The Teacher Preparation Program of Rio Salado College recently received a National Science Foundation Noyce Scholarship Program award of $ 1.2 million to support recruitment and training of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals interested in becoming science or math teachers in Arizona.

“The need for inspiring teachers in STEM-related subjects is critical for the future of Arizona’s economy and experienced professionals in these fields have much to offer.” – Dr. Chris Bustamante Rio Salado College president

“Rio is honored to be one of the few community colleges in the nation to receive a Noyce grant and be a part of this important initiative,” he added.

The Noyce Scholarship award will fund tuition, textbooks, fees and technical support for four cohorts of 10 participants each over the next four years. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, Arizona resident, have a minimum of three years’ experience in a STEM-related field, a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline, and commit to teach for two years in a high-need school. The application deadline for the first cohort is December 16, 2011.

Successful Noyce scholar participants will complete a comprehensive 15-month teacher certification program with online course instruction and on-site teaching experiences in conveniently located school districts. Rio will also provide mentoring and professional support to students as they fulfill the required two-year teaching commitment.

“This combination of online and in-person instruction and support will provide STEM professionals flexibility in completing the course training and allow the program to recruit Noyce Scholars statewide.” – Janet Johnson Rio education chair

Businesses such as Intel, the Arizona Business and Education Coalition, and health care providers in Arizona will be essential to getting the word out to displaced, trade affected or retiring workers in STEM-related fields.

Rio’s highly regarded Teacher Preparation Program was recently joined by The New York Times Knowledge Network. The online program is designed for busy adults who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become a teacher. Through the NYT Epsilen platform, Noyce scholars will be afforded expanded resources such as The Times’ content repository and networking with other students from across the nation while enrolled in the hybrid-distance learning program.

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EmpowHER, an award-winning social health company for women, was recognized this week with a 2011 eHealthcare Leadership Award in the Consumer General Health Site category.

The Silver Award for Best Overall Internet Site recognizes EmpowHER’s outstanding achievement in website design, content and community. Recent honors include the AZBio Fast Lane Award, a W3 2011 Silver Award, being ranked in Greatist’s 45 Most Innovative Health and Fitness Startups, and being named a Finalist in the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in two categories — Best Overall Company of the Year and Most Innovative Company of the Year.

The eHealthcare Leadership Awards program exclusively recognizes the industry’s BEST websites of healthcare organizations, online health companies, pharmaceutical/medical equipment firms, suppliers and business improvement initiatives. The awards highlight the Internet’s role in achieving an organization’s business objectives and recognize the work gone into creating outstanding health websites. This year’s competition was particularly competitive with well over 1,100 entries across 17 categories.

“It is an honor to be recognized in a category with peers that have each left their own indelible mark on the digital health landscape.” – Michelle King Robson EmpowHER Founder, Chairperson CEO .

“Three years ago when we launched EmpowHER.com, my vision was to create the resource for women’s health that I wish I’d had when I struggled with my own health issues. Now, we’re reaching millions of women each month, answering their questions and giving them the tools they need to advocate for their health and wellness. We are proud of the unique role we play in the emerging social health space, all while staying true to our core mission of improving women’s health and changing their lives.”

What truly makes EmpowHER distinctive is the site’s unparalleled social health community. With nearly 60,000 members and 260 community groups, women are making meaningful connections with one another about their health and wellness. The site’s community is made up of real women supporting one another by sharing first-hand experiences and offering advice, so that all women have a voice when it comes to their own health. In addition to this, EmpowHER’s unique ASK feature allows site members to ask health questions, with the promise of an expert answer in 24 hours or less.

Since its launch in 2008, EmpowHER has achieved a leading position in the women’s online health and wellness space. The company is now the fastest growing and most robust social health community for women — categorizing over 700 women’s health conditions and wellness topics, and has created nearly 110,000 pieces of original video, articles and user-generated content — representing both the largest taxonomy of women’s health conditions, and one of the largest libraries of women’s health content on the web.

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PoopDoc.com is at it again. This time with a political bid to get things flowing with no pain and no strain. Unlike many politicians running for office today, PoopDoc.com offers an outstanding record for producing relief.

“PoopDoc for President. At least you’ll know what’s going to happen next,” exclaims PoopDoc.com’s newest billboard on Interstate 10 at 19th Avenue in Phoenix, Ariz. today. The company specializes in producing natural supplements for constipation relief* and is known for its provocative campaigns.

“The colon is the foundation to the house,” says Scott Olsen, founder of PoopDoc.com. “If you get the foundation right, the house is right.”

In today’s constipated political scene, Olsen explains that PoopDoc users have PoopDoc for constipation relief. “And the American people will be using votes for what COULD BE America’s greatest bowel movement,” he says.

Olsen says, “As cleansing goes for the body, it also goes for the government. Everything works better after a good flush.”

For more information about PoopDoc.com’s products, visit www.poopdoc.com. PoopDoc is “the number one place for a number two problem.”

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