ARGOSY UNIVERSITY LED BY DIVERSE TEAM

(San Bernardino, CA) – The Inland Empire’s newest university boasts an ethnically diverse administrative team with women and men in strong leadership roles. They believe all students receive the best opportunities to succeed in their careers at Argosy University/Inland Empire.
“Our leadership team, as well as many others here at Argosy University/Inland Empire, know the challenges of trying to work, raise a family and at the same time, further your education,” said Interim Campus Director Wendy Vasquez-Osborn. “We believe Argosy University presents the Inland Empire with great opportunities to work university into busy schedules, and look forward to helping each of our students and prospective students on a path to success.”
Vasquez-Osborn, who comes to Argosy University/Inland Empire with vast experience in higher education. Business, education and psychology are the major focuses of Argosy University’s curriculum. While completing her studies for bachelor’s degrees in psychology and history at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. this Mexican-American woman served as a “Macess Mentor,” where she helped 30 Black and Latino students learn about the college environment and get ready to attend Macalaster.
After living in Colorado for a few years, Vasquez-Osborn came to the Inland Empire and began working for the Ontario campus of the University of Phoenix in 1999. She once again took advantage of her workplace being a school, and obtained a master’s degree in organizational management in 2005.
Dr. Marilyn Al-Hassan, the program chairman for Argosy University/Inland Empire, also has an extensive background in psychology and education. This African-American woman holds a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from the Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Sarasota/Argosy in Orange. She is a certified drug and alcohol counselor, as well as a certified anger management counselor.
At Argosy University/Inland Empire, Al-Hassan oversees all of Argosy’s educational programs. She tracks students’ performance on tests, and hires and trains faculty. She comes to Argosy University/Inland Empire from Argosy University/Orange County campus, where she had the same job in that school’s education department. Al-Hassan has previously overseen educational programs at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and at the Get Off Drugs treatment program, both in south central Los Angles. One of the programs she managed at Charles Drew University promoted the medical benefits of sexual abstinence for teenagers, another worked to prevent violence in families and communities.
In addition to running programs such as those at Argosy University, Al-Hassan gives presentations throughout the United States on the topics of education and violence prevention.
Another veteran of Argosy University/Orange County is registrar Michelle Gradillas. This Mexican-American woman has worked for Argosy University since 2004, first in the Admissions Department at Argosy University/Orange County campus before joining the Inland Empire team.
Here in the Inland Empire, she oversees the registration of Argosy University students, and keeps records of their courses grades, attendance and official college transcripts. Gradillas obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Argosy University/Orange County campus while she was working there. She received her bachelor’s degree just one year after completing an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice at Everest College in Rancho Cucamonga in 2003. Prior to Argosy, she worked in the parole department of the California Youth Authority.
Business Manager Michael Andruski came to Argosy University/Inland Empire with much previous experience in the business world, which helps him as he keeps track of the campus’s financial affairs. He’s Polish, and speaks Portuguese fluently.
Immediately prior to working for Argosy University/Inland Empire, Andruski was the controller for American Integrity Corporation in Apple Valley. He also was an accounting manager for Universal Technical Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, and worked as an accountant/office manager for several other companies in southern California.
Andruski is a graduate of Brigham Young University, having obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from there.
“At Argosy University/Inland Empire, our courses are thoroughly oriented to the real working world. We focus on the development of technical proficiency in your field as well as the overall professional approach expected in business, industrial, or medical environments,” Vasquez-Osborn said.
Argosy University/Inland Empire officials say the school schedules its classes to make them convenient for students. Sessions are offered in the day, the evening, or blended, online and in classroom. “We help you work your education around the other demands of your life—whether it's your family, a job, or other pursuits that are important to you,” Vasquez-Osborn said.
Financial aid is available from the University’s fulltime financial aid department for those who qualify.
For more information on Argosy University/Inland Empire call (866) 217-9075 or visit www.argosyu.edu/inlandempire.

Photo caption:
From left are Larry Gable, director of the Inland Empire Field Office for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Dr. Donald L. Averill, chancellor of the San Bernardino Valley Community College district and Argosy University/Inland Empire staff members Kim Woods and Dr. Marilyn Al-Hassan. The group is pictured during the university’s grand opening.


Argosy University/Inland Empire is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in twelve states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440, www.ncahlc.org).

CARL DAMERON NOMINATED FOR SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENUER AWARD

(San Bernardino, CA) -Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications, has been nominated for recognition in the Fourth Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards sponsored by California State University, San Bernardino.
The award honors local business people who have overcome challenges and given back to their community.

“I am honored to be considered for this award,” Dameron said.
Dameron said he also appreciates how this awards program promotes an awareness of entrepreneurship among the Inland Empire’s youth.

“They need to realize there are successful professionals who live right down the street from them,” he said.

Dameron, 47, established Dameron Communications in 1989 after a marketing campaign for his former employer, AutoSound, increased that company’s profits by 250 percent. Despite his marketing success, Auto Sound was not able to keep Dameron on the payroll, so he parlayed that success into a business that has helped many other companies and non-profit organizations reach new customers.
Dameron has also worked as a journalist before, both in radio and newspaper. That experience still helps him in dealing with media.

“I see things with a journalists eye,” he said.

Some of Dameron’s earliest customers were in the automotive business, and while he has had large corporations as clients, today clients include are non-profit organizations that pay a reduced rate. Dameron doesn’t charge them full price because he believes they are performing important services for the community.
For instance, the African-American Health Initiative promotes that African-Americans in San Bernardino County will die, on average, 13 years before those of other races. In fact, the average African-American man in this county will not live to see his 56th birthday.

As the father of two young girls, Dameron does not want to be part of that statistic.

“I want to see my daughters graduate from high school,” he said. “I want to walk them to the alter on their wedding days.”
Dameron also is an event producer.

The largest event he is involved with is the Inland Empire Diversity Job Fairs, and he assists the Inland Empire African-American chambers of commerce in bringing these to various San Bernardino and Riverside County locations. In the 14 years they have helped thousands of local residents find jobs close to home.

“People should be able to work where they live,” Dameron said. “The job fairs help local employers meet face to face with local people.”

Even though Dameron has recently started another business, 909Models.com, his workforce is still small, with just four full-time employees. The employees keep busy all day, and are talented at what they do, freeing him to concentrate on increasing business.
“I hire good people and stay out of their way,” he said.
Frank Doughton, an account executive with the Riverside Press-Enterprise, nominated Dameron for this award.

“Carl has done so much, with his agency, the job fairs, starting 909Models.com and his agency,” Doughton said. “He has been out there, taking the risks, and I just think it’s time he got some recognition.”

Michael Stull, director for the Inland Center for Entrepreneurship, started this recognition program soon after coming to CSUSB in 2002. His university began the program with assistance from the Press-Enterprise, which continues to be a co-sponsor. Other sponsors this year include Arrowhead Credit Union, Citizens Business Bank, Citibank, Inland Empire National Bank, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Varner Saleson and Brandt LLP, Soren McAdam Christenson LLP, Family Business Partnership, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Glencrest Investment Advisors, the Riverside Convention Center, Wilkin Guge Marketing, KVCR, KTIE, and Milestone Media.

Stull said this program not only promotes awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship, but also provides role models to CSUSB students interested in starting their own business.

“Students need to know about the great things people are doing right here,” he said.
The deadline to nominate an entrepreneur is Aug. 15. To do so, go to www.inlandspiritawards.com
For more information, call Stull at (909)) 537-3708

REST & FLUIDS STILL GREAT ADVICE FOR BEATING THE FLU TAMIFLU CAN HELP TOO

(San Bernardino, Ca.) – If you have the flu, drink lots of liquids and get lots of rest.

“This advice is as good in the 21st Century as it ever was,” said Dr. Romeo Rodriguez, a doctor of internal medicine with La Salle Medical Associates.”

“But there’s one more we can do now. We can also prescribe Tamiflu,” he said. “This is an antiviral medication that will wipe out the virus causing the flu.”

Like all physicians at LaSalle Medical Associates, Dr. Rodriguez advocates people beat the flu before it happens, by getting a flu shot.

“If you have already had the flu though, you usually don’t need a flu shot for the rest of the season,”

Dr. Rodriguez makes a few exceptions to this rule though.

He would like those over the age of 65, and those who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, to have two flu shots per season. The first would take place as soon as the vaccine is available in the fall, followed by a second vaccine in January.

“If they had the flu early and did not get the first vaccine, we still would like to see our elderly and chronically ill patients again in January,” he said.

“The flu is hard on anyone, but when you are older or chronically ill, it can be even rougher. We want to do everything we can to prevent old and sick people from getting sicker.”

If you need Tamiflu or a flu vaccine, call the clinic closest to you.

The Mt. Vernon Clinic in San Bernardino is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday. For an appointment call (909) 884-9091. This clinic provides Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric and OB/GYN services.

The 17th Street Clinic in San Bernardino is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For an appointment call (909) 887-6494. This clinic provides Pediatric and Neurology services.

The Fontana Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For an appointment call (909) 823-4454. This clinic provides Pediatric and Teen Services.

The Hesperia Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. For an appointment call (760) 947-2161. This clinic provides Internal Medicine, and Pediatric services.

The Lake Elsinore Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday,. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. For an appointment call (951) 674-5686. This clinic provides Pediatric services.

LaSalle Medical Associates has 150 employees, including 19 physicians, with medical facilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It accepts most forms of insurance, and will help patients who have no insurance to obtain coverage. For those who cannot get coverage, low-cost flu immunizations are available.