Tag: 3BL

PATH has launched a groundbreaking initiative to address the rising burden of hemoglobinopathies—particularly Thalassemia—in India, with the support of a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation). The program aims to strengthen local health systems and expand access to early screening, diagnosis, and treatment in high-prevalence areas.

India accounts for nearly 25% of the global β-thalassemia burden, with an estimated 10,000–15,000 children born each year with Thalassemia Major. Despite this, access to quality care remains limited, and treatment pathways are often fragmented.

This initiative marks among the BMS Foundation’s first grants in India to increase access to screening and build capacity to tackle the life-threatening burden of hemoglobinopathies.

The program will be implemented in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on:

Strengthening screening and prevention: Focusing on high-prevalence districts and prioritizing key population groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and families with known genetic risk factors.

Capacity-building and training: Equipping frontline health workers to deliver timely, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care.

Coordinated care systems: Ensuring linkage to management services, including safe blood transfusion services, iron chelation therapy, and bone marrow transplant facilities, where appropriate.

Strengthening the Centre for Competence (CoC): Enhancing the ambit of existing CoCs for Sickle Cell Disease established by the Government of India under NSCAEM to serve as hubs of excellence for Thalassemia care.

Policy integration and innovation: Supporting alignment of national and state-level actions on integrated Thalassemia management with global guidelines and local realities to inform future efforts to scale up integrated interventions.

“This project is expected to directly impact the population across the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh,” said Neeraj Jain, Country Director, India, PATH. “The project’s goal is to impact over 1.8 million pregnant women, newborns, and families of affected individuals, who will receive integrated screening services during the project period. Enhanced capacity of health care providers and access to better treatment will help improve the quality of life for all individuals diagnosed with Thalassemia.”

Catharine Grimes, President of the BMS Foundation, added, “The BMS Foundation is proud to work with PATH on these critical efforts to close gaps in Thalassemia care in India. Across our global work to address pediatric blood disorders, we are committed to removing barriers and strengthening sustainable systems of care. By implementing evidence-based strategies tailored to local community needs, we aim to deliver a scalable, lasting impact.”

On World Mental Health Day, Kate Spade New York brought together an inspiring mix of advocates, creators, clinicians, and thought leaders for its fourth Global Summit on Women’s Mental Health at The Times Center in New York City. The day-long event explored how women — and especially Gen Z — are reshaping the way we think about community, resilience, and mental health. 

Across powerful conversations with speakers including Kenneth Cole, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Masai Russell, Alyson Stoner, and Joy Woods, the summit highlighted a shared belief: that mental health is not separate from empowerment, it’s the foundation of it. Topics ranged from navigating digital pressures and financial anxiety to redefining authenticity and friendship in today’s world. 

The gathering also marked another milestone in Kate Spade’s decade-long commitment to women’s mental health. Through its Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health, launched in 2024, the brand aims to reach 250,000 women and girls with access to community-based care by 2030. Backed by more than $35 million invested to date and supported by partners like Lululemon, Pinterest, and Adyen, the fund reflects Kate Spade’s belief that purpose can create measurable impact. 

“As a brand rooted in joy, we know that good mental health is essential to helping women access their authentic voice, choice, and power,” said Taryn Bird, Executive Director of Social Impact at Kate Spade New York. 

Through initiatives like this summit, Kate Spade continues to show what it means for a fashion brand to lead with heart by turning optimism into action and proving that joy can be a powerful force for change. 

Learn more about Kate Spade’s social impact work here.

Stakeholders of world-class equipment, technology and services company, CNH, including agricultural brands Case IH and New Holland, brought together conservation experts, policymakers and farmers to a one-day workshop. Held at the New Holland Campus Farm in the Chesapeake Bay area of Pennsylvania, USA, in July 2025 attendees shared best practices and innovative ideas.

Opening the event, CNH’s leadership highlighted that sustainability is a shared journey — one that may look different for each participant but ultimately connects everyone involved. “When we innovate, we think about how we can help customers raise productivity and reduce inputs,” said Chun Woytera, CNH’s Chief Quality & Customer Advocacy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer. “Sustainability isn’t something any one group or company can achieve alone. By coming together, we can learn, grow and create solutions that make it easier for farmers to adopt conservation practices — because when our customers and local partners succeed, so do our industries and communities.”

This shared success goes beyond farming operations. Conservation practices not only protect soil, water and biodiversity, but also contribute to healthier and more productive crops and, ultimately, healthier food. Strengthening these connections is key to building resilient crop and food systems for the future.

Read the latest story in CNH’s ‘A Sustainable Year’ series here.

At first glance, Sierra Ryan is a Division I lacrosse player balancing the demands ofpractice, classes, and competition. But beyond the field, Sierra is also a self-taught coder and the founder of not one, but two AI-focused companies. That kind of grit and curiosity is exactly why she joined the Student-Athlete Venture Studio (SAVS), a unique program at Arizona State University (ASU) in collaboration with GoDaddy Empower, which enables collegiate athletes to become entrepreneurs and provides a proactive approach to navigating name, image, and likeness (NIL) licensing successfully.

Through SAVS, Sierra is learning how to build her personal brand and entrepreneurial future with GoDaddy Airo®. GoDaddy Airo’s AI-powered experiences help Sierra showcase her story online, own her digital presence, and prepare for what’s next.

The partnership between GoDaddy Empower and ASU is designed to give student-athletes like Sierra the resources they need to succeed in the evolving NIL era. It’s not just about endorsements – it’s about entrepreneurship.

Inspired to take the first step in building your brand? Get a .com for only $4.99 for your first year — includes Airo — at studentathlete.godaddy.

Watch Sierra’s story here.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

GoDaddy Empower Spotlight Series

By partnering with diverse community organizations, schools, and education institutions, GoDaddy Empower helps emerging entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds build and grow their businesses online with free digital tools, training, and community. This article is part of the GoDaddy Empower spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

SANTA CLARA, Calif., October 16, 2025 /3BL/ – ReliefAI Health Inc., a newly-launched connected care company that addresses the most pressing challenges in mental healthcare, announced how it aims to enhance the client experience, reduce early patient drop-out rates and improve communications between mental health practitioners and their clients.

ReliefAI Health is the latest venture backed by LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North American Innovation Center. ReliefAI has collaborated with startups in the LG NOVA Innovation Program including Canary Speech, a voice AI technology for healthcare that can screen for cognitive and behavioral conditions; VeeOne, a technology platform for virtual healthcare; and Continicare Corp, a platform technology for the broader treatment and care of clients managing mental illness.

Atul Singh, CEO of ReliefAI Health, explained that, despite the demand for mental healthcare, 44 percent of clients discontinue therapy within the first four weeks.^[1] “This represents a critical breakdown in the therapy process, leading to poor outcomes for clients and significant revenue loss for clinics,” he said. “We’ve created a solution that strengthens the connection between therapist and their clients and provides a bigger picture of the experience beyond the traditional session. By integrating our AI-powered tools, we are not just going beyond therapy; we are creating a new paradigm of digital empowerment for mental health that drives better results for everyone involved.”

An AI-driven, digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) platform, in the form of a mobile app, ReliefAI Health is built for mental healthcare practitioners to provide to their clients, enabling them to track their progress in their mental health journey, on a daily, even hourly basis. By adjusting the communication method and engagement frequency, mental healthcare providers can gather more data and analysis on a client’s daily challenges and progress, thereby providing a more comprehensive picture of the client’s mental health and well-being. With more insights, providers are better enabled to manage ongoing issues and triggers while uncovering the underlying causes of behavior, resulting in more effective care and lasting improvements.

For providers, ReliefAI Health also boosts patient engagement, improves retention, and opens new revenue streams through remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services. The technology and AI capabilities enable providers to become more efficient, potentially take on more clients to meet the growing needs for mental health care.

“Our experience deploying technology-driven recovery solutions laid the foundation for truly innovative support. By integrating the ReliefAI Health app into this comprehensive platform, we’ve taken another step forward, enhancing the recovery experience and strengthening long-term outcomes for individuals on their journey with substance use disorder,” said Raj Masih, CraveAlert Co-founder and Project Director of RPM at Potomac Highlands Guild, West Virginia.

“Through our brand values, LG has always been a proponent of improving people’s well-being through our products and brand mission of ‘Innovation for a Better Life.’ At LG NOVA, we’re building new ventures that tackle significant societal challenges and contribute to a better future,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, Executive Vice President of Innovation at LG Electronics and Head of LG NOVA. “We see a crucial opportunity for technology to transform mental healthcare by strengthening the vital relationship between therapists and their clients. ReliefAI Health answers that need.”

In a competitive landscape of digital mental health solutions, ReliefAI Health is uniquely positioned as the only platform delivered through existing outpatient clinics, rather than creating a separate network of providers, according to Singh. This model ensures that the trusted, existing relationship between a therapist and their patient remains at the center of the care journey. The low adoption rate of digital CBT tools (or web-based intervention tools) presents a significant opportunity for providers to enhance patient retention and, consequently, outcomes. Guided web-based intervention tools have been shown to reduce patient dropout rates, by close to 2.7 times (72% over 26%) compared to unguided web-based intervention tools ^[2] and currently show an adoption rate of only 16 percent.^[3]

The ReliefAI Health platform is a HIPAA-compliant platform that includes:

• A Patient-Facing Mobile App: A user-friendly application that encourages patient engagement through features like mood tracking, voice journaling with AI insights, and therapist-assigned CBT goal setting.
• An Integrated Provider Dashboard: A comprehensive dashboard that syncs with a practice’s existing electronic health record (EHR) platform for ease of use. It provides therapists with real-time patient activity trends, AI-driven alerts, and tools for assigning and monitoring CBT activities.
• Revenue Enhancement: Automated delivery and billing of new RTM services, creating a 66 percent revenue upside for practices based on proprietary research provided by a third party.
• Advanced Security: End-to-end data encryption, role-based access control and continuous risk assessment to ensure HIPAA compliance.

Backed by LG’s leadership and expertise in building, user-friendly and intuitive HealthTech solutions, ReliefAI Health is led by an experienced team in the healthcare and technology sectors. CEO Singh brings 25 years of experience in digital healthcare, having built and scaled digital health businesses for major companies like Teva, AbbVie and Walgreens. Davide Di Censo, Head of Engineering and Product, has a 15-year track record of innovation in emerging technologies and human-centered design, including building LG’s first Telehealth platform.

ReliefAI Health is supported by a distinguished panel of clinical and AI advisors, including Dr. Brian Shaw, the co-creator of CBT; Dr. Dan Lieberman, Senior VP of Mental Health at Hims & Hers; and Kimberly McManus, Deputy CTO of AI at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

ReliefAI Health Partner Collaborations

“At Canary Speech, our mission has always been to empower providers with objective, actionable insights that transform clinical decision-making. By working alongside innovative collaborators like LG NOVA for ReliefAI Health, we can advance a future where ambient voice biomarkers and real-time engagement tools give clinicians the clarity they need to intervene earlier, personalize care, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Together, we’re helping providers not only meet today’s challenges, but proactively shape the future of mental and cognitive health care.” – Henry O’Connell, CEO and Co-Founder, Canary Speech

“Continicare stands for continuity of care. We’ve always believed that effective mental health care begins with a deep understanding of each client, creating a personalized journey tailored to their unique needs. ReliefAI Health represents an exciting step forward in making this vision a reality. By extending support into daily personalized digital therapeutics, we strengthen the connection between therapists and their clients, improve engagement, and reduce the drop-out rates that have challenged the field for decades. We’re proud to be a key collaborator in this venture and look forward to shaping the future of digital mental health together with ReliefAI Health.” – Don Waugh, Chief of Strategy and Corporate Development, Continicare

“At VeeOne Health, we understand that effective post-acute care requires a seamless extension of treatment, especially in behavioral health. Our collaboration with ReliefAI is a perfect example of synergy in action. By combining our robust care management framework with ReliefAI’s data-driven cognitive behavioral health app, we are creating a more intelligent, proactive, and unified system. This means better support for patients and more streamlined workflows for providers focused on relapse prevention.  The ReliefAI team has been great to work with in this collaboration.” – Shaji Skaria MD, EVP Clinical Solutions, VeeOne Health.
 

^{About ReliefAI Health, Inc.}

^{ReliefAI Health, Inc., is a connected care company dedicated to empowering mental health providers and their patients. The company’s connected care platform seamlessly integrates into existing clinical practices to enhance patient retention, outcomes, and revenue. By strengthening the therapeutic alliance through AI-driven tools and insights, ReliefAI Health is going beyond therapy to create a future of digital empowerment for mental health. ReliefAI Health is a part of LG NOVA’s portfolio of business ventures. To learn more about ReliefAI Health, visit https://reliefai.co.}

^{About LG NOVA
LG NOVA, the North America Innovation Center for global innovation leader LG Electronics, is a team focused on bringing innovation from the outside to LG. LG NOVA is based in Santa Clara, Calif. The center’s mission is to fuel innovation for LG and its partners by creating and launching new ventures to become the next growth engine for LG. Learn more about LG NOVA at www.lgnova.com.}

^{About LG Electronics USA}

^{LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60 billion. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com.}

^{Media Contacts:}

^{LG Electronics North America}

^{John I. Taylor
+1 202 719 2490
john.taylor@lge.com}

^{LG NOVA | LG Electronics USA}

^{Linda Quach
+1 408 903 3045
linda.quach@lge.com}
 

^{[1] “Early Dropout from Psychotherapy for Depression with Group- and Network-model Therapists,” Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39(6), 440-447, 2012 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3708590/}

^{[2] “Predictors of treatment dropout in self-guided web-based interventions for depression: An ‘individual patient data’ meta-analysis,” Psychological Medicine, 45(13), 2717-2726, 2015 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275050889_Predictors_of_treatment_dropout_in_self-guided_web-based_interventions_for_depression_An_’individual_patient_data’_meta-analysis}

^{[3] “Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Among Psychologists in a Medical Setting: A Survey on Implementation,” Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(8), e13432, 2019 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6713041/}

ST. PAUL, Minn., October 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group USA, a leading environmental and sustainability consulting firm, proudly supported Hydro20 as a sponsor of the first-of-its-kind, high-profile list celebrating the top 20 changemakers transforming water sustainability across the United States. 

Organized by waterloop, a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for sustainability and equity in water, the inaugural Hydro20 honorees were revealed during Climate Week NYC, which took place from September 21-28, 2025. 

Antea Group USA’s support of Hydro20 aligned with the firm’s core services in water stewardship and its purpose of creating a cleaner, safer, more sustainable world. This sponsorship was part of Antea Group USA’s broader corporate social responsibility program, which includes a commitment to donating 1% of profits to nonprofit organizations that resonate with its mission. 

“We were incredibly proud to support Hydro20 and waterloop’s important work in highlighting the extraordinary individuals driving innovation and impact in water sustainability,” said Raimond Baumans, Executive Vice President at Antea Group USA. “From policy transformation to environmental conservation and technological advancements to corporate leadership, the Hydro20 list showcased the critical efforts needed for a more sustainable future. Our participation reflected our commitment to investing in organizations that champion these causes and contribute to a cleaner, safer, more sustainable world.” 

Celebrating the Hydro20 Wavemakers 

The Hydro20 list, aptly named “Wavemakers for Water Sustainability,” generated over 140 nominations from every corner of the water world. The final honorees represented a diverse mix of sectors, organizations, and communities—spanning utilities, technology, policy, arts, agriculture, indigenous communities, corporate business, and sports. 

The rigorous selection process was guided by a diverse committee of esteemed leaders, including Erica Pann, Antea Group Senior Consultant and Executive Director of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, alongside representatives from organizations like Google, Nike, Xylem, and the Environmental Defense Fund. 

To learn more about the 20 individuals who are driving change, disrupting norms, and doing good for water, please visit the Hydro20 website. 

 

About Antea Group USA: Antea®Group USA is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. Learn more: www.us.anteagroup.com. 

About waterloop: waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for sustainability and equity in water. Through insightful reporting and engaging content, waterloop aims to inform, inspire, and connect communities around the critical issues facing water resources. Learn more: www.waterloop.org. 

About Hydro20: Hydro20 is “The Water Sustainability Spotlight of the Year,” organized by waterloop. It is the first-of-its-kind, high-profile list celebrating the top 20 changemakers transforming water sustainability across the United States. The inaugural honorees were revealed during Climate Week NYC. Learn more: www.hydro20.org 

 

Media Contacts:  

Alison Bryant
Antea Group
alison.bryant@anteagroup.us

Travis Loop
waterloop
travis@waterloop.org 

MCKINNEY, Texas, October 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Community Garden Kitchen, a nonprofit founded to combat food insecurity in Collin County, is celebrating a major sustainability milestone with a new 34-kilowatt solar array and 20 kWh battery storage system, courtesy of a $118,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®.

The solar array will support 65% of the restaurant’s energy needs, while the battery storage will maintain food production during weather emergencies or grid disruptions, allowing the nonprofit to remain operational. Energy savings from the sustainability grant are equivalent to serving more than 9,350 additional meals annually, or 180 additional dinners per week.

In 2014, Community Garden Kitchen launched with the vision of a restaurant-style kitchen where guests can dine with dignity in a friendly environment. In 2022, a permanent home for the nonprofit was opened in McKinney, where the restaurant operates Monday through Thursday evenings with over 900 volunteers. Community Garden Kitchen is the only facility in Collin County open for dinner to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity. Last year alone, the kitchen served more than 40,000 free meals.

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and $118,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president, Community Garden Kitchen. “The energy savings from the solar array and battery storage will empower us to further our mission of serving nutritious meals and providing a safe space for our community.”

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Community Garden Kitchen to reduce their environmental footprint and, at the same time, help expand their capacity to serve nutritious meals for those in need,” said Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability, Green Mountain Energy. “By empowering our community with the principles of sustainability, we can ensure future generations remain committed to nurturing our planet.”

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $15 million for 174 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.

# # #

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $16 million for 174 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

Media Contact:
Jeanie Davey, Green Mountain Energy
445-544-1670
Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com

Angela Poen, Community Garden Kitchen
214-842-8426
directors@communitygardenkitchen.org

EMERYVILLE, Calif., October 16, 2025 /3BL/ – As the world prepares to observe International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) from October 19–25, 2025, SCS Global Services (SCS) is proud to highlight its role in protecting public health through the Lead Safe Paint® certification program, a critical initiative aimed at eliminating lead exposure from paints.

Why It Matters

• Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause irreversible damage to the developing brains of children, leading to reduced intellectual ability and lifelong health issues.
• ILPPW, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to raise awareness, promote regulatory action, and eliminate lead paint globally.

Lead Safe Paint® certification, developed by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and administered by SCS Global Services, verifies that paint products contain no more than 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead—the most stringent global standard. This certification is especially vital in regions where lead-based paints are still in use, posing serious health risks, particularly to children.

“The third-party Lead Safe Paint® certification provides assurance that the manufacturer of a certified paint brand has taken the necessary steps to abide by the regulations banning lead additives in paint production,” said Jeiel Guarino, Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaigner, IPEN. “Brands that carry the Lead Safe Paint® logo promote consumer access to independently verified lead-safe paints, which then helps governments, homeowners, housing developers, school administrators, business establishments, and other paint consumers in selecting products that will not leave a toxic legacy behind.”

“Lead exposure remains a global health crisis, with over 1.5 million deaths attributed to it in 2021 alone,” said Rob Emelander, Operations Director for SCS’ Environmental Certification Services division. “Our certification program empowers manufacturers to provide consumers credible information to choose safer products, directly supporting the goals of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, the ILPPW, and IPEN.”

The certification process includes rigorous lab testing, regional sampling, and compliance audits. Once certified, manufacturers can display the Lead Safe Paint® label, signaling their commitment to health and safety. SCS Global Services is an independent third-party body authorized to certify paints under the Lead Safe Paint® program globally. 

Among the paint manufacturers currently certified and authorized to use the Lead Safe Paint® logo are Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc.; Davies Paints Philippines, Inc.; A-Plus Paints – FH Colors & Coatings Corp.; Multilac – Macksons Paints Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.; Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc.; Treasure Island Industrial Corp.; Triton Paints – Roosevelt Chemical Inc.; and Sycwin Coating & Wires, Inc.

Paint manufacturers, retailers, and governments are encouraged to join the movement by seeking certification and promoting lead-safe products. This aligns with ILPPW’s mission to eliminate lead paint and reduce exposure worldwide.

Read More

About IPEN:

IPEN is a global network of public interest organizations working in more than 130 countries to improve chemical policies and raise public awareness to ensure that hazardous substances are no longer produced, used, or disposed of in ways that harm human health and the environment.

About SCS Global Services:

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media Contact
Stephanie Flynn, Marketing Manager

Send an email

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Northwell Health to its Healthcare Facility Advisory Board.

Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, and over 104,000 employees.

“Northwell Health has a demonstrated commitment to operating more sustainably,” said Laura Kirkvold, Global Director of the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board. “They invest in a range of initiatives from waste reduction to sustainable procurement to reducing energy and emissions. This dedication and practical experience will be a valuable addition to HPRC’s Advisory Board”

The Healthcare Facility Advisory Board was established to help HPRC understand the plastic recycling barriers that exist within healthcare facilities today, establish priorities for our technical agenda, and develop solutions through access to industry data, information, and resources.

“At Northwell Health, resource stewardship is integral to our mission of providing high-quality care while minimizing our environmental footprint,” said Amber Patino, Northwell’s Director of Sustainability. “We are honored to join the HPRC’s Healthcare Facility Advisory Board and eager to lend our experience in managing the complexities of healthcare waste streams. We believe that by collaborating with HPRC and our industry peers, we can collectively, drive innovative recycling solutions and ultimately contribute to a more circular economy in healthcare.”

In their role on the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board, Northwell Health will help provide additional perspective into hospital barriers to recycling, share advice to support HPRC’s mission and vision, offer insights on how HPRC can better enable plastics recycling, and identify high value needs and opportunities for action.

About HPRC

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. Made up of more than 30 brand-leading and globally recognized members collectively representing greater than $1.3 trillion in market value, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling in support of a circular plastics economy. HPRC is active across the United States and Europe working with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org and follow HPRC on LinkedIn.

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 16, 2025 /3BL/ —3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) named Kevin Tang, an 8^th grader at Cedarlane Academy of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in Hacienda Heights, California, as the winner of the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Kevin distinguished himself with a novel fall detection device that can accelerate emergency responses to falls among older adults at home, even in the dark. As the grand prize winner, he received a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Kevin spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and ultimately secured himself the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 13 and 14. The finalists had to navigate a series of scientific tasks and were evaluated on their communication and presentation skills, ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, and the ability to inspire others.

Kevin’s custom in-home device uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes. It can recognize falls with high accuracy, even at night. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that falls are the leading cause of injury among 1 in 4 older adults annually, or over 14 million people. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video input to identify falls and triggers alerts to loved ones via a corresponding smart phone application. His new solution advances current offerings on the market through the ability to capture imagery at night and provide around-the-clock monitoring. The device can also detect irregular movements while the individual is walking, which could be a symptom of a stroke.

“By tapping into their curiosity and reimagining what’s possible, these impressive finalists have developed solutions to real-world problems,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “Year after year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates the power of science to create positive impact and emphasizes that the next great innovation can come from anywhere. We are so proud of this year’s competitors and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Each 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist is paired with a 3M scientist who mentors and works with them one-on-one over the summer to transform their ideas from concept to prototype. This year’s winner was paired with Dr. Mark Gilbertson, research specialist, robotics and AI, Advanced Materials and Transportation.

“Kevin’s journey into the world of falls and strokes was sparked by personal experiences, and it’s inspiring to see how he’s using that to make a difference,” said Dr. Gilbertson. “His project is a powerful reminder of how science can be both personal and universal. I hope he continues diving deeper into robotics and AI – his potential in these fields is immense.”

The second and third place winners from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge also receive special recognition, including a $1,000 prize. This year’s runners-up are:

• Amaira Srivastava from Gilbert, AZ, a 9^th grader at Arizona College Prep High School of the Chandler Unified School District
• Anirudh Rao from Lone Tree, CO, an 8^th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch of the Douglas County School District

The remaining top finalists from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge in alphabetical order by last name, are:

• Shrey Arora from Collierville, TN, a 9^th grader at Collierville High School of Collierville Schools
• Divyam Desai from Frisco, TX, an 8^th grader at Lamar and Norma Hunt Middle School of the Frisco Independent School District
• Kiyara Gunawardena from Temecula, CA, a 6^th grader at iShine Student Center of Springs Charter Schools
• Isha Marla from Portland, OR, a 9^th grader at Jesuit High School
• Reanna Bhuyan Patel from Princeton, NJ, a 9^th grader at Princeton Day School
• Sheyna Patel from Longwood, FL, a 9^th grader at Orlando Science High School of Orange County Public Schools
• Aniket Sarkar from Folsom, CA, an 8^th grader at Sacramento Country Day School

“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding collaboration with 3M. During the tenure of this powerful partnership, the nation’s best and brightest have created innovative solutions to the world’s most complex problems. Congratulations to Kevin and each of the finalists. Your fantastic work gives me great hope for the future,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of corporate partnerships and marketing at Discovery Education.

Now in its 18^th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. Former America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year; featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider; and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and includes more than 100 former challenge winners, finalists, and mentors, who take part in networking opportunities and more.

The award-winning competition 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 on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms.

To download images from the 2025 science competition, click here. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year’s winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com.

About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.