ARPA-H Selects UpDoc to Lead Development of Autonomous Clinical AI System, in an Initiative Joined by Microsoft, OpenAI and NVIDIA

UpDoc awarded up to $9.2 million under ARPA-H's ADVOCATE program to develop and validate an autonomous clinical AI system intended for future FDA authorization and real-world deployment, starting in cardiovascular disease

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- UpDoc, an enterprise-ready clinical AI company developing physician-grade agentic AI, today announced it has been selected by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as a lead performer in the Agentic AI-Enabled Cardiovascular Care Transformation (ADVOCATE) program, with an award of up to $9.2 million. Microsoft, OpenAI and NVIDIA join supporting the UpDoc-led team.

Cardiovascular disease costs the U.S. more than $400 billion each year, underscoring an urgent need for more proactive and scalable approaches to prevention and care. As a lead performer in ARPA-H's ADVOCATE program, UpDoc will direct the development of advanced cardiovascular disease management with its clinical AI platform, enabling health systems to extend proactive, personalized care to patients who lack access to specialty care and may otherwise miss critical opportunities for intervention.

"Nearly one million Americans die from cardiovascular disease each year, many as a result of critical gaps in our current care model," said Dr. Sharif Vakili, CEO and co-founder of UpDoc and practicing primary care physician at Stanford Medicine. "Medicine has always been constrained by the number of clinicians and the hours they have in their day dedicated to patient care. ADVOCATE is the federal government's commitment to engineering past that constraint and ensuring access to care. We are honored to be selected by ARPA-H to lead this work. Our platform already supports continuous, personalized care under physician oversight at some of the nation's premier health systems. This program gives us the opportunity, and the rigorous validation pathway, to prove that autonomous clinical AI can be trusted with the patients who need it most."

The ADVOCATE program will support the development of clinical AI agents that can be trusted to autonomously manage heart failure, including managing medications, diet and exercise. The program's transformative goal is to create a first-of-its-kind, reliable, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized clinical agentic AI system that serves around the clock as a new, digital member of a patient's clinical care team. No federal health research program has previously set out to produce an autonomous clinical AI system intended for FDA authorization and real-world deployment.

"ADVOCATE represents an unprecedented level of coordination across the federal health enterprise," said Haider Warraich, MD, Program Manager, ARPA-H. "ARPA-H is working alongside the FDA and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), together with health systems, medical societies, payers, and technology companies, to ensure access to care and build the regulatory, reimbursement, and technical foundation that clinical AI requires. Rather than developing technology and hoping the system adapts, the program is updating the infrastructure of American healthcare so that safe, validated clinical AI has a clear path to patients."

The program is structured as a 39-month, multi-phase effort in which performers that advance through competitive milestone evaluations gain access to a fully funded pathway from prototype to real-world clinical use. That pathway includes independent verification and validation studies, benchmarking agent performance against cardiologists and clinical trials conducted under FDA Investigational Device Exemption. It also includes large-scale scalability studies deployed within partner health systems, with electronic health record integration, comparing agent-enabled care to usual care. For performers that reach the end of the program, ARPA-H will have funded the clinical evidence generation and deployment infrastructure that has been the largest barrier to bringing transformative technology to patients.

With initial deployments already underway at premier healthcare systems, including Cleveland Clinic, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and UCSF Health, UpDoc's platform expands the capacity of care teams to enable personalized, high-touch care.

"Too many patients lack timely access to specialty cardiovascular care, leading to delayed interventions and poorer health outcomes," said Thomas Osborne, Chief Medical Officer, Microsoft Federal. "ADVOCATE reflects a bold vision from ARPA-H to bring together healthcare, regulatory, and technology leaders to discover the most effective ways to safely extend the reach and capabilities of care teams, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes. Microsoft is proud to support ARPA-H and UpDoc in advancing responsible, rigorously validated AI that can help improve patient outcomes and expand access to high-quality cardiovascular care, wherever they live."

UpDoc's current FDA-cleared insulin management system combines medical device functionality with conversational AI to support care within physician-prescribed treatment plans and defined clinical boundaries.

The ARPA-H architecture represents the next evolution of UpDoc's technology, laying the foundation for a future general-purpose clinical AI platform. It is designed to enable an agentic clinical system in which advanced large language models could actively reason over evolving patient data and select appropriate diagnostic, treatment and care-management actions.

These decisions would occur within UpDoc's proprietary Clinical Intelligence System, which preserves physician oversight and establishes clinical safeguards. The intended result is an architecture designed to bring the flexibility, judgment and multi-step reasoning of modern AI to complex clinical care, while maintaining the safety, auditability and governance required for real-world clinical use. This next evolution of UpDoc's technology has not been cleared by the FDA.

Through the ADVOCATE program, UpDoc will engage with ARPA-H, FDA, and other program stakeholders as it addresses the technical, regulatory, and market challenges associated with bringing advanced clinical AI into real-world care. Continued participation in later phases of the ADVOCATE program is subject to competitive milestone evaluations.

Discover how UpDoc's clinical AI platform is transforming how chronic care is delivered at www.updoc.ai.

About UpDoc

UpDoc is an enterprise-ready clinical AI company pioneering a new care delivery paradigm that enables patients to receive continuous, physician-level care between scheduled visits. UpDoc's provider-integrated platform combines automated agentic AI with clinician oversight to safely manage chronic disease at scale, bringing proactive, high-touch care to every patient in a way that was never possible before. For more information, visit https://updoc.ai/.

Media Contact:

Abbey Clark

120/80 GROUP for UpDoc

631-834-1070

[email protected]

SOURCE UpDoc

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Study from Ezee Fiber finds fiber is driving faster internet speeds, adding $1.6 billion in home value, creating jobs, and powering critical assets like NASA's Johnson Space Center

HOUSTON, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new independent study finds that fiber broadband has become essential infrastructure for Houston's continued economic growth, supporting faster connectivity, increased home values, job creation, and the digital systems relied upon by the region's energy, healthcare, technology and aerospace sectors. The report, "Fueling Houston's Growth with Fiber", combines national economic research with Houston-specific data to quantify broadband's impact across Houston's economy, housing market, workforce, health outcomes and innovation ecosystem.

"This report puts a number on something we see every day in Houston: fiber has become core infrastructure here, not just an amenity," said Suzy Winger, SVP and General Manager, Texas Region, Ezee Fiber. "For Houston to continue to grow, so does the need for reliable, high-capacity connectivity. We're proud to be investing in the networks that support job creation, enable innovation and create lasting value for residents and businesses."

The report shows that Houston is making significant progress in expanding access to next-generation broadband for residents and businesses. In 2022, only 75% of Harris County had access to a fiber broadband provider. By late 2025, that number surged to 94%, reflecting substantial investment in network infrastructure across the region.

Key Findings from the Report:

- A Billion-Dollar "Fiber Premium" for Homeowners: Fiber availability has contributed an estimated $1.6 billion in aggregate home value to single-family homes sold across Houston since 2020, representing roughly $275 million annually. Expanding fiber access toward full coverage by 2029 could generate more than $2.4 billion in additional property value.

- Speeds Nearly Tripled: Between December 2022 and December 2025, median download speeds in Harris County climbed from about 80 megabytes per second (Mbps) to more than 280 Mbps, compared to the national average median download internet speed of 308.11 Mbps, as fiber deployment accelerated across the region.

- Measurable Job Growth: Fiber infrastructure is estimated to have contributed to over 2,000 jobs gained in Houston between 2021 and 2024. Reaching full population deployment by 2029 is projected to generate several hundred additional jobs.

- Stronger Education and Small Businesses: Communities with fiber internet access see measurable benefits in both education and economic growth. Students in fiber-served areas consistently perform better on standardized tests, with math and reading scores increasing by 2.3% and 1.1%, while communities with median download speeds of 250 Mbps are more likely to generate new small businesses than those with speeds of only 100 Mbps.

Beyond residential benefits, the report highlights fiber as the foundational infrastructure underpinning Houston's economic powerhouse sectors. Fiber internet provides connectivity for NASA's Johnson Space Center and companies like Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines. It has also supported Eli Lilly's $6.5 billion manufacturing investment, the energy sector's reliance on fiber for SCADA and smart grid operations across Houston's 4,200-plus energy firms.

To view the full published report commissioned by Ezee Fiber and examine the comprehensive metrics, go to ezeefiber.com/newsroom.

About Ezee Fiber:

Ezee Fiber is a rapidly growing fiber internet company delivering premium multi-gig service to residential, business, and government customers over a 100% fiber-optic network—at exceptional value. The company's carrier-grade infrastructure spans Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, Oregon, Michigan and Washington, supported by local teams who live and work in the communities they serve. Ezee Fiber's industry-leading speeds, award-winning customer service, and transparent pricing model set the company apart. Learn more at www.ezeefiber.com.

SOURCE Ezee Fiber

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- M&A Healthcare Advisors ("MAHA"), a boutique investment bank focused exclusively on the healthcare industry, is pleased to announce the sale of Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, a leading provider of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Eastern Tennessee, to Olympus Cosmetic Group ("Olympus"), a surgeon-founded aesthetics platform backed by VSS Capital Partners ("VSS").

MAHA served as Gallaher Plastic Surgery's exclusive sell-side advisor, with the engagement led by Mike Moran, Managing Director, and Mike Abud, Senior Associate.

The acquisition marks Olympus Cosmetic Group's entry into Tennessee, a market the organization had identified as an attractive opportunity for continued expansion. As Olympus evaluated opportunities to establish its first practice in the state, Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Med Spa stood out as an ideal partner. Led by highly respected plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Gallaher, the practice has built a strong reputation for clinical excellence, patient care, and high-quality aesthetic outcomes throughout Eastern Tennessee.

For Dr. Gallaher, the transaction provides the practice with a strategic partner capable of supporting its next phase of growth while preserving the physician-led approach and commitment to patient care that have been central to Gallaher Plastic Surgery's success.

"Olympus had identified Tennessee as an attractive market for expansion, and Dr. Gallaher's reputation and the quality of the practice made this a compelling opportunity to establish its first location in the state," said Mike Moran, Managing Director at MAHA. "There was strong strategic and cultural alignment between the parties from the outset. We are proud to have represented Dr. Gallaher and to have helped bring together two organizations that share a commitment to exceptional patient care and continued growth."

"Mike and his team were incredibly supportive during the entirety of the process and offered excellent advice throughout it. I would highly recommend MAHA if you are a physician considering the sale of your practice," said Dr. Tom Gallaher, Founder and CEO of Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Med Spa.

"We are very excited to have partnered with Dr. Gallaher and his team at Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Spa. They represent a premium brand and practice that is core to the Olympus platform. We look forward to preserving and growing the brand Dr. Gallaher has built in the greater Knoxville market. Mike and his team at MAHA were outstanding to work with and instrumental in the acquisition process.", said Ben Cook, CEO of Olympus Cosmetic Group.

Throughout the transaction, MAHA worked closely with Dr. Gallaher and the Olympus team to facilitate negotiations, coordinate diligence, address transaction considerations, and maintain momentum through closing. The successful transaction reflects MAHA's continued activity advising leading physician-owned practices across the plastic surgery and aesthetics sectors.

About Olympus Cosmetic Group and VSS Capital Partners

Olympus Cosmetic Group is a surgeon-founded and led investment and growth platform built exclusively for the cosmetic specialty. Established by board-certified cosmetic surgeons, Olympus offers a comprehensive range of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments from state-of-the-art facilities across its growing national footprint. The acquisition of Gallaher Plastic Surgery represents Olympus' first practice in Tennessee and expands the platform's presence into its ninth state.

Headquartered in New York, VSS is a private investment firm that invests in the healthcare, education, and business services industries. VSS partners with lower middle-market companies, working closely with management teams to facilitate their next stage of growth. VSS provides capital for growth financings, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, and buyouts, with the flexibility to invest control or non-control capital based on the needs and objectives of each company. VSS has managed $4 billion in committed capital across eight funds and has completed 105 platform investments and more than 600 add-on acquisitions.

About M&A Healthcare Advisors

M&A Healthcare Advisors is a FINRA-licensed boutique investment bank specializing in Sell-Side Representation, Buy-Side Representation, M&A Consultation, and other Investment Banking Services across the lower-middle-market healthcare industry.

The founders of M&A Healthcare Advisors have advised on transactions across a variety of healthcare verticals, including Behavioral Health, Autism Services, I/DD, Hospice, Home Health, Home Care, Private Duty, Physician Practices, Plastic Surgery, Med Spa, Staffing and Medical Recruiting, and all types of Pharmacy.

CONTACT:

Leah Siobhan

Transaction Coordinator

M&A Healthcare Advisors

[email protected] 

SOURCE M&A Healthcare Advisors LLC

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With a child diagnosed with cancer every 36 minutes, the need remains urgent. Over the past 28 years, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, supported by Hyundai, its dealers and every new Hyundai sold, has contributed more than $300 million to pediatric cancer research, helping improve outcomes for more than 40,000 children[1]. Through The Mark of a Warrior, Hyundai is calling on Americans to help put childhood cancer on notice and bring every warrior home.

"Childhood cancer knows no borders, and neither should our commitment to the children and families facing it," said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company. "For more than 28 years, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has supported the fight against pediatric cancer and drawn inspiration from the remarkable strength we've witnessed in young patients and their families. The Mark of a Warrior campaign celebrates that strength, shares their stories and reminds all of us why this work matters. As a global company, we believe every child, regardless of where they live, deserves hope, access to care and the opportunity for a healthier future."

"Little Warrior" Campaign Spot

The campaign launches with a cinematic 60-second hero spot titled "Little Warrior." The spot celebrates the extraordinary spirit of children facing cancer and the network of support that surrounds them, while reinforcing Hyundai Hope on Wheels' mission to help end childhood cancer.

The spot will air nationally on Sept. 9 with hero placements surrounding the opening game of the professional football season. The spot will run across broadcast, streaming, digital and social channels throughout National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September and beyond.

"The Mark of a Warrior is inspired by the children and families we've met through Hyundai Hope on Wheels over the past 28 years," said Sean Gilpin, chief marketing officer, Hyundai Motor America. "These children are true warriors, and this campaign gives their strength a national platform. By reimagining our iconic handprint, we're using the power of storytelling to inspire action, shine a light on their stories and rally communities in the fight against childhood cancer. That's what 'Progress for Humanity' looks like in action."

Scarlett Johansson Debuts as Hyundai's New Brand Voice

Acclaimed actress, producer and director Scarlett Johansson narrates "Little Warrior," making her debut as Hyundai's new brand voice. Johansson helps bring to life the courage, resilience and determination that define The Mark of a Warrior.

Known for her authenticity, versatility and cultural impact, Johansson brings a distinctive blend of strength, sophistication and humanity that embodies Hyundai's "Progress for Humanity" vision. As Hyundai continues to push boundaries through bold storytelling, Johansson's voice will extend across future brand campaigns and initiatives.

"Hyundai's commitment to people and purpose is what made being a part of this partnership so compelling," said Scarlett Johansson. "As a voice of the brand, I'm excited to help tell stories that reflect those values. The Mark of a Warrior campaign is an inspiring first chapter, reminding us of the power of community to make a difference."

The Handprint: A Symbol of Strength

For children fighting cancer, every day is a battle. Reimagined as The Mark of a Warrior, the Hyundai Hope on Wheels handprint transforms hope into action, serving as a badge of courage, resilience and belonging.

Inspired by the tradition of warriors marking themselves before a challenge, the handprint represents the strength, determination and fighting spirit of children facing cancer. It also serves as a rallying point for the community standing beside them, uniting families, survivors, researchers, healthcare professionals, dealers and supporters in the shared mission to end childhood cancer and help bring every warrior home.

Warrior Gowns

In collaboration with Brave Gowns, Hyundai transforms traditional hospital gowns into Warrior Gowns, with armor-inspired designs that help children feel strong, confident and empowered throughout treatment. More than 6,000 gowns are expected to be distributed to hospitals through 2026 and incorporated into Hyundai Hope on Wheels events nationwide.

Communities Take Part

The Mark of a Warrior campaign extends across social, experiential, dealership, and community activations designed to drive participation and transform awareness into action.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels will host Warrior Rallies at select professional football games and soccer matches, as well as other live events across the United States, bringing together patients, survivors, healthcare professionals, dealers and local communities to celebrate young warriors and raise awareness for the fight against childhood cancer.

Each Warrior Rally will bring the Mark of a Warrior campaign to life through special hospitality experiences for Hyundai Hope on Wheels guests, interactive fan activations, handprint photo opportunities, in-stadium integrations, on-field check presentations and memorable game-day moments featuring Hyundai Hope on Wheels ambassadors.

Warrior Rally Schedule:

- Houston Texans, Sept. 13

- Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 12

- Inter Miami CF, Nov. 7

- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jan. 3

In partnership with Strava for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai launched the Miles for the Warriors Challenge on Sept. 2, encouraging people to run, walk, wheel, bike, hike or swim to support the 400,000 children diagnosed with cancer globally each year. When participants hit 400,000 collective miles, Hyundai donated $1 million dollars to Hyundai Hope on Wheels to help fund groundbreaking research, advance new treatments and bring hope to children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

That goal was achieved in the first 24 hours, so Hyundai doubled down on the goal to 800,000 miles and donation to $2 million. Two days later, the community raced past that mark. Now with around 100,000 participants, over 3.3 million miles have been logged to support young cancer warriors in their fight. People can also join our fight by posting or commenting on @HyundaiUSA's social posts using #hyundaiwarriors and Hyundai will donate $36 to Hyundai Hope on Wheels for each qualifying participant, up to $500,000 by December 31, 2026. Full challenge details and official rules are available here.

Influencers and athletes, Strava motivators and artists, Hyundai ambassadors, and participant achievement posts will help spread the movement across social media.

Partnerships across sports, entertainment, broadcast, streaming and audio platforms will further extend awareness and rally more people to join the fight. Participating partners and talent include NBC Sunday Night Football, Amazon, iHeartRadio, Kristin Davis, Zara Larsson with JoJo Wright at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the Jonas Brothers, SiriusXM, Conan O'Brien, Jordan Chiles, Isabella Strahan, Rich Eisen and additional trusted Hyundai ambassadors and creator partners.

Fans and supporters are encouraged to proudly wear The Mark of a Warrior by painting a blue handprint on their face and sharing it on social media, helping amplify awareness and stand alongside young warriors in the fight against childhood cancer.

"These young warriors show us what courage looks like every single day," said Jason Sperling, chief creative officer, INNOCEAN USA. "Every piece of this campaign is meant to highlight the strength they show in the face of a battle that is so much bigger than them. It gives their struggle a symbol, and highlights Hyundai's continued commitment to funding pediatric cancer research to help them beat cancer."

The Mark of a Warrior was developed in collaboration with Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN USA, while Hyundai's media agency, Canvas, coordinated the media buys. The campaign's cinematic hero film, "Little Warrior," was directed by award-winning filmmaker Matthijs van Heijningen through MJZ, whose work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, the Clios and D&AD, and shot by director of photography Alwin Küchler.

Community, Dealer and Regional Engagement

Throughout September and beyond, The Mark of a Warrior will come to life through approximately 42 Hyundai Hope on Wheels handprint ceremonies, check presentations, Warrior Gown deliveries and more than 100 community blood drives across the country.

Hyundai's dealer network and employees are at the heart of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, helping fund pediatric cancer research while championing the cause in communities nationwide. Through in-store activations, community events and dealer-hosted blood drives, they will rally support for young warriors and their families.

Warrior Badges, available through participating dealers, give Hyundai owners a visible way to show support for the fight against childhood cancer while helping raise awareness for Hyundai Hope on Wheels on roads nationwide.

More Than a Campaign

More than a campaign, The Mark of a Warrior is a movement designed to celebrate courage, inspire participation and rally communities around Hyundai Hope on Wheels' mission to end childhood cancer.

A dedicated campaign hub, HyundaiWarriors.com, serves as the campaign's digital home, featuring the stories of five childhood cancer survivors who serve as the faces of The Mark of a Warrior campaign. Visitors can explore their stories, learn about Hyundai Hope on Wheels' impact and discover ways to support young warriors and their families.

Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has contributed more than $300 million to pediatric cancer research and treatment, helping advance research that has impacted more than 40,000 children. Supported by Hyundai Motor America and its more than 855 dealers nationwide, the organization remains one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the United States.

Lennar Celebrates the Grand Opening of The Park at Amberwood

New Park Marks an Exciting Milestone for the Amberwood Community and the City of Selma

SELMA, Calif., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, today announced the opening of the new community park at Amberwood, a master-planned community of new single-family homes now selling in Selma, California. The community is invited to a ribbon-cutting celebration on Saturday, September 12 at 9 a.m. at the Amberwood Park, where guests can enjoy light refreshments, explore the community's newest outdoor amenity and learn more about the homeownership opportunities Amberwood will bring to the Selma area.

"This amenity is the heart of Amberwood, and introducing the park before our Grand Opening gives families the opportunity to experience the community the way they will actually live in it," said Jason Glasglow, Lennar Central Valley Division President. "This is the first park to open in Selma since the 1980s. Selma and Fresno-area homebuyers have long sought out new homes with real outdoor recreation space, and Amberwood delivers both."

Amberwood will feature 15 home designs across five exclusive Lennar collections, offering a range of floorplans designed to meet the needs of all homebuyers, from first-time buyers to multigenerational households. Homes range from 1,037 to 3,386 square feet with two to five bedrooms and two to three-and-a-half bathrooms. Amberwood will offer select plans available with a Next Gen® suite, Lennar's home-within-a-home design that provides a private living space with its own entrance to accommodate multigenerational families under one roof. Pricing starts in the mid $300,000s.

The newly completed park is Amberwood's first finished amenity, complete with picnic areas, a playground, and a basketball court, all ideal for outdoor recreation. Residents of Amberwood can also enjoy a fantastic location near central Selma, offering quick access to freeways, boutique shopping, popular area parks and excellent schools, in addition to a quick commute to Fresno.

Amberwood model homes are anticipated to open Fall 2026. Interested homebuyers can learn more about the Grand Opening and RSVP to the event here.

For more information on homes available at Amberwood, call (559) 778-8560 or visit the community website.

About Lennar Corporation

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading homebuilders, dedicated to making the American dream of homeownership attainable for more people. Since its founding, Lennar has built more than 1.5 million homes for buyers at every stage of life in communities across the country, from first-time and move-up buyers to active adults. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes. Lenˣ drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments, shaping the future of homebuilding. For more information, visit www.lennar.com.

About City of Selma

Selma is a rapidly growing community of nearly 25,000 residents and is located in the central San Joaquin Valley at the crossroads of State Routes 99 and 43. Its location has made it a regional hub for southeast Fresno County as well as neighboring Tulare and Kings Counties. Both new and long-time residents are discovering and rediscovering the joys of living in this delightful community. The spirit of "one community" brings together a very diverse population of creative and hardworking individuals at countless events offered through the city, the Chamber of Commerce, schools, places of worship, and other community groups. There is always something to do in Selma.

Contact: Danielle Tocco

Vice President Communications

Lennar Corporation

[email protected]

Direct Line: 949.789.1633

SOURCE Lennar Corporation

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Over 200,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease that proven therapies could have prevented. Delivering those therapies takes months of repeated specialist contact that most patients never get, and nearly half of American counties have no practicing cardiologist at all. Atman is building an agentic AI system that provides that contact continuously and without a cardiologist visit and expects to file for FDA authorization within 24 months.

BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Atman Health today announced that it has been selected by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop an agentic artificial intelligence system for cardiovascular care, beginning with heart failure. The award is made under ARPA‑H's ADVOCATE program (Agentic AI-Enabled Cardiovascular Care Transformation), a 39-month initiative to modernize how chronic cardiovascular disease is managed in the United States.

Approximately 7.7 million Americans live with heart failure, a condition treated with four classes of medication that must be introduced and increased gradually over months, each step checked against kidney function, other lab values and blood pressure levels. The regimen is among the most proven in medicine, yet in major patient registries only ~1 percent of eligible patients were on target doses of at least three of those foundational drug classes.

Access to cardiologists compounds the problem. A 2024 analysis in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 1,454 of the 3,143 counties in the United States have no practicing cardiologist. Optimizing medications for millions of patients requires repeated clinical contact over many months, and an adequate clinical workforce does not exist.

Rahul Deo, MD, PhD, co-founder, CMO and CPO

"In heart failure, a single wrong adjustment can put a patient in the emergency department with elevated potassium, kidney injury or an arrhythmia," said Rahul Deo, MD, PhD, co-founder, chief product officer and chief medical officer of Atman Health. "That is why this work has remained manual. Every clinician has encountered an AI system that sounds correct but is often wrong, with no way to tell which. Before such a system can make these decisions on its own, a physician must be able to ask what was checked and why, and did it get the same answer every time."

Atman's system separates two functions that most clinical AI systems combine. The large language model (LLM) interprets records and handles patient conversation by telephone and chat. However, clinical decisions are made outside the LLM, by a deterministic engine built on more than 9,000 explicit clinical criteria, 9,600 medication and indication pairings, 6,900 titration profiles and more than 100 symptom triage flows. It checks exclusion criteria before proposing any medication and records, for each recommendation, the logic that produced it, the evidence behind it, and the hazard classification under ISO 14971. A shadow agent trains and validates the system's behavior in real-world clinical settings.

Rahul Patel, co-founder, CEO and CTO

"Encoding cardiology as an explicit rules-based system is slower and less fashionable than training a large language model, but we chose encoding deliberately," said Rahul Patel, co-founder and chief executive officer of Atman Health. "An LLM cannot be given permission to act autonomously on reasoning nobody can examine, and permission is the whole game here. Everything with a clinical consequence happens inside the encoded engine, in a structured form that a cardiologist, client, or regulator can review."

The regulatory path is defined: engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through the pre-submission process in the first year, an Investigational Device Exemption application at month 12 and a De Novo submission targeted within 24 months, preceded by a single-center shadow-mode study.

Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures

"Ten years ago, I said that you should be able to get better cardiac care in a village than at a leading academic medical center," said Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. "That becomes possible only when expertise stops being a scarce human resource and becomes something machines can reproduce. Reproducing it means the same evidence is applied the same way every time, and someone can check when it is not. Expertise will be nearly free. Atman is building the system that does that for cardiology and is building it to a standard the FDA can authorize."

About Atman Health

Atman Health is reimagining cardiovascular care with AI and automation. Its platform pairs large language models for data interpretation and patient conversations with a transparent, deterministic decision engine for making rigorous clinical decisions. Atman works with provider groups and health plans and is backed by Khosla Ventures and iSelect Fund. More information is available at atmanhealth.com.

This research is funded, in part, by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

SOURCE Atman Health, Inc.

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OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SecureSky, a leading provider of Exposure Management and patented AI-based Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, has acquired Soveren, an innovator in Data Security Posture Management (DSPM). The acquisition extends SecureSky's patented platform to include real-time, ML-based sensitive data discovery, classification, and protection across cloud-native and on-premises environments.

Soveren's high-performance architecture combines eBPF-powered network analysis with ML-driven classification. While legacy DSPM tools struggle with the high false positives of regex detection and static snapshots, Soveren provides continuous visibility into sensitive data flows with 98% accuracy. It is the only solution designed to inspect and classify encrypted TLS traffic at scale with zero impact on application speed.

"The addition of Soveren's highly rated Data Security Platform and its high-scale data expertise represents significant value to SecureSky customers," said Michael Hrabik, CEO of SecureSky. "In today's complex hybrid environments, continuous visibility and proactive validation of security controls are crucial as cyber adversaries operate with unprecedented speed and automation. By combining our patented AI-based Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) platform with Soveren's ML-driven Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), we enable unified visibility and protection across our clients' environments."

"When we founded Soveren, our vision was to solve the data observability problem we experienced firsthand while scaling our previous e-commerce business to $2 billion in revenue," said Peter Fedchenkov, Founder and Co-CEO of Soveren. "SecureSky shares our commitment to providing security teams with automated, actionable, real-time data observability and controls validation. Together, we can deliver on the promise of unified cloud and data security at a time when organizations need it most." Andrew Zhulin, Founder & Co-CEO, and Dmitry Zhulin, Founder of Soveren, added, "Our team engineered Soveren to detect sensitive data in encrypted traffic where other solutions are blind. We're excited to bring that capability to SecureSky's customers."

Founded in 2021 and based in London, Soveren has built a differentiated unified data security platform, earning a 4.9 rating on G2 and 5.0 on Gartner Peer Insights. The company raised $10 million from investors and technology leaders including the founders and CEOs of Airbnb, Slack, Datadog, Palo Alto Networks, MuleSoft, Deel, Sir Richard Branson's family, and leading European VCs firstminute capital, Northzone, and LocalGlobe.

About SecureSky

With 20+ years of cybersecurity expertise, SecureSky provides integrated Exposure Management and MDR services, supported by its patented platform, helping organizations protect their cloud and hybrid environments through Security Posture Management (CSPM/SSPM), Managed XDR, Microsoft Sentinel deployment and management, and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). SecureSky's solutions are trusted by leading organizations worldwide.

For more information, visit securesky.com.

About Soveren

Soveren's Data Security Platform combines at-rest DSPM with real-time, eBPF-based network analysis to provide a complete view of sensitive data in motion and at rest, and to detect data leakage, usage anomalies, and changes in third-party data flows across cloud and on-premise environments. Soveren serves leading organizations including Booking Holdings' Agoda and OpenTable.

For more information, visit soveren.io.

Media Contact:

Michael Hrabik, Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

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Resort packages are on sale now for the 2026 Baha Mar Tennis Cup, hosted by tennis legends John McEnroe and Mark Knowles to benefit Bahamian youth

Jason Isaacs, Tommy Paul, Mark Knowles, Marcus Samuelsson at the 2025 Baha Mar Tennis Cup

NASSAU, The Bahamas, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Baha Mar, the leading integrated resort destination in The Bahamas, announces the return of the seventh annual Baha Mar Tennis Cup, taking place Thursday, December 10 through Sunday, December 13, 2026.

Hosted by tennis legend John McEnroe and Bahamian tennis icon Mark Knowles, the four-day fundraising event will bring together world-class tennis, exclusive clinics, intimate access to visiting professionals and celebrity-driven competition in support of the Baha Mar Resort Foundation and Mark Knowles Children's Tennis Initiative.

Following the debut of the Celebrity Pro-Am in 2025, this year's Tennis Cup will once again pair eight celebrities with eight tennis professionals for a spirited afternoon of competition. Guests will have the opportunity to compete alongside visiting pros in the signature Pro-Am Tournament, watch top players face off in singles and doubles exhibitions, and take part in clinics designed for a range of skill levels.

"The Baha Mar Tennis Cup has evolved into a cornerstone signature event, blending exceptional competition and exclusive insider experiences with meaningful philanthropic impact," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "We are honored to continue our tradition with John and Mark, using the power of sport to transform lives across the island while delivering a spectacular experience for tennis fans and pros, alike."

The 2026 professional and celebrity lineup will be announced in the coming months. Past participants have included Tommy Paul, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Andy Roddick,Taylor Townsend, Victoria Azarenka, James Blake, Genie Bouchard, Austin Krajicek, Sabine Lisicki, Milos Raonic, and Donna Vekić, among other celebrated players.

Highlights Across the Four-Day Event:

- Thursday, December 10: Guests can choose from three afternoon clinics, including an open-level clinic for players rated 3.0 and above, Live Ball and games. The evening welcome reception at Rosewood Baha Mar will offer the chance to mingle with visiting professionals and fellow guests, accompanied by a live performance from the Johnny Smyth Band.

- Friday, December 11: Pro-Am participants begin with a kickoff clinic before taking the court alongside visiting tennis stars in the signature Pro-Am Tournament. Following Lunch on the Lawn, guests will enjoy an intimate pro exhibition featuring singles and doubles matchups. The day concludes with Taste of Baha Mar, a culinary celebration showcasing the resort's acclaimed culinary talent.

- Saturday, December 12: Morning programming includes Live Ball and VIP clinics, as well as a Celebrity Live Ball Clinic. In the afternoon, eight celebrities will team up with eight tennis pros for the Celebrity Pro-Am. The evening continues with a live performance by the Johnny Smyth Band at Jon Batiste's Jazz Club, followed by the Baha Mar Foundation Dinner and an after-party mixer.

- Sunday, December 13: The weekend closes with a Live Ball clinic for VIP spectator participants and the annual complimentary Kids Clinic, giving local youth the opportunity to receive drills, guidance and inspiration from visiting tennis professionals.

Exclusive Resort Packages

Three- and four-night packages are now available at Rosewood Baha Mar and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, with Pro-Am and VIP Spectator options. Packages include accommodations, roundtrip VIP airport transfers, an exclusive welcome bag, tennis clinic access, VIP seating for the Pro Exhibition and Celebrity Pro-Am, admission to the welcome reception and Baha Mar Foundation Dinner, and access to the after-party mixer. Pro-Am packages also include tournament participation and additional VIP seats for the weekend's marquee matches.

In 2025, the Baha Mar Tennis Cup raised over $300,000 to support youth tennis programs and community initiatives across The Bahamas. These funds have helped train primary school teachers to introduce tennis in their classrooms and expand junior programs that give more young Bahamians access to the sport.

The John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar is a premier tennis destination in the Caribbean, featuring six professional hard courts, two Har-Tru clay courts, six dedicated pickleball courts, 2 padel courts, and a full-service pro shop. The center offers year-round private lessons, clinics, drills, court rentals and programming for players of all ages and skill levels.

For more information on The Baha Mar Cup, including resort packages and schedule of events, please visit https://bahamar.com/tennis-cup/.

About Baha Mar

Baha Mar is a master planned integrated resort development situated on 1,000 acres overlooking the world's famous Cable Beach. The white sand beach destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – over 2,300 rooms and more than 45 restaurants, bars, and lounges, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Course, the Caribbean's first and only flagship ESPA spa, $200 million Baha Bay luxury water park, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking location with dynamic programming, activities, and guest offerings in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information and reservations, visit www.bahamar.com.

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BerlinRosen

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Through new partnerships and returning fan favorites, Evan Williams continues to show up for the traditions, rivalries and shared game-day celebrations that bring college football fans together.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As anticipation builds for the start of another college football season, Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the world's #1 American-owned bourbon, is expanding Evan Williams Bourbon Nation® with new fan-focused experiences, an exciting partnership with creator-led sports media company Snapback Sports, the return of its limited-edition Evan Williams Single Barrel Collegiate Edition bottles, and the continuation of its partnership with college sports broadcaster Molly McGrath. Together, these Bourbon Nation initiatives reinforce Evan Williams' commitment to celebrating the traditions, rivalries and communities that make college football one of America's most beloved sports.

Max Stefka, AVP Heaven Hill Brands said, "College football is built on traditions that bring people together, and that's exactly what Evan Williams Bourbon Nation is all about. Whether it's enjoying a tailgate with friends, collecting a special-edition bottle representing your school, or connecting with fans through new partners like Snapback Sports and Molly McGrath, we're proud to create authentic experiences that celebrate the passion of college football season."

Continuing a Winning Partnership with Learfield

The 2026 season also marks the continuation of Evan Williams' relationship with Learfield, the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through the ongoing partnership, Evan Williams Bourbon Nation will once again engage fans across six premier college athletics programs—University of Alabama, The Ohio State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Oregon, University of South Carolina and Syracuse University—bringing together official university partnerships, on-campus activations, limited-edition collectibles and memorable game day experiences that celebrate the traditions and spirit of college football.

Evan Williams Teams Up with Snapback Sports

New for 2026, Evan Williams is partnering with Snapback Sports, the creator-led sports media company connecting millions of fans through authentic, entertaining and community-driven content.

As part of the collaboration, Evan Williams will serve as the presenting sponsor of Snapback Saturdays, Snapback Sports' college football tour traveling to marquee matchups every Saturday throughout the season. Snapback Sports will also attend Evan Williams Bourbon Nation tailgates at:

- The University of Alabama – October 10

- University of Oklahoma – November 14

Additionally, Snapback Sports will create original content supporting Evan Williams' consumer sweepstakes, giving fans the chance to win an Evan Williams tailgate trailer.

Jack Settleman, CEO of Snapback Sports said, "Snapback Sports is built around bringing fans closer to the moments, traditions and personalities that make college football so special. Partnering with Evan Williams allows us to celebrate those experiences in an authentic way while creating content that resonates with our community."

ESPN's Molly McGrath Returns as Evan Williams Bourbon Nation Brand Ambassador

Evan Williams is also continuing its relationship with Molly McGrath, whose passion for college football and deep connection to the sport make her a natural ambassador for Evan Williams Bourbon Nation.

Throughout the season, McGrath will help bring fans closer to the excitement surrounding college football through Evan Williams content and fan engagement initiatives.

Limited-Edition Collegiate Edition Bottles Return

Also returning for football season are the Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles, available in partnership with six universities:

- The University of Alabama

- The Ohio State University

- University of Oklahoma

- University of Oregon

- University of South Carolina

- Syracuse University

Available beginning in early August, the limited-edition bottles will be allocated and sold exclusively within each participating school's market. Select Collegiate Edition bottles will also be available for purchase at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville.

Each 750mL bottle features:

- A 2018 vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

- Custom wax dipped in one of the university's primary colors

- A custom front label, back label and commemorative string tag featuring each schools logo and celebrating Evan Williams Bourbon Nation

The collectible bottles celebrate the traditions that unite college football fans while showcasing the craftsmanship behind Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon. The commemorative tag reads:

"Crafting a bourbon like Evan Williams Single Barrel is a tradition of time and passion. This special edition bottle celebrates Evan Williams Bourbon Nation® and the spirit that unites fans, traditions and college athletics."

Fans can learn more about Evan Williams Bourbon Nation, participating events and promotions by visiting www.evanwilliams.com and following @evanwilliamsbourbon on social media.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the American Whiskey segment as the world's second largest-selling Bourbon. In 1783, the brand's namesake opened Kentucky's First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, Evan Williams Bourbon is still produced the right way, using the same time-honored methods. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams is committed to honoring and supporting those who have served our country. For more than a decade, the brand has contributed over $750,000 to initiatives that benefit veterans, helping provide resources, recognition, and support to those who have demonstrated exceptional service and sacrifice. In 2024, the brand debuted 'Evan Williams Bourbon Nation' to celebrate college athletics through a partnership with Learfield making Kentucky's 1st Distiller Game Day's #1 Pour. The multi-year deal currently includes powerhouse teams at Syracuse University, The Ohio State University, the University of Alabama, the University of Oregon, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Oklahoma. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor's center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky's native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn more at www.EvanWilliams.com.

About Learfield: Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

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CONTACT:

Kaitlynn West

Heaven Hill Distillery

[email protected]

SOURCE Heaven Hill Brands

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SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE: BE) securities between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2026, all dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Monday, September 28, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit. Captioned Nevins v. Bloom Energy Corporation, No. 26-cv-07944 (N.D. Cal.), the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit charges Bloom Energy as well as certain of Bloom Energy's executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-bloom-energy-corporation-class-action-lawsuit-be.html

You can also contact attorneys Ken Dolitsky or Michael Albert of Robbins Geller by calling 800/851-7783 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Bloom Energy designs, manufactures, sells, and installs solid oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation in the United States and internationally. Scandium is a rare earth metal used as a dopant to stabilize the zirconia-based ceramic electrolyte in Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cells.

The Bloom Energy class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Bloom Energy obtained scandium through intermediaries who sourced the metal from China; (ii) as a result, Bloom Energy understated the extent to which it relied on scandium from China; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Bloom Energy's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

The Bloom Energy class action lawsuit further alleges that on July 8, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m. EST, Hunterbrook Media published a report titled "Bloom's Big Lie," which alleged, among other things, that "Bloom is, in fact, reliant on Chinese scandium, according to global trade data, Chinese corporate filings, satellite imagery, and Hunterbrook's messages with Bloom's suppliers in China." The report allegedly states "Hunterbrook traced four separate China-linked routes into Bloom's supply chain – scandium oxide shipped directly to its Delaware plant, plus scandium-bearing ceramics and powders flowing through intermediaries in Thailand, Japan, and South Korea." On this news, the price of Bloom Energy stock fell nearly 6%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Bloom Energy securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Bloom Energy class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation. Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025. This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years. And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors – $3.4 billion more than any other law firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

Ken Dolitsky

Michael Albert

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800/851-7783

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

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