Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers Launches Minimus Institute

MPSC extends its quality outpatient care nationally with Minimus Institute, a national referral center offering patient-focused surgical care in a concierge setting

Monterey, CA, March 03, 2017 — Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (MPSC), a highly respected surgical care provider and the largest locally-owned outpatient surgery organization in California, performs nearly 17,000 surgical procedures in 13 specialties annually. Every day more than 70 individuals and their families trust MPSC for their surgical care. MPSC's esteemed team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and patient service providers have been delivering extraordinary care to the communities of Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz for over 35 years.

MPSC and its surgeons are recognized leaders in outpatient surgical care as measured by the high demand for its services, extremely low infection rates, 99% patient-satisfaction scores and affordable, transparent pricing. If MPSC was a hospital, it would rank No. 4 in the state in the number of outpatient surgeries performed annually.

Although the majority of MPSC’s patients reside in Northern and Central California, in the last five years, MPSC has attracted patients from 47 states and 10 countries seeking the most advanced surgical care.

Now, through Minimus Institute, which launched November 2016, MPSC is extending its services to patients living outside the Monterey, Santa Cruz and Salinas areas. Through Minimus Institute, MPSC will meet the unique pre and post-operative needs of patients traveling for surgery, including facilitating the surgeon-patient relationship, arranging physician consultations and booking travel accommodations, to ensure patients receive a stress-free experience. Since its launch last year, Minimus Institute has served patients from Oregon, Alaska and throughout California.

Minimus is a national surgery referral center that offers access to world-class surgeons and arms patients with real-time data on outcomes, infection rates, patient satisfaction scores and transparent pricing, all in a concierge setting. Minimus Institute strives to empower patients to make the most informed decisions about their care and guide them through their surgical experience.

Minimus Institute will begin with spinal surgery, but will expand to include orthopedic surgery, general surgery, gynecologic surgery and many other specialties.

“Patients can visit our website at MinimusInstitute.com to view up-front, all-inclusive pricing, patient satisfaction scores and infection rates to help them make an informed decision regarding their surgery options," said Thomas D. Wilson, Managing Partner and CEO of MPSC and Minimus Institute. “Minimus provides patients an outstanding surgical experience with great value as measured by an optimum combination of quality, service and price. Because surgery is all we do, our hallmarks are efficiency, clarity and excellence. Our goal is to deliver surgery a better way. We strive to be pioneers in arming our patients with knowledge and we want to enable patients to make well-informed decisions.”

By leveraging the organization’s high-quality care and excellent patient experience with transparent pricing and outcomes, Minimus seeks to demystify the patient/surgery/doctor interaction.

Minimus' prime objective is to become recognized as a national destination surgery center or “beacon” for patients, insurance companies and self-insured groups seeking the most advanced and least invasive outpatient surgery in a setting featuring transparency, value and great outcomes. Patients can also access up-front, all-inclusive surgical pricing at http://minimusinstitute.com/procedures/.

About Minimus Institute:
Minimus Institute is a national state-of-the-art surgical institute located in a beautiful setting on California's Central Coast, providing patients access to world-class surgeons and exceptional value. Offering transparent pricing and clear, comprehensive outcome information and patient-satisfaction scores, Minimus demystifies the surgical-care experience allowing patients to make the most informed decisions about their care. To learn more go to http://minimusinstitute.com/.

About Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (MPSC):
MPSC and its surgeons are recognized leaders in outpatient surgical care as measured by the high demand for its services, extremely low infection rates, 99% patient satisfaction scores and affordable, transparent pricing. It is known for performing complex surgery, including total joint replacements, major spine surgeries, hysterectomies, breast reconstruction and thyroidectomies in the outpatient setting. In excess of 31,500 surgical procedures across 13 specialties are performed annually at MPSC by its 190 physicians on staff.

High Resolution Photos Available: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zo7s0a27obvtu3x/AACyJlJ5-2eFvdzSOg4awhUwa?dl=0

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://minimusinstitute.com/

San Joaquin Valley Residents Can Now Take Advantage of Monterey, California-Based Minimus Institute’s Patient-Focused Surgical Care, World-Class Surgeons, Innovative Transparent Pricing and Outcome Reporting System, offered in a Concierge Setting

Minimus Institute, a Monterey, California-based national referral center offering state-of-the-art outpatient surgery to patients and self-insured groups throughout the country

Monterey, CA, February 02, 2017 — Minimus Institute, a Monterey, California-based national referral center offering state-of-the-art outpatient surgery to patients and self-insured groups throughout the country, is now taking patients from San Joaquin County including Fresno, Tulare, SLO, Madera, Merced, Mariposa and Stanislaus and is the first surgery center to offer county residents transparent pricing on its website http://minimusinstitute.com/pricing/.

With Minimus, San Joaquin County residents can travel to the beautiful coastal city of Monterey and receive nationally renowned patient-focused surgical care in a concierge setting, featuring world-class surgeons and an innovative transparent pricing and outcome reporting system.

Although the majority of their patients reside in Northern and Central California, in the last five years, Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (home of Minimus Institute), has become a national center, attracting patients from 47 states and 10 countries seeking the most advanced minimally invasive surgery.

“Patients can visit our website at MinimusInstute.com to view prices, patient satisfaction scores and infection rates to help them make an informed decision regarding their surgery options," said Thomas D. Wilson, Managing Partner and CEO of Minimus Institute/MPSC. “Minimus provides patients an outstanding surgical experience with great value as measured by an optimum combination of quality, service and price. Because surgery is all we do, our hallmarks are efficiency, clarity and excellence. Our goal is to deliver surgery a better way. We strive to be pioneers in arming our patients with knowledge and we want to enable patients to make well-informed decisions.”

By leveraging the organization’s high-quality care, excellent patient experience combined with transparent pricing and outcomes, Minimus seeks to demystify the patient/surgery/doctor interaction.

Minimus' prime objective is to become recognized as a national destination surgery center, or “beacon,” for patients, insurance companies and self-insured groups seeking the most advanced and least invasive outpatient surgery in a setting featuring transparency, value and great outcomes.

At Minimus, surgical care is provided at one of Monterey Peninsula Surgical Center’s locations around Monterey Bay. MPSC is the largest locally-owned outpatient healthcare facility in California, performing nearly 17,000 surgical cases annually. Every day more than 70 individuals and their families trust MPSC for their care. And, their esteemed team of surgeons and staff have been supporting patients for more than 35 years.

With Minimus, distance is not an obstacle to keep patients from the surgery they deserve. It is surgery and care worth traveling for.

Minimus Institute:
Minimus Institute is a national state-of-the-art surgical institute located in a beautiful setting on California's Central Coast, providing patients access to world-class surgeons and exceptional value. Offering transparent pricing and clear, comprehensive outcome information and patient-satisfaction scores, Minimus demystifies the surgical-care experience allowing patients to make the most informed decisions about their care. To learn more go to http://minimusinstitute.com/.

Background on Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers:
Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (MPSC) and its surgeons are recognized leaders in outpatient surgical care as measured by the high demand for its services, extremely low infection rates, 99% patient satisfaction scores and affordable, transparent pricing.

MPSC is known for performing complex surgery, including total joint replacements, major spine surgeries, hysterectomies, breast reconstruction and thyroidectomies in the outpatient setting. In excess of 31,500 surgical procedures in 13 specialties are performed annually at MPSC by its 190 physicians on staff.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://minimusinstitute.com/

Alaskan Residents Can Now Take Advantage of Monterey, California-Based Minimus Institute’s Patient-Focused Surgical Care, World-Class Surgeons, Innovative Transparent Pricing and Outcome Reporting System in a Concierge Setting

Minimus Institute, a Monterey, California-based national referral center offering state-of-the-art outpatient surgery to patients and self-insured groups throughout the country

Monterey, CA, February 02, 2017 — Minimus Institute, a Monterey, California-based national referral center offering state-of-the-art outpatient surgery to patients and self-insured groups throughout the country, is now taking patients from Alaska and is the first surgery center to offer Alaska residents transparent pricing on its website http://minimusinstitute.com/pricing/.

With Minimus, Alaskans can fly to the beautiful coastal city of Monterey and receive nationally renowned patient-focused surgical care in a concierge setting, featuring world-class surgeons and an innovative transparent pricing and outcome reporting system.

Although the majority of their patients reside in Northern and Central California, in the last five years, Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (home of Minimus Institute), has become a national center attracting patients from 47 states and 10 countries seeking the most advanced minimally invasive surgery.

“Patients can visit our website at MinimusInstute.com to view prices, patient satisfaction scores and infection rates to help them make an informed decision regarding their surgery options," said Thomas D. Wilson, Managing Partner and CEO of Minimus Institute. “Minimus provides patients an outstanding surgical experience with great value as measured by an optimum combination of quality, service and price. Because surgery is all we do, our hallmarks are efficiency, clarity and excellence. Our goal is to deliver surgery a better way. We strive to be pioneers in arming our patients with knowledge and we want to enable patients to make well-informed decisions.”

By leveraging the organization’s high-quality care, excellent patient experience combined with transparent pricing and outcomes, Minimus seeks to demystify the patient/surgery/doctor interaction.

Minimus' prime objective is to become recognized as a national destination surgery center, or “beacon,” for patients, insurance companies and self-insured groups seeking the most advanced and least invasive outpatient surgery in a setting featuring transparency, value and great outcomes.

At Minimus, surgical care is provided at one of Monterey Peninsula Surgical Centers’ locations around Monterey Bay. MPSC is the largest locally-owned outpatient healthcare facility in California, performing nearly 17,000 surgical cases annually. Every day more than 70 individuals and their families trust MPSC for their care. And, their esteemed team of surgeons and staff have been supporting patients for more than 35 years.

With Minimus, distance is not an obstacle to keep patients from the surgery they deserve. It is surgery and care worth traveling for.

Minimus Institute:
Minimus Institute is a national state-of-the-art surgical institute located in a beautiful setting on California's Central Coast, providing patients access to world-class surgeons and exceptional value. Offering transparent pricing and clear, comprehensive outcome information and patient-satisfaction scores, Minimus demystifies the surgical-care experience allowing patients to make the most informed decisions about their care. To learn more go to http://minimusinstitute.com/.

Background on Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers:
Monterey Peninsula Surgery Centers (MPSC) and its surgeons are recognized leaders in outpatient surgical care as measured by the high demand for its services, extremely low infection rates, 99% patient satisfaction scores and affordable, transparent pricing.

MPSC is known for performing complex surgery, including total joint replacements, major spine surgeries, hysterectomies, breast reconstruction and thyroidectomies in the outpatient setting. In excess of 31,500 surgical procedures in 13 specialties are performed annually at MPSC by its 190 physicians on staff.

High Resolution Photos Available: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zo7s0a27obvtu3x/AACyJlJ5-2eFvdzSOg4awhUwa?dl=0

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://minimusinstitute.com/

Overindulge on St. Patrick's Day? A Spoonful or Two of Honey Can Help Make That Hangover Go Bye-Bye!

Had a little too much fun on St. Patrick's Day? Well, relief is just an arm's length away in your own cupboard. There's a sweet and simple cure for a hangover — honey. Yes, honey.

Carmel, CA, March 01, 2017 - Had a little too much fun on St. Patrick's Day? Well, relief is just an arm's length away in your own cupboard. There's a sweet and simple cure for a hangover — honey. Yes, honey.

Honey is touted by natural health advocates and scientists alike for its ability to aid the body in quickly breaking down all the green beer and Irish whiskey you consumed on St. Paddy's Day.

Hangovers are uncomfortable, because of the way the alcohol breaks down in your body, according to Dr. John Emsley of the Royal Society of Chemistry. It first turns into a substance called acetaldehyde, which has toxic effects on the body.

Emsley says that alcohol creates the euphoric feeling associated with drinking it, while the acetaldehyde is what causes the dire symptoms of a hangover.

Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, which causes the nausea, possible vomiting and headache suffered in a hangover.

But how does honey help a hangover?

Honey doesn't "cure" a hangover. And total prevention of a hangover is only possible by not having those green beers in the first place! But honey does help with the symptoms.

Honey helps with a hangover in part because it provides sodium and potassium to your system, which helps it deal more effectively with the alcohol.

In addition, honey provides fructose that helps your liver more readily metabolize the alcohol into your body, thus ending the hangover period faster.

So honey, and lots of rest, are among the best cures for that throbbing headache and nausea.

Some people find that honey on a piece of toast does the trick. Toast can provide you with a little potassium and sodium, both of which aid in the task of digesting all that alcohol.

It's also recommended that before you turn in, stir a couple of spoonfuls of honey into a glass of hot water and drink it.

When you wake up, take 2 to 6 teaspoons of honey and continue this dose every 20 minutes according to how severe the hangover is.

At breakfast, take another 4 teaspoons. This calms the effects that the alcohol has on the body and removes any cravings there are.

“The fructose in honey is an essential compound that helps the body break down alcohol into harmless by-products,” says Dr. Emsley.

And what better way to get rid of a hangover than by locally sourced, organic honey from the Carmel Honey Company, a company created by 14-year-old honor student Jake Reisdorf of Carmel?

Reisdorf, over the past four years, has ambitiously educated himself on the art and science of beekeeping, a hobby he has turned into a thriving family business as the teenaged CEO of Carmel Honey Company.

But his quest is more important than tending hives (he has 70) and peddling honey, which he currently sells in four varieties (orange blossom, sage, wildflower, and Meadowfoam) to more than 80 clients, including many of California's best restaurants.

Jake is a passionate advocate of supporting and preserving bees and bee colonies, which are dying out at an alarming rate.

Crop pollination by honey bees is responsible for one-third of all of the food consumed by mankind, so if the bees go away, so will the earth's foliage. If the plants die, scientists say, humans will follow within three years.

As if his efforts weren't already noble enough, Reisdorf also has created a nonprofit charity, "Jake Gives Back," from which he generously donates funds from Carmel Honey Company to organizations that promote honey bee research and education efforts.

His 2016 beneficiary was the National Honey Board, 2015 beneficiary was the El Nino Bee Lab at the University of California Davis, and the 2014 recipient was the Honey and Pollination Center at the Robert Mondavi Winery.

Carmel Honey Company has a wide variety of honey products, from honey sticks to small and large jars of honey.

So say bye-bye to that hangover with a sweet and simple cure — honey!

More information about Carmel Honey Company and "Jake Gives Back" can be found on the company website (which, of course, Jake built mostly by himself) at www.carmelhoneycompany.com, by calling 831-687-8511, or via email at info@carmelhoneycompany.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.carmelhoneycompany.com

Vendange Carmel Carmel-by-the-Sea’s only Wine Themed Hotel Celebrates March Madness Special Offer Every Sunday – Thursday in March

Enter the MARCHMADNESS Promotional Code and Be Rewarded

Salinas, CA, March 01, 2017 - Vendange is celebrating March Madness with a special discount from March 1 – 31st. Book your stay directly on www.vendangecarmel.com between March 1 – March 31st for a Sunday – Thursday stay and receive 5% off your booking. Must put in promotional code MARCHMADNESS on the website. The 5% off is valid for all rooms except standard Queens.(Offer note valid on holidays and black out days. Promotional code must be entered at the www.vendangecarmel.com website for the discount to apply.)

Vendange’s unique partnerships
From the McIntyre Vineyards room with its impressive 100-year-old grapevine section to J. Lohr’s wine barrel on the balcony, every winery’s room offers a signature luxury experience. The participating wineries include: Blair, Cima Collina, Dawn’s Dream, Galante, Holman Ranch, J. Lohr, Joullian, Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, Tudor, Twisted Roots, and Ventana.

Each room boasts sleek, modern bathrooms, with imported Spanish marble. Sleeping areas have memory foam-top beds, deluxe linens, and high-definition flat-screen televisions. The separate Cottage Suite offers 650-square-feet of space, with a California king bed, 50-inch HD television, and a kitchenette. It’s the perfect place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. The Inn offers breakfast daily and wine tasting on weekends.

Vendange is at 24815 Carpenter St. in Carmel, a short drive from the Monterey Peninsula Airport, just off of scenic Highway 1, with free parking for guests. It’s minutes from downtown Carmel’s shopping, fine dining, scenic 17-Mile Drive, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Telephone 831-624-6400; email: reservations@vendangecarmel.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.vendangecarmel.com

New Partners, a new location, and Cutting-edge technology Propel Lewis Builders to reshape the Local Home Building and Remodeling industry for Monterey County Residents

L to R: Scott Julian, Chief Operations Officer, Kenny Boyd, Chief Financial Officer and John Lewis, Chief Executive Officer

Carmel, California, February 22, 2017 - John Lewis, founder of Lewis Builders, has wasted no time starting the new year off with positive change for Monterey County residents. Along with an office move into retail space in The Barnyard of Carmel, he recently announced the addition of two key business partners, Kenny Boyd and Scott Julian. This means the local home building industry will not only be adding resources, but will also see a fresh approach integrating technology into the project management and design process.

As industry professionals, Boyd and Julian bring their expertise, diverse background and enthusiasm to the vision of growing the company to meet the extreme demand for local remodeling, home building, and Aging-in-Place needs.

Following a passionate career in real estate investing and being a client of Lewis Builders for years, Kenny Boyd has officially become a partner of Lewis Builders. Boyd says, “Lewis Builders made themselves indispensable to my business so it only made sense to invest into the company and help John, not only grow the business, but more importantly take care of the financial side of the business so he can spend more time doing what he is good at - designing and building homes.”

Boyd is passionate about leveraging his intelligence and knowledge in real estate and business management to keep the talent in the field doing what they love and enabling them to create a bigger impact on our community.

“Kenny is the guy that will keep your project on budget and make sure money is being spent efficiently. He takes pride in being a steward of your funds and creating financial clarity for your project,” says Lewis.

Scott Julian also joined Lewis to continue the customer centric vision while leading the implementation of a custom client-focused software and mobile app solution, giving clients day-to-day transparency to the project progress, material selections and financials.

“Scott brings unique experience and credentials to the Aging-in-Place focus of our business, lending additional insight and expertise to help our clients build the home of their dreams with the comfort of knowing it is built to be aging friendly, without compromising beauty or design,” says Lewis.

About Lewis Builders
Since 1999, Lewis Builders has brought client’s dream homes and visions to life by delivering exceptional quality and maximizing value. John Lewis’ niche is bringing together a client’s style, preferences and dreams into a concept and then a reality.

Newly redesigned website at: www.lewisbuilder.com

New address: 3706 The Barnyard, Suite G-11, Carmel, CA 93923

Contact: Lewis Builders (831) 758-6391 | Email: john@johnlewisgroup.com

For Media Interviews Contact: Marci Bracco Cain (831) 747-7455 or marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.lewisbuilder.com

Amilia K Spicer to Release New Album Wow and Flutter April 28, 2017

Americana songstress Amilia K Spicer will release her third album, Wow and Flutter on April 28, 2017.

Los Angeles, CA, February 22, 2017 - Americana songstress Amilia K Spicer will release her third album, Wow and Flutter on April 28, 2017. Spicer also exclusively premiered the music video for “Fill Me Up” from Wow and Flutter on February 14 via TheBluegrassSituation.com, in advance of the Folk Alliance festival. The video was filmed in the very woods she explored as a child in rural Pennsylvania and features scenes of Spicer re-discovering those woods while playing the song. The video is now available via Spicer’s YouTube channel. Spicer performed songs from the new release during her Official Showcase at the prestigious Folk Alliance festival, which takes place in Kansas City, MO on February 15 -18, 2017.

Wow and Flutter is Spicer’s most compelling work to date. The songs map her musical DNA in landscapes of languid farmlands, gritty alleys and red dirt noir. Her lyrics reflect the various places she calls home; Pennsylvania where she was raised, and Los Angeles and Austin where she currently splits her time. She visits her father’s hometown of Harlan Kentucky on the track “Harlan” as well.

The album kicks off with the twang and yearning of the first track “Fill Me Up,” a plea to the universe to fulfill her broken soul. The album’s journey continues with sensual and heartfelt songs like “Harlan,” and “This Town,” which recounts a scene known to many, when one finally realizes that no matter how far you travel, you never truly leave your hometown. Spicer confesses, “I know my home is in this town, like I know just how to breathe.”

Spicer has recruited an all-star line-up for Wow and Flutter. Keyboardists Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) and Mike Finnegan (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal) contribute, as does Woody Guthrie disciple and singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave, alongside bassist Daryl Johnson (Stones/Dylan). Guitarists Tony Gilkyson (X, Lone Justice) and Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams) appear as special guests. Spicer, previously known for her piano work, picks up a multitude of instruments on Wow and Flutter, from guitar to banjo to lap steel. She also produced the record, alongside multi-instrumentalist Steve McCormick. Malcolm Burn, whom Spicer contacted because of his work with Daniel Lanois, handled mixing.

About Amilia K Spicer:
When Spicer answered music’s call, she was first discovered at a Los Angeles club. That led to a rare main stage Kerrville Folk Festival debut, three Kennedy Center performances, song placements in several high-profile TV productions (Party of Five, Dawson’s Creek), and more. Spicer’s first two releases, Like an Engine and Seamless were released to critical acclaim, with New Texas Magazine calling Spicer “A formidable talent.” Spicer’s music has also earned comparisons to that of Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, and Lanois. During the writing process for Wow and Flutter, Spicer took time to work on several other projects. Among these, she has been lauded for her contributions to Cinnamon Girl: Women Artists Cover Neil Young and A Case for Case: A Peter Case Tribute with John Prine. She also appeared on the 2009 Safety Harbor Kids Holiday Collection, alongside Jackson Browne, Sheila E, and Paul Barrere. Spicer has enjoyed other collaborations as well, most notably appearing on albums by John Gorka and the final Rounder release from the late Bill Morrissey.

For more information on Amilia K Spicer:
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

For more information about Amilia K Spicer, her Folk Alliance festival appearances, or for review copies of “Fill Me Up” and Wow and Flutter please contact: Chip Schutzman, Miles High Productions, chip@mileshighproductions.com, 323-806-0400

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157
Hollywood CA 90093
323-806-0400
http://www.mileshighproductions.com