UBC Reports | Vol. 49 | No. 10 | Oct.
2, 2003
New symposium shows how
By Hilary Thomson
Find yourself teetering on the seesaw of work-life balance?
UBC’s first health symposium may help.
The free event will take place Oct. 20 from 8 a.m.- 4:30
p.m. at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, in celebration
of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Week.
Hosted by UBC’s department of health, safety and environment,
the symposium is open to all UBC faculty and staff. The event
features two keynote speakers, Dr. Martin Collis, an educator,
humorist, scientist and singer, and Dr. Deborah Kern, an expert
on mind-body health and author of Everyday Wellness. In addition,
there are six breakout sessions with speakers presenting information
on work-life balance, down-to-earth tips on preventing illness,
recognizing depression and deciphering the world of alternative
therapies.
“We recognize that many faculty and staff struggle to
maintain a balanced lifestyle and that personal well-being
often gets left by the wayside,” says Gerry Latham, manager
of UBC’s Health Promotion Program and organizer of the
symposium. “We hope this event will launch an exploration
of wellness and help to equip people with the information
and tools they need for healthy living.”
Complementing the presentations is a health fair in the Chan
Centre’s lobby. Accessible throughout the day, the fair
will showcase interactive health related exhibits. Staff and
faculty will have an opportunity to participate in a screening
clinic where they can discover their blood pressure, blood
glucose, blood cholesterol and bone density status.
Individuals must register to attend the symposium. For further
information and to register online, visit www.hse.ubc.ca/health-symposium
or call 604.822.1451.
