Posted on Thu, Oct 29, 2009
TUESDAY, November 17, 2009
META’s Beyond the Bottom Line business lunch workshop Giving Back to Increase the Bottom Line workshop; 11:45am- 1:15pm, US Bank, 101 S. Capitol Blvd., Suite 200, downtown Boise.
Engage in a dialogue with Barbara Cugini, CPA; Donna Geisler, FusionSet; Neva Geisler, United Way of Treasure Valley; and Pam Twilegar, Boise Schools Community Education as they share the positive business and personal benefits of giving back to the communities in which you live, work, and play.
Bring a friend or colleague!
Today’s lunch will feature cuisine from Taj Mahal.
About Us — META—MicroEnterprise Training & Assistance is a program of the nonprofit corporation Mountain States Group, Inc. META offers individual technical assistance, microloans, and periodic business plan training to eligible women, minorities, immigrants, and other underserved populations for the purposes of starting, strengthening, or expanding their businesses in Idaho.
META hosts monthly workshops on current business topics designed to stimulate dialogue. Come join us at the downtown US Bank for our next Beyond the Bottom Line workshop. Convenient parking is available in one of downtown’s parking garages.
Posted on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
Dr. Amit Sharma to Serve on National Kidney Care Expert Panel
Expert panel part of national PEAK campaign to reduce mortality by 20 percent and extend 10,000 lives by the end of 2012
Meridian, Id. (September 17, 2009) – Amit Sharma, MD, FACP, FASN, Director of Clinical Research at Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute (http://www.boisekidney.com) , has been appointed to serve on the Technical Guidance/Curriculum Development Expert Panel in support of the national Performance, Excellence and Accountability in Kidney Care (PEAK) campaign (http://www.kidneycarequality.org) announced earlier this year.
“Improving the quality of care and the quality of life for kidney patients is my highest priority,” says Dr. Sharma. “Educating patients and, perhaps more importantly, other medical professionals about the importance of early detection and treatment of kidney disease is essential if we are to stem the increasing numbers of dialysis patients throughout the U.S. The PEAK program has set a high bar. Success not only will improve outcomes for individual patients, but will reduce overall costs healthcare costs.”
PEAK was launched by Kidney Care Partners, a coalition of renal providers, patients, renal pharmaceutical companies and dialysis equipment manufacturers. The campaign’s goal is to reduce mortality among first-year dialysis patients – those at the greatest risk – by 20 percent by the end of 2012. The campaign’s initial focus will be on patient education and clinical care activities.
As a member of the Technical Guidance/Curriculum Development panel, Dr. Sharma’s role will be to help identify the appropriate evidence-based interventions and best practices that can reduce first-year mortality. The panel will also lead development of the curriculum tools/guides, web-content, and other materials that dialysis organizations and healthcare professionals can use as resources in their efforts to increase survival rates and reduce hospitalizations. Also serving on the committee with Dr. Sharma include Richard Goldman, MD of Renal Physicians Association; J. Michael Lazarus, MD, Chief Medical Officer at FMCNA; and David Van Wyck, MD, Vice President of Clinical Services for DaVita.
Kidney disease affects more than 26 million people nationwide. In the United States, approximately 400,000 people suffer kidney failure and require either dialysis or kidney transplant for survival. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high blood pressure. These factors have led to a steady increase in kidney disease patients.
Minority groups including African Americans and Hispanics are most at-risk for kidney failure. For example, African Americans account for only 12 percent of the population and yet account for 30 percent of people with kidney failure.
About Amit Sharma, MD, FACP, FACN
Dr. Sharma is Director of Clinical Research at Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute in Meridian, Idaho and has served previously as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California in San Diego, as well as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.
From 2001- 2005, he was the Director of the Dialysis Unit and of the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Dr. Sharma received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. He completed his residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He also served as a Battalion Surgeon for the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division where he received numerous medals from the Navy and Marine Corps for his service.
He completed his fellowship in Nephrology and Hypertension from University of California in San Diego in 1999. He is also designated a Specialist in Hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension. He is on the editorial board of Cardiology Reviews, and serves on national committees for the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Learning Systems (KLS).
Dr Sharma has extensive experience conducting primary research and as a principal investigator for numerous clinical trials in the field of nephrology and hypertension. At Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute, trials are underway in anemia management, hypertension control, reno-protective strategies, and home dialysis.
About Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute
The mission of Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute is to provide the most comprehensive, advanced, and compassionate care for kidney disease patients in the Southern Idaho Region—Making Lives Better in Idaho. The practice has offices in Meridian and Nampa, and will open an office in Caldwell in August and in Boise in September, 2008.
Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute's research goal is to set the standard in clinical research with the highest level of satisfaction from all of its constituents, including patients and their families; sponsors; employees; and research affiliates. With an overriding concern for patient safety, the research division will provide premier research professionals to conduct all clinical trial related activities with the utmost accuracy and timeliness, while ensuring personable and professional patient care and conduct. Further, it will bring the ideas and products of our investigators as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device companies to the forefront of research to create and assess the best treatment options for those affected by kidney disease and its related conditions.
Boise Kidney and Hypertension Institute has been caring for patients in the Treasure Valley since opening its doors in 2005. More information about Boise Kidney is available at http://www.boisekidney.com.
Posted on Wed, Aug 12, 2009
Selection Committee Narrows Field from 36 to 3 Candidates
August 7, 2009, Boise, Id.—A seven-member committee has met twice in an effort to narrow down the list of nominations for Boise’s Big Give-a new program started by Chad Vincent, president of Renaissance Remodeling, to donate remodeling services to a family in need. The committee is made up of various professionals and was tasked with evaluating each nominee based on feasibility, financial and physical need.
After today’s meeting, the committee narrowed the overall pool of 36 entries down to three nominees from which at least one homeowner will be selected to receive up to $25,000 in remodeling services. Chad Vincent will visit each of the three final candidates to determine whether the projects are feasible from a practical and financial standpoint. He will report his findings to the committee at their next meeting.
“There are many homeowners whose projects did not make the top list that still need help,” says committee member Christiane Rudd. “Seven of these homes need repairs that a plumber, flooring contractor or carpenter could provide. We are hoping that some of these local trades people will come forward and offer their assistance with these projects.”
Donations of materials, appliances, wheelchairs, and other equipment are also welcomed.
Chad Vincent, president of Renaissance Remodeling, is taking names of contractors, suppliers and trades people willing to donate time or materials to these worthy projects. He can be contacted directly by phone at 208.384.0591 or by email at chad@remodelboise.com.
ABOUT BOISE’S BIG GIVE
Boise’s Big Give is a program developed in 2009 by Chad Vincent, president of Renaissance Remodeling with the help of a number of local business and media sponsors, to provide up to $25,000 in home repairs and renovations to a needy Treasure Valley family. Project scope may include an addition, handicap accessibility improvements, or bathroom, bedroom or kitchen remodels. Citadel Communications, the project’s media partner, provided publicity and a web page for nomination submissions, which closed on July 3, 2009. Other sponsors include Ferguson Kitchen, Lighting, Bath & Appliance; Peak Granite and Western Pacific Building Company.
The seven-member 2009 selection committee includes medical, banking, financial, government, real estate, and consulting professionals in the Treasure Valley.
Posted on Tue, Jan 06, 2009
The Secrets of Marketing on a Budget Offered at January 13, 2009 Workshop
Tough Economic Times Increase Demand for Creative Marketing Ideas
Donna Geisler, a principal of Boise-based marketing company, FusionSet, Inc., will be presenting a workshop entitled “Marketing on a Budget: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Tough Economy” on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at 11:45 a.m., as part of this year’s Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce 2009 Training Series. This workshop is the first of the Chamber’s yearly training offerings and addresses the increasing concerns of many small businesses in these difficult economic times.
Attendees of the workshop will learn the principles of sound marketing planning and the options available to create a manageable marketing plan. The workshop will also cover ways to avoid costly marketing missteps and the many low- and no-cost marketing tools available.
Geisler and FusionSet have helped small businesses in Idaho and around the U.S. market their companies successfully, regardless of their budgets.
“We are a small business, too,” reminds Geisler. “We understand the importance of every penny spent, and, for that reason, work very hard to use them wisely. We advocate the same principles to our clients when it comes to their marketing.” Geisler and FusionSet, Inc. work with clients that range from small family-owned business to multi-national corporations. Services they provide include marketing planning, media planning, public relations, graphic design, advertising production, media buying and marketing management. “We have had some client relationships for 10 years. I think that says a lot about who we are and what we do.” Geisler has served for several years on the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Success Center Advisory Board, where she is an active advocate for the needs of small businesses in the area. She is currently working on the publication of her recently completed book on marketing, “I tried marketing, and it doesn’t works!”
In 2007, FusionSet, Inc. was awarded the Distinguished Corporate Stewardship Award in the small business division from the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. The agency was also recognized for its creative work by the Idaho Travel Council on behalf of its work for the Southwest Idaho Travel Association, a volunteer membership organization that promotes travel and tourism in the region. Geisler’s creative work has also received awards from the Boise Ad Federation.
Geisler’s writing has appeared in local, national and international publications, including Idaho Magazine, BMW Owners News, and RoadRunner magazine, as well as numerous trade publications. Geisler also serves on the board of the Capital City Communicators and is a member of the Idaho Press Club and the Southwest Idaho Travel Association.
For more information about FusionSet, Inc., please call 208.343.6225.
Posted on Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Meridian, Id. – Boise Kidney & Hypertension Institute is proud to announce that Christopher Keller, MD has joined the practice.
Dr. Keller graduated with highest honors from Duke University in North Carolina, and went on to receive his medical doctorate degree with honors from the University of California, San Francisco, where he completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Nephrology. Dr. Keller performed clinical research looking at the causes of kidney disease progression under a grant from the National Kidney Foundation. more
Posted on Sun, Aug 10, 2008
Boise, Id. – FusionSet, Inc., a Boise-based marketing communications company is delighted to announce the addition of Danielle Tindall as Lead Graphic Designer to their staff.
Danielle Tindall returns to Boise after a year freelancing in Eugene, Oregon. A graduate of Northwest Nazarene University with a BA in art with a graphic design emphasis, Danielle worked for six years as a graphic designer at Idaho Power.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented person to our creative team,” says Mary Christianson, principal and vice president overseeing creative production for FusionSet, Inc. “We are certain that having Danielle onboard will enhance our ability to produce creative materials that exceed our clients’ expectations.”
Posted on Sun, Aug 10, 2008
Two Boise-based public relations firms have teamed up to provide marketing and publicity services for the upcoming National Diving Dog Tour, presented by Purina(R) and Oust(R).
FusionSet, Inc., and Murphy Media Services, LLC., were selected by the events’ producer, Carson International, Inc., to create and conduct a media outreach and publicity campaign to promote six Diving Dog events scheduled over the next two months in cities around the country. Locations include New Jersey, Wisconsin, California, Tennessee, and others to be announced.
The National Diving Dog Tour features canine competitors running across a 40-foot stage and diving into a 20,000-gallon pool of water. Tour winners will compete in the national Purina Incredible Dog Challenge finals in January.
Posted on Fri, Jun 06, 2008
Donna Geisler, a principal of Boise-based marketing company, FusionSet, Inc., will be presenting a workshop on “Marketing and Advertising on a Budget” at the upcoming Small Business Conference on June 26th. This year’s Small Business Conference focuses on how small businesses can survive and thrive in today’s business climate. Geisler and FusionSet have helped small businesses in Boise and around the U.S. market their companies successfully, regardless of their budgets. Full release...
Posted on Fri, Jun 06, 2008
Arnold, Md., April 25, 2008 – Villa Builders, Inc., an award-winning Maryland design and remodel company, has received the 2008 Guildmaster with Distinction Award for Exemplary Quality and Customer Service from GuildQuality, a third-party customer survey and performance reporting organization. Once a year, GuildQuality bestows upon a handful of its members an award for exemplary quality and customer service. Award winners differ in their types of work and their price ranges, but all have a lengthy track record of exceptional customer feedback. Villa Builders is proud to be among those recognized this year. (For more information about this award, please visit www.guildquality.com/guildmaster/2008/.) Full release...