Community Wellness

JUDD ALLEN, PhD A sense of community, a shared vision and a positive outlook are essential to health and productivity. Author of the 2007 release Not Alone:Healthy Habits, Helpful Friends, Dr. Allen examines these work climate factors in organizational life. Learn how to assess work climate and how wellness programs can play a key role in supporting a sense of community, a shared vision and a positive outlook at the workplace.

DONALD B. ARDELL, PhD Since 1984, Don Ardell has published 455 newsletters and 14 books, his latest being Aging Beyond Belief: 69 Tips For REAL Wellness. REAL wellness, as Don describes it in his entertaining presentations worldwide, describe a mindset vastly different from the simple risk reduction and fitness/nutrition information emphasized in most worksite wellness programs. REAL wellness as Don describes it is a positive lifestyle philosophy based on reason, exuberance, and liberty—for enhanced quality of life. Don is a "mellow, kind, sensitive, and compassionate fellow," but he loves to stir up excitement. He demonstrates the relevance of a life-enhancing mindset to the three topics that everyone cares about but most hesitate to address in polite society, namely, politics, human sexuality, and religion. Don directs the Wellness Center at Seek Wellness, produces the weekly Wellness Report, and writes a column every other day.

WILLIAM B. BAUN, EPD William Baun has more than 20 years of experience in worksite health promotion management and programming. Between 1996-1999, he worked as a health and productivity consultant and provided strategic and evaluation services for many large and small companies. He was a member of the startup wellness team at Tenneco (1981) and managed the program until 1996. While at Tenneco he planned and initiated more than 25 health promotion/fitness programs in a variety of white and blue collar settings. In the early 1990's he teamed up with Dr. Nell Gottlieb at the University of Texas at Austin to develop a remote site health promotion model. This model was used by Tenneco to implement the Pipeline to Health program at 110 gas compressor sites, and by the American Cancer Society’s Worksite Team to implement more than 1,500 health promotion programs in Texas. Currently Baun serves on the Executive Committee of the Mayor's Wellness Council of Houston.

JEFF BERCUVITZ President of Community Innovations, Jeff Bercuvitz consults with communities to help individuals enhance their lives and strengthen their neighborhoods and towns. Bercuvitz applies an innovative six-point approach to community building, wellness, economic development and environmental regeneration widely lauded for its simplicity and effectiveness. His community building campaign, “Think Big, Start Small,” has been successful in many states and foreign countries.

ROXANNE BENTON DARLING Mind-body wellness and self-esteem in stressed employees. Author of Awakening Your Body’s Spirit and 30 Days to Body Esteem, Roxanne is an energetic, vibrant speaker who teaches mental, emotional, physical and spiritual skills to help audiences recover and maintain high self-esteem. A pioneer in fitness, Roxanne gave the first Low Impact Aerobics workout in 1984 at the first International Dance and Exercise Association (IDEA) conference and in 1987, she gave the first mind-body session at the same conference. In 1997, Roxanne began contract work for Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems—coaching nearly 2000 individuals (men and women, CEO's to factory workers) with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Roxanne has also worked for over 15 years with American Indian/Alaska Native communities on developing community-based health programs. Topics include "Body Esteem: The Ultimate Workout."

BILL HETTLER, MD A driving force in the wellness movement, Dr. Hettler originated the highly successful National Wellness Conference and co-founded the National Wellness Institute. His highly entertaining and inspiring overview of wellness includes personal and global concerns. Your audience will share his energy and enthusiasm.

RONALD LABONTE, PhD A world leader in health promotion, population health, and the non-medical determinants of health. Dr. Labonte is Canada Research Chair in Globalization/Health Equity at the Institute of Population Health. For over 25 years, Dr. Labonte has consulted with private enterprise and branches of the government. One example of his work is a workplace-based stress training program that he developed for the Ontario Workers Health and Safety Training Centre. Author of 12 books and over 400 scientific and popular articles on health and wellbeing, Dr. Labonte speaks is a manner that is often entertaining—but more importantly, provokes, informs, and challenges his audiences.

BRUCE LEONARD, MPH, CHES An expert in developing community media based behavior change programs, Bruce Leonard's topics include "Worksite Health Promotion: Where To Start," "Designing Behavior Change Interventions," and "Applying Lessons Learned From Tobacco To Physical Activity." His workshop on "Principles of Behavior Change" is full of practical applications that come from years of experience with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, physical activity, nutrition, and smoking cessation.

DAN PAGELY Dan Pagely is a leader in Corporate and Community Wellness who will help you in Managing Change and Motivation. Explore the continuum from medicine to fitness to recreation and integrate the efforts of your community.

OPALANGA PUGH A storyteller who provides inspiration and forms bridges. Opalanga Pugh presents programs that not only harness the power of stories to instruct and inspire, but stories that bridge youth and age, culture with culture, and tradition with technology.

BILLY ROGERS, MPH Director of the Native Wellness and Healing Institute based in Oklahoma. For many years, Billy has organized the largest Native American health conference in North America. He also provides insights for corporate audiences, general wellness conferences, and youth. A highly adaptable speaker, Rogers provides lively, inclusive, interactive trainings for national, state and local governments, universities, tribes, private companies, and community organizations.

ADEWALE TROUTMAN, MD, MPH Dr. Adewale Troutman came to Atlanta in 1997 to head what became the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness through his proactive initiatives in disease prevention and health promotion. He has distinguished himself as a visionary leader in community empowerment and self-reliance. His Masters of Public Health in Policy and Management is from Columbia University, and he also holds a masters degree in Black Studies. Dr. Troutman's passion for health issues has taken him across the nation and abroad to make recommendations for improving the health status of minorities in general and African American men in particular. He is a highly energetic, engaging speaker.