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MIND Education Appoints Brandon Smith as President to Lead Next Chapter of Research-Driven Math Innovation

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Appointment: A 15-year veteran of the organization, Smith steps into the role to guide MIND through its next phase of research, innovation, and impact. Leadership Philosophy: Smith brings an R&D-driven approach grounded in learning science, evidence, iteration, and close collaboration with educators and students. Organizational Reach: MIND Education’s neuroscience-based visual learning programs currently serve more than 1.6 million students, 95,000 educators, and 4,600 schools nationwide. 

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MIND Education, creator of ST Math and a leader in neuroscience-based visual-first math learning, today announced the appointment of Brandon Smith as President. A 15-year veteran of the organization, Smith will guide MIND through its next phase of research, innovation, and impact. 

Smith’s tenure at MIND spans senior roles across research, design, and product leadership. That background informs an approach to executive leadership built around empirical evidence, continuous iteration, and direct feedback from educators and students. 

“R&D teaches you a certain kind of humility,” said Smith. “You can believe strongly in an idea, but ultimately, the learner gets the final vote. You put something into the world, observe what happens, listen to educators and students, study the evidence, and make the next version better. That way of thinking will shape how I lead as President.” 

“Brandon is the right leader for MIND at exactly the right time,” said Chuck Amos, Executive Chair of the Board, MIND Education. “He understands what has made MIND distinctive for nearly three decades, but he is equally focused on where the opportunity is going next. Educators are looking for learning solutions that are more effective, more responsive to their needs, and more grounded in evidence, and MIND is exceptionally well-positioned to meet that need. Brandon brings the vision, discipline, and deep understanding of learning science to lead that next chapter. The Board is incredibly optimistic about MIND’s path forward and the impact we can have on students, educators, and the future of math learning.” 

Across the country, MIND’s programs currently serve more than 1.6 million students, 95,000 educators, and 4,600 schools. For nearly three decades, MIND Education has challenged conventional instruction by leveraging the brain’s natural spatial-temporal reasoning capabilities. Under Smith’s leadership, MIND will deepen that work by keeping research, product development, and classroom application closely connected—and making visual-first learning increasingly responsive to the evolving needs of students and educators.

That approach is already reflected in MIND’s 2026–27 ST Math updates, which include learning experiences refined using puzzle-level data, new level-attempt alerts, streamlined educator dashboards, enhanced reporting, standards mapping, Infinite JiJis, and the return of Acorn Factory. 

Looking ahead, MIND is focused on extending the reach of its research-driven, visual-first approach to mathematics—making powerful learning experiences available to more students, educators, and families across a broader range of settings and needs. That continued expansion reflects MIND’s larger vision for the future: translating decades of learning science into increasingly accessible ways for students to build deep mathematical understanding, problem-solving ability, and confidence. 

About MIND Education 
MIND Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing how people understand and learn mathematics. Grounded in decades of research in neuroscience, cognitive science, and learning, MIND translates discovery into practical solutions that help students develop deep mathematical understanding and problem-solving ability.

MIND is the creator of ST Math, a PreK–8 visual-first instructional program that transforms student learning by teaching math the way every brain learns. Used by schools and districts across the country, ST Math helps equip students to succeed through deep understanding, problem-solving, and productive struggle.

Since 1998, MIND Education and ST Math have reached millions of students nationwide. Learn more at MINDEducation.org

Media Contact
Stephanie Grau
Mindeducation@finnpartners.com

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Medscape and Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology Expand Partnership to Deliver Clinically Relevant Oncology Insights

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The strategic collaboration will expand access to global oncology insights for physicians across Brazil

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Medscape, the leading global digital platform for physicians and healthcare professionals, today announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC). This expanded partnership will provide Brazilian oncologists and other professionals who care for cancer patients with timely access to the latest advances in cancer research, treatment, and clinical practice.

The two-year agreement will focus on the development and publication of Portuguese-language educational and medical content designed to enhance knowledge and support day-to-day clinical practice of oncology professionals in Brazil. This announcement continues the editorial partnership between the two organizations, previously announced in 2022, which aimed to strengthen editorial content to tackle misinformation and inaccuracy of health information online. “Physicians are bombarded with a huge volume of information online, which varies in quality,” said Pablo Labbé, Group Vice President at WebMD/Medscape. “By working closely with SBOC, combining clinical expertise with our advanced Medscape AI technologies, we can help Brazilian physicians more easily identify and access peer-reviewed and validated clinical information from global sources. This in turn better allows medical developments to be translated into everyday clinical practice here in Brazil.”

Through the collaboration, thousands of oncology professionals across Brazil will gain access to expert-led reporting, congress updates, analysis of emerging clinical data, and educational resources from major international and national oncology meetings, all free and on-demand. “SBOC is committed to advancing oncology care in Brazil through education, scientific excellence, and professional development. This collaboration with Medscape creates an important new channel for knowledge sharing, benefiting oncologists across Brazil and, ultimately, their patients,” said Dr. Clarissa Baldotto, President of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC).

This announcement marks the latest in Medscape’s ongoing collaboration with leading academic institutions, professional societies and healthcare organizations, brought together by a shared commitment to advancing medical education and supporting healthcare professionals. “Partnerships with leading medical societies are central to Medscape’s mission of supporting healthcare professionals with trusted, clinically relevant education,” said Diane Leonis, Head of Commercial and Educational Partnerships, Medscape Brazil. “By deepening our collaboration with SBOC, we can connect Brazilian oncology professionals with timely insights from the global oncology community.”

SBOC is one of Brazil’s most recognized medical specialty societies and a leading advocate for oncology education and professional development. Founded in 1981, the organization represents clinical oncologists across Brazil and supports continuing medical education, research, professional advocacy, and healthcare policy development. 

This collaboration reflects Medscape’s continued investment in Brazil, one of its most engaged international markets for physician education.

About Medscape
Medscape is the leading source of clinical news, health information, and point-of-care tools for health care professionals. Medscape offers specialists, primary care physicians, and other health professionals the most robust and integrated medical information and educational tools. Medscape AI is the first and only medical-grade generative AI platform that synthesizes peer‑reviewed evidence, real-time medical news, and Medscape’s expert‑validated content in seconds, delivering clinically verified insights that healthcare professionals can trust. Built for global healthcare, Medscape AI is free to all 13+ million Medscape members and accessible in any language, in any country, and in any clinic. Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free C.M.E. and C.E. courses and other educational programs for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals. Medscape is a subsidiary of WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands company.

About the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology
The Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology is the national organization representing clinical oncologists in Brazil. Founded in 1981, SBOC works to advance oncology through medical education, scientific research, professional development, healthcare policy engagement, and national and international collaboration. The organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in oncology practice and improving outcomes for patients with cancer across Brazil.

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$50 Million Gift Will Accelerate Growth of CU Anschutz Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Program

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Landmark investment will expand patient access, accelerate research and establish a world-leading center for cerebrospinal fluid leak diagnosis and treatment.

AURORA, Colo., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Colorado Anschutz has received an anonymous $50 million gift to transform care for patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated neurological conditions in medicine.

Inspired by the life-changing work of Andrew Callen, MD, his neurosurgical partner Peter Lennarson, MD, and the CSF Leak Program team, the landmark gift, one of the largest in campus history, will expand the already nationally recognized program by broadening access to specialized care, advancing research and diagnostic expertise and further solidifying CU Anschutz as one of the nation’s leading destinations for CSF leak diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, the investment will create opportunities for advances in radiology and collaborative research.

Cerebrospinal fluid is the clear liquid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. When the protective membrane surrounding the brain or spinal cord develops a defect, either through a tear or an abnormal connection to a vein, cerebrospinal fluid can escape, causing a range of often debilitating symptoms, including severe headaches, neck pain, hearing changes, dizziness and cognitive difficulties. Because symptoms frequently mimic other neurological disorders, patients often spend years searching for answers before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

“This extraordinary gift has the potential to transform the future of CSF leak care and speed advances across the neurosciences,” said John Sampson, MD, PhD, dean of the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. “First and foremost, this is about patients – reaching more people with the specialized care they need while accelerating research and innovation. This investment also creates opportunities for breakthroughs in areas such as neuroimaging, extending its impact well beyond the CSF Leak Program.”

“Too many patients spend years searching for answers to a condition that is still widely misunderstood,” said Andrew Callen, MD, associate professor of diagnostic radiology and director of the CSF Leak Program at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. “This gift will help us reach more patients, reduce barriers to specialty care, and advance the research, innovation, and education needed to improve diagnosis and treatment. I’m fortunate to work alongside a multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgery, headache neurology, advanced practice providers, nurses, technologists, researchers and coordinators, proving that this discipline is truly a team effort.”

According to CU Anschutz researchers in collaboration with the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, who conducted the largest patient survey ever on CSF leaks, nearly 80% of patients reported being misdiagnosed and saw a median of more than six clinicians before receiving the correct diagnosis. More than 60% said they were unable to access specialized care because of long waitlists, while many traveled across state lines in search of treatment.

The gift provides the program with the flexibility to invest in its highest priorities, including expanding clinical capacity, recruiting physician-scientists, advancing research, supporting innovation, enhancing physician education and developing the infrastructure needed to further propel CU Anschutz as one of the world’s leading comprehensive programs dedicated to spinal CSF leak diagnosis, treatment, research, innovation, and education. This gift is also designed to reduce barriers to specialty care so that geography and financial circumstances become less of an obstacle to receiving expert evaluation and treatment.

Unlike many CSF leak programs, where treatment is part of broader neurology or radiology services, the CU Anschutz CSF Leak Program is designed to focus on CSF leak diagnosis, treatment, research, innovation and education. The investment will bring together specialized clinical care, advanced imaging, physician education, patient access initiatives and groundbreaking research under one coordinated mission.

“This remarkable gift allows us to build something that does not currently exist at this scale,” said Don Elliman, chancellor of CU Anschutz. “Together with our clinical partners at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, who have been important champions of this work, we have an opportunity to establish CU Anschutz as the definitive leader in CSF leak care and advance discoveries that will improve lives in Colorado and around the world.”

About the University of Colorado Anschutz
The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado’s health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado – which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training. The campus conducts world-renowned research supported by $890 million in funding, including $762 million in sponsored awards and $128 million in philanthropic gifts for research.

Find the latest CU Anschutz news here.

Contact: Kelsea Pieters, CU Anschutz
Kelsea.pieters@cuanschutz.edu Phone: (804) 314-1360

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In HelloNation, Dental Expert Kelvin Jung Outlines What Makes a Strong Dental Implant Candidate

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Bone Density and Gum Health Are Among the Key Factors in Dental Implant Candidacy.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does a dentist actually look for when evaluating whether a patient is a good fit for dental implants, and what options exist when someone does not meet the standard criteria? A HelloNation article breaks down the evaluation process, covering the clinical factors that affect candidacy and the alternatives available when traditional implants are not the most appropriate path forward.

The HelloNation article explains that the most essential requirement for dental implants is sufficient bone density in the jaw. The implant itself is a small titanium post placed directly into the jawbone, where it bonds with surrounding tissue through a process called osseointegration. When bone has deteriorated significantly after tooth loss, the jawbone may not be able to support the post without additional preparation, and procedures such as bone grafting may be needed before placement can proceed.

Gum health carries equal importance. The article notes that active periodontal disease creates conditions in which dental implants are more likely to fail. Patients with gum disease are typically treated and stabilized before any implant planning begins, and candidacy is reassessed once the infection has resolved and gum tissue is healthy.

Overall medical health also plays a meaningful role, the article explains. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, certain autoimmune disorders, and some blood clotting issues can affect how the body heals after implant surgery. Smoking is another significant factor, as it impairs circulation and reduces the success rate of implant integration. Patients who smoke are not automatically disqualified, but they are typically counseled on how the habit affects outcomes before proceeding.

One of the most common questions Dental Experts hear from patients in the Champaign-Urbana area is whether age rules someone out for implants. The article is clear that age alone is rarely the deciding factor. Adults in their 60s, 70s, and beyond receive successful dental implants regularly, provided their bone density, gum condition, and general health meet the necessary thresholds. On the younger end, implants are generally deferred until jaw growth is complete, typically in the late teens or early 20s depending on the individual.

For patients who do not qualify for traditional implants, the article describes several alternatives. Implant-supported dentures offer a middle path for patients with more significant bone loss, anchoring a full arch with fewer implants while providing considerably more stability than conventional removable dentures. Dental bridges and traditional dentures remain options as well, though each involves trade-offs related to adjacent tooth structure, long-term bone health, and daily comfort.

Dental Expert Kelvin Jung of Q Dental is featured in the article as a source of perspective on how these evaluations and decisions play out for patients in Champaign-Urbana. The evaluation process typically begins with a comprehensive exam that includes X-rays or a cone beam CT scan to assess bone volume and density. That imaging gives the treating dentist a clear view of what is available to work with and whether any preparatory steps might improve a patient’s candidacy before moving forward with treatment planning.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants? What to Know Before Your Evaluation features insights from Kelvin Jung, Dental Expert of Champaign, Illinois, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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