Featured Stories
Lynn A. Damitz, MD, FACS, Named President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois, Oct. 20 -- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued the following news release:
* * *
Lynn A. Damitz, MD, FACS, Named President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
October 18, 2026
HOUSTON - Lynn A. Damitz, MD, FACS, has been named President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Damitz assumed the role during Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the Society's annual scientific conference, held this year in Houston. She will serve a one-year term through Sept. 19, 2027.
"I
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois, Oct. 20 -- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued the following news release:
* * *
Lynn A. Damitz, MD, FACS, Named President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
October 18, 2026
HOUSTON - Lynn A. Damitz, MD, FACS, has been named President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Damitz assumed the role during Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the Society's annual scientific conference, held this year in Houston. She will serve a one-year term through Sept. 19, 2027.
"Iam deeply honored to lead the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and represent our dedicated members worldwide," Dr. Damitz said. "As plastic surgeons, our responsibility extends beyond the operating room. Patient safety must guide every decision we make, from education to innovation. I look forward to supporting the work of board-certified plastic surgeons and reinforcing our specialty's leadership in delivering exceptional patient outcomes."
During her term, she will champion the use of quality metrics and outcomes-based data to strengthen accountability across the specialty. She will also continue to advocate for policies that improve patient access to care.
Since joining ASPS in 2002, Dr. Damitz has played an active and influential role in advancing the Society's mission, including three years as chair of the ASPS Membership Committee. She previously served as ASPS Board Vice President, Health Policy and Advocacy, where she helped lead efforts to modernize the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) and expand access to breast reconstruction and coverage for patients with congenital conditions. She remains involved in multidisciplinary initiatives focused on quality care across breast surgery.
Dr. Damitz is Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Director of Aesthetic Surgery and Professor of Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Her clinical expertise includes facial and body aesthetic surgery, breast and oncologic reconstruction, facial trauma and complex reconstructive surgery.
After earning her medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Dr. Damitz completed both her general surgery and plastic surgery training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by advanced fellowships in plastic, breast and aesthetic surgery.
Recognized for her commitment to excellence in patient care, surgical education and professional leadership, Dr. Damitz is a respected voice in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. As ASPS President, she will continue to advance the specialty through collaboration, innovation and international partnership.
* * *
About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 11,000 physician members worldwide, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
* * *
About The PSF
The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), founded in 1948, supports research, international volunteer programs and visiting professor programs. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life of patients through research and development. The PSF accomplishes its mission by providing invaluable support to the research of plastic surgery sciences through a variety of grant programs. The PSF works in concert with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/lynn-a-damitz-md-facs-named-president-of-the-american-society-of-plastic-surgeons
[Category: Medical]
Auditors Meet Urgent Demand for AI Assurance With New Offering From AICPA and AIUC
NEW YORK, Oct. 20 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
* * *
Auditors Meet Urgent Demand for AI Assurance with New Offering from AICPA and AIUC
NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 19th, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Artificial Intelligence Underwriting Company (AIUC) are rolling out a joint assurance certification that provides the first comprehensive, independent review of business risk related to AI systems and agents.
Artificial intelligence is a transformative technology for many organizations, but misfires have raised serious concerns about
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 20 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
* * *
Auditors Meet Urgent Demand for AI Assurance with New Offering from AICPA and AIUC
NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 19th, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Artificial Intelligence Underwriting Company (AIUC) are rolling out a joint assurance certification that provides the first comprehensive, independent review of business risk related to AI systems and agents.
Artificial intelligence is a transformative technology for many organizations, but misfires have raised serious concerns aboutits safety and security in critical business operations. AI agents now hold credentials, call APIs and act inside core systems, so an AI failure is increasingly a security breach.
The AICPA-AIUC offering is built on standards and frameworks pioneered by the two partners and used by thousands of companies globally. Last year, over 40,000 organizations obtained a SOC 2(R) attestation or AIUC-1 certification.
"Companies have made substantial investments in AI and investors, clients and other stakeholders deserve a fuller, objective picture of whether the technology is safe, reliable and properly governed," AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel said. "This joint offering delivers that and, with CPAs leading the engagement, organizations are able to leverage the expertise, integrity and professional judgment that builds trust across our capital markets."
Enterprises deploying AI agents need assurance that both the agents and the systems they touch are secure. AI developers must prove their agents behave as promised and meet enterprise security requirements. Trust is negotiated one security questionnaire at a time: a slow, costly exchange that rarely settles the question and hinders AI adoption.
The joint offering -- a single report delivered by one CPA-led engagement -- ends that cycle, creating the reference for assurance on AI. It combines a System and Organization Controls (SOC 2(R)) report, globally recognized for demonstrating that an organization has effective controls to protect data, manage risk, and build stakeholder trust, and an AIUC-1 certification - the world's first standard for AI agent safety, security, and reliability.
SOC 2(R) is an independent examination performed by a licensed CPA under the AICPA Attestation Standards that evaluates controls relevant to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality or privacy of a system. The resulting report includes an opinion on the design and operating effectiveness of controls supporting the system.
AIUC-1 was developed by aconsortium of over 250 CISOs and security leaders and is updated quarterly to keep pace with real-world AI risks. Its controls span six principles (data and privacy, security, safety, reliability, accountability, and society) and map to frameworks including MITRE ATLAS, ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act.
"AI agents do real work, faster than anyone can check it. This joint certification provides an independent answer to the two questions every organization now asks: What is our security posture? And do AI agents behave as intended?" said Rajiv Dattani, cofounder of AIUC. "What sets AIUC-1 apart is live testing of AI agent behavior, not just a review of policies and guardrails. Agents are tested across hundreds of risk and attack combinations, from hallucinations and data leakage to manipulative requests and adversarial prompt injection."
Dattani added, "Each combination is evaluated through iterative conversations, with a typical evaluation covering thousands of scenarios."
Because risk is always evolving, both SOC 2 reports and AIUC-1 certifications require annual renewal, in addition to quarterly AIUC-1 technical retesting. This provides organizations and their stakeholders with independent verification that the organization continues to meet evolving standards for trust, security, and reliability.
Several CPA firms are now delivering a joint SOC 2(R) plus AIUC-1 offering to clients. Once initial engagements have concluded, a full launch of the joint certification is expected to take place in early 2027.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/auditors-meet-urgent-demand-for-ai-assurance-with-new-offering-from-aicpa-and-aiuc
[Category: Accounting]
American Counseling Association: History Is Made - Missouri Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 20 -- The American Counseling Association issued the following news release:
* * *
History Is Made: Missouri Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
Alexandria, Va. (October 19, 2026) -- As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Missouri is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines. Currently, other states that can grant these privileges include Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Indiana, Arkansas, Wyoming, Tennessee and Oklahoma, with additional
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 20 -- The American Counseling Association issued the following news release:
* * *
History Is Made: Missouri Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
Alexandria, Va. (October 19, 2026) -- As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Missouri is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines. Currently, other states that can grant these privileges include Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Indiana, Arkansas, Wyoming, Tennessee and Oklahoma, with additionalstates expected to begin granting privileges in coming months.
The compact is a legislative agreement that functions much like a driver's license -- participating states agree to recognize the license of all eligible counselors from other compact states, allowing them a privilege to practice in person or via telehealth. Previously, counselors had difficulty transferring their licenses to another state because of independent jurisdictional licensing rules and regulations.
The Counseling Compact represents the biggest change in the counseling profession in 20 years and has the potential to increase access to the estimated 122 million people in the U.S. who live in areas with mental health provider shortages.
The American Counseling Association (ACA) -- the world's largest association exclusively representing an estimated 62,000 professional counselors -- played a lead role in the creation of the compact, investing close to $2 million in the initiative.
To date, 40 states and jurisdictions have passed Counseling Compact legislation. They include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
A state's passage of the Counseling Compact legislation is merely the legal adoption of the agreement authorizing a state or jurisdiction to participate in the compact. Once a state passes the legislation, the next step is to grant privileges to counselors from other compact states to practice across state lines.
To learn more, visit the ACA website and watch a video interview with ACA's Chief of Professional Practice Lynn Linde, EdD, who played a lead role in the creation of the compact.
* * *
About the American Counseling Association
Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 62,000 members and is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA's mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members' clients and all people who seek counseling services. For more information, visit the ACA website and follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky and YouTube.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.counseling.org/publications/media-center/article/2026/10/19/history-is-made-missouri-allows-counselors-to-practice-across-state-lines
[Category: Psychiatry/Psychology]
New California Climate Assessment Highlights Community-Centered Solutions for Building Resilience in the San Joaquin Valley
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Oct. 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Union of Concerned Scientists posted the following news release:
* * *
New California Climate Assessment Highlights Community-Centered Solutions for Building Resilience in the San Joaquin Valley
*
In recent decades, California's San Joaquin Valley has drastically changed. The Valley, one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions and a core component of the nation's food system, has gotten hotter, wells have dried out and aquifers have collapsed. The production of some of the region's economically important crops such
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Oct. 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Union of Concerned Scientists posted the following news release:
* * *
New California Climate Assessment Highlights Community-Centered Solutions for Building Resilience in the San Joaquin Valley
*
In recent decades, California's San Joaquin Valley has drastically changed. The Valley, one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions and a core component of the nation's food system, has gotten hotter, wells have dried out and aquifers have collapsed. The production of some of the region's economically important crops suchas walnuts, pistachios and stone fruits that need a certain number of chill hours per year will be threatened if temperatures continue to rise. In the southern part of the valley, walnut trees have been pulled out because they're no longer economically viable to grow.
Lana Cohen
A new regional report from California's Fifth Climate Change Assessment finds that climate change is intensifying longstanding challenges in the San Joaquin Valley, including water insecurity, extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, poor air quality, and pressure on agriculture and ecosystems. The report highlights a broader range of solutions than the state's previous assessment, emphasizing strategies that can simultaneously address water insecurity, extreme heat, agricultural transitions, ecosystem restoration and economic needs.
Dr. Angel Santiago Fernandez-Bou, a senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, is a contributing author of the San Joaquin Valley Regional Synthesis Report, which evaluates updated climate projections, research on climate impacts, community input, and case studies showcasing how communities are responding to mitigate and adapt to these risks.
"Science continues to reinforce that the San Joaquin Valley faces serious and interconnected climate challenges," said Dr. Fernandez-Bou.
"But communities are not starting from scratch. In The Valley people are already working to restore soil health with regenerative agriculture practices and create self-sustaining environments by restoring land with native plants."
The assessment highlights a series of solutions that could be used in The Valley to protect the environment and support the region's economy.
Solutions
* Multi-benefit land repurposing: Strategically transition agricultural land to reduce water demand while restoring habitat, supporting groundwater recharge, improving community health and creating economic opportunity.
* Agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics: Land can be repurposed by paring solar with agriculture or ecological restoration.
* Forecast informed reservoir operations: Use weather and hydrologic forecasts to guide reservoir releases to reduce flood risk, improve water supply and benefit local ecosystems.
* Regenerative agriculture and agroecological practices: Using cover crops, compost, biochar, no-till farming and diverse crop rotations to help improve soil health and reduce methane emissions.
* Nature-based solutions: Use natural or living systems such as wetlands, forests, soils and native vegetation to do the work that manmade materials and structures, concrete for example, used to do.
"Climate resilience doesn't mean preparing communities for more damage," said Dr. Fernandez-Bou. "Climate resilience means helping the Valley use land and water differently while improving economic opportunity, restoring essential ecosystems, supporting Tribal priorities, and making communities healthier and more adaptable."
***
Original text here: https://www.ucsusa.org/about/news/climate-assessment-highlights-solutions-building-resilience-san-joaquin-valley (TNSmrp)
MO PQC Publishes Neonatal Encephalopathy Screening And Treatment Initiation Resource Workbook
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Oct. 19 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
* * *
MO PQC Publishes Neonatal Encephalopathy Screening And Treatment Initiation Resource Workbook
*
The Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, published the "Neonatal Encephalopathy Screening and Treatment Initiation" resource workbook, the latest in a series of guidance resources to help mitigate the causes of severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality.
Authored by members of the Neonatal Encephalopathy
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Oct. 19 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news:
* * *
MO PQC Publishes Neonatal Encephalopathy Screening And Treatment Initiation Resource Workbook
*
The Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, published the "Neonatal Encephalopathy Screening and Treatment Initiation" resource workbook, the latest in a series of guidance resources to help mitigate the causes of severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality.
Authored by members of the Neonatal EncephalopathySteering Committee, the workbook provides an overview of neonatal encephalopathy and its clinical presentation, outlines evidence-based screening and treatment recommendations, and offers practical guidance, algorithms and other tools to help birthing hospitals, transport teams, and neonatal intensive care units identify and treat affected newborns.
Obstetric units, labor and delivery staff, NICUs (especially cooling centers), NICU transport teams, and emergency medical services are invited to join an informational call from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, about the MO PQC's upcoming infant quality initiative focused on the screening and timely treatment of neonatal encephalopathy.
***
Original text here: https://www.mohospitals.org/newsroom/mo-pqc-publishes-neonatal-encephalopathy-screening-and-treatment-initiation-resource-workbook
IDFA Strengthens Regulatory Affairs Team and Food Safety Expertise with Addition of Christopher Hylkema
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The International Dairy Foods Association posted the following news release:
* * *
IDFA Strengthens Regulatory Affairs Team and Food Safety Expertise with Addition of Christopher Hylkema
*
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2026--The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that Christopher Hylkema has joined the organization as Director, Dairy Regulatory Affairs & Policy, strengthening IDFA's expertise across dairy food safety, regulatory compliance and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) policy.
In this role, Christopher Hylkema will lead
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The International Dairy Foods Association posted the following news release:
* * *
IDFA Strengthens Regulatory Affairs Team and Food Safety Expertise with Addition of Christopher Hylkema
*
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2026--The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that Christopher Hylkema has joined the organization as Director, Dairy Regulatory Affairs & Policy, strengthening IDFA's expertise across dairy food safety, regulatory compliance and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) policy.
In this role, Christopher Hylkema will leadIDFA's work on PMO policy and implementation, support member engagement on dairy food safety and regulatory issues and represent the dairy industry in key regulatory and technical forums. He will also help advance IDFA's advocacy on matters related to dairy processing, sanitary design, equipment standards and state and federal regulatory policy.
"Christopher Hylkema brings an exceptional combination of technical expertise, regulatory leadership, and industry collaboration that will be invaluable to IDFA and our members," said Michael Dykes, president and CEO at IDFA. "Christopher has dedicated his career to advancing dairy food safety and helping industry and regulators navigate complex technical and regulatory issues. His deep understanding of regulatory systems, commitment to public health and ability to build consensus among industry and regulators make him uniquely qualified to join our team and bolster our leadership on behalf of our members and the dairy industry."
Prior to joining IDFA, Hylkema served as Program Manager for the Division of Milk Control at the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, where he directed regulatory compliance programs for Grade "A" and non-Grade "A" dairy processing facilities and oversaw a field staff of 40 dairy regulatory specialists. He also managed state compliance, enforcement, and Interstate Milk Shippers programs while serving as a key advisor to agency leadership on dairy food safety and regulatory issues.
Throughout his 25-year career, Hylkema has been a recognized leader in dairy food safety and regulatory affairs. He has served on numerous National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments committees, including the Technical Engineering Review Committee, and helped lead efforts to update PMO requirements related to automatic milking installations and pasteurization systems. He has also served as Chair of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc., where he helped develop innovative approaches to equipment certification and sanitary design oversight.
"I am honored to join IDFA and contribute to an organization that plays such an important role in advancing the dairy industry," said Christopher Hylkema. "Throughout my career, I have been passionate about protecting public health while supporting innovation and growth across dairy processing. I look forward to working alongside IDFA's members and regulatory team to advance science-based, practical approaches to dairy regulation and help members navigate the evolving food safety, processing and regulatory issues facing our industry."
Hylkema holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry and has served in leadership roles with 3-A Sanitary Standards, the Dairy Practices Council and numerous industry and regulatory organizations. During his career, he has received recognition for distinguished service in dairy regulation, food safety and public health initiatives.
To learn more about the industry leaders on IDFA's expansive team, visit www.idfa.org.
***
Original text here: https://www.idfa.org/news/idfa-strengthens-regulatory-affairs-team-and-food-safety-expertise-with-addition-of-christopher-hylkema
AUVSI Endorses American Shipyard Investment Act
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 19 [Category: National Defense] -- The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International issued the following news release:
* * *
AUVSI Endorses American Shipyard Investment Act
*
AUVSI endorses the American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026 (H.R. 9921), bipartisan legislation led by Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) that would help U.S. companies build the production capacity needed to manufacture uncrewed surface and undersea vessels at scale.
The Navy's plans for a hybrid fleet of crewed and uncrewed
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 19 [Category: National Defense] -- The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International issued the following news release:
* * *
AUVSI Endorses American Shipyard Investment Act
*
AUVSI endorses the American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026 (H.R. 9921), bipartisan legislation led by Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) that would help U.S. companies build the production capacity needed to manufacture uncrewed surface and undersea vessels at scale.
The Navy's plans for a hybrid fleet of crewed and uncrewedvessels depend on producing uncrewed vessels in volume, and the commercial market is growing as well. Building that capacity requires significant upfront investment in new production lines and tooling.
"America's maritime strength will increasingly depend on our ability to build uncrewed vessels and their components at home, at speed, and at scale," said Heather Lee, Interim President and CEO of AUVSI. "The bipartisan American Shipyard Investment Act would give builders across the uncrewed maritime ecosystem a strong reason to invest in U.S. production capacity now."
The bill would lower the cost of new production lines and tooling and would mobilize private capital needed to accelerate domestic production. It would create a 25% investment tax credit, rising to 35% in Opportunity Zones, for building, expanding, or modernizing U.S. facilities that construct or repair commercial or military vessels or manufacture critical vessel components or shipbuilding equipment. Companies could claim the credit through elective payment or transfer, so growth-stage firms without significant tax liability could benefit alongside established shipbuilders.
AUVSI thanks Reps. Moran, Kelly, and Boyle for their leadership and looks forward to continued engagement with Congress as the bill advances.
***
Original text here: https://www.auvsi.org/news/auvsi-endorses-american-shipyard-investment-act/
