News Release

August 21, 2007

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

Celebrate Women Programs: September 2007

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Celebrate Women, the free women’s health membership program of the University of Connecticut Health Center, provides valuable health and wellness information to the community. A variety of programs are being offered in September including the Farmington Valley's “Biggest Loser” weight loss contest.

Medical Risks of Anorexia: Anorexia is a life-threatening, treatable illness where people diet constantly because they are obsessed with the fear of gaining weight. The talk by Aruna Ramanan, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, will focus on recognizing the signs and symptoms of the disease, medical dangers, treatment, and prevention strategies. The talk will be held on Monday, Sept. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Henry Low Learning Center, UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington. The lecture can also be viewed live at www.celebrate.uchc.edu/webcast, where you can also access archived webcasts.

Tai Chi for Health and Healing: Discover the health benefits and how relaxed you will feel with the deep breathing and slow movements of Tai Chi. Ms. Risa Brophy has training in medical Qigong – movements used to balance energy for disease prevention and healing. Those new to the class can try the first session without obligation. Registration is required for the series or a single class. The classes will be held on four consecutive Mondays beginning Sept.10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Keller Auditorium, UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington. The fee is $39 for the four-week session or $12 per class.

Free Audiology Screening: More than half of all hearing impaired persons are younger than 65, according to the American Audiological Association. The ability to hear high frequency sounds gradually diminishes with age, beginning in our 20s. Hearing difficulties often go unrecognized, and intervention is postponed. If you are missing parts of conversations or friends and family have expressed a concern, take advantage of our free screening to help determine the presence and extent of hearing loss. The screening will take place on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Dowling South Building, ENT Clinic, 1st floor, UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington.

Spirituality Study Group – Morning and Evening Sessions: Tap into your inner self, the source of guidance and advice on the things that matter most to us. Group sessions will be led by Kathleen Kiley, an expert in spiritual healing and dream analysis, and will include discussion, reflection, dream interpretation, and guided meditations to unite your inner and outer self. Morning sessions will take place on the second Thursday of the month, Sept. 13, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Medical Arts and Research Building, N4002 at the UConn Health Center. Evening sessions will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month, Sept. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Onyiuke Dining Room at the UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington. The fee for the class is $10.

Zumba Groove: This all-levels fusion of Latin, belly and hip-hop dance styles will get you shakin’ like Shakira. Zumba is a mixture of body sculpting movements with easy-to-follow dance steps that will burn maximum calories while dancing your worries away. The class will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Core Fitness, Inc., 1577 New Britain Ave., Farmington. The fee is $5 for Celebrate Women members and $8 for non-members.

Farmington Valley's “Biggest Loser” Official Weigh-in: Celebrate Women is teaming up with Core Fitness Inc. to provide the tools and inspiration needed to lose weight, once and for all. Teams will be formed to compete in a 12-week weight loss contest based on percentage of body weight lost. Mandatory weekly weigh-ins will begin on Saturday, Sept.15, 11 a.m. to noon at Core Fitness, Inc., 1577 New Britain Ave., Farmington. The contest is limited to 50 participants and the cost is $25. The final weigh-out is Dec. 8 and the grand prize is the sum of all entry fees to be split among the winning team. Participants are eligible to receive a 15 percent discount on any basic core membership but are not required to work out at Core Fitness, Inc. as part of the contest. To register or receive more information, call Core Fitness Inc. at 860-674-9585.

Flu Watch 2007: The program will focus on the different types of flu, how it can be life-threatening in older adults and in people with chronic medical illnesses, and how the immune system is boosted by the flu vaccine. Janet McElhaney, M.D., associate professor of medicine, will discuss how you can participate in a flu research study and receive a free vaccine. The talk will be held in Farmington on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6 to 7 p.m. in the Henry Low Learning Center, UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., and in Avon on Thursday, Sept. 27, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road.

Registration for these programs is required. The programs are free unless otherwise noted. Call 866-433-6253 or 860-679-8899. For more information, visit the Celebrate Health web site: www.celebrate.uchc.edu.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital, a Solucient Top 100 Hospital® 2006. 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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