 colleges, partnering with schools such as Fairfield University, Sacred Heart, and University of Bridgeport, and expanded into Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and
Philadelphia. We talked to the three founders—Betsy O'Reilly, Andra Newman and Bridie Loverro—about their new initiatives, partnership and what they've learned along the way.
Your latest launch is QuadJobs for Business, a platform that makes it easier for local businesses to find the right college workers. Can you tell us about that? "QuadJobs for Business emerged in response to the many local businesses who began posting on the site. We saw huge demand from people who work for themselves or from home, and needed help on specific projects or events. Our business employers include hedge funds, special events companies, caterers, retail stores, interior decorators, authors, restaurants and country clubs. Students are eager to find this kind of pre-professional work, so the response rate from strong applicants has been excellent," says Betsy O'Reilly, co-founder and CEO.
What do you consider your biggest success with the business? "Our greatest achievement has been helping students in a real way. Nearly 85 percent of college students in this country are on some form of financial aid. Our students want and need to work, but the structure of academic and extracurricular schedules can make it difficult to commit to steady part-time jobs. We made it our mission to unlock community jobs that could fit into any student's schedule. Our students value that flexibility. Through QuadJobs, they've been able to make more money, build their networks, and gain invaluable experience. For some, this is the difference between staying in school and dropping out. For others, it's led to a full-time job after graduation," says O'Reilly.
QuadJobs has a large number of college students in Connecticut and New York in its job bank. Why is this student population so active on the site? "We launched in Fairfield County and it remains the epicenter of our business. We spend a lot of time engaged with students. On campus it quickly went viral; sororities and sports teams spread the word and signed up in large numbers," says Andra Newman co-founder and COO.
There are three founders of QuadJobs. What is that partnership like? "Our partnership is one of the most successful parts of our business. Our backgrounds and strengths are different, so there is never much debate when it comes to divvying up tasks and the collaboration is natural. Betsy, our CEO, has 17 years of experience working in finance and led the Global Sales Teams at Deutsche Bank. Andra headed recruitment at J.Crew before starting her own executive search firm. Bridie has authored six books and has creative marketing experience. The partnership has organically evolved with time, which continues to help us push the business forward," says Newman.
Where did the idea come from? "As small business owners and parents, we saw a wall between campus and community. You could live near a campus and want to hire a college student to help with something, and there was no streamlined way to do that. At the same time, we felt we could be of service to college students who need to work, want to work—but may not be able to commit to steady part-time employment due to their academic or extracurricular schedules," says Bridie Loverro, co-founder.
What was the moment when you realized you were on to something? "It was a milestone when we saw employers coming through in Chicago, New York City, New Jersey, and throughout Connecticut and Westchester—and we had no personal connection to them. The need for easy-to-find, smart, talented local help has proven to be widespread. Employers feel great about helping hardworking college students, and students are grateful for flexible jobs that fit into their schedules. It is exciting and validating to see real demand on both sides," says Newman.
Laura London from Fairfield University tutors a fifth grade student in math.
Who is your typical client? "QuadJobs has become a go-to resource for those looking for babysitters, tutors, party help, dogwalkers, errand-runners, organizers or tech whizzes. We also have seen a variety of jobs that show some creativity: guitar lessons, face-painting at a neighborhood block party, standing in line to sign up for dance classes. With the launch of QuadJobs for Business, there has been a surge of jobs in data management, event help, retail, social media and office work," says Loverro.
What has been most surprising so far in terms of launching this business? "Millennials often get a bad rep, but we have been constantly wowed by their creativity, work ethic, dedication to their studies and commitment to creating opportunity for themselves. I don't recall being nearly as accomplished when I was in college. We feel incredibly fortunate that the QuadJobs students are so talented. They are a remarkable workforce," says Newman.
Can you tell us about your recently launched app? "Our app makes it easy for employers to post on the go. Students check their job dashboard between classes. It speeds up the whole exchange and makes it that much easier to post and fill jobs," says Loverro.
What are your goals for the company in the future? "The ultimate goal is to have QuadJobs become an integral part of the college experience for every student in the country—move into your dorm, buy your books, sign up for QuadJobs to pay for those books," says O'Reilly. "To that end, we will continue to launch new markets over the next five years, grow our student and employer population and create as many employment opportunities as possible for the students who need and want them."
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In Blood of the Wicked, ...
Brazil Presents Its Bid to ...
In Blood of the Wicked, a Brazilian Cop Turns Out to Be the Good Guy
by Heredy Bono January 11, 2008
George Demko, a professor at Dartmouth University, has carved out an interesting niche for himself. He's an expert on international crime fiction. One of Professor Demko's observations is that, in Latin American crime fiction, the criminals and the cops are likely to be the same people.
In other words, hired killers, drug dealers and other felons often have day jobs – as cops. Too bad it's not only fiction.
So what's an honest cop to do? How does he manage to do his job when he's confronted by crooks within his own organization, by corrupt politicians, by Brazil's super-rich who think their money and the power it brings places them above the law?
In the real world, the cop usually knuckles under and becomes corrupt. In fiction, he usually finds a way to mete out justice, even if he sometimes has to break the law in order to do it.
Mário Silva, the protagonist in Blood of the Wicked, is the justiceiro type. He's a long-time federal cop, stationed in Brazilian capital Brasília, an ex-lawyer, now become Brazil's top crime-fighter.
He's surrounded by a cast of lesser characters, some good, most of them very, very bad. The kind of people you hate; the kind of people you're happy to see get f***** at the end of the story.
The book is a murder mystery, but it's also a contemporary tapestry of modern-day Brazil. It doesn't just entertain, it informs. The issues treated within its pages include liberation theology, the excesses of the military dictatorship, the prostitution of children and the current conflict between the landless and the great landowners.
It's a book that should have been written by a Brazilian – but wasn't. Leighton Gage is a gringo, an American who's lived in Brazil, on and off, for over thirty years. His wife is Brazilian-born and so are three of his four children.
He not only speaks the language fluently, he's also written a book in it, a non-fiction work that became the standard for teaching advertising film production in the Portuguese-speaking countries of the world.
He wrote and directed many television commercials which people living in the country would be familiar with. And when he retired from advertising, he started writing novels.
Gage confesses to being a Brazil Nut. But you wouldn't necessarily get that from reading his book. The emphasis is on violence and not on the beauty of the shadows being cast by the Sugar Loaf.
Prior to publication, the book attracted considerable interest from the trade press, being reviewed by all four of the major American publications.
Library Journal gave it a star and a "highly-recommended" rating, which basically guarantees it a place on the shelves of every library in the United States. (So you can read it for free, if you have a public library card.)
But Publisher's Weekly, another big gun in the literary field, started out their review with the words "Gage's bloody debut…" and ended it with "…is not for the faint-of-heart." The book is bloody, no doubt about that. The debate hinges upon whether the violence is gratuitous or lends verisimilitude to the story. Publisher's Weekly thinks not.
But the conventional media seems to be leaning toward the Library Journal opinion. To illustrate, Oline H. Cogdill, the Mystery columnist for the Florida newspaper Sun Sentinel, writes:
"Leighton Gage achieves both a powerful political thriller and gripping crime fiction in his fascinating debut Blood of the Wicked, set in Brazil. The author packs an immense amount of plot twists based in politics, street violence and corruption that seep into each branch of government. Drawing on several issues plaguing contemporary Brazil, Gage keeps the story moving as he looks at the different strata of society. Violence is brutal and doesn't spare anyone."
So violent, yes. Too violent? The jury is still out.
But one thing is for certain: Blood of the Wicked is certain to put Brazil on the map for many American and European readers.
A Little Taste of It
The Book's initial paragraphs:
Something took the helicopter and shook it like a jackal worrying a carcass. The bishop gripped the aluminum supports on either side of his seat and hung on for dear life.
"Clear air turbulence," the pilot observed laconically, and resumed chewing his gum.
"Merda!" the bishop muttered. He regretted the vulgarity as soon as he'd said it.
"What's that, your Excellency?"
The bishop's eyes darted to his right. In his fear and discomfort, he'd forgotten the microphones, forgotten the headphones, forgotten that the man could hear every word he said.
And what if he had? Was it not true? Was the helicopter not a merda, a great stinking, steaming merda? And who was the pilot, anyway? What had he ever done in his blessed life other than to learn how to fly the merda? How dare he criticize a man who might, God willing, be a future prince of the Church?
The pilot, whose name was Julio, and who wasn't criticizing anyone, had been distracted by a flock of vultures wheeling in graceful curves over the approaching river. He honestly hadn't heard what the bishop had said. He opened his mouth to repeat the question, then shut it again when he saw the cleric's mouth set into a thin line.
Julio had a paunch, sweat stains under the arms of his khaki shirt and a habit of chewing gum with his mouth open – all of which Dom Felipe Antunes, the Bishop of Presidente Vargas, found distasteful. But it was nothing in comparison to Dom Felipe's distaste for the helicopter.
The bishop glanced at his watch, wiped his sweaty palms on his silk cassock and resumed a death grip on the aluminum supports.
Forty-seven blessed minutes in the air. Forty-seven minutes.
"It won't be long now, Your Excellency."
Was that amusement in the man's voice? Was he enjoying himself? Did he think fear was funny?
On the floor beneath Dom Felipe's feet there was a thin (he was sure it was thin) window of Plexiglas. He tried to avoid looking down, but some perverse instinct kept drawing his eyes back to that dreadful hole in the floor. They were over the river now, sand bars protruding through chocolate colored foam. The sand looked as hard as the rock-strewn banks.
Did helicopters float?
A rowboat drifted in mid-river, two fishermen aboard, a huge net piled high between them. They looked up at him, shielding their eyes against the morning sun. One waved.
Reflexively, Dom Felipe waved back. Then a flash, like the strobe on a camera, caused him to snap his head upward and seek the source of the light.
Far ahead of him, beyond the bug-flecked windshield, the flash came again. He squinted and…yes, there it was. Sunlight of an almost blinding intensity reflected off an expanse of glass. It couldn't be anything other than the Great Window. And that meant that the brand-new church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres was in sight.
The window was almost five meters in diameter and had come all the way from the Venetian island of Murano at a cost of almost two hundred thousand Reais, not including the shipping, which, together with the insurance, had amounted to thirty thousand more. When the sun hit it just right – as it was doing now – the Window would cast rays of glorious blue light all along the nave of the new church.
Dom Felipe made a conscious effort to hold that image, focusing on the blue light, as if it were a meditation. But then the pitch of the engine changed, dragging him back into his dreadful reality.
A landing spot had been marked out: A Christian cross in stones the size of golf balls, and just as white. A rectangle of sere grass surrounded it, hemmed by dusty palm trees. Yellow plastic tape ran from tree to tree, holding back the crowd. Men in the gray uniforms of the State Police were stationed at intervals along the length of the tape, their backs to the cross, keeping the landing area clear.
If you want a sample of the writing (the entire first chapter), go to Gage's website – www.leightongage.com -, scroll down his home page and click on the link entitled "Read an Excerpt from Blood of the Wicked".
The book is available from online suppliers and from most bookstores in the United States.
Leighton Gage
Heredy Bono
Brazil Presents Its Bid to Host the 2016 Olympic Games
Brazil Boom: Agribusiness and Machinery Give Paraní¡ State Best Year Ever
João da Silva
[quote]Thanks for the article, IÀ'´ve already ordered my copy from Amazon…[/quote]
Great. After finish reading it, pleaser give us your review. I have to wait till it comes to Brazil in paper back version 🙁
Thanks for the article, IÀ'´ve already ordered my copy from Amazon…
Blood of the Wicked
[quote]scroll down his home page and click on the link entitled "Read an Excerpt from Blood of the Wicked".[/quote]
I did read the excerpt and the book promises to be very interesting.
Freedom of Press Is More Fiction than Fact in Brazil
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Cruising in Sydney Harbour has touched new, luxurious heights with the arrival of super yacht, Infinity Pacific.
Acquired by the Karedis and Laundy families, owners and operators of the Pacific Hotel Group, the 40-metre, three-level vessel is currently the only Italian-built alloy superyacht available for charter in Sydney Harbour, via Ocean Alliance.
Guests enter directly into the impressive main deck: a comfortable outdoor seating area that leads directly into the sumptuous living room. With interiors designed by Parisian interior architect Fréderic Méchiche and Luca Dini, the ambience is relaxing yet oh so elegant.
Although views from the main deck are magnificent, there is more to see upstairs. An undercover viewing deck complete with bar and Japanese-style soaker tub is the perfect place to relax with a sunset cocktail.
Downstairs are the living quarters and there's not a claustrophobic bunk in sight. The master suite is expansive, spanning the width of the main deck and features a gorgeous ensuite bathroom with twin rain showers. There are four more guest suites, two of which span the width of the boat and all with custom-made furniture and separate ensuites.
Infinity Pacific may be hired for a minimum of four hours for events and is the only super yacht on Sydney Harbour that can provide a three course, sit-down menu for up to 20 people. With a menu curated by Noosa Beach House executive chef Peter Kuruvita, guests can expect signature dishes such as a Sri Lankan snapper curry or seared yellowfin tuna with ruby grapefruit, sweet pork and crackling.
For larger events, there is a buffet option for 30 people, or up to 50 people can be catered for with a variety of hot and cold canapes, such as Queensland king prawns grilled and dipped in aioli and tasting plates like slow braised beef daube with chargrilled carrots and gremolata.
Infinity Pacific has a full-time crew of eight. A complete luxury experience awaits in the chartering of Infinity Pacific for more expansive trips to the Whitsundays, Lizard Island or even the Pacific Islands or New Zealand. Days in the sun are spent enjoying the two-storey high waterslide, Sea-Doo Aqua Lounge and Sea-Scooter on board.
Or you might just choose to recline on one of the sun loungers and admire the breathtaking sea vistas with a drink in hand.
Proof gigayachts can be both gorgeous and green.
The smooth sailing Toro is 26 metres of pure italian indulgence.


text:
Discussion and conclusions
A case report of dengue haemorrhagic fever during the peripartum period: challenges in management and a case of vertical dengue transmission
B. V. K. M. Bopeththa1Email authorView ORCID ID profile,
Sardha Hemapriya2,
K. K. Gayan Niranga2 and
Danushka S. K. Kotigala2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3352-x
Incidence of Dengue infection is on the increase in Sri Lanka with it being associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity in pregnancy.
A 33-year-old pregnant woman at 38 weeks of gestation, presented with acute onset of fever, was later diagnosed with Dengue illness. Due to the emergence of warning symptoms and signs and rapidly dropping platelet count, the baby was delivered by urgent caesarian section. She went into the critical phase during the postoperative period and due to concealed bleeding, required blood transfusion. On the 5th day of life, the neonate was also diagnosed with possible dengue by vertical transmission and required blood and PLT transfusions for recovery.
This case report illustrates how a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis, close monitoring, timely intervention and critical consideration of physiological changes of pregnancy when interpreting clinical situation, led to achieving a successful outcome.
Vertical transmission
Physiological changes in pregnancy
Dengue fever is an Aedes mosquito-borne flavivirus infection. It is becoming endemic in Sri Lanka, mainly due to changes in the rainfall patterns that increase the incidence. Dengue has become a major public health issue in Sri Lanka causing 215 deaths up to now, from 2017 [1]. Dengue is commonly defined as an acute febrile illness, associated with two or more of the following signs or symptoms: an intense headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, skin rash, leucopenia and hemorrhagic manifestations [2]. Although management of dengue in pregnancy is similar to non-pregnant dengue patient management, due to various physiological changes occurring in pregnancy, it may cause significant diagnostic and management issues in practical clinical situations.
Dengue infection is associated with a number of maternal and neonatal complications including maternal death, a most severe form of miscarriages, preterm deliveries, fetal anomalies and neonatal deaths respectively [3, 4]. Although increasing number of vertical transmission of dengue fever cases have been reported, details of vertical transmission is lacking [5]. Here, we report a case of dengue hemorrhagic fever during peripartum period that includes a possible case of vertical transmission.
A 33-year-old previously healthy mother in her 2nd pregnancy, was admitted at 38 weeks of gestation with a one-day history of high fever with chills, myalgia, arthralgia, and headache. Her first pregnancy ended up as lower segment caesarian section (LSCS) due to the unfavorable cervix. On admission, she was febrile (102 °F). Her pulse rate (PR) and blood pressure (BP) were 88 beats per minute and 94/60 mmHg respectively. Rest of the cardiac and respiratory examination was unremarkable. Abdominal examination revealed a soft abdomen with a single live fetus and symphysiofundal height was compatible with gestational age. Vaginal examination revealed an unfavorable cervix. Laboratory investigation results were as follows: total white cell count (WBC) 7100/mm3, platelet count (PLT) 112,000/mm3, haemoglobin (Hb) 11.5 g/dl, packed cell volume (PCV) 30%, C reactive protein (CRP) 31 mg/l and positive NS 1 antigen. Liver function and renal function tests were normal. Cardiotocograph (CTG) was normal and the fetal biophysical profile was compatible with the period of gestation (POG). There was no ultrasound evidence of free fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. The diagnosis was made of uncomplicated dengue and managed according to current national dengue management guidelines.
On the 2nd day, she developed two episodes of vomiting and had mild intermittent abdominal pain. Her PR was 98 beats per minute and blood pressure was 90/64 mmHg. There was mild right hypochondriac tenderness. Complete blood count (CBC) showed WBC 6900/mm3, PLT 72000mm3 and PCV 32%. Ultrasonically, there was no free in abdomen or chest. A multidisciplinary meeting was convened and a decision made to deliver her baby by urgent LSCS. Blood, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets were preserved and LSCS was performed under spinal anaesthesia. A healthy male baby weighing 3.0 kg was delivered with an uneventful intraoperative period. Although there was no significant bleeding as a prophylactic measure B lynch sutures were applied and an abdominal drain was also inserted. She was then transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) for further management.
On the 3rd day, fever was persisting and she continued to complain of right hypochondriac pain. She became tachycardic with PR of 105 beats per minute. BP was 92/66 mmHg. CBC revealed WBC of 5300/mm3 with PLT of 63,000/mm3 and PCV of 35%. Ultrasound (USS) examination showed pericholecystic oedema with a thin layer of free fluid in the hepatorenal pouch. The diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever was made and observations conducted according to the observation chart for management of dengue in adult patients with fluid leakage. A 3 hourly PCV monitoring, hourly capillary refill time (CRFT), PR, supine BP and urine output was conducted. CBCs were performed twice daily with daily alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Serum albumin was found to be low and 2D ECHO was normal. To cover unexpected nosocomial infections, IV of 4.5 g Piperazillin tazobactam, 8 hourly, was started. The summary of investigations is shown below (Table 1).
Summary of investigations performed during critical phase
Hours of critical phase
WBC (cells/mm3)
PLT (cells/mm3)
Hb (g/dl)
PCV (%)
Blood sugar (Mg/dl)
Corrected Serum calcium (mmol/l)
Arterial PH
During the first 12 h of the critical phase (CP), vital parameters were stable and a flat rate of fluid administration was continued. Towards the peak of the leaking phase, her PR started to rise with a narrowing of pulse pressure. As there was a sudden drop in PCV, possible intra abdominal bleeding was suspected and 500 ml of packed cells was transfused. Although the abdominal draining was absent, USS confirmed the high possibility of the presence of blood in the peritoneal cavity. Haemodynamic parameters were improved following transfusion. At the same time, intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid 1 g was also given. Although there was a further drop in platelets, clotting studies were well within the normal range. At the beginning of the second half of the critical phase, she had developed pedal edema, mild ascites with right-sided mild pleural effusion without respiratory compromise. Around the 36th hour of CP, urine output dropped to less than 0.5 ml/kg/hour. Due to the high possibility of fluid overload, IV dextran 350 ml was given. Thereafter she had an uneventful recovery from rest of CP. She was then transferred to the high dependency unit and later to the postnatal ward, for further care. During the recovery phase, she became fever free and went into polyuric phase. Her CBC showed WBC 10000/mm3, PLT 238000/mm3 and Hb 9.8 g/dl. IV antibiotics were stopped after completion of the one week course following the negative urine and blood culture reports. Throughout the illness, her clotting studies and renal functions were normal. Later, she was discharged and underwent an uneventful recovery.
During her ICU stay, the baby was kept in the special baby unit (SBU) for the continuation of feeding and observation. He was never taken out of SBU and had no history of mosquito bites. The neonate was well until the 5th day of life but suddenly developed a high fever with jaundice. Sepsis or congenital dengue infection was suspected. Laboratory investigation results were as follows: WBC 5800/mm3, Hb 13.8 g/dl, PLT 126000/mm3, positive dengue NS 1 Antigen, AST 87 U/L, ALT 23 U/L, CRP 5.8 mg/l with normal liver and renal functions with the exception of an elevated indirect bilirubin of 35 micro mol/L. Diagnosis of dengue fever was made and managed according to current guidelines. Later, on the 7th day of life, his PLT count dropped from 86,000/mm3 to 43,000/mm3 and he developed malena. However, bedside USS revealed no evidence of fluid leakage or intracranial bleed. Haemodynamic parameters were within normal ranges except tachycardia of 170 bpm during the period of malena. 30 ml of PLT and 45 ml of packed red cell transfusion were done. With close monitoring and judicious fluid balance, the baby improved and was discharged from the SBU with PLT of 146,000/mm3 and Hb of 12 g/dl on the 11th day of life. However, his body weight had dropped to 2.580 kg upon discharge. On the 25th day of life, clinic review revealed weight gain up to 2.780 kg with age-appropriate milestone levels.
Currently, dengue is the most significant mosquito-borne disease in Sri Lanka. It is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Laboratory results have found that Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) to be the circulating strain in this outbreak [1]. Due to heavy monsoon rains and improper waste disposal leading to stagnation of rainwater, is attributed to the increasing number of dengue cases.
The clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever during pregnancy can be very difficult due to various physiological changes occurring in pregnancy and other obstetric complications mimicking a clinical presentation of dengue infection. Fever with low PLT count, elevated liver enzymes, and right hypochondriac pain could be a part of HELLP syndrome or dengue illness. Labor pain can be misinterpreted as right upper quadrant pain. Therefore diagnosis of dengue can be misled by the presentation of other obstetric complications. Hence, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis [3].
Having higher baseline heart rate and a fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure induced by a reduction in systemic vascular resistance, may cause difficulty in early detection of entering the dengue critical phase, dengue shock syndrome and assessing response to fluid boluses as in this case.
Plasma volume expansion accompanied by a lesser increase in red cell volume causes a modest reduction in hematocrit [6]. Therefore it is very important to determine the baseline PCV during the early part of dengue illness, as non-pregnant PCV values cannot be applied to pregnant patients. Without a baseline PCV, it is difficult to recognize the objective evidence of plasma leakage or concealed bleeding. In our patient, concealed bleeding was recognized by the sudden drop of PCV. However, a 20% rise of baseline PCV at the entrance into critical phase was not evident in this case, probably due to satisfactory hydration matching the rate of leaking. Over hydration in dengue can cause edema, pleural effusion, ascites and respiratory distress. Pregnancy itself can cause edema and mild respiratory discomfort due to gravid uterus. Clinical judgment alone may not be sufficient in such situations as in this case.
Pregnancy is associated with leukocytosis, primarily related to the increased circulation of neutrophils. In addition, the platelet count also begins to rise soon after delivery. Dengue infection causes leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and a degree of thrombocytopenia is associated with the severity of dengue fever. Therefore, the interpretation of CBC and its correlation with the particular stage of dengue fever may not be accurate in pregnancy.
Still, there are no recommendations on mode and time of delivery for mothers with dengue infection. It was only due to this mother falling critically ill, was a multidisciplinary team approach considered. As fetal maturity was satisfactory but cervix not favorable, a CS was planned under spinal anaesthesia. It was carried out as urgent procedure due to several reasons. There was a high possibility of the patient entering the critical phase within the following few hours and if it did, the persistence of severe thrombocytopenia would last for next 2–3 days, with a high risk of bleeding during that period. Therefore immediate delivery was carried out.
Miscarriages, preterm labour, fetal abnormalities, increased risk of bleeding, low birth weight and maternal death in extreme cases, have been reported as adverse effects of dengue in pregnancy [4]. There are reported cases of vertical transmission of dengue infection and they have been confirmed by identification of dengue virus in cord blood samples [5]. Although dengue virus identification in cord blood was not performed in this case, development of fever on the 5th day of life and positive NS 1 antigen without a history of mosquito bites, supported the diagnosis of vertical transmission. The onset of fever following the 4–10 days of the normal incubation period of dengue is also favors the diagnosis [7]. All reported cases of vertical transmission have occurred around the delivery, probably due to lack of sufficient time to confer the passive immunity to the fetus [5]. Duration between the onset of maternal fever and delivery affects the time of onset of dengue fever in the neonate [8]. Only a few case reports of vertical transmission of dengue are currently available and according to this limited literature, the time of onset of fever in neonates, ranged from 16 h to 11 days after birth and lasted from 2 to 6 days [8].
In conclusion, it seems that, dengue infection during pregnancy can have various adverse effects on the mother as well as on the neonate. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis, close monitoring, timely intervention and critical consideration of physiological changes of pregnancy when interpreting clinical situation, would have led us to achieve the successful outcome of this case.
2DECHO:
Two-dimensional echocardiogram
ALT:
Alanine transaminase
AST:
Aspartate transaminase
CBC:
Critical phase
CRFT:
Capillary refill time
CRP:
C reactive protein
Hb:
IV:
Intravenous
LSCS:
Lower segment caesarian section
NS-1:
Non-structural protein 1
PCV:
Packed cell volume
POG:
Period of gestation
Pulse rate
SBU:
Special baby unit
USS:
WBC:
We would like to appreciate the neonatal intensive care team for their immense help received during the management of the neonate.
Availability of data and material
All the data used and or analyzed during case report development have been included in the case presentation.
SH, BVKMB, KKGN and DSKK made equal contribution to the identification of the patient, conception of the work, diagnosis and treatment, data collection and analysis, drafting the manuscript, writing references, revising it critically for important intellectual content, final development of case report and all gave final approval of the version to be submitted.
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.
Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Teaching Hospital Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Teaching Hospital Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka
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Clinical Description for Case Definitions. Dengue | CDC. Cdc.gov. 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/clinicallab/casedef.html. Accessed 11 Oct 2017.
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Friedman EE, Dallah F, Harville EW, Myers L, Buekens P, Breart G, et al. Symptomatic dengue infection during pregnancy and infant outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8:e3226.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
Yin X, Zhong X, Pan S. Vertical transmission of dengue infection: the first putative case reported in China. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2016;58:90.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
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World Health Organization. Dengue and severe dengue. 2018. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed 23 Aug 2018.
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Meet our first recipient, Dee. She was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized to her brain. She is receiving radiation and chemotherapy and fighting against the odds. She knows that God has a plan for her life and is walking in faith.


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32: On the Road Again
Mon Sep 30 00:23:52 EDT 2019
Stories in this episode: Brooke's love of buying cars on eBay sends her on an epic road trip through Church history; an unexpected breakdown in a small town puts Cheryn's family in the path of miracles; Retta discovers the power of reaching out when her travels to the Greek Isles land her in a precarious position.
Brooke with the car she bought on eBay.
The cars Brooke's family has bought on eBay.
Cheryn and her five siblings around the time of their trip from Preston, Idaho, back home.
Retta with her husband on their trip to Greece.
KaRyn: Welcome to "This is the Gospel," an LDS Living podcast where we feature real stories from real people who are practicing and living their faith every day. I'm your host, KaRyn Lay. I honestly don't think there's anything quite as satisfying as that moment on an airplane after you've been herded down the jetway, and you've listened to the safety instructions and put away all your devices. That engine starts to whir and your body lurches back against your headrest as you barrel down the tarmac for takeoff. I love that little stomach flip as the plane takes flight. Or what about when you finally settled into your spot in the backseat of the family station wagon, and you've got pillows tucked all around you and a huge bag of Twizzlers, not Red Vines, never Red Vines, and you're ready with the next installment of your book series. And don't even get me started on the virtues of trains and boats. I love traveling. There's just something about that space in between everything. Between where you've been and where you're going, that seems to ignite every ounce of my imagination. And listen, I'm also a huge fan of arriving at my final destination, especially if I've been squeezed into a middle seat in coach. But I think it's possible to focus so much on the endpoint that we might miss some of the beauty inherent in the act of getting there. This can be especially true of our spiritual lives as we labor in our faith. Well, in this episode of the podcast, forgive me for saying it, if course I have to say it, we are celebrating the joy we find in the journey. We've got three stories of travel and how the trips we take can become solid spiritual touchstones along the road of discipleship. Our first story comes from Brooke, whose epic solo road trip started with eBay, and ended with a very important lesson about where we put our time and our energy. Here's Brooke.
Brooke: Okay, I just need to tell you, I never wanted a new car. And when I say new car, I mean a used car because I don't buy new cars. And in my life, cars have always been a thing. I grew up with a dad who just had a thing for cars, not nice cars, not fancy cars, not fast cars, just cars. And when we would hang out together, he and my mom and I would go out to town. And we could cruise the used car lots. And that's what we did. And he tell us all the specs and the make and model and why this is good. And so I knew a lot about cars. And the funniest part about it is my dad had, you know, back in the early 90s, mid 90s, I guess discovered eBay. And so all of a sudden, this was a new source of cars. People would put a car on there for $1,000 and then the bidding war would start and then you just, you win or you don't, you know, and it was very exciting, this adrenaline rush, plus, you get a car out of it. And then, since my sister was a flight attendant, he would jump on a plane and, you know, go look at the car and usually drive it home to Montana. And so all through graduate school, I drove just kind of a clunker car that got me from here to there. I mean, they were kind of these, like it was an Acura, but it had like 200,000 miles on it. And if a car could get you from point A to point B, that's all we really needed. And so as we're nearing graduation, we're, all the classmates, are talking about what we're going to do with that first paycheck and what they're going to buy. And a lot of my classmates wanted, you know, a new car. And they were all driving clunkers, well, I was driving the clunker and I was totally fine with that. And I didn't need a new car. And my dad's eBay wisdom was working for me where I hadn't had a car payment, didn't need a car payment, didn't need a fancy car. Well, sure enough, my first day as a therapist, I am, you know, making a left-hand turn and another woman just went through a red light and t-boned me and totaled my car that I was just going to drive forever. So here I found myself needing a new car with the first paycheck that I was going to have as an adult. So what do I do? Look on eBay. I knew what kind of car I wanted. And again, nothing fancy. It was $8,000, which is more than I'd ever spent on a car. So I bid on this car, and I won and the car was in Florida. Great, perfect. So I get on an airplane and I fly to Florida to pick it up.
PILOT'S VOICE: Ladies and gentlemen this your captain speaking, prepare for takeoff.
Brooke: Now mind you, I'd done this the time or two. But this is probably the longest distance that I'd ever traveled to purchase the car. But you know, excited. I'd never really spent any time in Florida. I get the car, it's everything I thought it would be, it runs great. So I start driving. Of course, I was smart enough to pack a huge binder of CDs. This was actually 2005 and so I had a cell phone. But you know you didn't have music anywhere else besides CDs. And so I had a binder of CDs and realized very quickly that there were at least 40 hours of driving I was going to be doing and my CD and music selection was probably going to get boring, and definitely did. As I was flipping through my CD binder to find something new, I came across the CDs of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. So my dad had burned these CDs for me, probably, I don't know, maybe two or three years prior. And you know, going to school and I was working full time. Yeah, I just didn't think I had the time to, or maybe even didn't want to, you know, listen to the Book of Mormon. And I'm about 25 and I would say I'd kind of coasted in my life a little bit spiritually, I was focused.
I'm in the car, I'm somewhere around Tennessee, Nashville and I find these CDs of the Book of Mormon. I'm like, all right, well, all I got is time now, so maybe now's a good time to, to start listening. And I'd read the Book of Mormon a couple of times, just kind of going through the motions. So I pop in the CDs to start listening. And I was surprised like it was one of those CDs where, I can't remember the narrator, but he kind of comes in and gives a little inserts about what's happening in the Book of Mormon at that time. So it kind of helped me understand on a new level. And I was kind of like, oh, wow, I'm learning a lot here. This is great. I realized pretty quickly, like, Hey, I have all this time. And I don't really have to take this southern route home. Man, I could probably hit some church history sites like that's out here somewhere, right in the Midwest. So you know, I pull out my Atlas— and oh, I literally had an Atlas. There was no Google mapping at that time, or at least probably not that I was savvy enough to use. But yeah, I pull out the Atlas and realize like, Oh, hey, if I just went north a little bit, like I could hit Nauvoo. So I called my dad, which he was obviously well versed in road trips with all of his eBay car purchases. He's like, yeah, you should really yeah, you should go to Nauvoo and then you could hit Independence and Liberty Jail and you can kind of do that route. And I was like, cool.
So I start heading north, and I'd gotten, you know, probably halfway through the Book of Mormon and I realized, oh, I'm headed to these church history sites. And I have all these Doctrine and Covenants, CDs, maybe I should get some background. And so I popped in the CDs for the Doctrine and Covenants and started listening. You know, pioneer stories, that sort of thing we're never really a huge part of my life, my parents are converts and I didn't grow up in Utah. And so I just feel like I probably breezed over that in seminary and just, you know, thought, oh, must have been hard for them.
So as I'm listening to the Doctrine and Covenants, and I get to Nauvoo, again, never having been there before, and probably not really feeling the sacrifice and having the vision of that place. I was really just struck. I think when I walked up to Carthage Jail, and, you know, just reading the plaques and the story, again, I don't know how to explain it. It just, I mean, it touched me, it hurt a little, it felt like, how did I not know this? Or how did this even happen to our prophet? And I think that's really what it was, is that the Spirit confirmed to me that Joseph Smith was a prophet there. I mean, I feel like I knew that, kind of. Because honestly, if you would have asked me, I would have said, "Yeah, you know, I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet." And, of course, I believed that those people, the saints, and the pioneers made that journey, that was never a question in my mind, necessarily. But it was almost like this fable that had come true to me. You know, it's something that I'd heard for so long, but it was real. And the people were real. And their hardship was intense and real. I spent a long time in Nauvoo and it was the most gorgeous night. I mean, the sunset was incredible on the river. And I just sat there for a long time and I remember just lingering there. And I didn't leave until dark. I think I just, I think, really, my mind was blown.
So I finally I left Nauvoo and the next day drove to Independence, Missouri. And again, you know, now all the sudden, this, like fire was inside of me, like this curiosity. I was like, oh, give me all the church history. Why don't I know about any of this stuff? Like, who has been keeping this from me? And I'm calling my parents like, "Okay, what happened next? What's in the story?" Like what, you know, and where do I find all of this, and my dad is probably laughing at me. But I think he was also like, really eager to share, which was fun. I'm like still kind of listening to the Doctrine and Covenants and then the Book of Mormon, you know, I kind of switch back and forth. So I come to Independence, Missouri. Well, first of all, when you pull into a church history site, and there's missionaries and senior couples everywhere, and you know, people eager to show you the sites or help. And they're like, "Hey, what are you doing here?" And I said, "Oh, I'm on this road trip."
"Oh, why are you on a road trip?"
"Well, I bought a car. And I'm driving, you know, back home."
"Oh, well, who are you with?"
Well, I'm by myself."
And oh, that sets off alarms with these senior couples, they get very worried about you, by yourself. So I raised a lot of eyebrows, I think, and again, cool experience there. And that just kind of learning about what had happened there and drive from Independence to Liberty, Missouri. When I arrived there, I remember a senior missionary couple, greeting me and welcoming me and, you know, asking again my story about why I was alone, traveling, and I think I was the only one at Liberty Jail at that moment. And if you've been to Liberty Jail, you know, there's kind of a visitor center section, and then they walk you down where you can sit right in front of the room where Joseph Smith was held. They led me down to the jail area. And it felt a little awkward because this senior couple was kind of following me around a little bit and hovering, which was kind of nice. But then, she sat me there on the bench and we just kind of sat in silence for a minute. And then she left. And I was just alone. Before I got there, I had listened to the Doctrine and Covenants, to those verses that Joseph wrote during the jail and his hardships there. And so of course, my emotions were definitely on the surface. And I just was sitting there with this piece of history of the church. But I think even more than that, it was like the piece of the puzzle of just the restoration for me, the gospel, like what I believed in. I don't think I ever questioned that Joseph Smith was the Prophet, but he was so pivotal to this gospel, and that he, being a human, being flawed, just like the rest of us could receive such inspiration and guidance, and to set that example, that I can do the same thing. And I think I learned that in those moments, especially in Liberty Jail when he was at such a dark place, questioning himself probably, questioning was this revelation, was this his path? Was this what God wanted him to do? I mean, I think we've all been there. And if he did what he did, and all these saints did what they did, to bring forth this book, that I was now gaining this understanding of the Book of Mormon as I was listening, that I knew that my savior lived and, and died for me. So it was a moment that I'll never forget. And I feel so grateful to have had that time to just be quiet, and to listen, and to feel the words of the Book of Mormon, the words of Joseph Smith, and to feel their sacrifice. I mean, it really is, you know, kind of this anchoring point as the years go by, and a witness that I feel like I can never, that I can never deny.
When I got home from my road trip, I started back into work. But I realized, I think I realized what I was missing. There was this desire that had never been there before. I started taking three Institute classes. I just, I just that's what I wanted to do. I took a church history class, and I think I had an institute three or four times a week, different classes. And the funniest part about it is that's how I met my husband at an institute class. But to have a desire as now "adult" to learn, and really, like, dive into the gospel. I feel like Heavenly Father knew that I was kind of coasting. And I, you know, I've done that since. There are definitely moments that I coast in my spirituality. I remember saying this in church, actually, this year, when we change to the "Come, Follow Me" program. And I was like, oh, man, wait a minute, this isn't being spoon-fed to me anymore. And I think that's what that road trip taught me is that I have to seek after it, I have to go after it. I have to make the time, I have to be present, be open to learning, be quiet. Because I can coast, I can fake it and if I don't take the time, I won't receive a witness. I won't have that desire, that fire to make my testimony grow, unless I'm quiet, unless I take the time.
KaRyn: That was Brooke. Since that road trip, years ago, Brooke's eBay car-buying criteria has changed just a little bit to include room for four more people and some car seats. And as you can imagine, the time for quiet seeking is even harder for her to find. But that's the whole point of Brooke's story, right? We have to choose to keep the fire of our testimony even when, and especially when it's harder to do. I also find it so interesting that it wasn't until Brooke was on the road with a relatively solid plan that God offered her the opportunity to take that detour that would affect her testimony so powerfully. Maybe those unexpected but holy deviations in our path are the place where God finally has our attention fully enough to show us something new. And I also think that whether they are thrust upon us, or offered as an option, we have a choice to show up to those detours with a curious heart to learn what he wants us to learn along the way. Our next story comes from Cheryn and while it's also about a car and a road trip, her experience is so unique and so surprising that we couldn't help but share it here Cheryn.
Cheryn: Around Christmas time my family had gone to visit my grandparents who lived in Preston, Idaho. When it was time for our trip to end, we headed home. We were going along and as per normal for a family road trip, our car broke down. My dad got out of the car to see what was wrong. And if it was something that he could fix, but it was so cold. And the thermometer said that it was 17 below outside and that didn't take into account the wind chill factor and it was crazy windy. It was so windy I remember sitting in the van and it was just shaking from the wind blowing it. And he kind of looked to see if there was anything obvious that he could see and he got back in the car. And we said a prayer. And I remember that we prayed that we could figure out what was wrong, that we could get somewhere where we could fix it or that we would you know at least get home safely. As we waited in the car, a state trooper stopped and he asked us what was going on. And he actually called the tow company for us. So we were towed to the closest town which was on the border of Utah and Nevada. Now I had six kids in my family growing up. And this was before you could ride in the car as it was being towed. And so we had to all pile into the cab of a tow truck with the driver. And it was so crowded and cramped and crazy. And the tow truck driver kept asking my brother to get his foot off of the accelerator because there was just no room and his foot kept spilling over into his space and he'd move his leg and his knee would pop the gears out of place. We were very cramped, there was a lot of groaning as we would turn or hit a bump and a lot of laughing. We just laughed so hard because it was exactly something that would happen to us on a vacation. But we ended up at a gas station.
We all slithered out of the tow truck as our legs were numb from sitting in those positions for so long. As we were there at the gas station, my dad was trying to figure out what was going on. But it was so bitterly cold that taking his gloves off, it just was killing his hands. And so he couldn't have his gloves off for very long, which made it difficult to figure out what was going on and how to fix it. Meanwhile, the kids, you know, it was just an adventure for us. We were running all around trying to stay warm and to stay positive and play. One by one, we each needed to use the restroom. And so my mom, you know, first she took my oldest brother, they went to the bathroom and came back and five minutes later another had to go. And then later another had to go. And so she kept going back to this gas station bathroom. And you could tell that they were not very happy with us there. She even bought snacks to try and you know, say well, we're customers, can we use your restroom? But they were getting irritated. And by the time my youngest sister had to go to the bathroom, my mom was feeling a little insecure about the thought of using the restroom again. And so instead, we walked down a little ways to a little cafe that was open so that we could use their bathroom.
When we walked into the restroom, I saw a woman from my Sacramento, California ward in the bathroom. And I said, "Mom, look!" And they, you know, they looked at each other and they recognized each other and they started chatting.
"Well, what are you doing here?"
"Well, we were visiting family, we're headed home. What are you doing here?"
"Well, we were visiting family, but our car broke down. And so we're stuck here just trying to figure out where we go from here."
And as they chatted about it, they decided that they were not going to leave us until they knew that we could get home safely. And so they joined our family at the gas station. And the two dads together tried to fix the car. And after not having any success with that, decided that they were going to use the 20-foot tow rope that my dad had in the car, and they were going to tow us home. So most of my family joined them in their van. And they had a lot of kids too. I can't remember exactly how many they had, but I think that there were about 13 of us in their van. And it was a, you know, big passenger van. And I think if I'm remembering correctly that all of the seats were taken out except maybe a couple of them. So we were just a pile of kids, tons of blankets, lots of pillows. And I remember being very warm. I remember being in there very tight and snuggly and secure. And we were singing and playing games and falling asleep on each other.
But my parents and my older brother had a very different ride home. They rode in our van and it had no power to keep them warm. So they were bundled up in sleeping bags. They were just really cold in the van riding home and trying to keep that tow rope tight. We were traveling home over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which were very, you know, it was the middle of winter, so it was really icy and very slippery. There were five times that the driver of the good van would, the brother and our ward would start too fast and the rope would snap. It snapped five times. And they would stop and you could just feel, you know the van as a kid, I just remember thinking, oh, you know, there's a little extra power here. And that's because the tow rope had snapped and they'd have to pull over, back up to my parents. They'd get out, retie the rope, and we'd be on the road again. We really finished our trip with about seven foot of the rope left because it had snapped and broken so many times. So they ended up taking us all the way home from the border of Utah and Nevada to Sacramento, California to our little suburb of Alberta. And they dropped us off at our house. I remember thinking how grateful I was. And I remember, at 10 years old, how that experience solidified my testimony of prayer and that prayers are answered. Because we got home, we didn't know, you know, we didn't fix it. We hoped we could fix it, we hoped we'd be able to get ourselves home. And it didn't work that way. But because of the love of our neighbors that we found in a bathroom, in the middle of nowhere, 520 miles away from home, we were able to get home and they were willing to make their trip home harder in order to get us home safely. Through the years I've thought about this, as my struggles have come personally or as a parent now with a family of my own. There are times that you just you feel maybe a little defeated. But I know, because of this experience that I had when I was 10 years old with my family, that prayers are heard and answered. And you never know how they're going to be answered. And you never know who's going to answer them. I just hope that someday that I can be the hands of the Lord in the life of someone else who needs a miracle.
KaRyn: That was Cheryn. We received Cheryn's story from our pitch line and while I love the miracle of bumping into her board member at a random cafe, I honestly think my favorite part was the role the grumpy gas station owners played in helping God's work get done. It's a total testament to me that our Heavenly Father can use every circumstance, including people who are not having their best human moment, to show us His goodness. It's an invitation for all of us to give everyone in our stories, including the ones behaving badly, just a little more grace than we might otherwise.
Our final story of travel comes to us from Retta, who despite her best attempts to learn the language, found her communication skills lacking when she was struck with a sudden illness on a trip overseas. Here's Retta.
Retta: I don't really consider myself an adventurous person, although I love to travel. Even though I really wanted to see the theater of Dionysus and the theater of Epidaurus, Greece seemed a little far. It just seemed a little too exotic and out of my comfort zone to go there. So when my son called and said their friends had backed down on a trip that they had planned for Greece, my husband and I were up for it, a little nervous, but we thought it'd be really fun and I thought it'd be pretty exciting to see the Parthenon. My daughter-in-law had planned this trip out to the T, we knew exactly how many days we were in Athens, how many days were in the Peloponnese. Everything was planned out, where we were staying, everything. So we felt secure about that, it's just the difference in culture, language. I had tried to learn some Greek before I left. I put an app on my phone and found out how terrible I am about languages. I kept getting the wrong consonant sound. I couldn't say much. That made me really nervous because I like to at least know how to say, "Where's the restroom? How much does this cost? Is it left of the building," or, or whatever, just little common things that you could say. It took me forever to learn to say "thank you" and "hi" in Greek. And it just seemed impossible to me. When I landed in Athens, we took a bus into town which took about an hour and a half. It was like a spiritual experience looking up and seeing the Acropolis and the Parthenon up there. I took my breath away every time I looked at it. I've been a high school and middle school theatre teacher for many, many years, so it was exciting to see all of the things that I had been teaching all those years.
So we're moving along on the agenda, and everything's going wonderful, but I'm starting to feel some pain. And I have had some health issues a number of years ago. So I knew exactly where this was headed. And I started to get a little concerned that I was going to be very sick because it comes on pretty rapidly. So we had, for our next destination, just a little town. And by this time, I'm really not feeling well. We arrived in the early evening, we had dinner, I'm starting to feel more and more pain and feeling more and more concerned. And we are in lodging that's called the "Captain House." And it's a beautiful, redecorated home that that's very old and historic. But I can barely enjoy it now because I am feeling so much pain. And I asked my husband if he could give me a blessing. Because in the past when this happened, I would end up in the hospital and I had surgery. He didn't have any oil, but he gave me a comfort blessing. And he started to search on his iPhone for some medical facilities. We found out there were no medical facilities. We were like two and a half hours to three hours away from Athens. We were out in the middle of nowhere, literally. And in this little town of Galaxidi, they had a clinic that was open once a week from seven to 10 on Monday morning, and that was it. This was Friday night and I knew that would not make it, especially when we're supposed to fly out Sunday.
So he looked around in the area to see if there was anything that was even available. And he found a little Hospital in a little place called Amfissa and it was a half-hour away. But that was the closest thing. So we thought, that's a possibility. But as the pain increased, I just really felt the strong need to reach out to some of my friends and my niece to pray for me. Now, this is really unusual. This is not something I do, I feel very private about health issues. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers for other people. I just didn't think that this is something that I needed to ask for. So this was really unusual. And my husband was shocked when he asked me, "What are you doing?" And I said, "I'm texting to have my friends pray for me." And he gave me a strange look because he knew this was very, very unusual. And then he, I think he thought is that bad that you really feel like you have to ask people to pray. In fact, I was getting to the point where I just felt like I needed to go home. And it was just ridiculous. The flights were like 10-hour layovers in London, another layover in New York would've been like 20 hours. And I knew with this kind of pain, I would not make it. So what we decided is that in the morning, if I could make it through the night, we would drive up to Amfissa, the little town that had the hospital. I think the blessing helped me through the night, I really do. I know the Heavenly Father could have just stopped the pain and healed me right then, but that didn't seem to be the answer that I needed. But I did make it through the night. So I felt blessed. I felt like I had been blessed. So my son drove us 30 minutes away up to the little hospital. And when we pulled into the emergency entrance, we pulled clear and back at the hospital because we didn't know how to get to the front. And you went in and there was a little desk and the two doctors that were on duty were around that little desk talking. And then there were three beds, not far from that desk where, I guess, they'd put people who'd come in for the emergency. And I thought, "Oh, dear." It was so different than our medical facilities in the United States. But they asked me what was wrong. My son understood some Greek, but not anything medically. And I couldn't say anything but hello, or thank you. But the two doctors did speak some English. And then they had explained to me that I needed a blood test and some lab work. When they got the results, they called me in and said they were actually quite surprised that the infection was as bad as it was. They said, "You need to stay in the hospital tonight." This was Saturday and we were supposed to fly out of Athens for Naxos the next day, that was the next step of our agenda. And I was going to ruin the trip for everyone. And I said I can't stay in the hospital tonight, we're supposed to fly to Naxos tomorrow. And the doctor looked at me horrified, "You can't go to Naxos." And I said, "Well, I can't stay here." I said, "Is there a train or some way I can get to Athens from here?" And she said, "No, I'm sorry." And I said, well, then I have to leave with my family tomorrow. I was starting to panic because the pain was really, really severe at this point. It was nonstop, it didn't even let up. I didn't know what I was going to do. And then she told me I had to stay in the hospital that night. And I thought I can't do this. It's going to ruin it for everybody and I have no way to get home. So I was really panicking. And she looked at me and she said, "Well, what we can do is admit you and put an IV in with some very strong antibiotics and just see what it's like from there." And I said, "Please," because that sounded like our only option. So she sent me up on the second floor.
No one, and I mean, no one was in the hospital. A nurse came in who didn't speak English at all, and she let me know, "No English." That was what she said, don't even attempt to speak English to me, because I don't understand one word. So we would gesture, but she put the IV in. They said that this would take till five o'clock. That was the time my son was supposed to come back and pick us up. And the doctor came in to talk to me for a little bit. And she said, "Are you sure you can't stay tonight?" And I told her that wasn't a possibility. So she gave me a very strong prescription that we need to fill at the pharmacy and gave me, before they took the IV out, a very strong painkiller. And that is the last pain I had. It was like a miracle. Because the doctor had told me I would not feel well. She still tried to talk me out of the flight, she said, "You will not feel well tomorrow, you could probably go to the even the next day where you're not going to feel well." But the minute I left that hospital, I felt better. And I kept feeling better and better until the next morning. I literally woke up and felt great and I knew that I could get on the flight to Naxos. I made it through the rest of the trip without any further incident. I took it easy, but I was fine. When we finally landed in Naxos, I texted my friends and my niece back because they were concerned how I was and had found out that not only had they prayed, but they had texted their extended family and had them pray. And my niece called and had my name placed on the prayer roles in two different temples. Besides the blessing my husband gave me, I really felt like their prayers were answered. I guess it was just— this was a time where I needed to learn that sometimes you're in a situation where you need more than your faith. Sometimes Heavenly Father wants you to know that you have to ask others to help you. And as uncomfortable as that may be, to ask other people to pray for you, sometimes maybe that is going to be your only solution. That their prayers, their faith, sometimes when you're feeling weak, and not strong enough, their prayers can get you through it. And maybe that's why I wasn't just healed immediately. Whoop dee doo, I'm, you know, I'm healed, you know. So maybe that's what I had to learn, that no matter where you are, even if you're in a little remote area in Greece, where you don't speak the language, where you don't have access to church members or the most up-to-date medical facilities, I could have other people pray for me, and that I was taken care of.
KaRyn: That was Retta. When we were recording this story. I was so surprised to hear her say that while she believed that her prayers for others reached the heavens, she wasn't sure that prayers from others could help her. Because I have truly never met a person who embodies generosity of spirit more than Retta. But I actually think that the lesson she learned is one that we could all use, I know I could use it. If it was only so easy to strike that balance between selflessly extending God's love to others while also believing ourselves worthy of God's love, I don't think the Savior would have had to spell it out so clearly when he told us that greatest commandment to love others as we love ourselves. Asking for help and seeking support is one of the most self-loving things we can do. And sometimes, I think it can take a lot of courage to believe that we're worthy of it, and welcome to it. But the thing that struck me about Retta's story is that God knew. He prompted her to reach out and when she courageously obeyed, she was blessed to know just how He felt about her. We have one more part of Retta's story that I wanted to share. It's short, but I think it's important. Here's Retta.
Retta: I do have to say, though, I listened to "This is the Gospel." The night I was in pain, I sat and listen to other people's stories. And I particularly listened to the podcast about the simple things. And when the lady told about the story about the woman from Nigeria, bringing her a cup of sugar, it really touched my heart and gave me the strength to spiritually stay strong, even though I was so frightened.
KaRyn: There's this part of any trip that doesn't work really make the cut when we're picking out all the pretty pictures for our Instagram feed. It's that moment when you've been driving for seven hours and everyone else is asleep, but you. You're in the middle of nowhere and the radio is just a mishmash of jumbled signals. You're tired, but you have to keep going because what waits for you on the other end of the cornfields on those never-ending cornfields is something worth driving toward. Or maybe it's that dark night in a Greek hospital bed, wondering if the pain will subside in time for you to make it to your scheduled flight off the island. Those lonely moments where exhaustion and doubt and even boredom threatened to derail our hope is the exact moment when we need our fellow travelers to find us. Of course, God knows where we are, but He definitely expects us to help illustrate it to one another. To meet each other on the road or in the cafe bathroom on the border of California and Nevada. He needs us remind one another that our travels are worth it and that we are connected to something more than ourselves. He wants us to walk together as we traverse the sometimes rocky terrain toward our Savior. And isn't it amazing to think that your stories, our stories, can do this for one another even when we can't be there in person? We give each other strength in the middle of our travels and detours and dark nights when we bear witness of His goodness with our authentic true experiences. They don't have to be perfect, we don't have to be perfect. We just need to show up and get on the road, He'll take care of the rest.
That's it for this episode of "This is the Gospel." Thank you to Cheryn and my friends Brooke and Retta for sharing their stories and their testimony. We'll have the transcript of this episode as well as some fun pictures from Brooke and Retta's stories in our show notes at ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel. That's ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel. Go to the episode and then down at the bottom you'll see the transcript and the show notes. So head on over. We love hearing from you on our pitch line. If you have a story to share, leave us a short three-minute pitch, a story pitch at 515-519-6179. You can find out what themes we're working on right now by following us on Instagram and Facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast. And don't forget to tell us about your experience with this episode or with the whole podcast. Take the time to leave a review on the Apple Podcast app or on Bookshelf PLUS+ from Deseret Book. Believe it or not, your reviews actually help us to move up in the rankings on Apple, which helps more people find it, and couldn't everyone use a little more storytelling in their lives?
This episode was produced by me, KaRyn Lay, with story producing from Katie Lambert. It was scored, mixed and mastered by Mix at Six Studios and our executive producer is, as always, Erin Hallstrom. You can find past episodes this podcast and other LDS Living podcasts at ldsliving.com/podcasts. Have a great week.


Paul Myers moves his one-person wooden DN Ice Boat away from shore for another run across Crystal Lake as his son's Goldendoodle, Simba, watches on Thursday, Feb 3. "Ideal conditions are thick and smooth ice, no snow and a breeze." Myers said.


Hawaii: Part II is often incomprehensible and compelling at the same time. With all its smushed-up genres and intertextual references, it's meta music, Abed Nadir music, music for our hyperlinked times. It's damn clever, but it's also a deeply silly album, reassuringly. Hawley gets pretentious at times, but you're invited along for the ride, not glared at for not getting the joke. What's more, the pretentiousness is mostly well-earned. One of Hawaii: Part II's best features is the possibility that, to some degree, it represents something really truly new. Yes, it's meta and stuff, and as 2013 dawns there's nothing new about being meta, but Hawaii: Part II is far from just being the latest bit of mashup culture. Its degree of craft takes it a step or two beyond, a foot forward into whatever it is that comes next after hipster jokes and TVtropes and reaction gifs. I'm looking forward to it.
But seriously, this is a pretty accurate review, I am a huge Tally Hall fan, and after hearing this album once or twice I was in the same boat of thinking how odd and confusing it was….. but then after I became strangely addicted to listening to it every day for weeks, all of it began to come together.
The project is actually translated as "Miracle Musical," and it is undoubtedly formatted as a musical if you think about the repeated melodies throughout, and put all of the lyrics and tunes together. Again, very different and complex, yet very engrossing at the same time.
Thanks Karsten! Yeah, I wasn't sure if "Musical Miracle" or "Miracle Musical" was more accurate. But you're right, it definitely has that stage-show feel. If only they'd bring it on the road.


Molecular Matrix, Inc. ("MMI"), a California company incorporated in August 2011, has been developing an innovative bone regeneration product based on a novel hyper-crosslinked carbohydrate polymer (HCCP) technology. MMI received a 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Osteo-PTM Bone Graft Substitute (Osteo-PTM BGS), manufactured using the HCCP technology. MMI expects to enter the orthopedic market in Q3 2018. The global bone graft and substitutes market is expected to grow to $3.6 billion by 2024 with an estimated CAGR of 5.2% from 2016. Currently, off-the-shelf bone substitute products (e.g., demineralized bone matrix, hydroxyapatite) are available for various bone conditions. These products have multiple inherent disadvantages associated with their use such as disease transmission, insufficient bone formation, poor absorption over time, inability to evaluate bone formation real-time, inability to be used as an efficient carrier of biologics or molecules, and high cost of utilization. MMI is uniquely poised to eliminate these problems using the platform HCCP technology and enter the market with a safe, clinically effective, and inexpensive orthopedic solution that is rapidly replaced by new bone formed in patients.


The month of April is of particular significance for all of us here at Deep River Snacks. Recognized around the world as Autism Awareness Month, April is a time for all of us to celebrate and promote autism awareness.
This year, Deep River Snacks will show our support for those individuals and their family members who are affected by autism, by regularly sharing facts about the disease on our social media accounts and showing you how you can get involved in Autism Awareness Month, yourself.
We will also be highlighting one of our amazing charity partners, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Established in 1998 by former NFL quarterback, Doug Flutie, and his wife, Laurie, the foundation was created in honor of their son, Doug, Jr., who was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years old.
Since the inception of the Foundation, it has raised millions of dollars for Autism research and for families affected by the disease through corporate and individual donations, fundraisers and endorsements.
We are very grateful to all of our followers, family members, friends and charity partners who will join us in spreading awareness of Autism this month!