Shopko® Launches First Private Label Credit Card Program
In Partnership with First Bankcard®
Green bay, Wisconsin, (November 14, 2016) – Shopko®, a $3 billion retailer with more than 375 stores in 26 states, and First Bankcard®, a division of First National Bank of Omaha and a leading issuer of credit cards, announce the launch of Shopko’s first private label credit card program.
The new Shopko Credit Card, which can be used at any Shopko throughout the United States, will offer discounts, periodic deferred interest promotional financing offers and automatic gift card rewards, in addition to in-store instant approval.
Those signing up for the card will get 10% off one purchase in-store, upon approval. In addition to in-store and online Shopko purchases, a unique card feature is access to deferred interest promotional pricing, which will be offered during select periods. Shopko Credit Card program customers also will automatically receive a $10 gift card for each $200 spend.
Go to www.shopkocreditcard.com to learn more about the program, to view specific terms and conditions, or to apply for the new card.
“We are thrilled to partner with First Bankcard,” said Peter McMahon, Shopko CEO. “We’re always looking for ways to improve services and benefits to our customers, including maximizing convenience, and the new Shopko Credit Card helps add even more value to their Shopko shopping experience.”
“First Bankcard is excited to bring its expertise in the retail and merchandise category to benefit Shopko customers,” said Jerry O’Flanagan, Executive Vice President, Consumer Banking Group. “Shopko is known for quality merchandise and providing expert pharmacy and optical services to small and mid-size communities across the country. Great brands like Shopko reward customer loyalty, and this card program will provide more value and superior customer service to its customers.”
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About Shopko
Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is a $3 billion retailer that operates more than 375 stores in 26 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 131 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in small to mid-sized cities; 5 Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept; 5 Shopko Pharmacy locations; and 248 Shopko Hometown stores, a smaller concept store developed to meet the needs of smaller communities. For more information, visit www.shopko.com.
About First Bankcard
First Bankcard, a division of First National Bank of Omaha, is a leader in the credit card partnership arena, serving approximately 400 financial institutions, co-brand and affinity partners nationwide. For 60 years, First Bankcard has offered quality products and superior service to help its customers achieve their goals. Visit www.firstbankcard.com for more information.
About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska is the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $21 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
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ACT to Provide Supports for English Learners on the ACT Test
IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT will begin providing supports on the ACT® test to U.S. students who are English learners starting in the fall of 2017, the nonprofit organization announced today. The goal of the supports is to help ensure that the ACT scores earned by English learners accurately reflect what they have learned in school.
The supports will begin next fall, in the 2017-2018 school year, and will be limited to students in a local school district’s English learners (EL) program who meet the current definitions of an English learner under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Students must apply for the English learner supports through their high school counselors’ office.
Qualifying students who receive the supports will earn college-reportable ACT scores.
The supports for qualified English learners will include the following:
“We believe these solutions will help ensure that English learners have an equal opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned in school, leveling the playing field while not giving the students any special advantages,” said ACT Chief Commercial Officer Suzana Delanghe. “This change is about improving access and equity for students whose proficiency in English might prevent them from truly demonstrating the skills and knowledge they have learned. The supports are in keeping with the mission of ACT: Helping people achieve education and workplace success.”
To help determine what supports it could offer English learners without violating testing constructs or providing an unfair advantage, ACT assembled a panel of external experts representing state education agencies, colleges, EL and bilingual policy administrators from state departments of education, civil rights advocates, testing and measurement experts, and researchers. This approach reflects input from the nation’s largest public university systems.
“Today’s universities are serving the most diverse populations in the history of U.S. higher education,” said California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White. “It is imperative that we give all students opportunities to demonstrate their true potential, in order to give all students access to the benefits of a university education.”
Of critical importance to ACT is ensuring that the scores earned by English learners using these supports are valid and reliable for postsecondary use. ACT has preliminary data suggesting that academic achievement of English learners may be underreported under standard ACT test conditions. ACT has developed a full research agenda in support of the validity of scores earned by students using the supports based on actual test results.
ACT is committed to improving access and opportunity for underserved learners.
In June, ACT announced the establishment of the Center for Equity in Learning, which will advance ACT’s mission through partnerships, research and initiatives aimed at closing gaps in equity and achievement for underserved learners.
Defined by ESSA, the term "English learner," when used with respect to an individual, means an individual:
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ACT is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, ACT is trusted as the nation’s leader in college and career readiness, providing high-quality achievement assessments grounded in more than 50 years of research and experience. ACT’s uniquely integrated set of solutions provide insights that empower individuals to succeed from elementary school through career. To learn more about ACT, go to www.act.org.
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, USA, November 14, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Intermountain Precision Genomics announced today that their genomics core laboratory, located in southwest Utah, is now certified to accept tissue samples from cancer patients in Maryland. On the forefront of personized medicine, Intermountain Precision Genomics for Cancer is a service of Intermountain Healthcare. The ICG100 ™ test offers genetic sequencing of solid tumors. This in-depth sequencing identifies cancer-causing mutations that may occur in a person’s DNA.
“We are extending the life and quality of life for late-stage cancer patients throughout the nation and now in Maryland,” said Jason Gillman, the program’s director. “Our test identifies more actionable mutations than any other competing test, because we focus on the known cancer-causing genes. We detect mutations at 99% and our accuracy of identifying false positives or negatives is 100%.”
One of the unique services the company provides is results reviewed by a board of renowned physicians and scientists. This molecular tumor board discusses the information discovered through sequencing and offers drug recommendations. Precision Genomics may also assist with drug procurement when requested.
“Typically the medications prescribed are oral,” said Gillman. “These targeted drugs are often well tolerated – much more so than infusion drugs or chemotherapy. Patients feel better and research shows they are not going to the emergency room as frequently.”
Medications targeted at DNA alterations, rather than site-specific cancer treatments, have been shown to be successful in many cases. For example, a patient from St. George, Utah, Duane Monette, received the diagnosis of metastatic cancer of an “unknown primary origin.” Monette’s physician ordered the ICG100™ test. Through sequencing the DNA in his tumor, scientists discovered a FGFR3 alteration. His physician started him on an oral medication used for bladder or kidney cancer (even though his scans were clear at the time). Months later, a mass discovered on his kidney prompted removal of one of his kidneys. In this case, surgery was curative. Proponents of precision medicine believe that treating cancer like a “chronic disease,” likely stopped the cancer from continuing to spread throughout his body.
“What this genomic testing allows,” said Gillman, “is for patients to live on their own terms with improved quality of life, to be active, and to remain the person that they want to be for significantly longer than projected with traditional treatment.”
Currently, the CLIA and CAP certified genomics lab and ICG100™ test averages less than a 14-day turnaround time from the time the sample is received in the laboratory. For more information about ICG100™ testing for late stage cancer or incorporating precision medicine into an oncology practice please visit: precisioncancer.org, join the dialog on Facebook (Intermountain Precision Genomics) or follow @precisioncancer on Twitter. Any physician can order The ICG100™ test.
Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 22 hospitals, 185 clinics, a Medical Group with about 1,500 employed physicians and advanced practitioners, a health plans group called SelectHealth, and other health services. With a mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible®, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare through high quality and sustainable costs. For more information about Intermountain, visit intermountainhealthcare.org, read our blogs at intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs, connect with us on Twitter at twitter.com/intermountain and on Facebook at facebook.com/intermountain.
