News Release

March 18, 2005

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

Celebrate Women Programs, April 2005

Spa Getaway Weekend is April 29-30!

Farmington, Conn. – Celebrate Women, the women’s health membership program of the UConn Health Center, is offering a variety of educational programs in April, including a special spa weekend featuring laughter, chocolate, meditation and health information.

Here’s a look at the April schedule:

Osteoporosis – The Silent Disease: Pamela Taxel, M.D., an osteoporosis expert from the Health Center, will discuss risk factors for osteoporosis and provide information about how to prevent bone loss and debilitating fractures. Dr. Taxel’s talk will be held on Thursday, April 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Human Resources Conference Room at UConn’s Mansfield Depot location.

Ayurveda in Daily Living for Optimal Health: Amala Guha, Ph.D., is a cancer researcher at the Health Center who also has expertise in Ayurvedic medicine – an ancient Indian medicine system that looks at health and wellness in the context and balance of the body, mind and spirit. Dr. Guha will talk about incorporating the principles of Ayurvedic medicine into daily life through meditation, yoga, the use of herbs, nutritional strategies and more, on Monday, April 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Health Center’s Onyiuke Dining Room.

A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health from Infancy to Menopause: Manjari Dwivedi, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of Ob/Gyn and Women’s Health Services at Banara University School of Ayurvedic Medicine in India. Her talk will focus on lifelong women’s health and ways women can stay attuned to their health in mind, body and spirit. This special presentation will be held on Monday, April 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Health Center’s Keller Auditorium. Refreshments will be served.

Natural Support for Healthy Menopause: Naturopathic physician Mitchell Kennedy will present information about natural treatments for the symptoms of menopause on Tuesday, April 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the large conference room of the Health Center’s Academic Research Building.

Spa Getaway Weekend, April 29-30: The program begins with laughter when humorist and UConn professor Gina Barreca, Ph.D., presents a thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud presentation called, “Champagne, Chocolates and Chortles.” Dr. Barreca’s presentation is on Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s programs include an early morning meditation and talk on the benefits of meditation by Mary P. Guerrera, M.D., an associate professor of family medicine at the Health Center, and a talk called “Smart. Sexy Skin,” by Jane Grant-Kels, M.D., chair of the Health Center’s Department of Dermatology.

The getaway weekend will be held at the Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook. The cost is $150 per person for double room occupancy and $225 for a single room. Both fees include all programs, overnight accommodations and the breakfast buffet. The fee does not include dinner on Friday or spa services.

Celebrate Women will also continue the following classes and support groups:

Guided Meditation for Health and Well-being: Tara Leary, a certified regression therapist, will lead a weekly drop-in session to introduce women to the healing powers of meditation. The classes are held on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. at 682 Prospect Avenue in West Hartford. The cost is $12 per session. For more information call Tara Leary at 860-202-9390.

Yoga Classes: Martha Trask, certified yoga instructor, is offering yoga and chair yoga for beginners and advanced students. Classes will consist of various meditation and breathing styles, together with gentle warm-up exercises and yoga postures. The fee is $50 for five weeks. The classes will be held on five consecutive Mondays, beginning April 11, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in the large conference room of the Health Center’s Academic Research Building.

Preeclampsia Support Group is available for anyone whose life has been touched by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The next meeting will be on Friday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Health Center’s Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder Center for Women’s Health. For more information, call Kris Stevens at 860-705-3862.

The Y-ME Support Group meets on the first and third Mondays of every month in the UConn Cancer Center conference room from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Women who have had breast cancer or are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer are welcome to join. For more information, call the Y-ME of Connecticut Breast Cancer Support Organization at 1-800-933-4YME.

For all programs, registration is required. Call Celebrate Women at 1-866-4-FEMALE or 860-679-8899. For more information, visit the Celebrate Women web site: www.celebrate.uchc.edu. 

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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