It's the company's fourth award from agency. Tissue Genesis has now received $16.4 million in such contracts. The current contract focuses on using regenerative cells collected from a patient's own fat to improve wound, muscle and heart tissue repair among other things.

Acadia Healthcare says it plans to expand and renovate the Pu'ukamalu behavioral healthcare adolescent treatment facility in Hilo as part of its acquisition of the center.

Atlanta-based Acadia acquired Pu'ukamalu and Kids Behavioral Health of Montana as part of its purchase of Kids Behavioral Health LLC, based in Reno, Nev. Acadia plans to recruit additional staff members at both facilities, according to a news release from the company. For more call 770-663-1591 or visit Acadia Healthcare at www.acadiahealthcare.com.

Friday is deadline to submit agriculture award nominations

Friday is the deadline to submit nominations for this year's Hawaii Agriculture Awards.

Awards are presented to outstanding organizations or individuals that contribute to the advancement of Hawaii's agriculture industry. Categories are: Outstanding Agriculture Operation, New Farm Operation (less than 3 years), Friend of Agriculture and Innovative Value Added Products.

Nomination forms are available by calling 947-2914 or may be downloaded from the conference website: www.agconference.org.

The awards are part of the 2006 Agricultural Conference being presented by by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Dietetic group holds annual meeting in Honolulu

The American Dietetic Association is holding its annual conference through tomorrow at the Hawaii Convention Center.

From the latest nutrition science research to developments in national health policy and legislation, ADA's meeting offers updates in areas such as on children's nutrition, food labeling, supplement use, and disease prevention.

ADA's annual conference represents the world's largest gathering of food and nutrition experts – 10,000 registered dietitians, policy makers, health-care providers, researchers and industry leaders.