steveverschoor

Melanoma Screening Guidelines and Diagnostics

The doctor examines the birthmarks of the patient through a magnifying glass

An engineer and an entrepreneur, Steve Verschoor has led polysilicon supplier GTSP Global since 2006. Steve Verschoor has also served in several clinical trials of skin cancer treatments. In 2014, he enrolled in his first clinical trial after he was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. He entered a second melanoma clinical trial in 2019.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer caused by damaged melanocyte cells. While anyone can develop melanoma, certain factors may increase susceptibility, including skin tone, family history of skin cancer, and sun exposure.

To ensure that melanoma is diagnosed at an early stage, people with high-risk factors should perform monthly self-exams using the ABCDE (asymmetry, irregular borders, color, diameter, and evolution) criteria to monitor suspicious moles. Most dermatologists also recommended annual skin exams. During this exam, the doctor may use a dermatoscope to analyze the skin and take photos to document mole changes. Moles that exhibit signs of melanoma, including scaliness or irregular borders, may be further evaluated through a biopsy.

Molecular Testing Labs Ramps Up the Fight Against COVID-19

The head of sales at the Idaho-based solar power manufacturing firm GTSP Global, Inc., Steve Verschoor co-founded Molecular Testing Labs (MTL), which focuses on infectious disease testing, toxicology, and genomics. After Steve Verschoor and other leaders established its direction in 2019, the Vancouver, Washington-based MTL also took on the challenge of providing COVID-19 testing.

MTL’s work in testing for flu and other types of coronaviruses long predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Its long-standing collaborations with leading universities and public health organizations gave its team a head start addressing the enormous logistical challenge of testing under pandemic conditions. Its current testing capacity supports thousands of tests per day.

In the early days of the pandemic, the MTL team realized that their already-proven ability to deliver at-home tests for HIV would help increase access to COVID-19 testing, and the company began to dedicate significant resources of staff, budgets, and infrastructure to that task. MTL doubled its staff from spring to fall 2020 and even repurposed its meeting space to accommodate this mission. By November 2020, it had processed close to 350,000 provider-administered tests.

Almost a year into the pandemic, MTL now contracts its services to hundreds of clients across several states. An emergent goal is to offer FDA-compliant at-home COVID-19 testing kits. In this model, a provider would order a self-administered test kit to be sent to a patient’s home for specimen collection before analysis in the laboratory.

Bronco Athletic Association Supports Student-Athletes and Boise State

Energy sector entrepreneur Steve Verschoor co-founded the solar energy components manufacturer GTSP Global, Inc., in 2008 and continues to serve as the Boise, Idaho, firm’s head of sales. His successes in the business world include his co-founding of Vancouver, Washington-based Molecular Testing Labs, which is innovating in COVID-19 testing. Steve Verschoor also enjoys a variety of outdoor sports and supports the Bronco Athletic Association (BAA).

The BAA provides much-needed funding for hundreds of student-athletes who are members of Boise State University’s 18 varsity teams. The goal is to ensure that these members of the university community are receiving everything they need to do their best work both in the classroom and on the field.

Donors to the BAA help the student-athletes pay tuition and associated fees, purchase books and other materials, and eat nutritious meals daily. Other BAA funding goes toward room and board, necessary travel for sports teams, and ongoing guidance with strength and conditioning.

Among its other recent notable activities, in 2019, the BAA unveiled an innovative way to support “The Blue.” Donors could purchase special personalized Bronco Legacy Bricks at $130 each, with tax-deductible proceeds going toward renovating the Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery on campus. Monies raised were also marked for use in the Bronco Sports Performance program.

Homeowners Can Save More Money with Solar Power

The co-founder and head of sales at GTSP Global, Inc., in Boise, Idaho, Steve Verschoor has secured contracts that have put his firm’s solar energy components into the hands of several business partners in the United States, China, South Korea, Middle East, Europe, and throughout the world. At GTSP Global, Steve Verschoor and his team work to ensure continued innovation and high-quality manufacturing standards.

By the end of the third quarter of 2020, the United States had added solar power infrastructure capacity sufficient to fulfill more than 16 million homes’ energy needs. From the second to the third quarter of the year, residential solar panel market purchases rose by 14 percent. Experts predict that the American solar energy market will continue to realize substantial growth due to increased demand over the next five-year period.

For homeowners looking toward reducing high utility costs, solar panels offer an excellent option and one that stands to become increasingly affordable. According to one analysis, the price tag for producing one megawatt-hour of solar power decreased overall by more than 85 percent between 2009 and 2017. Experts note that this follows a typical pattern in which it becomes cheaper and cheaper to produce and maintain over time as more technological advancements are integrated into energy production.

Early in 2020, the Center for Sustainable Energy estimated that the average homeowner cost of installing a solar panel energy system ran between $15,000 and $25,000 total. Factoring in the savings achieved by reducing or eliminating conventional utility bills and the tax breaks and other incentives in place in their locations, this investment can help homeowners realize significant value for their money. For example, in recent tax years, a taxpayer has claimed a federal tax credit of 30 percent for solar power materials and installation. Additional state and local rebates have often increased homeowners’ tax credits to about 50 percent of the total cost.

Why Adopting a Senior Pet Can Change Everyone’s Life for the Better

Experienced in the solar energy components industry as the co-founder and head of sales at GTSP Global, Inc., in Boise, Idaho, Steve Verschoor is also the co-founder of innovative Molecular Testing Labs in Vancouver, Washington. In addition to his professional activities, Steve Verschoor remains a committed community volunteer at his local animal shelter.

While many families focus on adopting a shelter puppy or kitten, animal advocates urge prospective adoptive pet parents not to forget about the many benefits an older pet offers. Older dogs, for example, are typically already house-broken, with shelter staff taking care to ensure that these senior animals retain their training before adoption.

Senior dogs remain highly teachable in multiple aspects of their lives, and most have a longer attention span than puppies. In addition, older animals’ personalities and temperaments have already had time to become established, making it easier to pick the one with the characteristics that will best fit a particular household.

Older pets that have experienced traumatic situations seem to understand their own vulnerability, and many forge instant strong emotional bonds with the humans who give them a permanent home. Regardless of the conditions that led to their placement in a shelter, older dogs and cats often shower their new humans with love and loyalty.

And for their advocates, this may be the strongest reason to adopt an older pet: Adoption can save a life. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), some 1.5 dogs and cats in American shelters are euthanized. Many of these being older pets are considered “unadoptable” for no reason other than their age.

Molecular Testing Labs Celebrates Compliance Week

A business professional in multiple industries for 33 years, Boise, Idaho resident Steve Verschoor, co-founded Molecular Testing Labs, a company that provides services for healthcare organizations and government institutions. As co-founder, Steve Verschoor has helped the company expand significantly, increasing its reach across public and private organizations.

In November 2020, Molecular Testing Labs celebrated Compliance Week. This year, the company participated in The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) and Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)’s Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week.

As an extension of Molecular Testing Labs’ compliance program, the company encouraged its employees to have fun while learning about compliance during the week. Employees participated in games, and even won prizes, all while reviewing compliance regulations. The week also promoted company culture.

The company’s ethics and compliance program requires employees to act with integrity. The company provides education each year to roll out new or updated guidelines and reinforce existing regulations.

Molecular Testing Labs Sees Huge Expansion in 2020

Boise, Idaho, resident and entrepreneur Steve Verschoor is a co-founder of Molecular Testing Labs. In this role, Steve Verschoor has helped the business expand from 89 workers to now employing close to 250.

Molecular Testing Labs’ expansion has come as the result of a February 2020 decision to produce COVID-19 home testing kits after news of the virus first hit. The company, which also makes a HIV home testing kits, saw demand for its testing kits skyrocket because of the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Demand for the kits combined with the opportunity to work with multiple entities has made for more business. As of November 2020, the company had partnered with in excess of 400 businesses across the country. Three hundred nursing homes and Washington, Idaho and Oregon state governments have received kits. The company hopes to provide at-home tests for individuals if approved through the Food and Drug Administration.

The lab collects some 6,000 COVID-19 tests each day, with a return time of between 1.5 and 1.8 days. The lab plans eventually to process 60,000 tests a week, with a 24-hour turnaround.

Molecular Testing Labs’ Infectious Disease Testing

Boise, Idaho, business leader Steve Verschoor is co-founder of Molecular Testing Labs. Steve Verschoor and the company provide multiple services to public and private entities.

One service offered through Molecular Testing Labs is its infectious disease panel. The panel tests for sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HPV. Testing can be completed within two to three days.

The process through which samples are taken vary depending on the STI test. Tests related to HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis, and HSVII are taken from dried blood spot cards. Other collection methods include urine, serum, swabs, and thin prep. Several tests provide the option for patients to collect their own samples.

The company can test for multiple pathogens, both viral and bacterial. The lab also provides research support for research investigators and healthcare facilities. Moreover, it also participates in clinical trials for new technologies to detect STI pathogens. A battery of testing options can be viewed at https://moleculartestinglabs.com/collections/infectious-disease-assays.

Foods Your Local Food Bank Needs the Most

A Keller School of Management graduate, Steve Verschoor is the co-founder of GTSP Global, where he focuses primarily on new business development. Steve Verschoor is also a volunteer in his community, where he dedicates time to local food banks.

An article published in The Washington Post in October 2020 revealed the impact the pandemic has had on food banks throughout the United States. The article reported that 22.3 million American adults say they don’t have enough food to eat during the week, which is an increase of 4.3 million over those who said the same in March 2020. This increase means that food banks are struggling to provide meals to everyone who needs them. The article suggests that this will result in a shortfall of 8 billion meals in 2021.

To support your local food bank through times of crisis, donate several staple foods that are always in demand, including:

– bread
– cereals
– pasta
– rice
– beans
– cooking oils

When you donate any of these foods, you are helping to relieve the burden on food banks during times of crisis.

BroncoBold Shines Light on Mental Health Awareness

Electrical engineer Steve Verschoor leverages decades of engineering and solar energy experience and a degree from the Keller School of Management as the co-founder of GTSP Global. Also an avid fan of college football, Steve Verschoor particularly enjoys Boise State sports and belongs to the Boise State Bronco Athletic Association.

The Boise State Bronco Athletic Association helps to support an array of resources and programs for Boise State student athletes. In addition to books, nutrition, and athletic programs, funds raised through the association help support programs such as the BroncoBold initiative.

A mental health awareness initiative, BroncoBold helps to spread a message of hope and resiliency across the Boise State campus and local community, while also leveraging the platform of sport to champion the importance of mental health and wellness. In addition to fostering a culture of inclusion and normalizing mental health conversations and supports, the program helps connect students to an array of local resources. These include on-campus mental health resources, as well as community resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

For additional information on BroncoBold, visit www.broncosports.com.