Annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2024

Engaging Communities to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Thursday, June 6, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Delaware State University

About the Conference

The Division of Public Health, Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) program presented the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Conference 2024: Engaging Communities to Live a Healthy Lifestyle, on June 6, 2024, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Delaware State University Martin Luther King Jr. Conference Center.

The AHL Conference provided a platform for cross sectional sharing on national, regional, and local best practices, challenges, opportunities, and success stories. With a focus on improving health equity, the ultimate goal of the conference was to strengthen efforts to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases amongst Delawareans. This invitational event included government legislative and administrative policy makers in public health, nonprofit advocates of health and wellness, educators, medical care givers and policy experts, and academic and medical researchers who are interested or engaged in health disparities, nutrition, chronic illness and obesity prevention. It further served as an opportunity to close gaps in health inequities, assess progress, and further strengthen the work of community stakeholders.

Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Dubbed “The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated, Jackie Joyner-Kersee has a list athletic accomplishments second to none. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events, she had amassed six Olympic medals (three gold, one silver, two bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games. Jackie was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon, and today, over 20 years later, she still holds the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points. She continues to hold the Olympic and national records in the long jump, and her 1994 performance in the long jump remains the second best in history.

In addition to the heptathlon and long jump, Jackie was a world-class 100- and 200-meter runner, and after a decorated All-American career in basketball at UCLA, she eventually played professional basketball for a short time.

Jackie’s athletic accomplishments have been well documented and remain some of the best ever across all sports. Less well known are her tireless efforts and remarkable accomplishments off the field as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education; health issues (in particular, asthma, which has affected Jackie throughout her life); racial equality; social reform; and women’s rights.

Born in 1962 in East St. Louis, Illinois, Jackie came from very humble beginnings. But she describes her early home life as being full of love, principle, and discipline. These ingrained values have served Jackie well throughout her life, both on and off the field. She has been described by the sports media as one of the warmest, most even-tempered, most grace-filled people in all of athletics.

Jackie was one of four children born to Mary and Alfred Joyner. Her older brother Al went on to become an Olympic champion triple jumper and married Florence Griffith (Joyner), a five-time Olympic medalist. In 1986, Jackie married her long-time coach, Bob Kersee.

Jackie is the author of both A Kind of Grace (1997), her autobiography, and A Woman’s Place Is Everywhere. She is an active professional speaker and is widely considered one of the most inspiring motivational speakers in all of sports. Jackie speaks on topics of athletics, business success, living with the limitations of medical issues, nutrition, women’s issue, and youth advocacy.

Agenda

8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Welcome
Ms. Lauren Butscher, CHES, Program Administrator
Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention — Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health
9:03 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Steven Blessing, Deputy Director
Division of Public Health
9:05 a.m.
Lt. Governor’s Remarks
The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN
9:10 a.m.
Remarks
Dr. Tony Allen, President
Delaware State University
9:25 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels
I. Community Engagement: Trust Begins Through Outreach
Moderator: Peter Campbell, Healthy Living Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator
YMCA of Delaware
Presentation: Erin Booker
Erin Booker, LPC, Chief Bio-Psycho-Social Officer
ChristianaCare
Presentation(1.5 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Debbie Smith
Debbie Smith, MBA, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bayhealth
Presentation(634.2 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Rachel Hersh
Rachel Hersh, MSN-PH, RN, Deputy Director
La Red Health Center, Inc.
Presentation(1.1 MB, PDF)
II. Behavioral Health: Improving Emotional Fitness and Well-Being
Moderator: Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, PsyD, MSW, CAADC, Dean, Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Delaware State University
Presentation: Jennifer August
Jennifer August, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPAT, Owner
The Art Therapy Way
Presentation(6.3 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Priscilla Murphy
Priscilla Murphy, LPCMH, MEd, BSN, RN, Founder and CEO
Nylex Educational and Counseling Services
Presentation(893.6 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Emily Vera
Emily Vera, LCSW, Executive Director
Mental Health Association in Delaware
Presentation(916.1 KB, PDF)
III. Changing Mindsets: Shifting Attitudes for Positive Results
Moderator: Nicholas Moriello, RHU, President
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware
Presentation: Lydia Sarson
Lydia Sarson, Executive Director
Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
Presentation(25.0 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Freda Patterson
Freda Patterson, PhD, Associate Professor, Behavioral Health and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences
University of Delaware
Presentation(815.8 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Michael Sanchez
Michael Sanchez, PT, DPT, CLT, FSOAE, STMT, Physical Therapist
Innovative Physical Therapy
Presentation(205.4 KB, PDF)
10:40 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels
I. Community Engagement: Trust Begins Through Outreach
Moderator: Peter Campbell, Healthy Living Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator
YMCA of Delaware
Presentation: Erin Booker
Erin Booker, LPC, Chief Bio-Psycho-Social Officer
ChristianaCare
Presentation(1.5 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Debbie Smith
Debbie Smith, MBA, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bayhealth
Presentation(634.2 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Rachel Hersh
Rachel Hersh, MSN-PH, RN, Deputy Director
La Red Health Center, Inc.
Presentation(1.1 MB, PDF)
II. Behavioral Health: Improving Emotional Fitness and Well-Being
Moderator: Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, PsyD, MSW, CAADC, Dean, Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Delaware State University
Presentation: Jennifer August
Jennifer August, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPAT, Owner
The Art Therapy Way
Presentation(6.3 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Priscilla Murphy
Priscilla Murphy, LPCMH, MEd, BSN, RN, Founder and CEO
Nylex Educational and Counseling Services
Presentation(893.6 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Emily Vera
Emily Vera, LCSW, Executive Director
Mental Health Association in Delaware
Presentation(916.1 KB, PDF)
III. Changing Mindsets: Shifting Attitudes for Positive Results
Moderator: Nicholas Moriello, RHU, President
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware
Presentation: Lydia Sarson
Lydia Sarson, Executive Director
Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
Presentation(25.0 MB, PDF)
Presentation: Freda Patterson
Freda Patterson, PhD, Associate Professor, Behavioral Health and Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences
University of Delaware
Presentation(815.8 KB, PDF)
Presentation: Michael Sanchez
Michael Sanchez, PT, DPT, CLT, FSOAE, STMT, Physical Therapist
Innovative Physical Therapy
Presentation(205.4 KB, PDF)
12:00 p.m.
Luncheon
12:15 p.m.
Remarks
Helen Arthur, MHA, Chief, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Division of Public Health
12:20 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Six-Time Olympic Champion
AAE Speakers Bureau
1:20 p.m.
Break to Visit Information Resource Tables
VIP Meet and Greet with Keynote Speaker
1:45 p.m.
Overcomers Panel: Being Your Best Self
Moderator: Tanya Haley, MS, CHES, CHWC, Specialist, Health Promotions
American Lung Association

Vilicia Cade, EdD, Superintendent
Capital School District

Jessica Smith Moyer, Owner
Ice House Wellness and Community

Speaker: Darrell McDonald, DJ HanD Man
Cerebral Palsy Survivor, Music Producer, DJ and Health Ability Advocate
EPIC Abilities
2:45 p.m.
Door Prizes and Remarks
Lauren Butscher, CHES, Program Administrator
Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention, Division of Public Health (DPH)/Department of Health and Social Services

Lori Ciabattoni, BS, NCTTP, Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Practitioner
ChristianaCare Tobacco Treatment Program
2:55 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Devona E.G. Williams, MPA, PhD, President and CEO
Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc.
3:00 p.m.
Adjourn to Networking Reception
4:00 p.m.
Network Reception Ends

Sponsors/Partners

Annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2024

Engaging Communities to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

About the Conference

Speakers

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Dr. Tony Allen

Helen Arthur, MHA

The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN

Jennifer August, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPAT

Steven Blessing

Erin Booker, LPC

Lauren Butscher, CHES

Vilicia Cade, EdD

Peter Campbell

Lori Ciabattoni, BS, NCTTP

Emily Coggin Vera, LCSW

Tanya Haley, MS, CHES, CHWC, AE-C

Rachel E. Hersh, MSN-PH, RN

Darrell McDonald

Nicholas Moriello, RHU

Jessica Moyer

Priscilla Murphy, MS, MEd, BSN, RN, LPCM

Freda Patterson, PhD

Michael Sanchez, PT, DPT, CLT, FSOAE, ST

Lydia Sarson

Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, PsyD, MSW, CAADC

Debbie Smith, MBA

Devona E. G. Williams, MPA, PhD

Agenda

8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Welcome

9:03 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:05 a.m.

Lt. Governor’s Remarks

9:10 a.m.

Remarks

9:25 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels

I. Community Engagement: Trust Begins Through Outreach

Presentation: Erin Booker

Presentation: Debbie Smith

Presentation: Rachel Hersh

II. Behavioral Health: Improving Emotional Fitness and Well-Being

Presentation: Jennifer August

Presentation: Priscilla Murphy

Presentation: Emily Vera

III. Changing Mindsets: Shifting Attitudes for Positive Results

Presentation: Lydia Sarson

Presentation: Freda Patterson

Presentation: Michael Sanchez

10:40 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels

I. Community Engagement: Trust Begins Through Outreach

Presentation: Erin Booker

Presentation: Debbie Smith

Presentation: Rachel Hersh

II. Behavioral Health: Improving Emotional Fitness and Well-Being

Presentation: Jennifer August

Presentation: Priscilla Murphy

Presentation: Emily Vera

III. Changing Mindsets: Shifting Attitudes for Positive Results

Presentation: Lydia Sarson

Presentation: Freda Patterson

Presentation: Michael Sanchez

12:00 p.m.

Luncheon

12:15 p.m.

Remarks

12:20 p.m.

Keynote Speaker

1:20 p.m.

Break to Visit Information Resource Tables

VIP Meet and Greet with Keynote Speaker

1:45 p.m.

Overcomers Panel: Being Your Best Self