Featured Stories
Southwest Airlines Hits a High Note: 15 Years of Live at 35 Celebrated With Plain White T's at 35,000 Feet
DALLAS, Texas, June 20 -- Southwest Airlines issued the following news release:
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Southwest Airlines Hits a High Note: 15 Years of Live at 35 Celebrated with Plain White T's at 35,000 Feet
Band returns to the skies performing hit song "Hey There Delilah" in a nostalgic nod to the program's beginnings during the airline's 55th year of service
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Southwest Airlines Co. is celebrating its signature Live at 35(R) program that brings live pop-up performances to Customers onboard flights at 35,000 feet. To mark the occasion, the Plain White T's took to the skies and surprised Southwest(R) Customers
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, June 20 -- Southwest Airlines issued the following news release:
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Southwest Airlines Hits a High Note: 15 Years of Live at 35 Celebrated with Plain White T's at 35,000 Feet
Band returns to the skies performing hit song "Hey There Delilah" in a nostalgic nod to the program's beginnings during the airline's 55th year of service
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Southwest Airlines Co. is celebrating its signature Live at 35(R) program that brings live pop-up performances to Customers onboard flights at 35,000 feet. To mark the occasion, the Plain White T's took to the skies and surprised Southwest(R) Customersby singing their hit song, "Hey There Delilah," which continues to draw crowds and resurface on TikTok with billions of plays. The Plain White T's were one of the first artists to perform onboard a Southwest flight when the airline launched the program 15 years ago.
"At Southwest, we're proud to deliver our signature Hospitality in unexpected ways with surprise performances at 35,000 feet," said Sabrina Callahan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Marketing Officer. "Through Live at 35 and the personality of our incredible Crew, we've created moments that turn flights into lasting memories from the minute our Customers step onboard."
Past Live at 35 performances have featured independent artists and mainstream musicians, and the airline plans to dial up the experiences in the coming months, with more artists performing at new heights. The Plain White T's recent performance included Tom Higgenson as lead singer and guitarist, accompanied by Tim Lopez on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Retondo on backing vocals and bass, and De'Mar Hamilton on percussion.
"We've played a lot of venues over time, and I speak for all of us when I say there is nothing like hearing a plane full of people singing along with your music at 35,000 feet," said Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's. "We had the opportunity to perform inflight with Southwest over a decade ago, and while that can feel like it was a million years ago, not much has changed. We loved making history with Southwest and their welcoming team."
Southwest Airlines(R) is building on 55 years of service with continued, feedback-driven enhancements aiming to bring more comfort, choice, and signature Hospitality to every flight. From assigned seating to ongoing investments in the cabin experience, the airline is continuing to deliver meaningful updates across the entire Customer journey. Currently, Southwest Customers can enjoy fast, free WiFi/1 for Rapid Rewards(R) members thanks to T-Mobile(R), with Starlink set to debut this summer. As part of this milestone year, Southwest will introduce Siete(R) Mini Grain Free Mexican Wedding Cookies onboard starting this week on June 18. Coca-Cola(R) Cherry Zero Sugar/2 will also debut onboard the same day, giving Customers even more to look forward to this summer.
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ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 120 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline/3. By empowering its more than 73,000/4 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success.
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1. Where available. Available only on WiFi enabled designated aircraft.
2. Excluding Hawaii interisland flights, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are served on select flights 251 miles or more. Extra Legroom premium snacks will be served on select flights 301 miles or more. Service may also be limited at the discretion of Southwest Airlines(R).
3. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025
4. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2026.
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Original text here: https://www.swamedia.com/news-and-stories/news-release/southwest-airlines-hits-a-high-note-15-years-of-live-at-35-celebrated-with-plain-MCEKPU5FYESNGI5MO3CCSOGG77VA
[Category: BizAerospace]
Patriotic Locomotive Leads BNSF's America250 Train Ride With Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 20 -- BNSF Railway, a freight transportation company, issued the following news release:
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Patriotic locomotive leads BNSF's America250 train ride with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
As the United States approaches its historic 250th birthday, BNSF Railway, the nation's leading freight transportation provider, today proudly celebrated the milestone alongside Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick.
To mark the special occasion, BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer and Patrick boarded a train led by one of BNSF's newly unveiled America250 commemorative locomotives.
... Show Full Article
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 20 -- BNSF Railway, a freight transportation company, issued the following news release:
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Patriotic locomotive leads BNSF's America250 train ride with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
As the United States approaches its historic 250th birthday, BNSF Railway, the nation's leading freight transportation provider, today proudly celebrated the milestone alongside Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick.
To mark the special occasion, BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer and Patrick boarded a train led by one of BNSF's newly unveiled America250 commemorative locomotives.The journey began at the railroad's Alliance Intermodal Facility, one of the largest intermodal facilities in the country, and concluded at Fort Worth Central Station downtown, where the two leaders delivered remarks honoring America's Semiquincentennial and the railroad's role in shaping the nation.
"Few institutions are woven into the American story quite like the railroad," said Farmer. "From opening the West to powering the nation's supply chain, BNSF and our 400+ predecessor lines have helped move the goods that feed, clothe, supply and strengthen communities across the country. As these locomotives travel our 32,500 mile network, they will serve as a moving tribute to our nation's heritage, and to the men and women of Team BNSF who carry that legacy forward every day. We're proud to showcase one of them here today, and we're grateful to Lieutenant Governor Patrick for joining us in a moment that reflects both our national heritage and our company's enduring commitment to America."
"For 250 years, America has stood as the world's shining example of freedom, liberty, and self-determination," said Patrick. "Without the railroads that helped unite our nation, much of the Texan and American story could not have been written. In Texas, that legacy can be seen in every corner of our state. I am proud to join BNSF in celebrating America's 250th birthday."
A rolling tribute to the American Spirit
BNSF's three new locomotives, carrying numbers 250, 1776 and 2026, feature an exclusive livery ahead of the nation's Semiquicentennial birthday on July 4, 2026. Locomotive #250 was present at today's event.
Each locomotive, specially painted by Mid-America Car, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri, proudly features our nation's red, white and blue colors and the America250 logo. The locomotives feature a nod to the Preamble to the United States Constitution with the words, "We the People." The trailing end of the locomotives includes the words "Freedom and Liberty" on either side, with the circle of stars on the tail, paying tribute to the Betsy Ross flag.
These three historic locomotives will travel BNSF's 32,500-mile rail network for special events, while joining the broader BNSF fleet to deliver the freight that keeps America moving every day.
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BNSF in American History
BNSF and its predecessor lines have been an integral part of the nation's growth and prosperity for many decades, helping open the West and move the goods and supplies Americans need every day. BNSF's own history started in 1849 with the Aurora Branch Railroad in Illinois. Over the years, nearly 400 rail lines merged or were acquired to become what is today BNSF Railway. These lines included legendary predecessors like Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q); Great Northern Railway (GN), Northern Pacific Railway (NP), Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway (SP&S), Fort Worth and Denver Railroad (FWD), and the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (SLSF), commonly known as the Frisco. In 1995, Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF), also known as Santa Fe, joined to become Burlington Northern Santa Fe. BNSF is now America's largest railroad, operating in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. It is also the world's premier intermodal freight transportation provider.
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Original text here: https://www.bnsf.com/news-media/news-releases/newsrelease.page?relId=patriotic-locomotive-leads-bnsfs-america250-train-ride-with-texas-lt-governor-dan-patrick
[Category: BizTransportation
Johnson & Johnson Highlights Positive Results from MEMBRANE Trial Published in JAMA Neurology
NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, June 20 [Category: BizHealth & Beauty] -- Johnson and Johnson posted the following news release on June 19, 2026:
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Johnson & Johnson Highlights Positive Results from MEMBRANE Trial Published in JAMA Neurology
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Irvine, CA - Today, Johnson & Johnson announced publication of the primary results from the MEMBRANE randomized controlled trial in JAMA Neurology. The study showed that adding middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAe) with TRUFILL n-BCA to standard of care (SOC), was associated with reduced cSDH recurrence and re-intervention versus standard of care
... Show Full Article
NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, June 20 [Category: BizHealth & Beauty] -- Johnson and Johnson posted the following news release on June 19, 2026:
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Johnson & Johnson Highlights Positive Results from MEMBRANE Trial Published in JAMA Neurology
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Irvine, CA - Today, Johnson & Johnson announced publication of the primary results from the MEMBRANE randomized controlled trial in JAMA Neurology. The study showed that adding middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAe) with TRUFILL n-BCA to standard of care (SOC), was associated with reduced cSDH recurrence and re-intervention versus standard of carealone.
MEMBRANE is a prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial that randomized 376 patients across 30 sites in the United States and China, evaluating MMA embolization across both surgical and non-surgical chronic subdural hematoma treatment pathways.
Participants treated with SOC plus MMAE with TRUFILL n-BCA were significantly less likely to meet the prespecified composite primary end point of residual or re-accumulation of cSDH >10mm or the need for surgical re-intervention within 6 months than those treated with SOC alone. This corresponds to a 47% reduction in odds.
"These results reinforce the growing clinical evidence supporting middle meningeal artery embolization as an important treatment strategy for chronic subdural hematoma," said Christian Cuzick, Worldwide President, Neurovascular, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. "The MEMBRANE study adds meaningful randomized evidence demonstrating that embolization with TRUFILL n-BCA can help reduce recurrence and re-intervention while supporting positive patient outcomes."
Additional findings from the MEMBRANE study included:
* The embolization group had a numerically lower all-cause mortality at six months (3.3% vs 8.4%).
* At 3 months, 85.3% vs 77.0% achieved good functional outcomes; MMAE met the trial's non-inferiority threshold
* High procedural success, with successful embolization achieved in 98.9% of cases
"Chronic subdural hematoma remains a challenging condition with meaningful risk of recurrence, particularly in elderly and medically complex patients," said Chris Kellner, MD, Cerebrovascular Center, Mount Sinai Health System, and MEMBRANE Study Co-Principal Investigator. "The MEMBRANE data provide important evidence that middle meningeal artery embolization with TRUFILL n-BCA can reduce recurrence and the need for additional intervention while demonstrating an encouraging safety profile."
Chronic subdural hematoma is a common neurological condition, particularly in aging populations, and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Publication of the MEMBRANE results in JAMA Neurology adds to the growing body of randomized clinical evidence supporting middle meningeal artery embolization as part of comprehensive chronic subdural hematoma management.
Cardiovascular Solutions from Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Across Johnson & Johnson, we are tackling the world's most complex and pervasive health challenges. Through a cardiovascular portfolio that provides healthcare professionals with advanced mapping and navigation, miniaturized tech, and precise ablation we are addressing conditions with significant unmet needs such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. We are the global leaders in heart recovery, circulatory restoration, and the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, as well as an emerging leader in neurovascular care, committed to taking on two of the leading causes of death worldwide in heart failure and stroke. For more, visit J&J MedTech neurointerventional.
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About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector's global scale and deep expertise in surgery, orthopedics, vision, and cardiovascular solutions at jnjmedtech.com. Follow us at @JNJMedTech and on LinkedIn.
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Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to TRUFILL n-BCA. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com, www.investor.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
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Original text here: https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-highlights-positive-results-from-membrane-trial-published-in-jama-neurology
Daimler Truck North America to Equip Vehicles With Updated DEF Inducement Software Aligned With EPA Guidance
PORTLAND, Oregon, June 20 -- Daimler Trucks North America, a heavy-duty truck manufacturer, issued the following news:
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Daimler Truck North America to Equip Vehicles with Updated DEF Inducement Software Aligned with EPA Guidance
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), the leading manufacturer of Class 6-8 commercial vehicles, today announced progress in equipping its Detroit engines with updated software reflecting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) revised guidance on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) inducements.
DTNA's latest Freightliner and Western Star vehicles equipped with
... Show Full Article
PORTLAND, Oregon, June 20 -- Daimler Trucks North America, a heavy-duty truck manufacturer, issued the following news:
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Daimler Truck North America to Equip Vehicles with Updated DEF Inducement Software Aligned with EPA Guidance
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), the leading manufacturer of Class 6-8 commercial vehicles, today announced progress in equipping its Detroit engines with updated software reflecting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) revised guidance on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) inducements.
DTNA's latest Freightliner and Western Star vehicles equipped withDetroit engines are already shipping with the updated software. In addition, DTNA began rolling out the same software to approximately 330,000 in-service vehicles in February 2026, covering DD15 engines (model years 2021-2025) and DD13 engines (model years 2022-2025). These updates will continue throughout 2026.
Administrator Kelly Loeffler, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), commented: "For too long, small businesses like farmers, truckers, and construction workers have borne the cost of unreliable DEF systems through expensive repairs and needless downtime. This is why the SBA has been calling on OEMs to implement recent EPA guidance. The SBA welcomes Daimler Truck North America's decision to equip vehicles with updated DEF inducement software, a common-sense step that gives operators greater reliability while reducing costs. This is exactly the kind of relief that the hardest working Americans deserve."
These updates are designed to improve reliability and reduce unplanned downtime, giving operators more flexibility to address issues without unnecessary disruption to their operations.
Following updated EPA guidance issued in August 2025, DTNA has incorporated new inducement parameters into its software. DEF inducements are built-in safeguards on trucks that ensure emissions systems function properly by reducing vehicle speed and power when issues are detected, such as low DEF levels or reduced performance of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. This slowdown "induces" the driver to correct the issue - typically by refilling the DEF tank, repairing faulty sensors or components, or performing a regeneration cycle - helping maintain emissions compliance while protecting air quality.
Under the new guidance, the speed limit in final inducement has increased from 5 mph to 25 mph, and the time to reach final inducement for component-related issues has been extended. This gives operators more time to complete repairs while helping minimize unnecessary downtime. Emissions compliance remains mandatory, and vehicles must still be repaired to ensure environmental standards are met. The logic to trigger final inducements related to DEF tank level remains unchanged.
SCR technology continues to use DEF to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitrogen and water, supporting compliance with EPA emissions standards.
This update reflects DTNA's focus on delivering practical, compliant solutions that help customers stay on the road and operate more efficiently. The company has also informed its dealer network to ensure consistent implementation and support across its service network.
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Original text here: https://northamerica.daimlertruck.com/news-stories/2026/daimler-truck-north-america-to-equip-vehicles-with-updated-def-inducement-software-aligned-with-epa-guidance
[Category: BizTransportationB]
Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in Knightdale, NC
LYNDHURST, New Jersey, June 20 [Category: BizMedia] -- Barnes and Noble, a retailer of content, digital media and educational products, posted the following news release:
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Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in Knightdale, NC
Knightdale, NC - Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the opening of its new store in Knightdale, NC, just east of Raleigh. The store's Grand Opening will be on Wednesday, June 24 th. This is the first new store to open in North Carolina since 2024 and will be quickly followed by another new bookstore opening in Chapel Hill, NC this fall.
Knightdale Barnes & Noble bookstore
... Show Full Article
LYNDHURST, New Jersey, June 20 [Category: BizMedia] -- Barnes and Noble, a retailer of content, digital media and educational products, posted the following news release:
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Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in Knightdale, NC
Knightdale, NC - Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the opening of its new store in Knightdale, NC, just east of Raleigh. The store's Grand Opening will be on Wednesday, June 24 th. This is the first new store to open in North Carolina since 2024 and will be quickly followed by another new bookstore opening in Chapel Hill, NC this fall.
Knightdale Barnes & Noble bookstorewill officially open to the public at 10AM Eastern on Wednesday the 24 th, with local author Christopher Ruocchio cutting the ribbon and signing copies of his Sun Eaters Series books.
The location in Knightdale is one of three new Barnes & Noble bookstores opening in June, joining one in Turlock, CA and another in Orlando, FL. Barnes & Noble now boasts over 700 bookstores and is opening stores at a rapid pace. Twelve more stores will be opening throughout the country by summer's end and more than 60 stores are expected to open in 2026.
Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made between June 24 th and 28 th. Customers who are not yet Members are encouraged to sign up and start earning stamps and rewards right away.
Everyone who visits the new Knightdale Barnes & Noble during the grand opening will have access to exclusive deals, like $50 off any NOOK device. Customers can also save 40% on all DVD, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies.
"We are pleased to once again be opening a beautiful new bookstore in North Carolina," said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. "The store in Knightdale and our upcoming opening in Chapel Hill in September both promise to bring the very best of bookselling to these areas. The booksellers are looking very much forward to sharing their passion with customers."
Store Manager Steve Cagle, who has been with Barnes and Noble for more than 25 years said, "We are thrilled to become the new "Happy Place" for the folks of Knightdale. Providing a space where they can relax, browse and discover. We look forward to being a good community partner and a good neighbor."
Customers can discover more about upcoming events and news by following @bnknightdalenc on social media.
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Original text here: https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press-release/barnes-noble-opens-new-store-knightdale-nc
BDO USA's Chief People Officer Moy Inducted Into Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame
CHICAGO, Illinois, June 20 -- BDO USA, a provider of assurance, tax and financial advisory services, presented the following news release:
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BDO USA's Chief People Officer Cathy Moy Inducted Into Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame
Key Facts:
* BDO USA Chief People Officer Cathy Moy has been named to Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame for her lasting impact on HR, employee experience and workplace culture.
* Moy's people-first leadership has helped strengthen BDO's culture by advancing talent development and enhancing benefits and well-being programs that support employees across their careers.
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BDO
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, June 20 -- BDO USA, a provider of assurance, tax and financial advisory services, presented the following news release:
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BDO USA's Chief People Officer Cathy Moy Inducted Into Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame
Key Facts:
* BDO USA Chief People Officer Cathy Moy has been named to Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame for her lasting impact on HR, employee experience and workplace culture.
* Moy's people-first leadership has helped strengthen BDO's culture by advancing talent development and enhancing benefits and well-being programs that support employees across their careers.
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BDOUSA, one of the nation's leading accounting and advisory firms, is proud to announce that Cathy Moy, chief people officer (CPO), has been named to Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes leaders whose careers have made a lasting impact on companies and people they serve.
"I'm deeply honored to receive this recognition. This award reflects the passion and dedication of the many colleagues, teams and leaders I've had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career. At BDO, we believe a strong culture starts with listening to our people, investing in their growth and creating an environment where they can thrive. I'm proud to share this recognition with everyone who helps make that commitment real every day," said Cathy Moy, BDO USA CPO.
Ragan's HR Hall of Fame is one of the program's highest honors reserved for leaders whose vision and contributions have addressed some of the most important needs facing workplaces today. As BDO's first CPO, Moy was critical in shaping BDO's approach to a people-first culture for the firm's 14,000 employees in more than 85 offices. She helped establish the firm's Employee Stock Ownership Plan, championed the human element of emerging technologies like AI, reimagined BDO's social impact strategy, and elevated workplace flexibility as a business driver.
Moy advanced a belief that business works best when it is more human and that culture should be treated as a strategic asset. Today, that philosophy is directly reflected in employee feedback. According to the firm's 2025 employee engagement survey, 95% of respondents stated they feel enabled and encouraged to develop others, and 90% said they feel like they belong at BDO.
"Ragan's HR Awards Hall of Fame honors leaders whose work has left a meaningful mark on their organizations, their colleagues and the broader workplace community," said Brendan Gannon, senior marketing manager of Ragan Communications' award programs. "This year's honorees represent the kind of leadership, care, and long-term impact that deserve lasting recognition."
Ragan's HR Awards program celebrates organizations, teams, and professionals whose work strengthens workplace culture, supports employees and helps organizations build people-first workplaces. The program honors standout achievements across HR, internal communications, employee engagement, corporate communications, talent development, well-being, inclusion and more.
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About BDO USA
Our purpose is helping people thrive, every day. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first. BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization.
BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO USA, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms.
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Original text here: https://www.bdo.com/insights/press-releases/bdo-usa-chief-people-officer-cathy-moy-inducted-into-ragans-hr-awards-hall-of-fame
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
Addition by Subtraction: Controlling Healthcare Supply Costs to Maximize Margin
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 20 -- Premier, a healthcare improvement company, issued the following news release:
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Addition by Subtraction: Controlling Healthcare Supply Costs to Maximize Margin
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* The supply chain has evolved beyond logistics to become a strategic engine that drives quality, efficiency and resilience.
* Organizations that reduce variation and strengthen resiliency are better equipped to control cost, manage volatility and sustain performance over time.
* Those that continue to rely on incremental cost-cutting will face increasing difficulty maintaining
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 20 -- Premier, a healthcare improvement company, issued the following news release:
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Addition by Subtraction: Controlling Healthcare Supply Costs to Maximize Margin
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* The supply chain has evolved beyond logistics to become a strategic engine that drives quality, efficiency and resilience.
* Organizations that reduce variation and strengthen resiliency are better equipped to control cost, manage volatility and sustain performance over time.
* Those that continue to rely on incremental cost-cutting will face increasing difficulty maintainingmargin in a more complex and unpredictable environment.
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For years, healthcare supply spend has been one of the most reliable levers for cost management. That hasn't changed. What has changed is the environment in which those decisions are being made:
* Shrinking reimbursements, inflation, tariff exposure and geopolitical volatility are fueling a margin-eroding storm.
* The healthcare supply chain is facing non-stop turbulence, from persistent drug shortages to broader market disruption.
* Procurement and spend are often spread and siloed across facilities, limiting visibility and making it more difficult to pinpoint opportunities for improvement and eliminate waste.
In this environment, reducing costs is no longer enough. And for financially-minded leaders, the question is whether supply strategy can be reimagined as a source of competitive advantage.
With the right combination of operational discipline, empowered partnerships, targeted investments and engaged clinicians, organizations can turn supply strategy into a true competitive advantage. Premier's strategic guide to margin management in healthcare outlines several proven levers to reduce supply chain cost -- and several priorities stand out.
Reduce Hard Costs Through Supply Chain Optimization
In an era of margin compression, one of the clearest lessons emerging across high-performing health systems is this: The biggest gains no longer come from price alone. They come from how consistently and strategically organizations manage supply across the enterprise.
To truly optimize the supply chain, organizations must re-engineer their current model, transforming the supply chain into a value engine that connects financial stewardship with clinical excellence.
A significant portion of supply cost is driven upstream through clinical and operational decisions that vary across sites, service lines and providers. That variation increases cost, reduces purchasing leverage and limits consistency in care.
By systematically partnering with key stakeholders, evaluating new technologies, creating efficiencies and determining best practices for delivering care, organizations can evaluate products based on cost, quality and outcomes, not in isolation but as part of a coordinated system.
Kaleida Health's experience illustrates the potential impact. Partnering with Premier to implement a physician-led value analysis process, the system achieved $17.7 million in savings in a single year while advancing supply standardization and evidence-based product selection.
What this enables: improved alignment between clinical, financial and operational decision-making.
Maximize Purchasing Power and Capture Savings
Premier's value-driven contract portfolio creates a collective shield that helps organizations minimize risk, strengthen their supply chain and maximize purchasing power.
With more than 3,000 negotiated contracts, the national portfolio delivers flexibility and value across thousands of products. Many contracts are fixed for the lifetime of the agreement, helping protect against pricing shocks from tariffs and shortages.
Committing volume across vendors and categories creates powerful leverage and is one of the cleanest ways to capture guaranteed savings. By standardizing and rationalizing the vendor footprint, organizations reduce duplication, ensure consistency and deliver measurable savings without compromising care.
Consider Bayhealth, central and southern Delaware's largest healthcare system: By actively engaging in Premier's committed purchasing programs, first through Ascend, then AscendDrive and finally SURPASS, Bayhealth drove additional value from its purchasing portfolio. Collectively, these programs yielded more than $7.5 million in verified savings. In addition, Bayhealth realized over $2 million in aggregated group savings and secured more than $1.3 million in value through the national portfolio alone.
What this enables: repeatable savings that are sustained over time -- not dependent on one-time negotiations.
Strengthening Resiliency and Managing Volatility
Healthcare supply chains face frequent turbulence, from pandemic shortages beginning in 2020 to geopolitical instability. Each disruption has the potential to impact operations, inflate costs and disrupt care.
With real-time demand data and market intelligence, organizations can identify supplies at risk of shortage and plan for inventory fluctuations. Combined with coordinated response capabilities, this helps protect against market volatility, pricing shocks and stockouts.
Pharmacy is one of the most volatile and strategically consequential domains. Health systems must get ahead of changes in this segment or pay the price for being reactive. Leading organizations are leveraging commitment programs, technology and GPO contracts while centralizing procurement across care settings to reduce variability in cost. Premier's pharmacy solutions have been shown to reduce pharmacy spend by 3 to 6 percent.
At the same time, non-direct labor expenses, including purchased services, often account for more than 30 percent of operating budgets and are frequently spread across facilities. As organizations are increasingly forced to do more with less, they must flip this narrative, treating purchased services as a potential savings source.
Take, for example, Kaleida Health: The health system achieved $1.1 million in savings by improving visibility and strengthening contract performance.
What this enables: protection from volatility and expanded control across high-impact spend categories.
Using Technology and Stewardship to Reduce Waste
Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled demand forecasting and inventory optimization allow organizations to reduce safety stock, eliminate expired items and smooth purchasing cycles -- often reducing product waste and write-offs by 20 to 30 percent without increasing risk.
At the same time, supply chain leakage occurs in the friction between purchasing, accounts payable, receiving and inventory management. Automating procure-to-pay processes, including contract activation, order entry, three-way match and invoice reconciliation, can eliminate thousands of hours of manual work.
Clinical decision-making also plays a direct role in cost.
Premier's Stanson Health Stewardship solution provides clinicians with cost and quality insights directly within their workflow, enabling more informed decisions about medications, labs and imaging. This ensures care decisions are aligned with resource stewardship goals.
Health systems such as MultiCare, a 2,064-bed provider based in Tacoma, Washington, have demonstrated measurable savings and improved engagement through stewardship. The result? Stronger provider engagement, with a 26 percent acceptance rate (including 23 percent for medications and 36 percent for labs) driven by an unobstructive design that avoids alert fatigue and respects clinician workflows.
MultiCare's initial rollout was conservative yet delivered clear early returns. Starting with four medications and three lab tests, MultiCare saw average savings of $179 per accepted recommendation and approximately $81 per discharge.
What this enables: reduced waste and more effective resource use across both operations and care delivery.
Executing for Sustainable Performance Improvement
To achieve meaningful savings, organizations must overcome internal and external challenges.
Advisory-led supply chain services help health systems reduce waste, improve service levels and enhance performance by embedding operational discipline and financial rigor across the enterprise.
This includes aligning stakeholders, strengthening value analysis processes, standardizing purchasing strategies and implementing automation.
For example, robotic process automation has been used to activate more than 800 contracts, significantly reducing manual effort. In one case, more than $200 million in savings were identified.
What this enables: sustained cost control and measurable, enterprise-wide performance improvement.
How Premier Helps
Executing these priorities requires coordination across clinical, operational and financial domains. Premier enables this by bringing together:
* Data-driven insight: Identify and address surface variation, utilization patterns and supply risk across the enterprise.
* Advisory expertise: Channel deep insights into measurable results by co-designing and implementing strategies tailored to organizational needs.
* Scalable supply chain capabilities: Strengthen purchasing power, reduce variability and improve consistency through an extensive contract portfolio.
* Integrated pharmacy solutions: Manage cost, access and disruption through coordinated contracting, analytics and supply programs.
The path to success isn't defined by isolated actions. Sustained margin performance depends on pulling different but complementary levers for tangible results. Get your copy of Premier's strategic guide to margin management in healthcare (https://offers.premierinc.com/a-strategic-guide-to-margin-improvement-in-healthcare-download.html) for more details.
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Original text here: https://premierinc.com/newsroom/insights/addition-by-subtraction-controlling-healthcare-supply-costs-to-maximize-margin
[Category: BizHealth Care]
