Press Releases

CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the country faces a projected shortage of 45,000 primary care physicians by the year 2020, osteopathic medical students are stepping up to fill that void. Family medicine continues to be the largest matched specialty among osteopathic medical students, according to the National Matching Services, Inc., which announced the results of the 2012 osteopathic match today.

Of the 2,373 individuals who participated in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Intern/Resident Registration Program, 75% of students and recent graduates successfully matched for a total of 1,767 placements. Last year, there were 1,640 successful matches.

Primary care specialties of family medicine saw a 16% increase and internal medicine saw a 21% increase from last year. Family medicine was the largest matched specialty with 433 positions filled. Last year family medicine also was the largest matched specialty with 373 positions filled.

"Each year an increasing number of osteopathic medical graduates are matched successfully into funded AOA residency positions. With the rate of annual increase noted and the success of the osteopathic post-match scramble, it is anticipated that virtually all available funded AOA positions will be filled in the next year or two," said Michael I. Opipari, DO, chair of the AOA Council on Postdoctoral Training. "In addition, we continue to see a significant increase in primary care specialty matches."

According to the AOA's 2011 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, approximately half of osteopathic physicians (DOs) practice in the primary care areas, such as family medicine and internal medicine. Historically, DOs have had a special commitment to providing primary care, particularly in the nation's rural and underserved populations.

"As one of 20 DOs in my family, I have seen the legacy of the osteopathic medical profession being carried on by many generations of osteopathic medical students," said AOA President Martin S. Levine, DO. "Their contributions to all areas of medicine, including primary care, are essential in meeting our nation's health care needs. I wish the participants of this year's osteopathic match much success as they begin their new careers as practicing osteopathic physicians."

For more information about the 2012 osteopathic match, see full match results listed by state at www.osteopathic.org. To see osteopathic match data from previous years, see the JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association at www.jaoa.org.

How the Osteopathic Match WorksOsteopathic medical students and recent graduates interview with internship and residency training programs at medical facilities around the country to determine which programs they would like to apply to for their osteopathic graduate medical education. After the interview process, match participants submit a rank-order list of training programs while the programs submit a list of their preferred applicants in rank order. Using a computer program, the National Matching Services, Inc., coordinates the match of osteopathic medical students and recent graduates to internship and residency programs.

Osteopathic Match ScheduleApplicants who learn on Feb. 13 that they did not match into an internship or residency training program can participate in what is known as "the scramble."  Additional students and previous graduates will continue to find training positions through July this year. This year, an electronic post-match tool is available to assist programs and trainees who did not find placement in the match.

Upon earning degrees as doctors of osteopathic medicine, graduates will begin their training programs on July 1, 2012.

What is a DO?DOs and MDs are the only two groups of physicians fully licensed to prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, in the United States. They both complete approximately four years of medical school followed by graduate medical education through internship and residency programs typically lasting three to eight years. In addition, DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, providing them with an in-depth knowledge of the ways that illness or injury in one part of the body can affect another.

About the American Osteopathic AssociationThe American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement today in response to energy tax increases in President Obama's proposed budget:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120125/MM41823LOGO)

"It's disappointing that President Obama is once again proposing to bar companies that produce oil and natural gas and that manufacture fuels and petrochemicals from taking the same business tax deductions as other industries. If the president's proposal is enacted by Congress it will drive up energy costs for American consumers and prevent the creation of desperately needed new jobs for American workers.

"America would be better off if the president opened up more parts of the United States to oil and natural gas production, reduced harmful overregulation that is raising fuel costs, and approved construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to bring 700,000 barrels a day of oil to American refineries. These actions would generate billions of dollars in new tax and fee revenue for federal, state and local governments and strengthen America's economic and national security. On top of that, the president could save billions more taxpayer dollars by ending subsidies for so-called 'alternative' forms of energy unpopular with consumers that can't compete in the free market."

About AFPMAFPM, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (formerly known as NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association) is a trade association representing high-tech American manufacturers of virtually the entire U.S. supply of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, other fuels and home heating oil, as well as the petrochemicals used as building blocks for thousands of vital products in daily life. AFPM members make modern life possible and keep America moving and growing as they meet the needs of our nation   and local communities, strengthen economic and national security, and support 2 million American jobs.

SOURCE American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After his devastating first round knockout of Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 in Las Vegas this past December, Alistair Overeem, the number one heavyweight contender for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title, and the man who will next challenge reigning champion Junior Dos Santos for the most coveted championship in the world, realized he had just one more move to make before the biggest fight of his career: he needed a home and a team in the United States. After months of careful searching, Overeem traveled to South Florida to meet with Authentic Sports Management (ASM).  Afterward, Overeem knew he had not only located the right place to start the road to Saturday, May 26, but he had also found a new family and a brotherhood.  Glenn Robinson, President, Authentic Sports Management, is pleased and honored to announce today that Alistair Overeem is now signed with ASM, the premier sports management and marketing company in the sport of mixed martial arts.

"With Authentic Sports Management, I saw right away that Glenn Robinson has a system in place that allows the fighter to focus on training only, which is so important as I prepare for my UFC heavyweight title fight against Junior Dos Santos," said Overeem. "ASM has a team of experts to help you grow as an athlete, from Glenn working hands-on as management to Jen Wenk handling my PR and Karen Gough running marketing, a full-time nutritionist, a finance and legal department - you name it they have it. After meeting with ASM, I was convinced that they can make me the new UFC world champion."

"To think that the number one contender in the UFC heavyweight division, and one of the greatest fighters in the world, Alistair Overeem, has chosen to work with Authentic Sports Management is a very proud and profound moment for myself and everyone that is part of ASM," said Robinson.  "We are working hard every day to grow ASM into the best agency in the business, and to take care of our athletes as though they were family, and the fact that Alistair Overeem has chosen us, and is relocating to South Florida to work closely with us, is one of the highest compliments you can receive in this sport. I am beyond excited to have Mr. Overeem with us, and watching him fight on May 26 as part of ASM will be one of the highlights in our company history."

Overeem, 6'5" and 256 lbs., holds a professional record of 36-11-1, and is the number two ranked heavyweight in the UFC, the largest promoter in mixed martial arts (MMA). He has an incredible 12-fight win streak, and is the only fighter in combat sports to hold a world title in both MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. He held belts as the K-1 World Grand Prix Champion (2010), Dream Champion, and most recently as the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion.

The UFC signed the 31-year-old Holland native to a contract in September 2011 and set Friday, December 30 as the date for Overeem's Octagon debut against Lesnar, former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE legend.  It took Overeem less than three minutes after the opening bell to stop Lesnar and not only put an end to the fight, but also send him into retirement.

Overeem is set to take on Dos Santos as the championship main event of the UFC's Memorial Day weekend card in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 26. Dos Santos versus Overeem will be shown live on Pay-Per-View in North America and will also available around the world through UFC's various international distributors. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in 150 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching over one billion homes worldwide, in 21 different languages.

ASM will handle all of Overeem's marketing, public relations and sponsorship and assist the athlete moving forward in his training preparation, general business affairs and career aspirations.  For marketing and sponsorship opportunities for Alistair Overeem, please email contact@authenticsportsmgmt.com.

Fans can follow Alistair Overeem on Twitter @AlistairOvereem and visit his website at www.thereem.com, or on Facebook.com/pages/Alistair Overeem.

ASM's roster of athletes includes: "Suga" Rashad Evans, Alistair Overeem, Jake Shields, Miguel Torres, Kenny Florian, Cosmo Alexandre, Eddie Alvarez, JZ Cavalcante, Braulio Estima, Melvin Guillard, Guto Inocente, Anthony Johnson, Michael Johnson, Roy Jones, Jr, Fabio Mello, Kendrick Miree, Matt Mitrione, Ednaldo Oliveira, Claude Patrick, Jorge Santiago, Antonio Silva, Tyrone Spong, Abel Trujillo, Danillo Villefort and Yuri Villefort. The Blackzilian team of coaches includes: Head Coach Mike Van Arsdale, Striking Coach Henri Hooft, Ground Coach Flavius Silva and Judo Coach Marcus Silva.

About Authentic Sports Management - www.AuthenticSportsMgmt.com @AuthSportsmgmtFounded in 2010 and based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Authentic Sports Management (ASM) is a premier sports management and marketing company with a mandate to help clients grow and succeed while building foundations, a personal brand and establishing a life-long positive legacy. Led by Glenn Robinson, President, Neal Tabachnick, General Counsel and Jon Rubinstein, Senior Partner, ASM primarily represents and supports top athletes in mixed martial arts, the fastest growing sport in the world.

Press Contact:Jen Wenk, APRjen@starprlasvegas.com702.635.0995 @jenwenk

SOURCE Authentic Sports Management

DALLAS, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association International (PHPA), a council of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, elected Steven Rush to serve as president at its board meeting in Dallas, Texas on February 12, 2012.  OPEIU represents approximately 3,000 helicopter pilots throughout the United States and Canada.

Rush is a founding member of the PHPA Council, and a force behind its establishment in 2002.  He is also president of OPEIU Local 102, one of the original Local Unions affiliated with the Council, and has served as a Council member since 2002.

"As one of the founders of PHPA, I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to have an even bigger role in our efforts to protect the interests of helicopter pilots, working to improve air safety, security, training and opportunities available to pilots throughout the world."

With a flight career that spans four decades and includes more than 12,000 aircraft hours and 8,000 hours in flight simulators, Rush began his career in the Army in December 1970.  After flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, he served in Korea for a year and then returned to Ft. Rucker to serve as a military flight instructor until 1977.

After departing active duty, Rush traveled to Alaska to fly 135 ops for the Alaska Pipeline and then returned to Ft. Rucker to work as a civilian flight instructor on the Flight Training Contract for 32 years.  During that time he also spent 16 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Rush succeeds Captain Butch Grafton, who has served as PHPA president since its establishment in 2002.

ABOUT PHPA INTERNATIONALThe Professional Helicopter Pilots Association International (PHPA) is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to improving air safety and protecting the interests of commercial helicopter pilots. PHPA promotes industry professionalism, education and training, and encourages professional helicopter pilots, the military and civilians of all flying disciplines to join together to represent and enforce the high standards, ideals and goals of the profession.

ABOUT OPEIUThe Office and Professional Employees International Union represents more than 125,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in banking and credit unions, insurance, higher education, shipping, hospitals, medical clinics, utilities, transportation, hotels, administrative offices, minor league umpiring, and more.

Professional organizations and Guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes physicians, pharmacists, chiropractors, appraisers, podiatrists, clinical social workers, hypnotists, teachers, insurance agents and helicopter pilots.

SOURCE Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO (OPEIU)