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Categories News Tags Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19, Global Development, Health, Special Populations, Technical Assistance & Trainings

Bizzell on the Front Line of the COVID-19 Response in Africa

Bizzell on the Front Line of the COVID-19 Response in Africa

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is on the front line of the COVID-19 response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), supporting essential Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the DRC Ministry of Health COVID-19 operations. Bizzell transports doctors, test kits, personal protective equipment, and samples to and from the labs and between the eight health zones in Kinshasa, including Kalamu, Kimbaseke, Ndjili, Masina, Lingwala, Gombe, Selembao and Bumbu.

Bizzell has also continued support of IPC services in Goma, including supervised decontamination activities following newly reported COVID-19 cases in the Karisimbi health zone. In addition, continued work focuses on the Majengo neighborhood in Goma, the origin of all the new COVID-19 cases in the area. The team is reinforcing infection prevention and surveillance capacities in the community so that they will be able to detect cases and deliver effective, high-quality IPC.

Conditions can be challenging for global public health responders, such as during recent demonstrations by the people of the Majengo neighborhood. Throughout the evolution of the novel coronavirus, Bizzell remains committed to listening to community issues, and to partnering with local, national, and international groups to actively improve health outcomes for all individuals and communities affected by COVID-19.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by CEO Anton Bizzell, M.D., a family physician and a global health, public health, and substance use disorders expert and former Medical Officer at National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of global health, through projects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Learn more about how Bizzell advances data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to solve complex, real-world challenges. www.thebizzellgroup.com  

Categories News Tags Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Communications & Outreach, Conference Services, COVID-19, Health, Healthcare, Quality Improvement, Special Populations

Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of infection prevention, particularly in nursing homes. A dedicated infection preventionist role within long-term care (LTC) settings is now a regulatory mandate. However, infection prevention personnel and supplies are strained due to the demands of COVID-19 control and mitigation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has partnered with the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program to present a series of trainings on infection prevention issues tailored specifically to nursing homes. The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is proud to work with CMS and the QIO Program to facilitate this training, focused on protecting vulnerable nursing home residents and promoting patient safety throughout these unprecedented public health challenges.

The National Nursing Home Training Series weekly live webcast is open to health care providers and to the public. Initial trainings included: Implementation Strategies for COVID-19 Surveillance and Early Detection; Cohorting: Effective Management of Residents and Staff; and Clinical Care: Managing COVID-Positive Residents.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), as the Data Validation & Administrative Contractor (DVAC) facilitates cross-network collaboration, data analysis, learning and support for the Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC) program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Bizzell is committed to data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions that improve health and public health outcomes across the nation and around the globe, through CMS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more at: https://thebizzellgroup.com.

Categories News Tags CEO News, News

Dr. Bizzell Joins U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Advisory Board

u.s. chamber of commerce foundation bannerDr. Bizzell was recently invited to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) Advisory Board. This appointment follows his Fellow support where he advised the Foundation’s 2019 Sharing Solutions initiative, a campaign focused on business solutions to the opioid epidemic. The USCCF is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness, educating the public on the conditions necessary for businesses and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and how emerging issues and creative solutions will shape the future. The Advisory Board is made up of leaders from some of the world’s most successful companies and leading Chambers of Commerce in the United States, and Dr. Bizzell is proud to leverage his experience as a small business owner to advise the work of the Foundation.

Categories Insights, Mental Health, News Tags American Psychological Association, Behavioral Health, COVID-19, Mental Health, Thought Leadership

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Written by: Randolph Edmead

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had profound social, economic, and health effects. A recent study found that 56% of U.S. adults reported that worry or stress related to the pandemic has caused them to experience at least one negative effect related to mental health and wellbeing.  Physical distancing to reduce spread of COVID-19 increases social isolation and creates new challenges for individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Some of the most prevalent concerns people have reported about managing during the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertainty about the future, not having control over the virus and its effects, and the economic ramifications of the pandemic. With widespread job loss, and the potential for the virus to cause serious illness and death, these concerns are not unfounded. The pandemic is having a significant effect on those who have not previously struggled with mental health issues, and the effects are exacerbated for those who have. As with other traumatic events, it has taken an exceptional toll on frontline health care workers and first responders.

The American Psychological Association says that it is critical to maintain social support and connections during physical distancing, and that it is important to know the signs of anxiety and depression so that individuals who may be experiencing these challenges can get timely help.

Signs of anxiety include:

  • Persistent worry, feeling overwhelmed by emotions
  • Excessive worry about a number of concerns, general sense that something bad is going to happen
  • Restlessness, irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, feeling on edge

Signs of depression include:

  • Lack of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Lack of energy or difficulty concentrating
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

One unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that the increased media attention on the mental health effects of the crisis is helping to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health issues. A new social media campaign through , “How are You, Really?”, aims to decrease the stigma of mental health issues by encouraging people to safely share their stories to show others that they are not alone.

Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy

The Director Dr. Joshua Gordon provides 5 tips for staying mentally healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak, which are timely for individuals struggling with anxiety or depression, as well as for those who are simply looking for positive strategies to cope with the challenges of the pandemic:

  • Avoid using alcohol or other drugs as coping mechanisms.
  • Maintain routines for meals, exercise, and sleep. Try to stay active.
  • Explore wellness programs, like meditation, yoga, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises.
  • Stay connected. Talk by phone. Chat outside while maintaining recommended social distance. Join online gatherings.
  • Seek help right away if you have trouble coping or feel overwhelmed.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by President & CEO Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., a leading behavioral health expert and former Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Bizzell’s recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of behavioral health through work with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to advance mental health, behavioral health, and other complex-real-world challenges: https://thebizzellgroup.com/.

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