Month: June 2023

By Evelyn Mitchell

When Regions introduced benefits for those struggling with infertility, Alana, an associate in the Human Resources division, turned to Regions Bank partners Ovia Health and WINFertility to support her and her husband in their family building journey.

“I immediately downloaded the Ovia app and connected with a nurse to chat about suggested treatments and just ask questions.” Alana explained. “After that, I signed up for WINFertility and conducted an intake call. We discussed my history and experience and was assigned a care advocate to work with throughout the process.”

World Infertility Awareness Month

June is World Infertility Awareness Month, which recognizes infertility issues – defined as the inability to conceive after trying for one year, or the inability of a woman to carry a pregnancy to a live birth – faced by people around the globe.

Everyone has been very encouraging and thoughtful. It’s so nice to know that someone out there has the answers and is going to help me with what I need.

Alana, an associate in the Human Resources division

Even with statistics in the millions, people facing infertility often feel they’re alone in their struggles. That’s why Regions chose to begin offering fertility benefits in 2022.

“Everyone has been very encouraging and thoughtful. It’s so nice to know that someone out there has the answers and is going to help me with what I need,” Alana shared.

Support from Regions

Regions has partnered with leading providers Ovia Health and WINFertility to provide personalized and confidential family-building benefits for associates. With these programs, fertility care managers help navigate participants through unfamiliar infertility, pregnancy and parenting territory by providing education, guidance and emotional support. It’s another example of how the company is investing in associate wellbeing.

“You’re Not Alone”

The struggle to conceive can have a lasting effect on every aspect of a person’s life. This makes having the right support crucial when embarking on an infertility journey. Alana says she is grateful for the support she has received as her journey continues and shared a word of encouragement for others.

“Infertility is not easy or for the faint of heart. There are so many times when you feel like you are suffering through this alone. But I want everyone to know that there are so many communities you can join for support, whether it’s through social media or your fertility clinic or even the social network in the Ovia app,” Alana shared. “It’s just nice to know that I can call either my care advocate at WINFertility or chat with a nurse or coach through Ovia and get solid answers from a clinical provider.”

WINFertility Insights and Education

In support of ongoing education about infertility, WINFertility recently introduced a series of webinars featuring world-renowned fertility specialists. The recorded webinars are available on demand on the WINFertility site at the following link:

Three Things To Know Webinar Series

Regions provides a variety of benefits to support the wellbeing of associates and their families.

Family Building Benefits – Ovia Health and WINFertility: The Ovia suite of health apps offers support for milestones such as planning and starting a family, navigating pregnancy and balancing life as a working parent. WINFertility offers compassionate support to families facing fertility challenges. From guidance in selecting providers to valuable financing and discount options, WIN offers a variety of resources.Parental Leave: Regions provides 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for eligible birth mothers, 6 weeks of maternity leave and 6 weeks of bonding leave. Eligible birth fathers and adoptive parents can take 6 weeks of bonding leave.Baby Yourself Prenatal Program: Regions provides associates with a prenatal wellness program. The service provides expectant mothers with support and educational materials, including access to a personal nurse that they can call with any questions or concerns throughout their pregnancy.Adoption Assistance: Regions provides adoption assistance to help associates cover certain costs not covered by state or private agencies.Wellness@Regions: Regions offers corporate wellness programs and incentives that encourage healthy choices. Wellness@Regions, gives associates access to multiple options for improving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The program includes initiatives in overall-wellbeing, physical health, mental wellness, and chronic condition support.

Originally published on 3M News Center

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 27, 2023 /3BL/ — 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) top 10 finalists. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

This year’s finalists – fourteen students ranging in age from 11-14 – identified an everyday problem in their community or the world and submitted a one- to two-minute video communicating the science behind their solution. An esteemed and diverse group of judges, including 3M scientists and leaders in education from across the country, evaluated entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness. The competition event will take place from October 9-10, 2023, at the 3M Innovation Center in Minneapolis.

“For 16 years, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has exemplified our belief in harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what’s possible. The remarkable young innovators of this competition share our determination to help shape a brighter future.” said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. “By asking students to think creatively and apply the power of science to everyday problems, incredible solutions and leaders arise.”

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists include students from public and private schools across the U.S. Each finalist will be evaluated on a series of challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist.

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Heman Bekele, Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public SchoolsAnisha Dhoot, Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48JIshaan Iyer, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School DistrictSean Jiang, Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, PrivateShripriya Kalbhavi, San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School DistrictAnnie Katz, New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, PrivateAnish Kosaraju, Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School DistrictAdhip Maitra, Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School DistrictShruti Sivaraman, Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School DistrictSarah Wang, Andover, Mass., The Pike School, Independent

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

“What a delight it is to see these incredible young innovators recognized for their hard work. The 2023 finalists showcase the power of innovation with projects spanning an array of fascinating scientific topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We cannot wait to see your ideas come to life!” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Social Impact at Discovery Education.

America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network began fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking and grant opportunities.

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education’s recently enhanced K-12 learning platform.

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.

About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE 3M

A one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care does not work for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Each sub-community faces unique challenges. Check out these tips from NAMI if you or someone you care about is seeking LGBTQ+ competent mental health care.

Schneider Electric

The approach towards corporate biodiversity action shows similarities with that of climate action at several points along the way.

By Gaya Herrington, VP ESG Research at the Schneider ElectricTM Sustainability Research Institute

An introduction for Manufacturing Companies

With almost 70% of wildlife already lost at what seem to be accelerating extinction rates, upwards of USD 20 trillion in economic damages from lost ecosystem services a year, and another USD 53 trillion globally at risk from further biodiversity losses, it is abundantly clear that business as usual is no way forward. Current business practices cause too many negative impacts on society, not just on nature but also on human health. The feedback effects from these negative impacts find their way back to corporations through various channels, including direct or supply chain dependencies, and legal, regulatory, reputational, and financial exposure risks. There can and have been delays in these feedback mechanisms, but today, they may have accumulated to the point where corporate biodiversity action makes sense not just from a moral standpoint, but also from a purely economic one. This report provides a first view of what this may entail for companies, especially those in manufacturing, that are ready for real corporate biodiversity action.

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