Video Press, a program of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the care and understanding of the elderly as well as individuals with physical challenges.
Specializing in health care issues of the elderly, disability awareness, trauma and minority health concerns, Video Press creates video programs integrating health issues with the worlds of real people.
12/12/08 - Better My World Project
Better My World: A Digital Campaign Accessing Inner City Youth
New web-based technologies now make educational out-reach to at-risk
teens possible and far more effective. Delivering health prevention
messages to inner city teens has long been problematic. Under funding
from The Abell Foundation, Video Press demonstrated an innovative
communication channel using emerging digital technologies now popular
with urban teens. 
Workshops, billboards, posters, even DVDs are nearly
obsolete as intervention strategies. Digital web-based technologies transforms traditional access numbers in the
hundreds into potentially of thousands of a target populations with 24/7 access
on an on-going basis.
Better My World is a digital violence prevention campaign for Baltimore teens, that included the production of hip-hop violence prevention videos, personalized teen videos, music, ringtones and digital wallpaper. These digital materials are made available as free downloads and posted on teen frequented websites like Facebook, Myspace and YouTube. During the first month, over 30,000 individuals directly or indirectly accessed the violence prevention messages.
With this web based technology as a vehicle to disseminate culturally appropriate content, Video Press demonstrates a new communication channel not only for violence prevention messages, but as an access model for urban teens with this pilot project. Unlike print medium, web based materials can be easily updated to encourage on-going visits.
Video Press will keep the Better My World campaign fresh in the minds of teens by continuing to provide new content for the website. For information on this project, visit the Better My World website at bettermyworld.org. Organizations wishing to partner with Video Press on this project going forward are encouraged to contact us at videopressmail@som.umaryland.edu.
11/06/08 - New Video Clips on YouTube
Two new video clips from 2008 new releases are now on the SOMVideoPress YouTube Channel. Be sure to check them out!
Watch » Latina Nursing Assistants
featuring clips from The Latina GNA: Entering the Health Care Profession with bilingual nursing assistants talking about the challenges and rewards of becoming a GNA.
Watch » Alzheimer's and Love
featuring clips of retired piano teacher, Sylvia Singer relating her touching story of enduring love, in Alzheimer's and Love: Sylvia's Perspective.
11/05/08 - Special Offer: Stars of Inclusion
"Stars of Inclusion" is a collection of 6 documentary films of young people with special needs attending mainstream schools.
- Beginning with Bong - Enter the world of six kids with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and spinal cord injury.
- Rachael, Being Five - Follow a year in the life of charming 5-year-old Rachael who has cerebral palsy.
- Rachael, in Middle School - The story of young Rachael continues as she faces the challenges of attending a mainstream middle school in this Emmy nominated film.
- Shakissha and Friends - Meet young Shakissha transferring into a mainstream 4th grade class where her new classmates have prepared to welcome her in this award winning film.
- Sarah's Graduation - Strong, independent Sarah has not let cerebral palsy slow her down as she makes her way towards college.
- Bong and Donnell - Follow Bong, who never lets his wheelchair slow him down, and his best friend Donnell through their lives from 3rd grade to high school graduation in this Emmy nominated film broadcast nationally on HBO.
All six of these amazing films (sold individually at $150 each) are available now at the special series price of just $375! Don't miss out on these eye-opening award winning films from the Oscar winning producers of King Gimp.
Stars of Inclusion (6 DVD series)
includes: Bong and Donnell, Beginning with Bong, Sarah's Graduation, Rachael Being Five, Rachel in Middle School, and Shakissha and Friends.
Series Price: $375
8/12/08 - The Passing of Glenn Kirkland
It is with heartfelt sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Glenn I. Kirkland on August 11, 2008. Glenn was the beloved husband and inspirational caregiver of the late Grace Kirkland, who touched so many of us as her progression with 
Alzheimer’s disease was documented. We at Video Press are grateful for his tireless efforts and contributions in to the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.
And like so many others, we miss him very much.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughter Evelyn Smith, step-daughters, Elisa Moriarty, Shannon Price and Lori Knowles, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Maryland Chapter, 1850 York Rd, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093.
6/27/08 - 2008 New Releases Coming Soon!
This summer, Video Press will be offering 18 new videos on caring for the elderly. In addition to the highly anticipated motivational titles Nursing Home Heroes and the 2-DVD series The Latina GNA, the following videos will also be available beginning in August 2008.
The Alzheimer's Encyclopedia (4-DVD series) will present 26 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Assessment notes and suggestions for quality of life planning by nationally recognized expert Peter V. Rabins, MD are presented for each patient. Also included in the series is an overview of all 26 patients, containing patient footage without any additional commentary.
New this year are 4 new Perspectives of the Elderly titles: Our Need for Caring Relationships, Care Includes Our Emotional Well-Being, The Importance of Faith and Religion, and Alzheimer's and Love.
Dr. Peter Rabins leads important discussions with long term care staff on issues of intimacy and emotional well-being for people with Alzheimer's disease in Physical Intimacy: The Person with Alzheimer’s Disease and a 2-DVD series titled Emotional Needs: The Cornerstone of Care for Alzheimer’s Patients.
Dr. Georgia Stevens tackles the tough issues of sex and conflict in two new 2-DVD series. Sexuality in Long-Term Care includes: Intimacy Resident to Resident and Sexual Advances toward Staff. The 2-DVD series Conflict covers both team conflicts and conflicts between resident's and staff in: Team Confrontations and Negative Staff Behaviors and The Disruptive and Chaos Creating Resident.
5/19/08 - Celebrating Nursing Home Staff
In honor of Nursing Home Week, Nursing Week, and Nursing Assistants Week, Video Press presents Celebrating Nursing Home Staff available on YouTube. This short video tribute to long-term care staff stars the nurses and nursing assistants of Nursing Home Heroes (available August 2008).
5/07/08 - Recognizing Glenn Kirkland
Many of you know Glenn through the documentary Grace. In this very special program, he shared the years of his life in which he cared for his wife Grace who had Alzheimer's disease. This documentary has become a classic and has helped many others going through similar journeys by providing a general understanding of Alzheimer's disease, a positive caregiving model, practical solutions to common problems, as well as providing an inspirational message of love. Above all, Glenn teaches us that inside the disease of Alzheimer's there is always a person. Grace is used by support groups throughout the country as well as thousands of professional training programs in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, social work, geriatrics and psychiatry.
Glenn's contribution through both the film and his national speaking efforts has been significant in changing the care for people with Alzheimer's Disease. Due to recent illness, Glenn has had to cut back on his many speaking engagements and other educational efforts.
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