Connect with us

Technology

MICHAELA JAÉ RODRIGUEZ TO BE HONORED BY APLA HEALTH AT THE 42ND ANNUAL AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES ON OCTOBER 18, 2026

Published

on

Joel Kim Booster to present Rodriguez with the Voice of Visibility Award, followed by an Opening Ceremony Performance from Singer/Songwriter David Archuleta
 

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — APLA Health announced today it will present its inaugural Voice of Visibility Award to honor actress and activist Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose, Loot) on Sunday, October 18, 10:30 a.m. at the 42nd annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, a fundraising event celebrating life, honoring those who have been lost, and taking action against HIV. On-screen co-star and advocate Joel Kim Booster will present Rodriguez with the honor during the AIDS Walk kick-off ceremony in West Hollywood Park, which will also feature a live performance from David Archuleta. Registration is now open at aidswalkla.org.

“There is still a cruel distance between what medicine can do and who actually gets to benefit from it. We know access to testing, treatment, and consistent care saves lives, yet our most marginalized communities, especially Black and Brown trans women, continue to bear a disproportionate burden,” said Rodriguez. “Our lives cannot become negotiable when the political climate changes or when supporting us becomes inconvenient. If you stand with this community, that commitment has to remain when it is hardest. We are not disposable, and we deserve the same chance to live fully, love freely, dream boldly, and grow old.”

As the first and oldest AIDS walk in the country, APLA Health presents its Voice of Visibility Award to Rodriguez for her commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness and destigmatization, and her advocacy for the transgender community. Rodriguez lives this year’s APLA Health AIDS Walk theme, “Defend Care, Demand Action,” a message aimed squarely at closing the gap between what medicine can now do and who can actually get it.

“Michaela Jaé is a powerful voice for the community,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “Voices like hers keep HIV and equity in the public conversation at a time when it would be easy to look away. HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was, but that progress depends on people being able to afford testing, treatment, and ongoing care.”

Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pose, becoming the first openly transgender actress to win the award, and was the first trans woman nominated for a Primetime Emmy in a leading acting category, also for Pose. She was also honored with GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award and named The Advocate’s Person of the Year for her work promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance and HIV/AIDS awareness.

This year’s sponsors of APLA Health’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2026 include Premier Sponsor Paul Hastings; Grand Sponsors ABC 7, Gilead, and Paramount; Principal Sponsors Anthem, City of West Hollywood, ViiV Healthcare, Latham & Watkins, and NuvemRx; Major Sponsors Albertsons and Starbucks; Supporting Sponsors City National Bank, Baldwin Hills Investors, Ltd., and The Abbey; and Event Sponsors Amgen, Decron, Lionsgate, Eddie’s Pharmacy, KPMG, Queer Industry Night, Enterprise Mobility, Jeni’s Ice Creams, Keck Medicine of USC, and Room & Board Home Furnishings.

For more information on APLA Health’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles and how to register, please visit https://aidswalkla.org/.

For photos from previous APLA Health’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles events, please click here.

KEEP UP WITH AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK 

About APLA Health
APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) provides comprehensive healthcare and vital support services to more than 23,000 people each year. Since 1983, we have remained committed to ending the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. Through eight Federally Qualified Health Centers across Los Angeles County, we deliver primary care, dental, behavioral, sexual health, and HIV care, along with food and housing support. Our Vance North Necessities of Life Program distributes more than one million meals annually, making it the nation’s largest food pantry for people with HIV. APLA Health also advances sound health policy and raises critical support through AIDS Walk Los Angeles and the Best in Drag Show. Learn more at aplahealth.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michaela-jae-rodriguez-to-be-honored-by-apla-health-at-the-42nd-annual-aids-walk-los-angeles-on-october-18-2026-302902331.html

SOURCE APLA Health

Continue Reading

Technology

Promptly and ZEISS VisioGen partner to bring human-verified AI patient engagement to ophthalmology practices

Published

on

By

A partnership that connects every website inquiry a practice receives, answered with licensed clinical review, to the system that books, follows up, and converts the patient

MIAMI, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Promptly and ZEISS VisioGen partner to bring human-verified AI patient engagement to ophthalmology practices.

“Seamless workflows drive conversion. Integrating Promptly’s Patient Conversion System with ZEISS Visiogen gives practices a unified, end-to-end workflow guiding patients from inquiry to payment without juggling multiple systems.” — Dr. Anish Kapur, CEO, Promptly

A partnership that connects every website inquiry a practice receives, answered with licensed clinical review, to the system that books, follows up, and converts the patient.

Promptly Technology, Inc. (Promptly), which offers the most comprehensive all-in-one Patient Experience Suite including the leading Patient Conversion System for specialty medical practices, and ZEISS VisioGen, a human-verified AI patient communication solution from Carl Zeiss India Bangalore Pvt Ltd, today announced a partnership to give U.S. ophthalmology practices one connected path from a patient’s first website question to a booked, converted patient.

Ophthalmology practices receive candidacy, cost, and recovery questions through their websites at every hour. Answering those questions well, and then converting the inquiry into a scheduled patient, are two different jobs. This partnership brings together a system for each.

What each company brings

ZEISS VisioGen is the first responsible AI solution for patient engagement in ophthalmology. It answers patient questions submitted through a practice’s website, with a ZEISS-trained, licensed optometrist reviewing every reply before the patient sees it. It is built exclusively for ophthalmology, connects with all major practice management and EHR systems, is HIPAA compliant, and is not a medical device. Not another chatbot: a professionally verified patient-engagement service operated for the clinic.

Promptly’s Patient Conversion System captures each inquiry into the practice CRM and books, schedules, follows up, and tracks the patient, running on top of the practice management and EHR systems a clinic already uses. Its role is to convert the inquiry and record the outcome.

What the partnership gives practices

Together, the two systems give a practice one governed path: a patient’s question is answered under licensed clinical review, then handed to the practice with the intent, context, and next step, where it is booked, followed up, and converted. The practice adds no headcount and keeps the systems it already runs.

“A lead is only as valuable as the patient experience that follows, because while marketing drives interest, seamless workflows drive conversion. By integrating Promptly’s Patient Conversion System with ZEISS Visiogen’s lead generation and clinical review, we are giving practices a unified, end-to-end workflow. Together, we are guiding patients from their initial inquiry all the way to final payment, without the burden of managing multiple systems.”

Dr. Anish Kapur, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Promptly.

Availability

ZEISS VisioGen and Promptly are available to U.S. ophthalmology practices. Both companies will be at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2026 annual meeting in New Orleans, October 10 to 12. ZEISS VisioGen is at booth 3719 and Promptly is at booth 1861.

About Promptly

Promptly is an all-in-one Patient Engagement and Experience Suite designed to supercharge existing practice management systems. By automating tedious administrative tasks, Promptly empowers healthcare staff to focus on what matters most: connecting with patients. Our comprehensive platform consolidates multiple software solutions into a single, unified hub featuring online appointment scheduling, digital intake, real-time insurance verification, automated payments, and multi-channel patient communication.

About ZEISS VisioGen

ZEISS VisioGen is the first responsible AI solution for patient engagement in ophthalmology, a human-verified AI patient communication platform from Carl Zeiss India Bangalore Pvt Ltd. Patient questions submitted through a practice’s website are drafted by AI against the practice’s approved protocols and reviewed by a ZEISS-trained, licensed optometrist before delivery. ZEISS VisioGen connects with all major practice management and EHR systems, is HIPAA compliant, is not a medical device, and is available in the United States.

Media Contact

Promptly Marketing, Promptly, 1 (908) 271-8695, marketing@promptlycheckin.com, promptlycheckin.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/promptly-and-zeiss-visiogen-partner-to-bring-human-verified-ai-patient-engagement-to-ophthalmology-practices-302902358.html

SOURCE Promptly

Continue Reading

Technology

Live Entertainment Expert Dino Hall Explains Live Event Planning in HelloNation

Published

on

By

The Article Outlines How Organizers Can Coordinate Performers, Venues, Production, Logistics, and Audience Needs When Planning a Concert.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should organizers consider when planning a concert? A HelloNation article answers that question, featuring insights from Dino Hall of DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The article explains that live event planning begins well before performers arrive at a venue. Organizers first need to define the event’s purpose, expected audience, available budget, and desired experience. These early decisions shape artist selection, production needs, scheduling, and other program elements.

According to the article, artist booking requires more than selecting performers who fit the event concept. Organizers should consider audience expectations, venue size, schedules, and technical needs. Contracts should also address performance times, payment terms, travel arrangements, production requirements, and responsibilities for everyone involved.

The HelloNation article notes that venue selection directly affects concert production and audience experience. Capacity should fit expected attendance while leaving appropriate space for staging, equipment, staff, and guests. During planning, also review accessibility, parking, transportation, security, sound restrictions, and venue requirements.

Technical coordination is another important part of live event planning. The article explains that performers may require specific sound systems, lighting, staging, electrical service, dressing rooms, or other equipment. Reviewing these requirements early helps production teams determine whether the venue and vendors can support each performance.

Scheduling brings the separate parts of concert production together. Load-in, sound checks, rehearsals, performances, vendor setup, security briefings, and cleanup all require defined time periods. The article recommends building enough flexibility into the schedule to address delays without disrupting the entire event.

Clear communication also supports effective event logistics. The article describes the importance of assigning responsibilities for artist needs, technical production, venue operations, security, guest services, and schedule changes. Centralized information can help artists, vendors, production teams, and organizers work from the same instructions.

The article also emphasizes audience experience throughout the planning process. Entry procedures, seating, signage, restrooms, food service, accessibility, and crowd movement can shape the guest experience. Careful planning in these areas can help prevent operational problems from distracting from the performances.

For cultural event planning, the article advises organizers to consider traditions, history, and community representation. Artists, speakers, food, activities, and visual elements should reflect the culture with appropriate care. Consultation with knowledgeable community members can help identify concerns before the event reaches the public.

Live Entertainment Expert Dino Hall’s insights also inform the article’s discussion of promotion and contingency planning. Event descriptions should accurately represent performers, cultural elements, schedules, and venue details. Organizers should also prepare procedures for weather problems, artist delays, equipment failures, medical situations, crowd concerns, and transportation disruptions.

The article concludes that successful event logistics depend on coordination across every part of the program. When purpose, programming, concert production, communication, and audience experience align, organizers can create a more cohesive event for performers and guests.

Live Entertainment And Concert Experiences features insights from Dino Hall, Live Entertainment Expert of DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 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 publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

www.hellonation.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/live-entertainment-expert-dino-hall-explains-live-event-planning-in-hellonation-302902868.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Technology

Meeting AI Demand: BICSI Transforms Alongside Telecommunications Infrastructure

Published

on

By

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As AI adoption accelerates, so does the demand for high-speed networks, data centers, and intelligent infrastructure, and the professionals building that foundation need a steadfast resource behind them. BICSI, the global authority on telecommunications infrastructure, announces the launch of a revitalized brand and organizational identity. This strategic evolution is focused on the immediate needs of the telecommunications industry worldwide and reinforces BICSI as the backbone of global connectivity.

“BICSI’s new brand reflects both who we are today and the leadership role we are committed to playing in the future of ICT infrastructure,” said John H. Daniels, CEO of BICSI. “As technology advances and the demands on our industry grow, our responsibility to provide the technical expertise, standards, and professional development that move the profession forward has never been greater. Our refreshed identity reinforces that commitment, positioning BICSI as a trusted, independent authority helping shape the future of our industry.”

BICSI emphasizes the launch will not interrupt the services, certifications, or support that current members and customers rely on. Rather, it will bring consistency across all BICSI offerings, making it easier to recognize and engage with the expert resources telecommunications professionals need. All audiences across regions and channels can access the same trustworthy products, now clearly categorized under five new core offerings:

StandardsCertificationsTrainingCommunityPolicy Center

BICSI’s new tagline “Higher Standards. Stronger Connections.” embodies how BICSI’s focus on innovation and quality advances the entire industry. BICSI is here to lead through whatever comes next and keep our world talking, learning, building, and thriving.

Explore how BICSI is shaping the future of telecommunications infrastructure worldwide at BICSI.org.

About BICSI. BICSI is the global authority advancing telecommunications infrastructure. BICSI provides technical expertise and industry workforce development that helps infrastructure perform more consistently, scale effectively, and support an increasingly connected world. By setting high standards, providing training, governing certification, fostering the professional community, and shaping policy, BICSI supports the designer, installer, and technical leaders who build reliable, high-performing connectivity systems worldwide. Learn more at BICSI.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meeting-ai-demand-bicsi-transforms-alongside-telecommunications-infrastructure-302902873.html

SOURCE BICSI

Continue Reading

Trending