Rock Island, IL/June 15, 2015 - Media Link is proud to announce that Adrian Wille has joined our team! Adrian, a German National, proves that the Quad Cities is a region attractive to natives as well as internationals. He will serve as Marketing Assistant for the full service strategic communications marketing firm.

"I'm happy to call the Quad Cities my new home. And Media Link is different from the organizations I have worked with previously. It offers exceptional transparency, flexibility and efficient strategic marketing solutions crafted individually to each client, "says Wille.

Adrian graduated from Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg with a Master's Degree in Development Economics and International Studies, as well as a Bachelor's in Business & Economics and MENA Area Studies. Adrian contributes to Media Link's marketing and advertising operations by providing an interdisciplinary and international perspective. He has gained early marketing experience during his studies as graduate student research assistant in the field of macro-marketing and by interning in Nuremberg and Berlin. He later accepted a position as a Project Manager at a business consultancy in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt, where he contributed to the foundation of a transnational startup. He eventually moved to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to conduct research on the capital's real estate market. Adrian is actively involved in our community. He is Vice President and a Board Member of the Palomares Social Justice Center in Moline. He is also a member of the Young Professionals of the Quad Cities, the German-American Heritage Center and the American-Scandinavian Association. He volunteers at the Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure and is a proud AIESEC alumnus.

"Adrian's background and his zest for learning bring a lot of energy to our office. We're excited to have him here. His interdisciplinary thinking is a welcome complement to our team," says Natalie Linville-Mass, President of Media Link.

Media Link is a full service strategic communications marketing firm specializing in strategic media buying and placement. Media Link works with businesses in the Quad-Cities and around the country to develop and execute customized marketing strategies to help them more effectively reach their customers. Media Link developed and launched its own media buying software system, Media Link Software™. This company is also one of the only marketing firms in the region to have obtained an 8(a) SDB certification, a designation of significance to clients who contract with the federal government.

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IOWA CITY - Members of the public and press are invited to take part in open house events throughout the Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS).
Main Event:
When: July 2, 2015 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Iowa City VA Medical Center (Beginning at the front entrance area), 601 Highway 6 W, Iowa City, IA 52246

The main event will begin with a recognition ceremony where the National ALS Association formally designates the Iowa City VA Medical Center (ICVAMC) a "Recognized Treatment Center." Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, requires a high-level of coordinated, interdisciplinary care; which the Iowa City VA ALS Clinic has been providing since June of 2013. The event will be attended by Veterans with ALS, the ALS Association, congressional guests, ICVAHCS leadership and staff; and members of the press and public. "The care that people receive at the Iowa City VA is a model for other parts of the country and I'm proud that we are able to recognize the hospital for its outstanding multidisciplinary approach to treating people with this devastating disease," said Josh Nuss, Executive Director of The ALS Association, Iowa Chapter.

Following the recognition ceremony, attendees will be escorted to view the ALS Clinic, then move on to a Telehealth Technology Fair, where ICVAHCS Telehealth staff will showcase how VA is adapting and innovating in the modern medical age.

In addition to the main event, VA Clinics throughout the Iowa City VA Health Care System will hold informational open houses with an emphasis on those interested in volunteering. ICVAHCS appreciates the support of local media affiliates in spreading the word about events in their areas:

• Dubuque VA Clinic: 200 Mercy Dr., Suite 106, Dubuque, IA 52001 June 30, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Lane A. Evans VA Clinic (Galesburg): 310 Home Blvd., Galesburg, IL 61401 June 30, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Quincy VA Clinic: 721 Broadway St., Quincy, IL 62301 June 30, 2015 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
• Waterloo VA Clinic: 945 Tower Park Dr., Waterloo, IA 50701 July 1, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Decorah VA Clinic: 915 Short Street, Decorah, IA 52101 July 1, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Bettendorf VA Clinic: 2979 Victoria Street, Bettendorf, IA 52722 July 1, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Sterling VA Clinic: 406 Avenue C, Sterling, IL 61081 July 2, 2015 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
• Ottumwa VA Clinic: 1009 East Pennsylvania Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 July 2, 2015 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

For more information, contact jonathan.pruett@va.gov or call 319-339-7104

DURANGO, CO (06/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Alex McWhorter, of Taylor Ridge, IL, graduated from Fort Lewis College on Saturday, May 2, 2015. McWhorter received a bachelor's degree with a major in Exercise Science - Physiology option .

Over 450 students participated in the Spring Commencement ceremony. Read more about the ceremony here.

Fort Lewis College is the Southwest's crossroads of education and adventure. Our blend of small classes, dynamic academic programs, and a liberal arts perspective leads to transformative learning experiences that foster entrepreneurship, leadership, creative problem solving, and life-long learning. And our unique & beautiful mountain campus, on a mesa above historic Durango, Colorado, inspires an active and friendly community with a spirit of engagement, exploration, and intellectual curiosity.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today introduced bipartisan legislation that would create a demonstration project to encourage states to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities to obtain employment in the community, gaining self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion.  Grassley cited supportive Iowans in announcing the measure.

"A key public policy goal is giving individuals with disabilities every chance to live and work as fully in the community as possible," Grassley said.  "Medicaid is one of the biggest programs that provides support for the disabled, and it doesn't do enough to achieve the policy goal.  States have financial disincentives to do more under the current system.  This bill would try something different.  For participating states, it would change the incentives and help states do what they'd really like to do to better serve individuals with disabilities."

The Transition to Independence Act, S. 1604, would create a five-year, 10-state Medicaid demonstration program to give bonuses to states for helping individuals with disabilities achieve the goals of working and living in the community.  It would encourage coordination among those who provide health services, housing, education and workforce training, transportation and other support to people with disabilities to maximize the outcome for the individual.  The bill would be deficit-neutral.  Grassley introduced the bill with Sens. Ron Wyden and Bob Casey.

In his introductory remarks, Grassley noted Iowans who exemplify the ways the bill would help their experience.  Rose Carroll of Dubuque recently visited Grassley through the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.  She is in college working on a math degree and would like secure knowledge of the supports available to her when she needs them so that she can do all she can to participate in her community.  The bill is designed to give states greater security in the programs they offer so they can in turn better serve individuals and their families.

Chris Sparks, executive director of Exceptional Persons Incorporated in Waterloo, and his staff go out into the community every day to provide direct support services for people with disabilities.  It's a struggle to find workers, train them and retrain them.  The bill would provide states the incentives to increase the workforce to make it easier for Sparks and those like him to provide the services that allow individuals with disabilities to achieve independence.

Iowa affiliates of the national American Network of Community Options and Resources support the bill.  They are Christian Opportunity Center in Pella; Hope Haven in Burlington; Opportunity Village in Clear Lake; Hills & Dales in Dubuque; New Hope Village in Carroll; and Exceptional Persons Incorporated in Waterloo.

The National Council on Disability provided technical assistance in developing the bill.  Other national organizations supporting the bill include the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American Association on Health and Disability, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Adult Day Services Association, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and Autism Speaks.

Grassley's introductory remarks are available here.  A technical summary of the bill is available here.  The bill text is available here.