Latest news with #MFM
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ob Hospitalist Group Expands Access to High-Risk Pregnancy Care with Launch of Obtelecare
Newly branded telehealth solution builds on OBHG's longstanding commitment to high-risk pregnancy care in hospitals and clinics nationwide GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG), the nation's largest and only dedicated provider of comprehensive obstetric solutions, is proud to introduce Obtelecare, a newly branded virtual maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) service. As an expansion of OBHG's high-risk pregnancy capabilities, Obtelecare provides hospitals, health systems and clinics with continuous access to MFM care through telephonic support, virtual consultations, and remote monitoring. This enhanced offering strengthens OBHG's commitment to improving access to high-risk pregnancy care, especially in communities facing provider shortages or coverage gaps. Currently, there are fewer than 2,500 MFMs serving the entire country, creating significant gaps in care and limited availability of MFM services. At the same time, risk factors for high–risk pregnancies, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and advanced maternal age, are on the rise. Obtelecare is a telehealth solution that extends the reach of MFM specialists, enabling earlier interventions through virtual consultations. The service allows MFMs to collaborate with the patient, OB–GYNs, hospitalists, nurses, and other onsite providers to develop a care plan in real time, which is then deployed by providers onsite. "Obtelecare represents the next evolution of our mission to ensure every mother has access to the level of care she needs, when she needs it," said Nick Sacco, President and Chief Operating Officer of OBHG. "While the name is new, Obtelecare builds on the high-risk care we've long provided to the communities we serve. This launch represents a meaningful investment in expanding our care model to address a critical gap in maternal-fetal medicine access. Building on almost 20 years of expanding access to high–quality obstetric and midwifery care through our proven OB hospitalist model, we're now extending our services to include virtual maternal–fetal medicine. By breaking down geographic barriers in communities across the U.S., Obtelecare will open doors to MFM expertise in markets that have historically struggled to recruit specialists—ultimately leading to safer pregnancies, healthier babies, and stronger communities." Available nationwide, the program offers a fully customizable and scalable solution for health systems, hospital and clinics. Built on OBHG's proven capabilities, it enhances care by enabling earlier interventions and improving coordination between onsite clinical teams and remote MFM experts, all while integrating smoothly into existing workflows to support better outcomes for high-risk pregnancies. "The rise in high–risk pregnancies has led to a growing demand for MFM specialists, outpacing the current supply of clinicians and creating significant gaps in the availability of MFM services," said Rebecca Flack, Senior Vice President of Telehealth at OBHG. "For complex pregnancies, timely access to an MFM isn't just beneficial — it can be lifesaving. With Obtelecare, Ob Hospitalist Group is closing critical gaps in care and bringing expert–level support to patients and providers in underserved or under-resourced areas." For more information about Obtelecare and how health systems can partner with OBHG, visit About ObtelecareObtelecare, part of Ob Hospitalist Group's comprehensive suite of obstetric solutions, delivers real-time collaboration between onsite clinicians and maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists through advanced telehealth technology. Within minutes, MFM experts can consult on complex pregnancies, engage with both patients and providers, and create personalized care plans for local clinical teams to implement. This seamless connection empowers hospitals - especially those without in-house MFM coverage - to deliver expert-level care, reduce unnecessary patient transfers, and keep families close to home. Fully integrated into hospital workflows, Obtelecare advances maternal care by enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and expanding access to high-risk pregnancy expertise. Visit About Ob Hospitalist GroupOb Hospitalist Group (OBHG) is the nation's largest provider of OB/GYNs and the leading provider of customized women's health solutions. Through its core OB hospitalist programs and Maternal Health Access Solutions (MHAS), OBHG delivers expert obstetric care in hospitals nationwide. We partner with hospitals nationwide to improve maternal safety, reduce physician burnout and expand or restore access to care. With nearly 2,000 clinicians collaborating closely with local OB/GYNs, OBHG ensures timely, expert care for every pregnant woman. OBHG is headquartered in Greenville, SC. Visit Contact: Amy BomarDirector of Marketing800.967.2289abomar@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ob Hospitalist Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Born-and-bred Winnipegger, former folk fest head sells Manitoba to the movie world
There was a moment, during Killer Mike's set at last year's Winnipeg Folk Festival, when Lynne Skromeda's brain kicked into problem-solving mode. A weather delay paused the American rapper's much-anticipated set for nearly an hour, and Skromeda started running scenarios in her mind. Is this going to be a big deal? How big a deal? What are we going to do? Are we going to need to evacuate? 'Then all of a sudden there was that wash over me,' she says. 'This isn't my responsibility anymore. I just get to be here. I just get to enjoy it.' One can understand the reflex, though. For 11 years, Skromeda, 51, was the executive director of the festival, which meant it was her responsibility. These days, her responsibilities look different. We're sitting in her spacious office at Manitoba Film & Music where, since August 2023, Skromeda has been CEO and the province's film commissioner — a dream gig for a woman who began her career in film and spent a decade working in music. 'Both my backgrounds and both my loves,' she says. Skromeda had begun thinking about her next move after more than a decade at folk fest, but when a head hunter contacted her about the MFM role, she felt conflicted. 'I also love the folk fest, right?' she says. 'I've been going since I was six years old. It's one of the most important things in the world to me. I couldn't imagine what would happen to not be there, and what would I do if I wasn't there?' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Ten Winnipeg Folk Festival lineup posters hangs on Skromeda's wall. Ten Winnipeg Folk Festival lineup posters hangs on Skromeda's wall. The 2024 festival was the first time she got to see what that looked like. 'Last year was hard — on a number of fronts. Like, you're feeling kind of conflicted, because there's part of you that feels so responsible, feels sort of guilty for leaving it behind, even though I know it's in good hands now — but I also felt compelled to be there,' she says. 'My friends had to take me out for breakfast on the Sunday morning, because they're like, 'you know, you don't have to be there at 8 a.m. anymore.'' But in the rain, waiting to see if Killer Mike's show could go on, she realized she could let go — as much as anyone can let go of a festival that is part of their DNA and the DNA of the city they champion. On the wall in her office behind her are 10 folk fest lineup posters — the 10 festivals she worked on — arranged in a grid in a frame. 'That was my going-away present,' she says. A shorthand, of sorts, for her body of work. 'I wasn't actively looking. I can categorically tell you that,' says Skromeda, who was selected for the top job at MFM after a Canada-wide search. 'There's part of me that's like, I would probably be (at the folk festival) 10 years from now if it hadn't been for this opportunity.' But Skromeda is not one to say no to an opportunity, especially if it's an opportunity to grow. The film and television industry isn't the same as when she left in 2012. Streaming didn't exist as it does now, and Skromeda worked on the production side. There's lots that's new. But Skromeda also represents stability after a period of quick turnover at the top of MFM following the 2019 retirement of Carole Vivier, who had been CEO for nearly 30 years. Vivier died in March. 'Carol was so supportive of me from the moment she knew I was interested in the job,' Skromeda says. 'She was just really, really kind from the get-go, which I really appreciated, because she was such a force. She did so much for this industry, and cared so much, and really helped establish this industry in a meaningful way.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Lynne Skromeda, CEO of Manitoba Film & Music, is the former executive director of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Lynne Skromeda, CEO of Manitoba Film & Music, is the former executive director of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Though she's been in the role for less than two years, she's had to navigate significant challenges. When she started the job in August 2023, the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists were on strike, halting production here. Then, in May, something strange and unprecedented happened: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that he wanted to impose a 100 per cent tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., sparking worry and confusion in the local film industry. Skromeda says the announcement put into focus just how many people MFM works with across the industry, at educational institutions, unions, producers, crews, and on and on. 'One of our producers texted me from a Jets game to say, have you seen this tweet? And then the next morning, it was just an explosion. The city, the unions, the producers are going, 'what is going on? What's happening? What are you guys doing?' And I'm like, 'I don't know, I've never been through this before, either,'' she says with a laugh. 'Having that level of responsibility is kind of terrifying at some points, but then somebody's got to take charge.' Skromeda knows how to steer a ship through a storm. She may not have had to make sense of a president's baffling will-he-won't-he tariffs before, but she has had to figure out what to do with thousands of fans when a raging thunderstorm forces the marquee headliner off the stage for the night after three songs, as what happened with Wilco at the 2015 folk festival. When Skromeda stepped into the executive director role at folk fest after 13 years working in the film and television industry, it, too, was full of learning curves. 'I went through some real ups and downs during that period of time as well. I started at a time when there was a big anniversary, it was super exciting, and then there was the aftermath of a big anniversary and rebuilding and refocusing and all that stuff,' she says. 'Then we were really on the up and up, and then, boom, we get hit by a pandemic.' Chris Frayer, who has been the artistic director of the festival since 2004, describes Skromeda as funny, smart and a people person. 'We made a really good team, because Lynne is really, really driven by making connections in the community — she always has time for people,' Frayer says. He emails later to say working with Skromeda is like working with Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler's character from Parks and Recreation — 'her high energy and commitment to municipal affairs is unwavering!' — and yes, that tracks. Frayer believes her skill set is perfect for her new role, but also represents something bigger, too. 'I think it speaks volumes about cultivating our own people into strong leaders in Manitoba instead of always trying to look east to what people can do,' he says. 'It also encourages people who live here that they can lead organizations, and also have a long-term career in Manitoba and get what they get what they need, no matter how ambitious they are.' As CEO and film commissioner at MFM, Skromeda's job, in part, is to sell people on Manitoba. But it's also about selling Manitoba on Manitoba. 'That's squarely in our sights in terms of communicating to the community, how, you know, it might be annoying sometimes that you've got these big white trucks on your front street, but it's creating jobs,' she says. 'It's creating economic activity. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent in Manitoba on this, and it's putting us on the map in a really cool way, too.' It's an exciting time. Last August, MFM announced Manitoba was on track to reach a record-breaking $434.9 million in film and television production in 2024. Stars such as Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd, Mark Hamill, Kyle MacLachlan, David Krumholtz and January Jones were all in town on various shoots last year. New sound stages, including Big Sky Studios and Jette Studios, have opened in recent years. 'I've always thought that young people need a reason to feel like they can stay here,' she says. 'I used to use that argument all the time at the folk fest — like, the folk fest is something that people get excited about, and they're like 'this is why I'm proud to be here.' 'We're doing the same thing on the film side. These big movies are being shot here, and we can be proud of our community.' A born-and-bred Winnipegger, Skromeda grew up in Windsor Park. 'My mom still lives in the house I grew up in,' she says. As a student at Windsor Park Collegiate, she was heavily involved in activities and clubs. 'I was always a doer,' she says. She ended up graduating from high school with an extra year's worth of credits. While some creative-career seeds were planted — making her own commercial at Mini University was particularly formative — she ended up graduating from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Though 'not wildly excited about it at the time,' she says getting her business degree was one of the best things she could have done. She may not have been in front of the camera as she may have envisioned, but a business degree allowed her to get behind it. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Skromeda's travel lanyards hang next to the whiteboard in her office. Skromeda's travel lanyards hang next to the whiteboard in her office. Skromeda travelled in Europe and Australia for three years after graduation. Travelling changed her perspective on Manitoba. 'I wanted nothing more than to go when I left,' she says. 'But then when I came back, I had so much appreciation for being here.' Upon her return, she took a temp job at a bio-pharmaceutical firm, which ended up being another life lesson. 'It showed me that 40 hours a week is still too much time to be doing something that you're not super excited or passionate about,' she says. And thus began Skromeda's career in film and television. She was hired as a production assistant on the reality show Pioneer Quest — 'that was my very first gig, in 1999' — and worked her way up at the Winnipeg- and Toronto-based Frantic Films, ultimately becoming president of production. While she was building a career, she was also building a life. Among those closest to her are like-minded people who believe in Winnipeg and who have ascended to leadership positions at many of the city's cultural institutions. 'It's when you close your eyes and you're like, 'how did I get this life?' I've managed to surround myself with all these people who are great and do wonderful things. A lot of them I've known for a super long time, too, so we've kind of had this evolution together. 'It's been a real testament to the community and to the opportunities here to see all these different people I've known in my life be able to excel in their careers and get into these leadership positions.' That includes her longtime partner, Jason Smith. Smith is president of the Sea Bears, Winnipeg's pro basketball team, as well as an event and music industry vet who, via his Smith Events, has led such large-scale events such as the Junos, the Grey Cup and the Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Parties — and who, as it happens, worked at MFM for five years on the music side. The pair met on a Manitoba government trade mission to Los Angeles in 2001. They were seeing different people at the time, but stayed in touch. She sent him a congratulatory note when he started his job at MFM, they were both single, and the rest, as they say, is history. They are aligned on many things, Skromeda says. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Skromeda's started her career in film and is ecstatic to be back in the movie business. Skromeda's started her career in film and is ecstatic to be back in the movie business. 'I think you have to have a certain tenacity, a certain resilience to you, a certain ability to change with the times and to grow and to also want what's best for your community, right?' she says. She has that in common with her closest friends, too, whom she describes as hard-core Manitobans, all here by choice. Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, is among those pals. They've been close for more than a decade, bonding over their love of music, the city and kayaking. 'Her capacity to really just take on more, whether it's volunteering for certain organizations, to be available for conversations, to attend this event, but then also go kayaking, and then also come over and help do something,' Fenske says. 'She's always making herself available for others. She's really committed to the community and wants to help wherever she can.' Fenske has been witness to Skromeda's professional growth, but also her personal growth. 'When you see her out in person, she is so present. She loves chatting with people. She wants to hear about other people's stories. She wants to get involved. But I think she has finally learned, maybe, that the little Energizer Bunny does need to recharge sometimes.' One thing about Skromeda, she's going to get her 10,000 steps in. Every day. Rain or shine. Winter or summer. Sickness or health. She's on a streak she's kept alive since Dec. 26, 2016, and she's got the FitBit data to prove it. She's already at 7,800 when we meet mid-afternoon. She does laps around her kitchen while playing the suite of New York Times online games (her preferred order is Wordle, Connections, Strands, Spelling Bee.) 'I feel like it's a way of waking up my brain, but it's also a little treat to myself at the beginning of the day.' She walks to and from work when she can. She walks while she does her calls or listens to audio books. She's in a choir now, so she's been listening to the music. Her brain is full — of goals for MFM, for the city, for herself. Away from the office whiteboard that's marked up with strategic plans, Skromeda finds a different pace exploring the waterways of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario in her kayak. 'You just get into this rhythm. It's the repetitive motion, and you're breathing, and you're outside, and you're in nature, and it's just beautiful,' she says. 'It's like, this is what it's all about, right? This is what we work towards.' Jen ZorattiColumnist Jen Zoratti is a columnist and feature writer working in the Arts & Life department, as well as the author of the weekly newsletter NEXT. A National Newspaper Award finalist for arts and entertainment writing, Jen is a graduate of the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech and was a music writer before joining the Free Press in 2013. Read more about Jen. Every piece of reporting Jen produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Together Women's Health Welcomes The Perinatal Group as First Maternal Fetal Medicine Partner
DETROIT, June 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Together Women's Health (TWH) proudly announces its new partnership with The Perinatal Group, a premier and trusted leader in maternal fetal medicine (MFM) care in Tennessee and Kentucky. This partnership marks the first MFM group to join the TWH network and adds 4 board-certified MFM physicians. Together Women's Health is a women's health-focused management service organization, committed to partnering with leading physicians to build a premier network of women's health services in the U.S. TWH's affiliate network consists of 20 practices with over 180 providers delivering women's health services at over 45 locations throughout Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Founded by Dr. Sal Lombardi and Dr. Kathleen Mayor-Lynn, The Perinatal Group has built a legacy spanning more than 40 years and is known for delivering compassionate, expert care for high-risk pregnancies with the latest technology and is accredited by the prestigious American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine in Obstetric Ultrasound, High-Risk Obstetric Ultrasound, Fetal Echocardiography, and Gynecologic Ultrasound. The practice is widely recognized for its advanced ultrasound services, diagnostic capabilities, and team of experienced MFM specialists. "For over 40 years, The Perinatal Group has provided leading high-risk obstetric care to women across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. As the first maternal fetal medicine practice to join Together Women's Health, we're proud to bring our specialized expertise in complex pregnancy management and advanced MFM ultrasound to this growing community of exceptional OB providers," said Dr. Sal Lombardi, partner and maternal fetal medicine specialist of The Perinatal Group. "We believe the best outcomes happen when compassionate, collaborative care guides every step of the pregnancy journey." By joining TWH, The Perinatal Group will collaborate closely with a broader network of OB-GYN practices, expanding access to expert-level consultation, diagnostics, and care coordination for women experiencing high-risk or complicated pregnancies. "We are honored to welcome The Perinatal Group to Together Women's Health as our first Maternal Fetal Medicine partner," said Anthony Ahee, CEO of Together Women's Health. "Their decades-long commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care for high-risk pregnancies aligns perfectly with our mission. This partnership enhances our ability to support women with complex needs and strengthens our comprehensive care model across the region and throughout the TWH network." This affiliation is another step in Together Women's Health's strategy to be the most trusted name in women's health. To learn more about a partnership with Together Women's Health, visit or contact us at partner@ About Together Women's Health Headquartered in Detroit, MI, Together Women's Health ("TWH") is a women's health management services organization committed to partnering with leading physicians to build a premier network of obstetricians and gynecologists. TWH, recently named on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, supports its affiliated practices and physician partners throughout multiple states with strategic guidance, administrative resources (including revenue cycle management, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, and IT), operational expertise and capital, thereby allowing physicians to focus on clinical excellence and serving their communities. TWH is building a network of top clinicians in a physician-led culture. For more information about Together Women's Health, please visit About Shore Capital Partners Shore Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm with offices in Nashville, is an investor in lower middle market companies in the Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Business Services, Industrial, and Real Estate industries. Shore's strategy is to support management partners to grow faster with less risk through access to capital, world-class board and operational resources, and unmatched networking, development, and shared learnings across the portfolio. From 2020-2023, Shore received recognition from Inc Magazine as a 4x Top Founder Friendly Investor and by Pitchbook Research for being the global leader in Private Equity total deal volume. Shore targets investments in proven, successful private companies with superior management teams, stable cash flow, and significant potential to grow through industry consolidation and organic growth to generate value for shareholders. Shore has $9.1 billion of assets under management and in additional investment platforms to which it provides business and operational consulting services. For more information on these awards and investment platforms, please visit: View source version on Contacts Media Contact Suzanne Cooper, Vice President of Marketing Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
S'gor charity concert to uplift veteran musicians
Danker (front row, sixth from right) with fellow MFM committee members and band members who will perform at the charity concert. TO aid veteran musicians struggling with health issues and financial difficulties, Musicians for Musicians Association (MFM) is organising a charity concert. Themed 'Giving Through Music', the show will be held on July 5, from 3pm, at Dewan Tunku, Kelab Golf Negara Subang in Selangor. 'We are coming together not only to celebrate our shared love for music but to embark on a journey of compassion and generosity,' said MFM president Francis Danker. Highlighting the power of music, the veteran musician said, 'Music has a unique ability to transcend barriers, to heal and to inspire. 'It unites us in ways that words alone cannot.' The concert was a means for MFM to harness the combined power of the community to benefit many musicians in need of medical aid, and who faced age-related issues, Danker said at a press conference announcing the event. Set up in 2019, MFM works to assist local musicians in crisis. It improves their well-being and helps them achieve a decent standard of living while pursuing their creative passions. The organisation also fosters a socially conscious community and helps musicians obtain financial support from Employees Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation and via insurance. MFM has also continued to create work opportunities, promote equality and develop fair fee structures while engaging with performance venue owners and mentoring new musicians. 'Giving Through Music' will be an eight-hour showcase featuring 17 live bands and 100 talented musicians. Audiences can enjoy genres from jazz to contemporary, pop to retro and country to Top 40s. Notable performers include Alleycats, Strollers, Sons of Adam and Michelle Nunis & Friends. Danker encourages everyone to participate, saying, 'Let's fill the venue with love, laughter and the beautiful sound of music. 'Together we can amplify our efforts and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.' Tickets are available in three packages, from RM1,000 to RM5,000 per table of 10. For ticket bookings or sponsorship inquiries, contact MFM at 019-282 2290.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malaysian musicians' group to hold July 5 charity concert for ailing veteran performers
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Musicians for Musicians Malaysia (MFM) is set to host a charity concert titled Giving Through Music on July 5 at Dewan Tunku, Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS). Announcing the event today, MFM President Francis Danker said the concert aims to raise funds for musicians facing health and age-related challenges. 'Music unites us in ways that words alone cannot,' Danker said in a statement. He added that all proceeds will go towards helping musicians in need of medical aid and recovery support, including Gerry Felix and Zainal Rampa. The event will feature a lineup of local performers spanning jazz, pop, and contemporary music, supported by sponsors including KGNS, Audio 16, Memories Entertainment and Mandolin Comida Sdn Bhd. The concert marks the third MFM Benefit Concert held by the association.
