JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Jackson State University (JSU) is the recipient of a $2 million grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation to help fund the creation of the Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab. During a press conference at the University on Monday, Oct. 7, Entergy officials presented JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., with a big check to celebrate the occasion.

This advanced initiative between Jackson State and Entergy will create an innovation hub to help train a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce to meet the growing needs of nuclear, electric, and natural gas companies, and electrical cooperatives.

“I am honored to receive this generous grant on behalf of Jackson State University. This gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the future of the energy sector,” said Thompson. “Looking ahead, this lab will not only benefit Jackson State University and our students, but it will also play a critical role in shaping the broader energy landscape.”

Local, community, and political leaders were present during the event, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, whom the president thanked for his enduring support of Jackson State, describing him as a long-time champion of the HBCU.

The Power Grid Security Lab Project will be a cornerstone of JSU’s commitment to workforce development, energy infrastructure, and cybersecurity. The lab will provide students with real-world experience safeguarding critical power grid infrastructure. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and aggressive, the importance of a robust defense system in the energy sector cannot be over-emphasized.

“Whether using computers to earn a college degree or checking out at the grocery store, electricity isn’t a luxury for most people; it’s a necessity. And so is thwarting cyber threats in the energy sector,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “The robust growth in our company and the state is providing extraordinary opportunities to help build a diverse and skilled workforce in the cybersecurity field. Through this partnership, we’re investing in local talent and competing to keep them here. For more than 100 years, we’ve served communities alongside Jackson State University, and we’re proud to continue powering the bright minds they produce.”

The lab aims to equip students with valuable technical skills and contribute significantly to society by fostering a workforce prepared to protect vital national infrastructure.

The cybersecurity workforce gap has also become a pressing issue, as the demand for skilled professionals far exceeds the available supply. (ISC)², a global cybersecurity certification body, reported a shortage of approximately 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide in 2022, with over 700,000 job openings in the U.S. alone. This shortfall poses a significant challenge to national security and the economy as organizations struggle to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

In response, Jackson State University is evolving its cybersecurity education curriculum and resources to bridge this gap.

“The establishment of the Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab at Jackson State University is truly a game-changer for our students,” said Wilbur Walters, Ph.D., dean of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. “Having access to a facility such as this means our students won’t just be learning about cybersecurity—they’ll be directly engaging with the same challenges that professionals are facing in the energy sector today. This hands-on experience makes their education more relevant and impactful. It’s about evolving our curriculum to not only keep pace with the fast-changing tech world but also to ensure our students graduate ready to make a tangible difference.”

The cybersecurity industry has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past decade, primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of digital technology and the corresponding rise in cyber threats. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015, highlighting the escalating severity and frequency of cyberattacks. This rapid increase has underscored the critical need for a robust cybersecurity infrastructure, leading to substantial investments by the United States private and public sectors.

“At Entergy, we believe that one of our many strengths in serving our customers is the diversity of our workforce. Our partnership with Jackson State University is a testament to our commitment to creating opportunities for students and shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” said Drew Marsh, Entergy chair and CEO. “By investing in education and fostering inclusion, we are not just building a diverse workforce; we are investing in the heart of our communities where we live, work, and serve.”

Jackson State will receive the Entergy Charitable Foundation’s grant over multiple installments. The funds are exclusively for developing the Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, focusing on cybersecurity in the nuclear, energy, and natural gas sectors.

About Jackson State University

Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high-research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, healthcare, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in metropolitan Jackson, Jackson State is located near downtown, with four satellite locations throughout the area. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.

About Entergy

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

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SOURCE Jackson State University

MeldRx by Darena is the first certified (b)(11) Decision Support Interventions (DSI) module available as a plug-and-play solution for EHRs to meet and exceed the new HTI-1 mandates before December 31, 2024.

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Darena Solutions announced that its FHIR-based healthcare data platform, MeldRx, has achieved certification of the (b)(11) DSI module as defined under the ONC Health IT Certification Program, via Drummond Group LLC, an Authorized Certification Body (ACB). In addition to the previously certified (g)(10) FHIR APIs, MeldRx now also meets the certification requirements for the (b)(11) DSI module. The stamp of approval designates MeldRx to deliver the required functionality, enabling providers and hospitals to meet various regulatory requirements that involve the use of certified EHR technology.

The DSI certification criterion was incorporated into the HTI-1 final rule on March 11, 2024, marking the first major update to Clinical Decision Support (CDS) requirements since 2012. This update introduces modern functionalities, including the use of large language models, configuration requirements, additional source attributes, and comprehensive feedback, significantly increasing the complexity of compliance. EHRs are required to meet these new certification mandates by December 31, 2024. MeldRx’s expanded certification ensures that it continues to deliver the necessary functionality for providers and hospitals to comply with the updated regulatory requirements.

Matthew Prete, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Sigmund Software shared, “In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, navigating regulations, mandates, payer requirements, and the rapid advancement of AI technologies can be incredibly challenging. Sigmund Software understands the complexities of compliance and the necessity for powerful decision-support systems. The certification of MeldRx as the first (b)(11) Decision Support Interventions (DSI) solution is a remarkable achievement for the industry. By integrating MeldRx into Aura, our enterprise EHR, we enhance its ability to provide comprehensive evidence-based and predictive solutions that meet the latest regulatory standards.”

“With the new HTI-1 mandate and advancements in AI, we’ve built an EHR-agnostic platform that not only ensures (b)(11) DSI compliance but also empowers developers to integrate their AI-driven solutions into EHRs seamlessly. By streamlining the registration and integration process, MeldRx enables app developers to bring their innovations to healthcare organizations, enhancing clinical decision-making and improving patient care.,” said Wayne Singer, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Darena Solutions.”

To earn the certification, Drummond tested MeldRx to ensure compliance with applicable standards and certification criteria set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). With more than 20 years of testing experience across various industries, Drummond brings a high level of technical expertise to this process. Since becoming an ONC-ACB in 2010, Drummond has conducted more than 3,000 health IT tests and certifications.

MeldRx is ONC Health IT compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Vendor: Darena Solutions LLC

Product: MeldRx

Criteria Tested: 170.315 (b) (10-11); (d)(1-3, 7, 9, 12-13); (g)(1, 4-5, 7, 10)

Holds Certificate No: 15.04.04.1322.Blue.02.00.0.200807

Date Certified: 08/07/2020

Mandatory Disclosures: The cost that an organization might pay to implement MeldRx’s capabilities is available here.

ABOUT DARENA SOLUTIONS LLC

Darena Solutions simplifies healthcare interoperability and regulatory compliance for EHRs, providers, and payers. Our flagship product, MeldRx, offers a fully managed, scalable, FHIR-first backend as a service. It supports standalone apps, SMART on FHIR apps, multiple EHR integrations, and consumer-mediated data exchange. Its flexibility makes MeldRx an ideal fit for use cases ranging from internal projects to developing new apps. Darena also helps EHRs stay on top of regulatory requirements for the Cures Act, HTI-1, and MIPS, and enhance their offerings with FHIR. By opening data-sharing channels and boosting EHR capabilities with custom apps – including AI apps, DSI apps, CDS hooks, and more, Darena empowers healthcare organizations to achieve true interoperability and gain insights to improve patient outcomes. For more information, connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website at http://www.darenasolutions.com.

ABOUT DRUMMOND GROUP LLC

Drummond Group LLC is a global software test and certification lab that serves a wide range of vertical industries. In healthcare, Drummond tests and certifies Controlled Substance Ordering Systems (CSOS), Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances (EPCS) software and processes, and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) – designating the trusted test lab as the only third-party certifier of all three initiatives designed to move the industry toward a digital future. Drummond was founded in 1999 and is an ONC-Accredited Certification Body (ACB) and an Authorized Test Lab (ATL) and continues to build on its deep experience and expertise to deliver reliable and cost-effective services. For more information, please visit http://www.drummondgroup.com.

Media Contact

Anshu Jindal, Darena Solutions LLC, 1 8327362552, anshu@darenasolutions.com, https://darenasolutions.com

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SOURCE Darena Solutions LLC

Collaboration provides a valuable, free tool to research lineage and genealogy data for an under-represented aspect of the American Revolution: the Black, Native American, and multiracial Patriots who helped gain freedom for the United States of America

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As part of American Ancestors’ 10 Million Names initiative, the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) Patriots of Color Database is now accessible on 10 Million Names by American Ancestors (10millionnames.org). Offering the Daughters of the American Revolution: Patriots of Color, 1712 – 1888 database, in addition to the other free genealogy resources already represented on the 10 Million Names website, is an important step toward providing a full, transparent and free repository of information about the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically, the territory that would become the United States) before 1865. The goal of the 10 Million Names initiative is to recover their names and as much contextual detail as possible.

The DAR Patriots of Color Database was originally released in 2021 on the DAR’s Genealogical Research System (GRS) website and is filled with more than 6,500 names of individuals of African, Native American, Iberian, Latin American descent, or of multiracial ancestry who served in or supported the American Revolution. The names and sources tied to the names can assist researchers in their quest to uncover important facts about heritage or more general information about the Revolutionary War. The information from the DAR Patriots of Color Database was derived from decades of research that culminated in a 2008 DAR publication, Forgotten Patriots: African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War. The information has since been expanded and updated in the online database.

Including the information from the DAR Patriots of Color Database in 10 Million Names is important to make the names and life details of these individuals more accessible to a wider audience and easier to cross reference with other names listed in the 10 Million Names initiative. The DAR Patriots of Color Database will also remain in full on the DAR website, where its purpose is more geared toward helping individuals identify Revolutionary War service for their ancestors and providing important reference materials on those individuals. Researchers should note that expanded resources on the individuals in the database can be found on the DAR website and DAR will be updating names and details on its website more frequently than information will be updated on the counterpart database on 10 Million Names.

“We are honored to contribute our Patriots of Color Database to the historic 10 Million Names project,” said Pamela Wright, DAR President General. “Tracing lineages and celebrating all Patriots who contributed to the founding of our country are key connecting points for DAR members across the world. We are delighted to help others do the same. Collaborating with 10 Million Names in this way, as well as continuing to research and update the DAR Patriots of Color Database, are important aspects of our DAR E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative.”

The DAR E Pluribus Unum (EPU) Educational Initiative, launched in 2020, aims to increase awareness of often underrepresented Revolutionary War Patriots. The goals of the initiative include expanding research, covering additional names, and providing more historical, educational, and genealogical resources about people of color during the Colonial period.

“Thousands of people of African and Native descent fought in the American Revolution, though the stories of these soldiers and their families are not widely known,” said Cynthia Evans, Research Director for 10 Million Names. “The names, dates, and other information in the DAR Patriots of Color Database is invaluable because these facts illuminate our real history and counter the long-held misperception of an entirely white fighting force on both sides.”

Information in the Daughters of the American Revolution: Patriots of Color, 1712 – 1888 database may be searched by first/last name, date (of birth, death, military, marriage), spouse/parent information, enslaver information, occupation, and/or military service details. Those with documented Revolutionary War service of African, African American, Native American, Iberian (Spanish or Portuguese), Azorean, Latin American, and/or of multiracial ancestry (or perceived ancestry from the documents of the time) are categorized as Patriots of Color for inclusion in the database.

“Being able to share these names, sources, and stories with a wider audience is extremely important to our mission of ensuring that all Patriots, regardless of race or gender, are remembered for their noble actions during the American Revolution,” said DAR President General Wright. “And we encourage all women who can trace their ancestry back to these brave Patriots to become members of the DAR!”

The Daughters of the American Revolution and American Ancestors are excited to collaborate on this important project and continue to provide and build on more free resources in the 10 Million Names project for researchers, historians and anyone interested in learning more.

Find additional useful resources at:

    DAR Patriots of Color Database: http://www.dar.org/POCdatabase     DAR Forgotten Patriots Project and Research Guide: http://www.dar.org/ForgottenPatriots     E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative and resources: http://www.dar.org/EPU     Specialty Research through DAR: http://www.dar.org/SpecialtyResearch     10 Million Names: 10millionnames.org    10 Million Names Media Kit: 10millionnames.org/get-access

About American Ancestors®
Founded in 1845, American Ancestors is a national center for family history, heritage, and culture based in Boston, Massachusetts, and one of the world’s top destinations for family history research, according to USA Today. American Ancestors serves more than 400,000 members and millions of online users engaged in family history nationally and around the world through AmericanAncestors.org. Located in historic Back Bay, American Ancestors is home to a world-class research center and archive, and the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center. American Ancestors’ expert staff produces significant original genealogical research, scholarship, and educational materials, including The Register, the flagship journal of American genealogy since 1847, and American Ancestors, its quarterly member magazine.

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. As one of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, DAR has nearly 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters around the world. DAR members promote the three pillars of historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. The DAR is also a renowned genealogical repository which includes the DAR Library, one of the largest genealogical research centers in the United States, and the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS), a free online database of information amassed by the DAR. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit http://www.dar.org.

Media Contact

Bren Landon, Daughters of the American Revolution, (202) 572-0563, blandon@dar.org, https://www.dar.org/ 

Claire Vail, American Ancestors/10 Million Names, 857.225.8738, claire.vail@nehgs.org, https://www.americanancestors.org/ 

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SOURCE Daughters of the American Revolution