17th World Conference on Tobacco or Health

Project Director Jenny Twesten traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to represent the National Cancer Institute’s Tobacco Control Research Branch at WCTOH held March 6-9, 2018. This international conference drew participants from around the world, with a particularly strong presence from those across Africa, an area where prevalence of cigarette smoking is on the rise and expected to continue to do so without strong tobacco control interventions. The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) supported meeting logistics for a pre-conference workshop entitled “Research to Inform the Development and Implementation of Tobacco Control Policies and Intervention” that was attended by at least 53 people from 23 different countries.

Bizzell also coordinated the NCI presence in the exhibit hall in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which nearly ran out of materials within 4 hours of the exhibit hall opening. In addition to attending sessions on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), economic and social costs of tobacco among women, tools for monitoring tobacco use, and ending the tobacco epidemic, Jenny presented on the Africa literature review that she and Katie Cleffi have been working on with NCI and met with various organizations and experts to discuss collaboration opportunities with NCI. The abstract presented has been published in a special supplement of Tobacco Induced Diseases. She will be presenting along with the other NCI delegates at an upcoming seminar on April 17 hosted by the NCI Center for Global Health to share insights from their WCTOH attendance.

Bizzell’s Tips for Having a Healthy Spring Season

The official day of spring is on March 20th, and after being cooped up inside the house all winter, this is the best time to plan activities for the new season. Feel the new energy of spring! Take a look at where you are and how you feel; use this new season to set new goals and plan where you want to go moving forward. 

Here are a few tips for having a healthy and purposeful spring season:

Get outdoors more:  The spring season is one of the best times to be outdoors. The weather is not too hot nor too cold, and the days are longer. Some examples of outdoor activities include hiking, bike riding, swimming, sports activities, and running. 

Spring cleaning: Take this time to clean your home to air out dust and remove unnecessary clutter. Rearranging your furniture can also provide a “new energy” for the season. Also, let’s not forget to clean out the pantry and fridge to get rid of expired foods or foods that are not good for you. 

Eat for the season: Spring is probably one of the easiest times of the year to eat healthily. There are many fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are in season, you can also take the time to enjoy some of your favorite healthy meals such as pasta salad or stir-fry dishes.  

Workplace Diversity

Workplace Diversity 

By: Anton C. Bizzell, M.D.

It seems like such a simple word, but it can cause such anxiety.

What do you immediately think of when you hear that word? Do you roll your eyes? Do you dismiss it as just another politically correct term? I doubt that you think that companies with diverse teams outperform industry standards by 35% as reported by Forbes. I doubt that you think of all the wonderful benefits, professionally and personally, that you can obtain by working in a diversified setting. Workplace diversity “refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, education background, and more. Diversity not only involves how people perceive others but also how those perceptions affect their actions.” Diversity isn’t just another HR buzzword. Diversity helps to propel us forward and it is one of The Bizzell Group’s (Bizzell) most essential core values.

Companies are made better by drawing upon the collective wisdom and strength honed from a workforce that is comprised of many differences. The Small Business Chronicle reports that “in an era of economic globalization, many companies are making efforts to achieve workplace diversity. Understanding the advantages of workplace diversity helps establish an organization with a competitive edge. Companies that cultivate a diverse workforce reap the benefits of increased productivity and creativity and gain the reputation of an employer that hires talented people without regard to race, ethnicity or gender.”

Companies should embrace the notion of diversity and not just for the sake of diversity, but because there are real and tangible benefits associated with having a workforce that is more reflective of American society. As you stroll through your office and see your colleagues in the hallways, it’s clear that you don’t all look alike. You don’t all share the same religion or culture. You don’t all think or act the same. And, that is good. The world is changing. But, change can sometimes bring pain. It is everyone’s job to mitigate that discomfort by helping to create an environment where everyone can feel safe and secure in bringing their full selves and their complete experiences to work every day. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and I know that we are better because of our differences, not in spite of our differences.

Bizzell Supports Our Military

On November 30, 2017, Dr. Anton Bizzell, CEO and President of The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) and senior Bizzell staff met with Jean Hulet, the Maryland State Chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Program (ESGR), to sign a Statement of Support with ESGR.  By signing ESGR’s Statement of Support, Bizzell solidifies its deep commitment as an advocate and supportive employer for our National Guard and Reserve employees. Bizzell is proud to support our military by providing employment and employment opportunities for those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves and Veterans.

ESGR was started by the Department of Defense in the early 1970s to foster cooperation and understanding between employers and Service members. ESGR has more than 3,600 trained volunteers in communities throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  ESGR educates employers about the Reserve component of the military, assists with resolving conflicts that arise from an employee’s Reserve status and commitments, and recognizes employers with policies that support and encourage participation in the Reserves.

Bizzell sponsored a community outreach Veterans’ appreciation luncheon and toiletry donation event on Friday, November 7th in Atlanta GA, in collaboration with National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Atlanta Chapter. The recipient organization, Quest Community Development Organization (QCDO), promotes a best in class, diverse housing model that encourages collaboration and positive community change. QCDO is committed to enhancing and inspiring personal, professional, and team growth through unique experiences, continued education, and strong work ethic.

QCDO provides housing programs and supportive services that are targeted toward the chronically homeless population of men, women and Veterans with a history of mental illness and/or substance addiction directly affecting the human health and welfare of individuals.

Bizzell also supports the military through our Department of Defense (DoD) contract, which focuses on suicide prevention, intervention, and posvention efforts for Service members and their families. We believe that it is our sacred duty to ensure the health and well-being of our brave Service members. We must provide proper care for those who sacrifice so much for the freedom we enjoy. Through the contract, assist the DoD with the development and implementation of a suicide prevention, outreach, and communication plan for Service members, their families, and DoD Civilians.