Bilingual Program Focuses on Latino Health Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 13, 2011

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

FIRST BILINGUAL PROGRAM TO AIR

ON WQED-TV FOCUSES ON HEALTH ISSUES IN

PITTSBURGH’S LATINO COMMUNITY

Horizons

Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV

PITTSBURGH—On Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. WQED-TV will air its first bilingual program in English and Spanish. Pittsburgh’s Latino community makes up less than two percent of the city’s population, but the numbers are growing. Still, more than a third of the Latino population in the Pittsburgh region lacks health insurance, and most don’t get proper health care for a variety of reasons. Contributing reporter Cindy Fernandez speaks with doctors and leaders of local outreach organizations working to make health care more affordable and available to Pittsburgh’s Latino community in this special episode of Horizons.

Segment topics:

Children’s Health - Dr. Diego Chaves-Gnecco, a pediatrician with Children’s Hospital first came to Pittsburgh from Columbia 14 years ago. Wanting to address barriers such as language, transportation, cultural differences and insurance, Dr. Chaves-Gnecco created southwestern Pennsylvania’s first bilingual pediatrics clinic called Salud Para Niño’s or Health for the Children. Outside of the clinic the doctor holds health fairs, performs car seat checks and helps to provide Pittsburgh’s medical community with bilingual literacy programs.

Women’s Health - Latin-American women have many barriers that prevent them from taking care of their health. Some are cultural: Latinas find pap exams to be embarrassing or fear the compression of the breast during a mammogram spreads cancer. Others don’t seek medical attention because they can’t afford it. The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is finding ways to encourage Latinas to take better care of their health.

Men’s Health – The Latino Engagement Group for Salud (LEGS) serves as a first step for Latino men by guiding them to available health resources in the Pittsburgh region. In this segment WQED profiles the people who are working to spread medical information, and trust, among the male Latino population in Pittsburgh.

This special episode of Horizons is being produced by Emmy® award-winning WQED producers Richard Cook, Nathalie Berry and Pierina Morelli, along with contributing producer Maria Kakay.

Funding for this episode of Horizons was made possible by a grant WQED received earlier this year as part of a national partnership between PBS stations and faith-based organizations, the Department of Justice Community-Oriented Policing Services Office, National League of Cities, National Hispanic Media Coalition, and Welcoming America for the Not In Our Town project. Not In Our Town is a documentary series and national effort to connect people working together to take action against hate and create safe, inclusive communities.

Following in the longstanding tradition of Black Horizons which focused on the African American community, Horizons is a more contemporary offering hosted by WQED’s Chris Moore. The show recognizes and celebrates the many facets of our diverse community through studio interviews and on-location stories. Horizons airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV and archived episodes may be found at wqed.org/horizons.

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

WQED Season Spotlights Community Health, Diversity and Regional Issues

WQED'S NEW SEASON OF LOCAL PROGRAMMING SPOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY HEALTH, DIVERSITY AND REGIONALISM ISSUES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 11, 2011



CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghaziman@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org



WQED’S NEW SEASON OF LOCAL PROGRAMMING

SPOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY HEALTH, DIVERSITY AND REGIONALISM ISSUES


PITTSBURGH – WQED’s new season of local programs covers the region with a crop of fresh new stories, documentaries, and talk programs focusing on topics including the environment, regionalism, diversity, health, politics and history.

October 13 begins the second season of Rick Sebak’s It’s Pittsburgh and A Lot of Other Stuff. The award-winning documentarian has a new slot in prime time – the second Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.

The locally-focused documentary program Experience, which received 8 Mid-Atlantic Emmy® nominations in its first season, returns on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. beginning October 24.

Horizons, a blend of features and interviews focusing on the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity continues on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. starting November 1 hosted by Chris Moore.

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. will again feature Pittsburgh 360°. The magazine-format program profiles people, places and issues shaping the region, and will re-launch on October 20 hosted by Michael Bartley and Tonia Caruso.

4802 returns on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning October 28. Chris Moore hosts the lively discussion of the news of the week, with a regular panel that welcomes well-known Pittsburgh television, radio and web personality Lynn Cullen in the new season. Cullen, a popular guest panelist in past episodes, joins Bill Green, Heather Heidelbaugh and Valerie McDonald Roberts.

Below are upcoming highlights of WQED’s local programming:

Experience

Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (Each episode will ENCORE Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. of the following week) – Upcoming episodes include:

• October 24

Living With Diabetes - Despite efforts from the medical community to promote awareness, the number of diabetes cases continues to rise. People with diabetes know that the disease affects just about every aspect of their lives. WQED follows four local people of various ages and lifestyles diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic who are successfully managing their health with medication, exercise, diet and determination.

• October 31

Managing Marcellus – This unusual look at the Marcellus Shale issue centers around a locally-produced play with actors in the roles of a gas industry representative, an elected official, an environmentalist, and a land owner - all grappling with the controversy, misconceptions and decisions surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling. WQED features not only the performers, but their real-life counterparts.

• November 7

Pittsburgh: An Arsenal of Freedom - WQED contributing reporter Dave Crawley documents Western Pennsylvania’s contributions to World War II, including the Bantam Jeep designed in Butler, LST production on Neville Island, steel production in Homestead, and the Westinghouse artist who created the Rosie The Riveter image.

• November 14

Pittsburgh Is Art! – Western Pennsylvanians are familiar with the prestigious opera, ballet and theater productions in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District – but what about the region’s lesser-known arts organizations? WQED spotlights some of the “small arts” groups that fly under the mainstream radar, yet bring diversity and vibrancy to the cultural scene.

• November 21

Cresson: The History of a Tuberculosis Sanatorium – The TB sanatorium in Cresson, PA closed in 1962 but former patients are still haunted by their experiences. Many Western Pennsylvanians with family members who were sent away to Cresson remember the stigma of a TB diagnosis. WQED chronicles the fascinating history of the Cresson “San” through rare archival images and the poignant stories of a Texas man who was confined as a teenage patient - and is determined to see Cresson one last time.

• December 5

Visiting Volant – The tiny town in Lawrence County, PA has transformed itself into a charming tourist attraction and fly-fishing destination. WQED explores Volant’s history, fascinating shops, the town’s Amish influence and its scenic outdoor activities.


Horizons

Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., here is a sampling of new stories this season:

• November 1

Indian Burial Grounds - Native American Eugene Strong is on a one-man, lifetime crusade to save the burial mounds of his ancestors, including one in McKees Rocks. Chris Moore reports.

• November 1

Ayurveda – Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional, alternative, medicine native to India. Chris Moore shows viewers how it is being practiced right here in Pittsburgh

• November 8

Pieces of Venezuela in Pittsburgh - Jose Puentes came to Pittsburgh ten years ago from Venezuela to attend CMU's Performance Residential Program. Now he's keeping alive the traditions of Venezuelan folk music.

• November 22

Homewood Artists Residency – This new initiative is creating a space where artists can both live and work in this Pittsburgh neighborhood. Sponsored by the Andy Warhol Museum, the project hopes to have a lasting impact on the lives of the artists and more permanent residents of this once-thriving community. Minette Seate reports.

It’s Pittsburgh and A Lot of Other Stuff

All NEW every 2nd Thursday from 8-9 p.m.

• October 13

North Park vs. South Park – Rick Sebak brings viewers a look at the fun rivalry between Pittsburgh’s two great county parks.


Pittsburgh 360°

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

• October 20, 27, November 3

The Power of 32 - An in-depth look at the power of regional thinking and the initiative that has local lawmakers thinking and using their influence in a whole new way. The Power of 32 initiative involves 32 counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia creating a vision for the region’s future. Tonia Caruso and Michael Bartley report.

• October 27

Senior Softball - They play with the enthusiasm of teenagers, but three of the players on this local softball team are 80 or older, and not one is younger than 65. Tonia Caruso spotlights this team in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

• November 10

Historic Flag - WQED's Chris Fennimore tells the story of an American flag made by his father while serving in Germany in World War II, and how it ended up in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

• December 8

Opera Champion of Pittsburgh – The Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh is looking for its own “idol.” Reporter Beth Dolinar follows the regional competition of amateur singers hoping to win cash, voice lessons and a solo role on stage.



WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org); and The WQED Education Department.

Health, Wellness and Relaxation at The Ultimate Beauty Spa

SQUIRREL HILL'S THE ULTIMATE BEAUTY SPA'S

'GRAND RE-OPENING'

This Spa teaches while you relax!

Pittsburgh, PA -- The Ultimate Beauty Spa has a new look and a new commitment to teaching it's clientele about Spa benefits...and health and wellness. The home away from home, just got better!

A visit to the Spa is much more than a massage! Along with the exceptional Spa Enhancements, the tranquil atmosphere and attention to detail, the owner, Leslie Askerneese, insists that her clients understands these services are a necessity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She also recommends dietary changes, exercise and above all 'listening' to your body. Women have been devotees of the spa benefits, but men are learning that it's also a necesscity for them as well. Grooming is more than a shave and a haircut, but should also includes receiving a facial, body treatments, waxing and a whole lot more. Spa 'grooming' is healthy and beneficial.

The Grand Re-Opening, this Saturday, July 16, 10:00AM - 7:00PM, welcomes the public to experience The Ultimate Beauty, Health and Wellness Spa. New Guests will truly enjoy this escape, nestled in the heart of Squirrel Hill.

Stop in and meet Guest Speakers: Lorraine Starsky from the American Diabetes Association and Lora Ann Bray from the Center for Minority Health. These ladies will offer an informal question and answer period.

Leslie Ezera Smith the Host of "Relax Your Vibe Fridays" will also be avaliable. He is one of the hottest spoken word artist in Pittsburgh. We are encouraging all budding and veteran poets to attend.

Monthly events and discounts will be presented, along with seminars that will teach about the correlation between the body and the selected spa service. The Grand Re-Opening is right in the middle of the Spa's month-long Christmas in July Celebration and various weekly specials.

About The Ultimate Beauty Health and Wellness Spa

The Ultimate Beauty, Health and Wellness Spa is in its 11th year of operation and constantly brings the best of the industry to the Pittsburgh and tri-state area. Conveniently located in Squirrel Hill, near the Parkway, many of the clients come to the Pittsburgh Spa to enjoy an outing with friends or relatives. Spa parties, for adults, children and teens can be arranged for practically any special occasion.

CONTACT:

Leslie Askerneese
2015 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-7100
http://www.theultimatebeautyspa.com/
theultimatebeautyspa@verizon.net
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YWCA Hosts 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon and Fashion Show

MEDIA ADVISORY


For Immediate Release:

October 4, 2010

CONTACT:
Laura Harwin
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
412-255-1279

YWCA Hosts 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon & Fashion Show

Event Scheduled for Saturday, October 9

Who: YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

What: The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon & Fashion Show will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Westin Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue. This luncheon provides an educational and enjoyable day for attendees to learn more about breast health and wellness, and concludes with a fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors as models.

The event includes:

Keynote Speaker:

Marilyn Hughes Gaston, MD
Former Assistant Surgeon General and Director, Bureau of Primary Health Care,
US Public Health Service
Rear Admiral, USPHS, Ret.
Co-Director, The Gaston & Porter Health Improvement Center

Honorary Chair:

Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM, FACOG
Assistant Professor and Director of Global Health
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Case Western University School of Medicine

Master of Ceremonies:

Rev. Dr. Loran E. Mann
Founder, Senior Pastor
Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ

Fashion Show:

Breast Cancer Survivors Modeling Hats by Chapeaux, Etc.

When: Saturday, October 9, 2010

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (10:30 a.m. registration)

Where: Westin Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

About the YWCA’s ENCOREplus Program

The mission of the YWCA’s ENCOREplus Program is to address and reduce the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities and the medically underserved women in the greater Pittsburgh area. For more information about ENCOREplus, please call 412-365-1915.

About the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is a women’s membership movement committed to the elimination of racism and the economic empowerment of women and girls. For more information about the YWCA’s programs and services, please visit www.ywcapgh.org or call 412-391-5100.

About the Keynote Speaker

MARILYN HUGHES GASTON, MD
Former Assistant Surgeon General and Director, Bureau of Primary Health Care, US Public Health Service
Rear Admiral, USPHS, Ret.
Co-Director, The Gaston & Porter Health Improvement Center

Dr. Marilyn H. Gaston's professional career has been dedicated to improving the health of poor and minority families in our Nation and abroad. Her approach to accomplishing this goal has been through her direct delivery of quality primary health care; through the provision of medical education to young clinicians in training; involvement in clinical research; and through administration of local and Federal programs directed to services for the un- and underserved people of our country.

She is the first African American woman to direct a Public Health Service Bureau and only the second African American woman to achieve the position of Assistant Surgeon General and rank of Rear Admiral in the US Public Health Service. As Director of the Bureau of Primary Health Care in Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she was responsible for a budget with the reach of $5 Billion serving 12 million poor, underserved and disadvantaged people in our Nation.

Prior to her appointment as Bureau Director, her work at the National Institutes of Health changed the management of children with sickle cell disease that has resulted in significantly decreasing the morbidity and mortality in young children here and around the world, for which she is internationally recognized.

She has been concerned about the continuing disparities in health outcomes and established some innovative programs to address them and also served as the medical director of the National Minority Health Month program.

Her awards are numerous and include all awards in the PHS, Marilyn Hughes Gaston Day in the cities of Cincinnati and Lincoln Heights, Ohio. In Cincinnati there is a Buford-Gaston building in her honor. Dr. Gaston is a member of the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Gaston received three Honorary Doctoral degrees - from the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth University and the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Gaston received the National Medical Association's Scroll of Merit, their highest honor and their Lifetime Achievement Award. The American Medical Association presented her with their prestigious Dr. Nathan Davis Award. The University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine has named a scholarship in her honor. Each year two underprivileged, and minority first year students receive full, four year medical school scholarships - "The Gaston Scholars." In addition, the College of Medicine recently honored her by giving her a Distinguished Alumnae Award. She is featured in the National Library of Medicine's exhibit, "Changing the Face of Medicine-Women Physicians."

For her work with African American women she has received three major national awards:
- The Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Award
- The Purpose Prize given by Civic Ventures
- Recently she and her co-author were honored with an audience with President Obama for the difference they are making in the lives of African American women through their Prime Time Sister Circles®

Dr. Gaston is a much sought after speaker and a frequent keynote speaker on topics close to her heart: Women's Health, especially African American Women's Health, Elimination of Health Disparities, Improving Access to Health Care, Sickle Cell Disease.

She is featured regularly on radio and CBS & NBC television locally - and has appeared nationally on "The Larry King Show" and Black Entertainment Television.

She is the co-author of the book entitled: Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness published by Random House.

Dr. Gaston's dream for this Nation is 100% access to quality care and 0 disparities in health outcomes, especially for African American women.
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Dress for Success South Central PA Opens Harrisburg Career Center

PRESS RELEASE


September 17, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Ruth Koup, Founder and CEO
Dress for Success South Central PA
717-232-1333

Open House & Ribbon Cutting

Launch of Health & Wellness and Career Center Programs

Harrisburg, PA - Dress for Success South Central PA is celebrating the opening of their Harrisburg Career Center. The Career Center offers basic computer training, mock interviews, resources for job search, internet access, job coaching and a new educational "Health & Wellness" series funded by Aetna, adding to the free programs and services already offered by this non-profit. Dress for Success South Central PA has helped over 3500 women gain access to tools necessary for successful entry into the workforce.

A ribbon cutting will be held, in conjunction with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, on Tuesday, September 21st at 3pm. An open house will follow from 3pm-6pm at 29 South 10th Street Harrisburg, PA. The partnership with the PA Commission for Women Health & Wellness Kiosk project will be announced and will further expand health & wellness informational support offered to Dress for Success clients. The Health Kiosk is available at the Dress for Success Harrisburg Boutique waiting area with remote access linkage to each branch boutique. Clients can access up-to-date critical information about women's health issue. Leslie Stiles, Executive Director of the PA Commission for Women will be in attendance to speak about the Health Kiosk project.

Everyone is welcome to attend: general public, our clients, our volunteers, media professionals, elected officials and their staff are encouraged to attend this open house event to learn more about Dress for Success. Light refreshments, chair massages & a door prize drawing will be held during the open house. For more information please call 717- 232-1333. Free off street parking is permitted at the Market Street Post Office parking lot (along the South 10th Street side).

Dress for Success Clients are invited to stay after the open house or arrive to attend the first Health & Wellness Program event, 6pm to 7:30pm (a healthy meal will be offered): Health Literacy: How to understand basic healthcare information and make informed decisions. The PA Commission for Women's Health Kiosk will be available for use. Clients will need to RSVP to 717-232-1333 to reserve your meal.

About Dress for Success
Dress for Success has more than 105 affiliates in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Poland and the West Indies. Each site is an independent, volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to fulfilling the Dress for Success mission of promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women through career development and employment retention.

To learn how you can support the efforts of Dress for Success South Central PA: visit their website at www.dressforsuccess.org/southcentralpa
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