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Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, announced a strategic partnership with Augusta University and Augusta University Health to support Gov. Brian Kemp’s efforts to better inform Georgians about the pandemic while bolstering COVID-19 testing across the state.

“Through partnerships with the private sector and academia, our state has made bold progress in the fight against COVID-19,” said Gov. Kemp. “We are setting national records among states in testing and continue to see a drop in hospitalizations and ventilator use. I am encouraged by this favorable data, but there’s more work to be done. While already making an impact, the collaboration between Augusta University and Sharecare will become even more important, especially as we work to test as many Georgians as possible. As I’ve said many times before, testing determines the battlefield. This partnership will help us win the war.”

Since January 1, 2018, Sharecare has been the official wellness vendor of the state of Georgia, empowering members of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) – which includes 450,000 state employees, teachers and their families – to engage in their health and make and sustain positive changes in behavior. As an established, trusted source for health information to the many essential employees under SHBP, Sharecare also launched Well-Being Georgia, a centralized destination to help members easily access the latest developments and medically verified guidance and tools about COVID-19, including Augusta University’s telehealth service to accelerate testing, the AU Health ExpressCare app. Since launching Well-Being Georgia for SHBP members on May 1, the number of Georgians who have taken COVID-19 tests has more than doubled, with the total number of tests taken in the state currently exceeding 400,000.

“We are committed to doing our part to continue flattening the curve in our home state and bridge the information and access gaps that exist for so many Georgians, whether they live in our city centers or our rural communities,” said Jeff Arnold, founder and CEO of Sharecare. “As a Georgia-based company, we are proud to work with Augusta University during this important moment in history and answer the governor’s call to help all Georgians in the fight against COVID-19, starting by understanding their current risk and getting access to testing.”

Starting today, Augusta University and Sharecare are making Well-Being Georgia available to the general public so all Georgians can access information and programs to help them through the next phase of the pandemic – from the latest local news and policies to tools for managing stress and anxiety – while increasing traffic to the AU Health ExpressCare app to conduct virtual screenings and route Georgians to one of more than 100 test sites across the state. Additionally, by combining Sharecare’s expertise with Augusta University’s testing infrastructure and data repository, Well-Being Georgia features a comprehensive directory of testing sites; as well as an interactive map documenting everything from the number of confirmed cases to mobility data to help people better understand the scope of the pandemic in Georgia.

Arnold added, “A critical component of mitigating this global health crisis in Georgia involves securely evaluating behavioral data related to COVID-19 – from understanding people’s modes of transit to how frequently they’re coming in contact with others. These factors have a direct impact on our readiness and resilience as Georgians, and are important datapoints to consider as we develop strategies to ensure we keep the people of our state stay safe and well.”

“Augusta University is on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19,” said AU president Dr. Brooks Keel. “While I am proud of what we have accomplished to dramatically scale testing and capacity in our state, there’s more we must do to ensure the health and safety of all Georgians. Through this partnership with Sharecare, we are using their expertise as one of the world’s leading digital health companies to encourage even more Georgians to access our virtual screening and get tested at one of the state’s many sites. Together, we are working to carry out the Governor’s mission to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians.”

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) today announced the election of Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Commissioner Kevin B. Hagler as the new chairman of the CSBS Board of Directors. CSBS also elected new officers for 2020-21 and announced new committee chair appointments during the organization’s annual membership meeting, held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Newly installed officers, who comprise the CSBS Executive Committee, include:

• Chair: Kevin B. Hagler, commissioner, Georgia Department of Banking and Finance

• Chair-Elect: Melanie Hall, commissioner, Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions 

• Vice Chair: Tom Fite, director, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions 

• Treasurer: Lise Kruse, commissioner, North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions

• Secretary: Charlie Clark, director, Washington State Department of Financial Institutions 

• Immediate Past Chair: Bret Afdahl, director, South Dakota Division of Banking

At-Large Board members are:

• Linda Lacewell, superintendent, New York State Department of Financial Services

• Charles G. Cooper, commissioner, Texas Department of Banking

Committee and Board chairs of the CSBS Board of Directors include:

• CSBS Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chair: Charles Vice, commissioner, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions 

• SRR Board of Managers Chair: John P. Ducrest, commissioner, Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions 

• Legislative Committee: Iris Ikeda, commissioner, Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions

• Regulatory Committee: Karen Lawson, director of banking, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services

• State Supervisory Processes Committee: Chris Dietz, deputy director, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions

• Non-Depository Supervisory Committee: Deborah Hagan, secretary, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

• Co-Chair, Bankers Advisory Board: Ray Grace, North Carolina commissioner of Banks

• Co-Chair, Bankers Advisory Board Industry Co-Chair: Andy Anderson, Bank of Anguilla, Miss.*

• Chair, District I: Tony Salazar

• Chair, District II: Kevin Allard

• Chair, District III: Rhoshunda Kelly

• Chair, District IV: Mark Quandahl

• Chair, District V: Roberta Hollinshead

Chairs Emeritus, who serve as ex-officio members of the CSBS Board, include:

• Albert Forkner, commissioner, Wyoming Division of Banking *

• Charles G. Cooper, commissioner, Texas Department of Banking *

• Candace Franks, commissioner, Arkansas State Bank Department *

• Charles Vice, commissioner, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions *

• Greg Gonzales, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions *

• John P. Ducrest, commissioner, Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions *

• Jeffrey Vogel, director, Wyoming Department of Audit *

• E. Joseph Face, Jr., commissioner, Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions *

• Mick Thompson, commissioner, Oklahoma State Banking Department *

• G. Edward Leary, commissioner, Utah Department of Financial Institutions *

* Denotes non-voting member

In our June print and digital issue, you’ll find new reporting on how the city’s nonprofits are helping those in need during the pandemic, find out how local businesses and restaurants are navigating the “new normal” of social distancing, and how the arts community is responding to the crisis. And if you’re looking to unplug from the news and get some fresh air, our special Head for the Hills section has recommendations on visiting state and national parks in North Georgia and North Carolina.

Listen to a special podcast about the June issue from editor Collin Kelley at the link below.

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Gov. Brian Kemp said he would be “honored” for Georgia to host the Republican National Convention in August if North Carolina won’t commit to allowing full attendance due to a ban on large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a Twitter post to President Donald Trump, Kemp touted the state’s “world-class facilities, restaurants, hotels, and workforce” in a bid to “safely” host the RNC.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a strongly worded statement to the AJC that she was opposed to the idea. The mayor said the city was following the same CDC guidelines as North Carolina concerning large gatherings of people.

“That plan does not contemplate hosting a large gathering event in August,” Bottoms said in the statement. “In fact, several long-standing city-supported and sponsored events have already been canceled in order to comply with CDC guidelines.”

On Monday, Trump tweeted that unless full attendance is allowed “we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site.”

The RNC is likely to attract 50,000 people to Charlotte’s Spectrum Center Aug. 24-27.

The post Report: Mayor opposes proposed move of Republican National Convention to Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

A teenager is charged with felony murder in the May 16 shooting death of a man on a Buckhead sidewalk. Police say they believe the killing followed a robbery attempt.

Kevin Humes, 36, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the chest outside the Tremont Apartment Homes at 3645 Habersham Road.

The unidentified 15-year-old male suspect was arrested May 23, according to the Atlanta Police Department. “Investigators are still searching for other suspects and more arrests are expected,” according to APD.

Humes was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He reportedly had recently moved to Atlanta to work at Sandy Springs-based United Parcel Service.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Kevin’s family and friends,” said Matthew O’Connor, UPS’s senior manager of public relations, in an email. “We respectfully defer further comment to his family and the responding authorities.”

A total of $13,000 in reward money was offered for the arrest and indictment of suspects in the case.

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After more than 100 years, visitors to Oakland Cemetery will once again be able to enter the grounds from the corner of Boulevard and Memorial Drive.

Historic Oakland Foundation has announced that it will reconstruct the East Gate this summer to restore the graveyard’s connection with the Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown neighborhoods.

The original East Gate was installed along Boulevard in 1899 and, after much debate, closed by Atlanta’s Cemetery Commission in 1908 for safety reasons. At the time, locals were unhappy about having to walk nearly a mile to the main gate, which now sits at the end of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (then known as Hunter Street). A compromise was reached by opening a gate on Decatur Street along the railroad tracks.  The East Gate gate was eventually removed when the retaining wall was rebuilt.

A portion of the existing brick wall on Oakland’s southern border will be deconstructed, and salvaged bricks will be used in the new gateway. Two brick columns capped with granite will frame an opening spanned by a double swing gate modeled Oakland’s historic gates.

The new access point will be located near the site of the old East Gate, making it easier for visitors coming from the Atlanta BeltLine and the neighborhoods surrounding the cemetery. In addition to the new gate, this area will see the introduction of new user amenities including park benches, pet stations, and wayfinding signage, along with significant restoration efforts to improve visitors’ experience and safety.

The construction of the East Gate is part of a larger effort by Historic Oakland Foundation to make improvements to the East Hill section of the Cemetery. Historic Oakland Foundation has received funding for this project through the Aderhold Family Foundation and a Park Pride Community Building Grant (supported by The Home Depot Foundation). The Foundation is proud to partner with these two organizations that represent the Atlanta communities served by Oakland Cemetery.

For more information about Historic Oakland Foundation and its restoration and preservation work, visit http://oaklandcemetery.com.

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