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Monthly news & updates
April 2020
Alcor Supports Healthcare Providers
 
The COVID-19 pandemic sent a shock wave through the healthcare community. Health systems around the globe are strained to care for patients and the limited supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) continues to put healthcare providers at risk of infection.
 
Steve Graber, Director of Innovation, decided it was time for Alcor to support the healthcare community through this crisis. After speaking with healthcare executives, Steve discovered that doctors, nurses, and other providers need more face shields and mask buckles so they can wear PPE comfortably for long work shifts. “ There was an obvious need out there and healthcare providers are at risk. We have resources available at Alcor to help the doctors and nurses on the front line of this pandemic. ” said Steve. 
 
Steve started researching publicly available 3D print designs for face shield and mask buckles. All the designs he found were suboptimal, so Steve decided to design his own. After a few days, Steve created face shields and mask buckles that print faster, use less material, are biodegradable, cost less, and are more comfortable for healthcare providers to wear.
 
Blake Honiotes, Alcor’s Medical Response Director, said, “ Steve’s initiative to support the healthcare providers helps Alcor’s members. Our patients get better care and outcomes when Alcor has solid relationships with healthcare providers. Steve is deepening and broadening our connections in the healthcare community by supporting them through this crisis. ”
 
Alcor is 3D printing 5,000 units of PPE in the coming weeks for local hospitals and hospice. “ I am very proud of Steve’s leadership in the community. We want to provide more face shields and mask buckles to healthcare workers, but our production capabilities are limited. We are giving Steve’s design away for free to anyone that has a 3D printer and wants to help. Additionally, we are accepting tax-deductible donations, in any denomination, so we can expand our production to support healthcare providers. ” said Patrick Harris, Alcor’s Chief Operating Office.
 
Steve delivered the first set of Personal Protective Equipment he printed to HonorHealth and the nurses were ecstatic, so much so, that Steve received an appreciation letter from HonorHealth. Local news, ABC15, picked up Steve’s story and aired the piece on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Marji Klima
Director of Operations

Watch List and
Monitoring Program

By now you have seen my requests for you to contact me if you have a change in your medical condition. This month I am giving our valued members insight into what happens when you notify me of any health status change. 

Ideally, we schedule a call to discuss your current health and what prompted you to contact me. A phone conversation is the best way to create a dialogue between us that can lead to important health information, allow me to ask questions, and update your clinical profile. Sometimes a phone call is not possible or ideal and, in that case, members often email me with updates. When I have further questions about your health status, I email you back to obtain more information.

After our communication I determine if you should be placed on my Watch List. If I add you to my Watch List, you and I setup a cadence to communicate. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis and your condition, I may recommend anywhere from weekly to monthly check-ins.

I maintain your health information in confidence, respect your privacy, and I update your health profile after we talk. As your condition worsens or improves, we adjust the cadence of our communications as appropriate. If your health condition is self-limiting (surgery, curable diagnosis, etc.), then I remove you from the Watch List at the appropriate time.

My ability to monitor your health status is only as good as the information I receive from you, so it’s vital that you always keep me updated. If you have any questions about the process or if you need to inform me of a change in status related to your health, I am always available at blake@alcor.org . Stay safe and well!

Blake Honiotes, R.N.
Medical Response Director
Next Alcor Board Meeting
Saturday, May 16, 2020, 11:00 a.m.
Alcor in the News

Watch ABC 15 local Arizona news regarding Alcor's efforts to provide PPE for healthcare workers. Alcor is the second story on this link.

For the Membership

We are also making mask buckles available to our members to use with any ear loop mask. If you are interested, you can send an email to ashley@alcor.org with your current mailing address and how many buckles you need, up to five per household.

How You Can Help

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our effort you can contribute through PayPal with the link giving@alcor.org. All donations will go toward purchasing supplies to continue producing mask buckles for healthcare workers and our membership.

If you have a 3D printer and wish to receive the mask buckle file to start printing these in your area please email marji@alcor.org and we can provide you with the files for printing.
Cryonics magazine survey
Last chance to take the survey
The member survey that was distributed in October 2019 revealed mixed reviews on Cryonics magazine. We are wrapping up the survey this month and will be providing feedback to our editor and update the membership in the coming months. Please take the survey if you have not done so.

Thank you in advance.
Associate Membership
One of the benefits of Associate Membership is receiving Cryonics magazine. If you are already a member you can refer a friend.

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