straussraymond

Imagine a world that combines incomparable exclusivity, innovation and style; interiors designed by James Park Associates of Orient-Express fame, luxe linens by French fashion house Givenchy and decadent powder room amenities from L’Occitane en Provence. Sounds like you’ve just entered a 5-star hotel or villa, right? Think again. This is the new First Class luxury experience from Singapore Airlines, where little expense has been spared to ensure travelers enjoy a restful and memorable in-flight journey.

Having come a long way since their founding as a regional airline in 1972, Singapore Airlines enjoys status as one of the most respected travel brands around the world with destinations spanning six continents and a reputation as an industry trendsetter. Ever striving to provide and improve upon already high standards of care and service that customers have come to expect, Singapore Airlines raises the bar even higher with upgraded First Class travel on all B777-300ER aircraft. More than ever before, passengers are indulged in the finest air traveling experience in the world.

Personally handpicked to redesign the first class experience to meet modern expectations of flying, renowned hotel and transport interiors designers, James Park Associates, met the challenge to create a first class cabin that exudes sleek styling as well as a calming mix of pure forms to strike a balance between contemporary chic and traditional comfort. Based in London and Singapore, James Park Associates is the creative talent behind such iconic hospitality projects including St. Regis Hotel & Residences in Jakarta, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai and The Pierre in New York City.

Exquisitely upholstered with light tan and acorn leather, each seating area is finished with mahogany wood trimming and leather stitch lines to bring out the look and feel of classic high-end furnishings. The color scheme is warm and rich, a perfect complement to the most spacious seat in the sky, as passengers luxuriate in just 8 stately First Class seats per cabin; providing customers with enhanced privacy, personal attention, unparalleled convenience and state-of-the-art entertainment and technology.  Whether working, dining or relaxing, First Class travelers are free to go about their in-flight activities in any preferred posture, just as they would at home. Do you sleep on your back, your side or on your stomach? On Singapore Airlines it doesn’t matter as by night, each seat converts into a generous full-flat bed so that you have the choice to rest in your most natural sleeping position. An exclusive turn-down service transforms each seat into a heavenly oasis with luxurious soft furnishings including down filled-mattress, duvet and pillow designed exclusively for Singapore Airlines by Givenchy; the legendary fashion house that dressed many of the world’s most famous women including Lauren Bacall, Princess Grace of Monaco and Audrey Hepburn.

Your utmost privacy is paramount, so each seat is designed with a fixed back shell that extends to the sides of the seat. To lessen multiple visits to the restroom, a personal vanity area has been added to each seat to enable customers to freshen up without getting up. To create more headroom, overhead stowage space is removed and relocated to space under an ottoman designed to accommodate a standard cabin bag and equipped with a light for easy viewing. Other conveniences include storage space for gloves, wallets and books and magazines. First Class customers on selected long-haul flights receive a stylish Givenchy sleeper suit and suede slippers to lounge in comfort while onboard.

Onboard each Airbus A 380, an exclusive collection of just 12 ‘SkySuites’ has been created for the distinguished few. Transforming into a flat bed at the touch of a button, an air mattress in the cushion inflates to even out gaps in the cushion’s contouring to ensure the customer is fully supported. Little touches make all the difference and include a stationary drawer containing writing paper, postcards, envelopes and pens; a personal coat closet with wardrobe lights, a sleek 23-inch LCD screen and adjustable reading and dining lights. A brand new product for the airlines, the hallmarks of each SkySuite is sophistication, luxury and comfort as each private suite is appointed with sliding doors and self-adjustable roller-blinds, so the customer can have control over his or her level of privacy. Each suite is outfitted with an artisan crafted leather chair, upholstered by world-renowned upholsterer Poltrona Frau, one of the most famous ‘Made in Italy’ brands since 1912.

In their Singapore hub, First Class service begins on the ground, where passengers enjoy a level of service previously found only in the best hotels. Pamper yourself with a relaxed curbside greeting and premium check-in reception at Changi Airport where a team of senior passenger-relations officers meet you upon arrival to assist with check-in formalities. Elegantly appointed, the First Class check-in lounge is detailed with marble, wood panels and embossed leather.

Created to reflect the best in dining trends across the world, their First Class inflight dining service features an exquisite menu created by an International Culinary Panel where every meal is complemented by a selection of fine wines and Champagne hand selected by the their very own panel of wine experts. Expect a culinary feast, for both eyes and palate, as tantalizing signature dishes are designed to delight even the most discerning taste buds.

Comprised of award-winning chefs from the culinary capitals of the world, the International Culinary Panel was formed in 1998 to work with the airline’s own chefs to help create the most innovative menu found in the air. The panel consists of eight specialists from France, Singapore, the USA, India, Japan and China. To enrich the Chinese food selection onboard, Chef Sam Leong from Singapore is renowned for his ability to give Chinese cuisine a modern touch with the use of Western and Asian spices. He has received numerous accolades that include a number of World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence. Sanjeev Kapoor is an internationally recognized chef, TV host, author of many best selling books, restaurateur and winner of several culinary awards whose innovations in Indian cuisine have made him a household name in India and abroad. Known for her inventive and distinctly Californian style with preparations rooted in classic culinary traditions, Suzanne Goin is the chef and restaurateur of three award-winning restaurants including Lucques, A.O.C. and Tavern. One of the very few chefs able to discuss Japanese cuisine from a global perspective, Yoshihiro Murata’s creations are famed for their subtle French accent. His restaurant, Kikunoi, which has branches in Kyoto and Tokyo, was awarded three Michelin stars in 2010.

With the help of this expert team, customers can look forward to an exquisite dining experience. Little perks help make you feel like you’re in a world-class hotel instead of on an airplane. On flights of four hours or more, you have the flexibility to dine whenever you prefer, to select or skip courses as you wish. As part of their World Gourmet Cuisine selection, travelers have the option of pre-selecting a main course dish of their choice from the  ‘Book the Cook’ service available on all flights departing from Singapore and selected flights arriving into Singapore. Mouth-watering dishes include the Warm Cajun Spiced Prawns with baby romaine salad, smoked scarmoza cheese and ranch dressing, Seared Lamb Loin with salsa verde, Lyonnaise onion, aioli and bacon and Boston Lobster Thermidor sautéed in butter, flambéed in brandy, sprinkled with cheese and served with a creamy mushroom sauce, garlic and spicy mustard and buttered asparagus. All meals are served on Givenchy-designed fine bone china and glassware. In addition, unique Asian culinary offerings ranging from Kyo-Kaiseki and Shahi Thali to the popular Singaporean ‘Singapore Chicken Rice’ are presented in service ware specially designed to enhance the authenticity of these dishes.

For grazers, an array of savory and sweet items including freshly baked cookies, Asian noodles and fresh fruit are available to snack on at anytime. A wide range of gourmet bread rolls including ciabatta, focaccia, sesame seed Kaiser rolls and kalamata olive bread are accompanied by four flavors of extra virgin olive oil including extra virgin, balsamic vinegar, truffle and basil. For coffee aficionados, enjoy a wide selection of international offerings from Brazil, Colombia, Kenya and Jamaica.

Selected by some of the world’s most sought after palates and celebrated masters in their field, customers on Singapore Airlines enjoy wines from the very best vineyards. Sourced from many of the globe’s most famous wine regions, the airline conducts two formal tastings annually in Singapore where up to 1,000 bottles of red and white wine, Champagne and Port are sampled by expert consultants in blind tastings with concealed bottle labels. Wines are judged on appearance (color and clarity), bouquet (smell) and palate (taste). Wines are also assessed on their ability for drinking on board an aircraft where the atmosphere tends to be dryer.

Imagine being one of three world-renowned wine experts that make up the airline’s expert panel; committed to ensuring only the very best is served on board. Michael Hill-Smith is a wine consultant, wine judge, writer and commentator. In 1988, he became the first Australian to pass the rigorous Master of Wine examination and won the Madame Bollinger Tasting Medal that same year. He established the highly rated ‘Shaw and Smith’ winery with his cousin Martin Shaw in the Adelaide Hills in 1989. As the current Australian Regional Chairman for the Decanter World Wine Awards, Smith has extensive tasting experience in numerous international and Australian wine shows.

Jeannie Cho Lee is the first Asian to be awarded the title ‘Master of Wine’. She is a wine critic, judge, educator and the award-winning author of Asian Palate. Her book won the Gourmand award for Best Food and Wine Pairing Book in the World and was shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious Andre Simon award. She is a consultant for Galaxy Macau and in 2009 was awarded the Vinitaly International Award for her contributions to the wine industry by the organizers of Vinitaly, the largest wine trade fair in the world. Originally from London, Steven Spurrier is a leading authority and author on wine. His illustrious career includes founding the first Paris wine school, L’Academie du Vin. He created and manages the Christie’s Wine Course and is Consulting Editor for Decanter Magazine. In 2011, he was inducted into the Wine Media Guild of New York’s prestigious Wine Writers’ Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements as a wine author, journalist and educator. He has contributed to Singapore Airlines as a wine consultant for over two decades.

Acting upon the panel’s advice, Singapore Airlines stocks up reserves for serving in the future. Their favored Champagnes include Dom Perignon and Krug Grande Cuvée. Specially featured wines include Grand Cru Red Burgundy from France, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and Second Growth Red Bordeaux. To aid in the overall experience, the cabin crew are also taught the essentials of wine appreciation during their initial training, including how and where different wines are produced as well as the unique characteristics of different wines. Those interested in acquiring more wine knowledge may progress to advanced courses conducted by wine professionals. And to top it all off in keeping with their tradition of excellence, Singapore Airlines is an Approved Programme Provider for the UK’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s Intermediate and Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits. Selected crew with the necessary certification may go on to become Singapore Airlines Air Sommeliers, providing professional wine service to customers and promoting wine knowledge amongst fellow crew members to ensure a well rounded experience for all onboard.

Do you want to add more vivacity to your PR campaigns? Do you need more flavor to your marketing? Do you need an upgrade to your campaigns? Bacall Associates in Singapore is the place to be for all your needs! It is a boutique public relations, marketing and sales support agency specializing in travel at the top end of the market. Bacall Associates is one if the most respected PR companies around the globe. Reviews reveal that its clients are proud to be a part of such thriving company. According to them, Bacall’s competence and professionalism are beyond compare.

The team of Bacall Associates also provides ingenious and fresh story ideas with their impressive ability and superlative drive. They have an in-depth knowledge regarding marketing and sales, public relations, and travel. They’re straightforward and dependable individuals who are dauntless and can face demanding challenges. The company is always enthusiastic in launching and maintaining profiles for airlines, destinations, hotel groups, luxury development, resorts and health retreats, and travel companies worldwide. Bacall Associates’ clients strongly believe that its nonpareil positive attitude is what makes them a successful company because it allows them to accomplish any difficult tasks with an optimistic mind.

The company also offers great assistance to their clients as well as the expertise in the field of all things luxury. They have the capability of drawing on a broad range of media and industry contacts. The team of Bacall Associates is also known for their punctuality because they never failed to answer every inquiry of their clients in a timely manner. No wonder why the company has garnered a lot of clients that’s consist of aviation and infrastructure, along with some of the best hotels in the world such as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Bacall Associates has a great network to all pertinent media, travel trade and social authorities that’s why they always follow a proactive approach to the market. The company has the perfect method and knows the most effective ways of acquiring the best media response. It also established small niche operators in the marketplace and formed PR strategies for major tourist boards and travel companies. Bacall succeeded in securing a major consumer award for one of the Hilton’s resort properties. It has an attentive and creative team that’s dedicated in reaching the company’s objectives, and achieving particular public relations goals of the clients and driving the business at the same time. They also deliver a lifestyle edge to their work to add interest to their campaigns and guarantee the reach of the right audiences for their clients.

SUMMARY

Professional Background

“I joined Kaiser Permanente in 1995 and have Advanced Certification in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. My specialties include: orbital, nasal, and maxillofacial surgery, as well as thyroid and parathyroid surgery. I function as a regional resource for the management of advanced tumors of the head and neck and provide the otolaryngologic approach for tumors at the skull base. Additionally, I am trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and perform rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, and rhytidectomy. I have an interest in post-tumor facial reconstruction and facial reanimation surgery. I am a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree, with Distinction, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and my Doctor of Medicine degree, with Honors, from Wayne State University in Detroit. Then, I completed my Otolaryngology training in New York at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital / New York Hospital-Cornell Medical College. Subsequently, I received additional Head and Neck Oncologic and Skull Base Surgical training from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The University of California, Davis. I am also a 2004 graduate of the Kenan-Flagler School of Business Advanced Leadership Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the University of California, San Francisco, CHCF Advanced Leadership Program.

Roles

“In April of 2005, I was appointed to the Physician-In-Chief and Chief-of-Staff positions for the South Sacramento and Elk Grove Medical Facilities. I am very fortunate to be able to continue my head and neck surgical practice and I greatly enjoy my administrative position as well. I provide leadership to our 450 physicians/providers and more than 2000 nurses and staff who care for the 200,000 Kaiser Permanente members in the South Sacramento/Elk Grove area.”

CLINICAL SPECIALTIES & INTERESTS

Otolaryngology (ENT): General Otolaryngology/ENT, Head & Neck Microvascular Surgery, Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery

EDUCATION & TRAINING

* University of California Davis

* Cornell University Medical College

* Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

* St Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center

* Wayne State University School of Medicine

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

* CA State Medical License

1992 – 2016

* American Board of Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology

AWARDS, HONORS, & RECOGNITION

* Fellow (FAAO-HNS)

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

* Presidents Award for Scientific Exhibit: "Skull Base Surgical Approaches to Distal Carotid Aneurisms."

American Academy of Otolaryngology

* Top MD

Consumers Checkbook

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

PUBMED

* Anatomy and physiology of the upper airway.

Isaacs, R.S., Sykes, J.M.; Anesthesiol Clin North America. 2002 Dec.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

* American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - AAO - NHS

Fellow

* American College of Surgeons - ACS

Member

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS

* Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center

Sacramento, CA