Latest news with #AaronWilliams
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Researchers try new ways of preserving more hearts for transplants
Two university hospitals are pioneering new ways to expand lifesaving heart transplants for adults and babies — advances that could help recover would-be heart donations that too often go unused. The new research aims to overcome barriers for using organs from someone who dies when their heart stops. Called DCD, or donation after circulatory death, it involves a controversial recovery technique or the use of expensive machines. Surgeons at Duke and Vanderbilt universities reported Wednesday that they've separately devised simpler approaches to retrieve those hearts. In the New England Journal of Medicine, they described successfully transplanting hearts to a 3-month-old infant at Duke and three men at Vanderbilt. 'These DCD hearts work just as well as hearts from brain-dead donors,' said Vanderbilt lead author Dr. Aaron M. Williams. How hearts are saved for donation Most transplanted hearts come from donors who are brain dead. In those situations, the body is left on a ventilator that keeps the heart beating until the organs are removed. Circulatory death occurs when someone has a nonsurvivable brain injury but because all brain function hasn't ceased, the family decides to withdraw life support and the heart stops. That means organs can spend a while without oxygen before being recovered, a time lag usually doable for kidneys and other organs but that can raise questions about the quality of hearts. To counter damage and determine whether DCD organs are usable, surgeons can pump blood and oxygen to the deceased donor's abdominal and chest organs — after clamping off access to the brain. But it's ethically controversial to artificially restore circulation even temporarily and some hospitals prohibit that technique, called normothermic regional perfusion, or NRP. Another option is to 'reanimate' DCD organs in a machine that pumps blood and nutrients on the way to the transplant hospital. The machines are expensive and complex, and Duke's Dr. Joseph Turek said the devices can't be used for young children's small hearts — the age group with the most dire need. New ways of preserving hearts Turek's team found a middle ground: Remove the heart and attach some tubes of oxygen and blood to briefly assess its ability to function — not in a machine but on a sterile table in the operating room. They practiced with piglets. Then came the real test. At another hospital, life support was about to be withdrawn from a 1-month-old whose family wanted to donate — and who would be a good match for a 3-month-old Duke patient in desperate need of a new heart. The other hospital didn't allow the controversial NRP recovery technique but let Turek's team test the experimental alternative. It took just five minutes to tell 'the coronary arteries are filling well, it's pink, it's beating,' Turek said. The team promptly put the little heart on ice and raced it back to Duke. Vanderbilt's system is even simpler: Infuse the heart with a nutrient-rich, cold preservative solution before removing it from the donor's body, similar to how hearts from brain-dead donors are handled. That 'replenishes the nutrients that are depleted during the dying process and helps protect it for transport,' Williams explained, adding that Vanderbilt has performed about 25 such transplants so far. 'Our view is you don't necessarily need to reanimate the heart.' More donated hearts are needed There's a huge need for more transplantable hearts. Hundreds of thousands of adults suffer from advanced heart failure, yet many are never even offered a transplant because of the organ shortage. Every year about 700 children in the U.S. are added to the transplant list for a new heart and about 20% die waiting. Turek said infants are at particular risk. Last year, people whose lives ended via circulatory death made up 43% of the nation's deceased donors — but just 793 of the 4,572 heart transplants. That's why many specialists say finding ways to use more of those hearts is crucial. The new studies are small and early-stage but promising, said Brendan Parent of NYU Langone Health, who directs transplant ethics and policy research. ' Innovation to find ways to recover organs successfully after circulatory death are essential for reducing the organ shortage,' he said. If alternatives pan out, 'I absolutely think that cardiac programs will be thrilled, especially at hospitals that have rejected NRP.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Axos Clearing to Power Alden Investment Group's Strategic Growth and Innovation
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Axos Clearing, an operating subsidiary within Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AX), is pleased to announce a new strategic relationship with Alden Investment Group, a fast-growing, independent wealth management firm redefining the advisor experience through innovation, flexibility, and independence. As a forward-thinking custodian and clearing firm, Axos Clearing shares Alden's commitment to building modern, client-and-advisor-focused solutions. This partnership reflects the alignment of both firms' missions to empower advisors through integrated technology, operational efficiency, and client-centric solutions in today's dynamic financial landscape. As a partner-owned independent firm operating both a full-service broker-dealer and a registered investment adviser, Alden Investment Group is intentionally building a platform to meet the modern advisor's needs—combining best-in-class tools with dedicated support across both RIA and brokerage business lines. To do so, Alden sought a clearing partner that could match its versatility, support a broad range of services, and accelerate its ability to scale with confidence. Axos Clearing stood out for its modern infrastructure, commitment to customization, and the power of Axos Complete™—a fully integrated technology suite that connects front, middle, and back-office operations. ' We're building a platform that reflects how today's best advisors actually work—cross-channel, tech-forward, and client-obsessed,' said Aaron Williams, Chief Growth Officer at Alden Investment Group. 'Partnering with Axos Clearing gives us the tools, flexibility, and financial model to deliver that experience while staying true to our values as a modern, independent firm with a long-term vision for scale and service.' Through this partnership, Alden will leverage Axos Complete™ to streamline operations, empower advisors with an intuitive professional workstation, and elevate the client experience through a fully branded digital portal. The result is a unified, secure platform that enables advisors to manage relationships and planning tools more efficiently—while giving clients real-time access to banking, investment accounts, and reports in one connected experience. This integration supports Alden's continued focus on growth, innovation, and service excellence at scale. 'Alden embodies the entrepreneurial, client-first mindset we built Axos Complete™ to support,' said David Crow, EVP and Head of Axos Clearing. 'They chose Axos Clearing because Axos Complete™ gives them the flexibility to run both their RIA and broker-dealer business on one platform—with the technology, service, and scalability to grow on their terms. It's a strong alignment between two firms focused on evolving the advisor and client experience through innovation and partnership.' About Alden Investment Group Alden Investment Group is an independent wealth management firm headquartered on the Philadelphia Main Line. With a boutique approach and a national footprint, Alden supports investors, financial advisors, RIAs, and institutions through a flexible platform that integrates financial planning, investment solutions, and concierge client service. The firm is rapidly growing, with over $2.25 billion in assets, and remains committed to helping advisors scale their practices through personalized service, integrated technology, and a shared focus on long-term client success. About Axos Clearing Axos Financial, Inc., with approximately $24.0 billion in consolidated assets as of March 31, 2025, is the holding company for Axos Bank, Axos Clearing LLC and Axos Invest, Inc. Axos Bank provides consumer and business banking products nationwide through its low-cost distribution channels and affinity partners. Axos Clearing LLC (including its business division Axos Advisor Services), with approximately $37.1 billion of assets under custody and/or administration as of March 31, 2025, and Axos Invest, Inc., provide comprehensive securities clearing services to introducing broker-dealers and registered investment advisor correspondents, and digital investment advisory services to retail investors, respectively. Axos Financial, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol 'AX,' and is a component of the Russell 2000® Index, the S&P SmallCap 600® Index, the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index, and the Travillian Tech-Forward Bank Index. For more information regarding Axos Clearing, please visit Bank products and services are offered by Axos Bank®. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are FDIC insured through Axos Bank. All deposit accounts of the same ownership and/or vesting held at Axos Bank are combined and insured under the same FDIC Certificate 35546. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are not separately insured by the FDIC from other deposit accounts held with the same ownership and/or vesting at Axos Bank. For more information read Axos Bank's FDIC Notice.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Axos Clearing to Power Alden Investment Group's Strategic Growth and Innovation
OMAHA, Neb., May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axos Clearing, an operating subsidiary within Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AX), is pleased to announce a new strategic relationship with Alden Investment Group, a fast-growing, independent wealth management firm redefining the advisor experience through innovation, flexibility, and independence. As a forward-thinking custodian and clearing firm, Axos Clearing shares Alden's commitment to building modern, client-and-advisor-focused solutions. This partnership reflects the alignment of both firms' missions to empower advisors through integrated technology, operational efficiency, and client-centric solutions in today's dynamic financial landscape. As a partner-owned independent firm operating both a full-service broker-dealer and a registered investment adviser, Alden Investment Group is intentionally building a platform to meet the modern advisor's needs—combining best-in-class tools with dedicated support across both RIA and brokerage business lines. To do so, Alden sought a clearing partner that could match its versatility, support a broad range of services, and accelerate its ability to scale with confidence. Axos Clearing stood out for its modern infrastructure, commitment to customization, and the power of Axos Complete™—a fully integrated technology suite that connects front, middle, and back-office operations. "We're building a platform that reflects how today's best advisors actually work—cross-channel, tech-forward, and client-obsessed," said Aaron Williams, Chief Growth Officer at Alden Investment Group. "Partnering with Axos Clearing gives us the tools, flexibility, and financial model to deliver that experience while staying true to our values as a modern, independent firm with a long-term vision for scale and service." Through this partnership, Alden will leverage Axos Complete™ to streamline operations, empower advisors with an intuitive professional workstation, and elevate the client experience through a fully branded digital portal. The result is a unified, secure platform that enables advisors to manage relationships and planning tools more efficiently—while giving clients real-time access to banking, investment accounts, and reports in one connected experience. This integration supports Alden's continued focus on growth, innovation, and service excellence at scale. "Alden embodies the entrepreneurial, client-first mindset we built Axos Complete™ to support," said David Crow, EVP and Head of Axos Clearing. "They chose Axos Clearing because Axos Complete™ gives them the flexibility to run both their RIA and broker-dealer business on one platform—with the technology, service, and scalability to grow on their terms. It's a strong alignment between two firms focused on evolving the advisor and client experience through innovation and partnership." About Alden Investment Group Alden Investment Group is an independent wealth management firm headquartered on the Philadelphia Main Line. With a boutique approach and a national footprint, Alden supports investors, financial advisors, RIAs, and institutions through a flexible platform that integrates financial planning, investment solutions, and concierge client service. The firm is rapidly growing, with over $2.25 billion in assets, and remains committed to helping advisors scale their practices through personalized service, integrated technology, and a shared focus on long-term client success. About Axos Clearing Axos Financial, Inc., with approximately $24.0 billion in consolidated assets as of March 31, 2025, is the holding company for Axos Bank, Axos Clearing LLC and Axos Invest, Inc. Axos Bank provides consumer and business banking products nationwide through its low-cost distribution channels and affinity partners. Axos Clearing LLC (including its business division Axos Advisor Services), with approximately $37.1 billion of assets under custody and/or administration as of March 31, 2025, and Axos Invest, Inc., provide comprehensive securities clearing services to introducing broker-dealers and registered investment advisor correspondents, and digital investment advisory services to retail investors, respectively. Axos Financial, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AX," and is a component of the Russell 2000® Index, the S&P SmallCap 600® Index, the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index, and the Travillian Tech-Forward Bank Index. For more information regarding Axos Clearing, please visit Bank products and services are offered by Axos Bank®. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are FDIC insured through Axos Bank. All deposit accounts of the same ownership and/or vesting held at Axos Bank are combined and insured under the same FDIC Certificate 35546. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are not separately insured by the FDIC from other deposit accounts held with the same ownership and/or vesting at Axos Bank. For more information read Axos Bank's FDIC Notice. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts Aaron WilliamsChief Growth Officer, Alden Investment Group484-601-9013aaron@ Laura DeGraffChief Marketing Officer, Alden Investment Group484-437-1600laura@ Johnny LaiSVP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, Axos Financial, Inc.858-649-2218jlai@ Abbie SheridanPublic Relations, Axos via GreenRose Communicationsabbie@ 516-286-7056 Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lightning sparks wildfire in Ulysses
ULYSSES, Kan. (KSNW) — Crews battled a large fire in Ulysses Thursday evening. According to the Grant County Fire Department, the fire began around 4:30 p.m. near East Hampton Road between South Road L and South Road M. The fire was brought under control before 9 p.m., and crews will continue to monitor the area. The Grant County Fire Department says that no homes were damaged in the fire, but a couple of sheds were. No injuries were reported. Three fires were detected in Grant County following the thunderstorm on Thursday. 'District Fire Management Officer, Aaron Williams and KFS contracted Single Engine Air Tankers assisted with fires in Grant County today,' said the Kansas Forest Service on Facebook. 'Departments from five surrounding counties also assisted with the fires. The wind has diminished, and the forward progression has been stopped. Acreages have not been determined but they are expected to be significant. Fire resources remain engaged on fires near homes patrolling for embers and spot fires.' It is believed that lightning caused this fire. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
