Alabama’s Rural Hospitals

  • 84% of hospitals in Alabama operate in the red.
  • 42% of the state’s population lives in a rural area.
  • 7% out of the state’s 67 counties don’t have a hospital.

ATLANTA, April 14, 2026 /3BL/ – In the midst of widespread funding shortfalls for most rural Alabama hospitals, Georgia-Pacific operations in Escambia and Monroe counties are helping hospitals there with a much-needed funding boost.

Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton Containerboard and Alabama River Cellulose facilities donated a total of $500,000 to three rural hospitals in Alabama. The funding will help local hospitals provide critical health services to the community.

Many U.S. hospitals in rural communities have been forced to cut or eliminate essential medical services due to financial strain. According to the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), more than 140 rural hospitals have closed in the past decade. The Alabama Hospital Association states that 84% of Alabama’s hospitals operate in the red, and nearly 90% of women living in rural areas are more than 30 minutes from a birthing center. Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program (RHIP) tax credit is designed to address these challenges.

The Monroe County Hospital (MCH) in Monroeville, Ala., received $225,000. The D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton, Ala., received $225,000, and the Atmore Community Hospital in Atmore, Ala., received $50,000.

“Monroe County Hospital thanks Georgia-Pacific’s Alabama River Cellulose for their investment through the Rural Hospital Investment Program. Thanks to operations and tax-credit incentives, investments like this help strengthen our financial foundation, stabilize operations, and ensure we can continue providing critical healthcare services close to home,” said Laura Harris, MCH’s public relations director. “This support preserves access to care for our community while strengthening the infrastructure and workforce needed to serve Monroe County for years to come. We are grateful for Georgia-Pacific’s partnership in supporting rural healthcare.” 

“Atmore Community Hospital is grateful for Georgia-Pacific’s support through the Rural Hospital Investment Program. The tax credit allocation comes at an important time and will help the hospital strengthen its financial stability and support critical operational needs,” said Drew Citrin, Atmore Community Hospital administrator. “This investment will make a meaningful difference in helping the hospital continue its mission of providing excellent care to patients close to home. We appreciate Georgia-Pacific’s commitment to rural healthcare and its investment in the future of our hospital and the community of Atmore.”

Atmore Community Hospital in Atmore, Ala.

Atmore Community Hospital in Atmore, Ala., received $50,000 from Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton operations. A part of the community for more than 50 years, Atmore Community Hospital serves Atmore and the surrounding communities. The facility and its healthcare providers work to provide the community with safe, quality care that exceeds all expectations.

Stacey Hines, administrator for D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, said, “We are incredibly grateful to Georgia-Pacific for their generous contribution through the Rural Hospital Investment Program. Their support is an investment not only in our hospital, but in the health and well-being of the entire community we serve. Their generosity helps us continue caring for our friends, neighbors, and families close to home, and partnerships like this strengthen not just our hospital, but our entire community.”

 D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton, Ala.

Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton operations donated $225,000 to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton, Ala. The funding will help with the hospital’s mission to provide quality healthcare services while treating patients respectfully and with compassion.
Georgia-Pacific partners with the communities in which it operates to create long-term value and support initiatives that protect the community’s health and well-being.

“Supporting our local hospitals is an investment in the people and families who make our community strong, and strong communities start with access to quality healthcare,” explained Wes Greeson, vice president, Brewton Operations. “This donation underscores our values and our responsibility to support organizations that care for our neighbors when they need it most.”

“Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mills primarily operate in rural settings, and Alabama River Cellulose is no exception,” said Jeff Vermilyea, vice president, Alabama River Cellulose. “We see our rural setting—especially the workforce that comes from it—as a key strength. Giving back to the area that’s given so much to us was an easy choice. This donation helps our local hospital, Monroe Co. Hospital, continue providing our community access reliable, high-quality healthcare locally.”

Georgia-Pacific is a leading employer in Alabama, creating a combined 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $760 million in wages and benefits. Over the past decade, the company has invested nearly $2.5 billion in its Alabama operations and recently announced an additional investment of $800 million in the Alabama River Cellulose operation.

Learn more about our stewardship initiatives here.

View original content here.
 

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — American Rivers is today announcing America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026 in the national organization’s 41st annual report. With over 80 percent of our nation’s rivers lacking adequate protection, according to the National Protected Rivers Assessment, and half of rivers in the U.S. containing unsafe levels of pollution, rivers are among the most at-risk ecosystems on the planet, despite their importance to society.

Millions of Americans depend on rivers to supply their drinking water, drive strong economies, irrigate our food supply and provide recreation and outdoor access. Protection of rivers and clean water enjoys broad support among the public, across demographics and political ideologies. But threats to rivers and water are mounting, demanding bipartisan action from decision-makers.

“Polluting and abusing our rivers will impoverish our nation and ourselves. We should not shirk our responsibility to protect our most precious resource — our nation’s freshwater,” said Tom Kiernan, president and CEO of American Rivers. “Rivers are the foundation from which our nation has grown, and if we allow vital water supplies to diminish and degrade, our children and the generations still to come will pay the price.”

American Rivers reviews nominations for America’s Most Endangered Rivers® from individuals and organizations across the country. Rivers are selected based upon the following criteria:

  • A major decision that the public can help influence in the coming year.
  • The significance of the river to people and nature.
  • The magnitude of threat to the river and its communities.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026

  1. Potomac River: The rapid, unchecked buildout of data centers along the Potomac River threatens the drinking water for our nation’s capital and surrounding areas, while a historic sewage spill raises alarms about aging infrastructure.
  2. San Joaquin: A massive gravel mine proposed along the river would jeopardize drinking water supplies for the Fresno region and reverse major salmon-restoration progress.
  3. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: The Twin Metals mine would bring acid-mine drainage to an iconic wilderness — endangering clean water, wildlife, and a major outdoor-recreation economy.
  4. Lumber River: Toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS and other industrial pollution are pushing this Wild and Scenic River to the brink.
  5. Rogue River: Mining pollution and the potential loss of Roadless Rule safeguards threaten this river’s remarkable salmon runs and incredible recreational value.
  6. Chilkat River: The ongoing development of a large-scale hard rock mine threatens habitat for fish and wildlife and would irreparably harm Alaskan Native communities.
  7. Nissequogue River: A failed dam that freed a major section of Long Island’s largest river might be replaced, threatening fish and wildlife recovery.
  8. Dan River: Fossil fuel–pipeline construction threatens to pollute drinking-water supplies and increase flood risk to downstream communities.
  9. Amargosa River: Mining operations threaten drinking-water supplies and the unique fish and wildlife that depend on this desert lifeline.
  10. Suwannee River: Excessive water withdrawals, sewage and agricultural pollution are testing this river’s limits in the extreme.

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org

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SOURCE American Rivers

Commits to Continuing the Work to Advance Women’s Sports and Support the Fans Who Made It Happen

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) today announced it has officially met its groundbreaking 50/50 media pledge a full year ahead of schedule, achieving equal advertising spending on men’s and women’s sports media. The milestone cements Ally as the first brand to set—and achieve—a public, time-bound goal for equal advertising spend across men’s and women’s sports media.

Originally launched in May of 2022 with a five-year target, the 50/50 pledge sought to upend a vicious cycle driving significant disparity in media coverage and economic prosperity of women’s sports. Since the launch, the women’s sports industry has seen explosive growth – with record viewership, game-changing media and sponsorship deals, highest-ever team valuations and stronger media representation.

The commitment also delivered measurable business results for Ally that validated the company’s strategic, early investment in women’s sports. Since the pledge launched in 2022, Ally’s brand value is up 40% according to Brand Finance. Women’s sports fans are 27% more likely to say they trust Ally compared to general consumers and are experiencing record levels of brand awareness.

“When we launched this pledge in 2022, we saw around a corner and believed women’s sports was the next significant space in sponsorships because of its positive trajectory — passionate fans, incredible athletes, untapped potential. But, it needed partners willing to help make the infrastructure,” said Andrea Brimmer, Ally’s Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer. “We wanted to build alongside other brands, leagues, teams and media partners to create real visibility, credibility, and economic momentum for women’s sports. Meeting this commitment early isn’t a finish line for Ally — it’s proof that when you invest in building something meaningful, everyone benefits. And we’re not done building.”

Breaking the Cycle, Architecting the Infrastructure
In delivering the pledge, Ally collaborated with media partners, leagues, athletes and other brands to help architect new ways to put women’s sports in the spotlight and address the vicious cycle. Since launching the pledge, Ally increased its advertising spend on women’s sports media more than 4.6X, moving from 10% of its total sports media spending to 50% parity today. Key milestones included:

  • 2022: Worked with CBS and the NWSL to move the championship to primetime network television for the first time, resulting in a record 915,000 viewers — a 71% increase year-over-year.
  • 2023: Executed a multimillion-dollar Disney/ESPN deal where 90% of investment supported women’s sports across the ACC, SEC, and NCAA championships.
  • 2024: Became an official USGA partner and helped raise the U.S. Women’s Open purse to a record $12 million — still the highest in women’s golf today.
  • 2024: Committed early as the first founding partner of Unrivaled, the professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league.
  • 2025: Became the WNBA’s official banking partner and signed No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, pairing her with veterans Breanna Stewart and Sydney Colson.
  • March 2026: Worked with Scripps Sports and the PWHL to deliver the league’s first-ever nationally televised game in the United States, accessible to more than 126 million households.

Ally also invested early with emerging women’s sports platforms including Just Women’s Sports, Re-Inc, GOALS, TOGETHXR, The Gist, and others, supporting the growth of a more robust media landscape to best serve women’s sports fans.

“Over the course of this commitment, we partnered closely with Ally to rethink how the sports media marketplace could work — helping unlock inventory where it didn’t previously exist and identifying emerging platforms ahead of traditional benchmarks,” said Martin Blich, Executive Director and U.S. Head of Sports Partnerships & Investment, WPP Media. “Reaching the 50/50 milestone validates a deliberate shift in how investment can be structured and demonstrates how media strategy can drive industry-wide change in women’s sports.”

The Work Continues: Addressing Rising Costs as the Next Challenge
As women’s sports have grown, rising costs are creating complicated realities for stakeholders across the ecosystem. Brands and leagues are navigating heightened pressure for immediate revenue and returns, as fans face new financial friction. Ticket prices are rising, the viewing landscape is increasingly complicated, and memorable experiences bolstering lifelong fandom risk becoming accessible only to those with the deepest pockets.

Ally’s own Cost of Fandom research found the average sports fan spends more than $1,600 annually on their fandom—with 85% having no dedicated savings for it.

“Brands and fans who contributed to this movement — who filled every seat in a far-off arena, tuned in at nonprime hours, brought the demand to put games in primetime — are now navigating a landscape that’s grown faster and become more expensive than anyone expected,” said Brimmer. “This is a sign of the explosive growth of the women’s game, so on one hand, I’m proud. But, at the same time, this is a delicate moment. We’re calling on all those who love women’s sports to continue to make the hard decisions to ensure long-term, sustainable growth.”

“At a time when fans are choosing to spend, save and give with more intention than ever—57% of sports fans admit they overspend on their love of sports —they deserve a financial services partner willing to step up and support their love of the game. Ally intends to do just that, ensuring women’s sports fans can still do fandom right as we continue investing in the growth of the entire ecosystem together,” added Brimmer.

About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.

For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.

For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.

Contacts:

Christian Bochicchio
Ally Communications (Media)
christian.bochicchio@ally.com

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SOURCE Ally Financial

The company is committed to building better homes for today and tomorrow

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Richmond American Homes (RAH) of New Mexico, Inc., a subsidiary of Sekisui House U.S., Inc., is thrilled to have been recognized by Powering New Mexico’s (PNM) High Performance New Homes Program for its commitment to sustainability in homebuilding. This program (pnm.com/newhomeconstruction) promotes the construction of comfortable, energy-efficient homes in New Mexico.

In addition to having been named by PNM as the builder in New Mexico with the highest median kilowatt-hour (kWh) efficiency rate, Richmond American has also been recognized as having the most ENERGY STAR®-certified homes in the state. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov), ENERGY STAR®-certified homes deliver lower utility bills, improved indoor air quality, efficient HVAC systems, proper insulation and sealing, better moisture protection, stronger resale value, and added peace of mind through strict standards and independent inspections.

Over the past 20 years, Richmond American’s green initiatives (RichmondAmerican.com/Energy) have produced strong results. Beyond power-based savings, the builder has focused on water conservation and improving indoor air quality, aiming to create homes that are healthier for residents and better for the environment while also lowering costs.

In 2022, Richmond American achieved a HERS® Index of 49—surpassing its goal of 50 three years ahead of schedule. The HERS® Index is the industry standard for rating home energy efficiency, providing a nationally recognized measure of a home’s energy performance. A certified HERS® Rater evaluates a home and assigns it a score from 0 to 150; the lower the score, the more energy-efficient the home.

Additional green initiatives that Richmond American has implemented in recent years include:

  • WaterSense® fixtures (per community & plan)
  • Programmable thermostat
  • Efficient HVAC
  • Low-e windows (per market)
  • Advanced framing
  • Low-VOC paint and carpet
  • Award-winning radon mitigation
  • Indoor airPLUS

More information on Richmond American Homes of New Mexico can be obtained by calling 505.800.7742.

About Sekisui House U.S., Inc.
Sekisui House U.S., Inc. continues a legacy that began in 1972 under its former name, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Among the largest homebuilders in the nation, Sekisui House U.S., Inc.’s homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 250,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream. The companies’ commitment to quality construction, customer satisfaction and value is reflected in every home they build. The Richmond American Homes companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following Sekisui House U.S., Inc. subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company.

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SOURCE Sekisui House U.S., Inc.

Originally published on Edie.net

Drawing on a decade of insights from the Women for Change program, Mars Global’s senior director of cocoa sustainability Nupur Parikh reflects on what can happen when women’s roles in the cocoa industry are fully recognized and supported.

Easter is right around the corner, and millions of families around the world are coming together to celebrate, connect and savour the simple joy that chocolate brings.

The story of that chocolate, however, doesn’t begin in the supermarket aisle or in a basket. It begins on a cocoa farm, where thousands of farmers in cocoa supply chains work to cultivate the cocoa that finds its way into the chocolate we all enjoy. Yet within many cocoa‑farming communities, women’s contributions are often undervalued or invisible.

The reality on the ground, however, is that women play central roles in cocoa-growing communities, like farming, family well-being and community life. In fact, studies have shown that women participate in all stages of cocoa production. Despite this deep involvement, gender norms and power relations perpetuate a system where their work is less visible and often undervalued. This creates barriers to their success and limits the resilience of the entire sector.

Mars wanted to help women overcome these barriers. Ten years ago, they launched Women for Change in partnership with CARE. Through Women for Change, Mars and CARE aim to economically empower female cocoa farmers and women living in cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire — helping them save and invest, build and grow businesses, shift their confidence and agency within their households and communities, and harness the power of collective action.

Continue reading here.

3BL Content Editor: Formatting, Media & HTML Specifications

The 3BL Editor is a structured, HTML-based publishing environment. Formatting is not decorative — it is a technical decision that affects how content is rendered, indexed, and distributed. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how the editor works, what it supports, and how to maximize performance and discoverability using structured content.

Character Limits

Every field in the editor has a defined limit that affects how your content previews across channels — from email inboxes to aggregator feeds. These aren’t soft guidelines; exceeding them causes truncation downstream.

Character Limits
Field Limit Notes
Headline 255 characters Target 60 for search display
Subheadline 255 characters Doubles as SEO meta description
Body No limit Full article content
Short teaser 280 characters Used in email distribution previews

Writing a headline under 60 characters isn’t just an SEO best practice — it’s the threshold at which most search engines display the full title without truncation. The 255-character field gives you flexibility, but 60 is the practical target.1

Supported HTML Elements

Text Structure & Semantics

Well-structured content starts with the right tags. Headings, paragraphs, and text formatting elements do more than control appearance — they signal hierarchy to the systems that distribute and index your content.

  • Bold signals importance to both readers and search systems.
  • Italic works well for titles or technical terms being introduced.
  • Underline is supported but use sparingly to avoid confusion with links.
  • Superscript and subscript render correctly for use cases like COCO or trademark symbolsTM — both travel cleanly through distribution.

Lists

When sequence matters, use an ordered list:

  1. Lead with your most important claim in the headline and H1
  2. Support it with evidence in modular, self-contained sections
  3. Close with a clear takeaway or call to action
  4. Keep each section focused on one idea

When information is parallel but not sequential, use bullets:

  • Semantic headings at every major section break
  • Descriptive hyperlink anchor text
  • Alt text on every image
  • Embeds placed within the body, not isolated at the top or bottom

Links

The <a> tag supports href, alt, target, title, and rel attributes. Use descriptive anchor text for both accessibility and search performance. Read more about 3BL’s framework for optimizing content in our 2026 LLM and Generative AI Writing Guide.


Content Sanitization & Unsupported Elements

The editor automatically removes unsupported or unsafe elements on save. The most common ones teams run into:

  • Special characters, emojis, and math symbols
  • <div> (except for specific oEmbed use cases)
  • <span>
  • <video>
  • <audio>
  • <iframe>

Formatting that looks correct in the editor can degrade silently on downstream endpoints. A table that renders cleanly on 3BL Media may lose its header row on a wire service. Test every rich element against your full distribution stack before publishing.


Rich Media: Embeds & Images

Video Embeds

oEmbed is supported for YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, and Spotify. Place embeds within the body of the article for the best rendering consistency across endpoints.

Images

Supported formats are PNG and JPEG only, with a maximum file size of 100MB. Every image should include descriptive alt text.

Before vs After of 3BL's Content Editor with Images


Rich Content & Performance Considerations

Rich content affects rendering behavior, how information is consumed by search engines, accessibility, and consistency distributed across channels.

  • Your headline should clearly communicate what the content is about in less than 60 characters.
  • Use the description to add context about why this topic matters and why your organization is positioned to speak about it.
  • The first header (H1) should mirror your headline, using words that communicate authority or nod toward search intent.
  • Secondary headers (H2, H3) help break up your content — more readable to both humans and robots than a long unbroken block of text.
  • Keep each section modular, with one clear idea per section.
  • Add descriptive alt text to images to help visually impaired readers and AI systems interpret the visuals you use.

The 3BL Content Editor gives marketing, communications, and PR teams the creative flexibility to produce rich, multimedia-driven stories — while ensuring content is structured, sanitized, and distributed consistently across 3BL’s network of 79 partner sites.


1Based on Google’s standard search result title display behavior as of 2026.

 

 

Talk to our team 
 

  • First bond of its kind from a North American bank supports Indigenous businesses and communities

TORONTO, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – BMO’s labelled Indigenous Bond, the first of its kind from a North American bank, has been recognized by Environmental Finance’s Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 as the Social Bond of the Year – Financial Institution. Issued in October 2025, the purpose of the bond is to help drive success and growth for Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous communities.

“At BMO, we drive innovation to empower our clients and strengthen our communities. As a bank with strong and long-lasting ties to Indigenous communities and businesses across Canada, we are especially honoured to receive this recognition and proud to have worked with Cedar Leaf Capital to be the first bank in North America to issue a labelled Indigenous Bond.” said John Uhren, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, BMO.

An Environmental Finance Awards judge commended BMO for “showing innovation in the bond structure as well as the process for structuring it.”

The syndicate for the CAD $200 million 4-year callable (4NC3) Fixed-to-Floating Rate Indigenous Bond included Cedar Leaf Capital Inc., Canada’s first majority Indigenous-owned investment dealer. The offering closed on October 27, 2025 and proceeds were allocated toward Indigenous-owned enterprises and Indigenous communities, as outlined in BMO’s Sustainable Bond Framework (the “Framework”).

Leveraging our Sustainable Bond Framework to build solutions

The Indigenous Bond is issued pursuant to BMO’s Framework, which aligns to BMO’s Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, for a thriving economy, a sustainable future, and stronger communities. The Framework defines eligible assets across eleven green, four social, and three transition categories and each category contributes to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and solving global challenges across sustainability and economic empowerment. The Framework is aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s (“ICMA”) Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability Bond Guidelines, and the Climate Transition Finance Handbook, and BMO obtained a second party opinion from Moody’s on the Framework.

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities.    

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group

In a year defined by innovation, growth and purpose-driven progress, Elanco Animal Health continues to gain momentum across the animal health industry. The company’s commitment to advancing animal well-being while supporting communities has recently been recognized through two notable honors, Elanco has been named:

Animal Health Company of the Year for 2025 by S&P Global’s Animal Health Awards, a distinction reflecting the company’s strong performance and forward-looking strategy. According to award organizers, the judging panel felt Elanco’s achievements over the past year made the decision clear.

Fueled by a combination of innovation and execution, Elanco has advanced new product approvals and launches, strengthened partnerships across the animal health ecosystem, delivered solid financial performance, and established its new global headquarters. Each of these is a milestone that signals a company building for long-term impact.

Together, these accomplishments reflect Elanco’s broader mission of improving animal health while helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in food nutrition and animal well-being.

America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 list published for the first time by Newsweek. The ranking highlights organizations making meaningful contributions through philanthropy, corporate giving, and community engagement.

For Elanco, charitable work is closely tied to its purpose of Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Through partnerships, donations and employee-driven volunteerism, the company supports initiatives that strengthen the human-animal bond, expand access to veterinary care, and help communities thrive.

This recognition underscores how Elanco’s mission extends beyond business performance. Whether by advancing innovations that support farmers and pet owners or investing in communities around the world, the company continues to demonstrate that impact and growth can move forward together.

As Elanco builds on a year of strong achievements, these recognitions reflect a company that is not only gaining momentum by Going Beyond but also doing so with purpose.

Twenty-two senior executives share stories, strategies, and insights redefining leadership in a rapidly evolving industry curated by Diane L. Martin

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Healthcare executive, strategic advisor, and author Diane L. Martin announces the launch of “Women in Health: A Master Guide to the Voices, Stories, and Strategies Shaping the Modern Office, a new anthology elevating the experiences and leadership insights of women shaping the future of healthcare.

Featuring the bold and compelling stories of 22 senior women healthcare executives across the country, the anthology spotlights leaders as they navigate challenges, rebuild organizations, transform cultures, and deliver impact across complex health systems.

Martin’s interest in this topic stems from more than two decades of experience leading transformative marketing and communication initiatives across hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and health plans. Over her distinguished career, she has served in leadership roles at Dignity Health/CommonSpirit, Stanford Health Care, Emanate Health, sits on the board of Women in Health Administration of Southern California, and currently serves as the founder and managing partner at Macan & Company, a healthcare marketing and communications advisory network.

“‘Women in Health’ was born from a simple but urgent truth: these stories must be seen, heard, and preserved—not as side notes in the evolution of healthcare, but as the blueprint for its future,” said Martin. “My purpose in writing this book is to honor the women whose leadership has shaped my journey and strengthened the communities we serve—and to ensure their insights become part of the national dialogue informing policy, shaping culture, and guiding the next generation of leaders who will carry healthcare beyond the glass ceiling.”

The anthology features senior leaders from across strategy, operations, finance, clinical excellence, compliance, legal, supply chain, talent, and organizational transformation — including CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, CNOs, and other senior executives.

  • Alina Moran, FACHE, FABC, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, Elmhurst
  • Andrea Turner, JD, MBA, CNMT, CEO, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
  • Corina B. Clark, MPA, FACHE, RRT, President, California Association of Healthcare Leaders
  • Debra Green Oliphant, DHA, MPA, FACHE, FMSP, CLSSBB, CPMSM, CPCS, AVP of Medical Affairs and CVO
  • Diana Verrilli, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Navista
  • Eneida O. Roldan, MD, MPH, MBA, Executive Dean and Professor, Barry University
  • Este Geraghty, MD, MS, MPH, GISP, Retired Chief Medical Officer at Esri
  • Flo Di Benedetto, JD, MBA, BA, President and CEO, Di Benedetto Solutions, Inc.
  • Jill Martin, EVP, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Joanne Laguna-Kennedy, MSN, RN, CENP, FACHE, VP, Hospital Operations & Chief Operations Officer, Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital
  • Johnese Spisso, MPA, President, UCLA Health & CEO, UCLA Hospital System
  • June Simmons, President & CEO at Partners in Care Foundation
  • Karen Walker Johnson, CEO, Clever Care Health Plan
  • Kemi Olugemo, MD, FAAN, President, Clinical Development Consulting, LLC
  • Lara Khouri, MBA, MPH, CEO, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital
  • Laura Moreno Lucas, General Partner, L’ATTITUDE Ventures
  • Laurie Sewell, MA, BS, President & CEO, Servicon
  • Margaret R. Peterson, PhD, EVP & Principal, COPE Health, Retired
  • Martina Lee Strickland, Chief Growth Officer, Clever Care Health Plan
  • Michelle Barry, MD, Global Systems Architect
  • Tamara Thomas, MD, Dean, School of Medicine, Executive Vice President Medical Affairs, Loma Linda University Health
  • Tricia Gray, MBA, MHA, FACHE, CPHQ, COO, WHA President

Another central theme is the power of mentorship—an influential element in Martin’s own career and of these authors.

“Every woman featured here has been lifted by someone who believed in her, challenged her, or opened a door that once seemed out of reach,” she said. “Their stories remind us that leadership is not a solo journey; it is a collective one. And as we look to the future, building strong communities of women in leadership is not optional—it is essential.”

She hopes readers will use the book as an inspirational resource for leaders at all stages of their journey. This inaugural edition highlights pioneering women whose leadership, vision, and impact are reshaping the healthcare landscape.

“I see my book offering clarity in moments of uncertainty, courage in moments of doubt, and affirmation when the path feels steep,” Martin said. “That it sparks conversations, strengthens networks, and ignites a renewed commitment to building a healthcare system that is equitable, innovative, and deeply human.”

“Women in Health” is available on Amazon.

For information about the book, visit https://womeninhealthseries.com/.

About Women in Health:
“Women in Health” captures a defining moment in the evolution of healthcare—one where women are at the forefront of transforming care delivery, shaping policy, and redefining organizational culture. This book celebrates the achievements of accomplished women healthcare executives and leaders, offering a compelling look into their professional journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the impact they are making on the future of the industry.

Featuring senior leaders from healthcare systems, hospitals, and organizations, this collection highlights the visionary contributions of women who are driving meaningful change. Through their stories, readers will gain valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and the advancement of diversity and inclusion. The book also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and fostering strong communities among women in leadership roles.

About Diane L. Martin:
Born in New York City and rooted in California for over two decades, Diane L. Martin is a healthcare executive and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience leading transformative marketing and communications efforts across hospitals, health systems, and higher education. Known for her ability to turn complexity into clarity, Diane has helped organizations expand access, elevate reputation, and reimagine how they connect with the communities they serve.

Her leadership has driven award-winning growth strategies, bold digital transformations, and enterprise-wide rebranding initiatives. She’s built and mentored high-performing teams, guided executive messaging, and partnered with boards and stakeholders to bring ambitious visions to life—from new cancer centers to academic institutions and equity-focused campaigns.

As a board member of Women in Health Administration of Southern California, Diane also champions inclusive leadership and mentorship—helping empower the next generation of changemakers in healthcare.

Diane continues to shape the future of the industry with insight, creativity, and purpose—collaborating with forward-thinking leaders to build what’s next.

Media Contact:
Marie Lazzara
JJR Marketing
630-400-3361
marie@jjrmarketing.com

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SOURCE Diane L. Martin

The Curiosity Cube™, a mobile science lab from MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has begun its 2026 tour of North America, Europe, and Southern Africa. Throughout the year, over 2,000 employees and partners worldwide will step out of their laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and offices to share their skills and insights with the next generation of scientists, providing hands-on STEM experiences for an expected 62,000 students.

“Our employees work every day to impact life and health with science, and that passion makes them powerful role models for today’s students,” said Jeffrey Whitford, Vice President, Sustainability and Social Business Innovation, the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “As we mark the 10th anniversary of our SPARK™ employee volunteer program, the Curiosity Cube™ remains one of the many ways we spark curiosity and inspire confidence in students. We provide access to hands-on science by bringing the interactive, mobile lab directly to their schools.”

Inside this year’s Curiosity Cube™ are three lessons focused on synthetic biology. This topic introduces students to biology principles and highlights growing sectors within the life sciences, including research and development, healthcare, and agriculture. The three lessons include:

  • Enzyme Function: Demonstrating how enzyme shapes influence biological processes using lock and key models.
  • DNA Coding: Allowing students to discover how DNA “codes” affect traits and behaviors.
  • Gene Activation: Highlighting how turning genes on or off can create genes that help solve real-world problems.

The eighth North American tour includes 133 events across major cities in the U.S. and Canada, including Austin, Boston, Cleveland, Durham, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis, Toronto, and more. For its fifth European tour, the Curiosity Cube™ will host 156 events with stops in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K., with new stops in Poland, Serbia, and Slovakia. After a successful expansion to Southern Africa in 2025, the Curiosity Cube™ is returning to host 126 events alongside universities in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and will expand to Zambia for the first time.

To learn more about the Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab and view the 2026 tour schedule, visit TheCuriosityCube.com and follow the Curiosity Cube™ on Instagram: @curiositycube_milliporesigma.