Living in Vitality Breakout Speakers

Rennie McKinney, Kelly Strube, Abby Pollard

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Behavioral Health

Cultivating your own self-worth handout

Are you feeling that your self-worth is not where you would like it to be? As humans, we are always growing and learning so we can be the best version of ourselves! Join a panel of Licensed Clinicians from AdventHealth’s Behavioral Health Team to further discuss this pertinent topic. In this discussion, we will share components of self-worth and discuss pathways for cultivating more lasting confidence through wellness, positive emotional self-expression, changing our internal dialogue and creating well defined goals for ourselves.

Amy Holsopple, Director of Partnerships

Screen Sanity

Parents today are the first generation to raise digital natives — kids who’ve never known

a world without Internet or smartphones. The responsibility can feel overwhelming, but

there is hope! Screen Sanity, a national nonprofit founded in Kansas City, presents its signature workshop designed to help communities and families maximize the benefits of technology, while minimizing side effects such as loneliness, comparison and anxiety. Attendees will learn healthy tech habits and gain strategies and resources for mentoring kids in a digital world.

The presentation is suitable for parents (with children of any age), as well as any other adult – e.g., grandparents, doctors, teachers, etc. – who play valuable roles in kids’ lives.

Sara Lange, MD, gynecologic oncologist,

AdventHealth Cancer Center Shawnee Mission

Ravi Sabapathy, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist and director of medical staff well-being,

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Megan Schlick, ND, naturopathic doctor

AdventHealth Whole Health Institute

Sidney Smith, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist

Bariatric Center of Kansas City

Hear from a panel of experts in oncology, psychology, naturopathy, and nutrition about how they each incorporate the six pillars of lifestyle medicine into their approach to cancer prevention. Join us for a comprehensive look into prevention strategies, treatment and health behaviors that will give you confidence on your wellness journey.

Michelle Dew, MD

If there's one thing that unites all humans, it's the amazing, hard-working heart! This little pump is incredibly efficient as it works constantly in the background, whether we pay attention to it or not. When it comes to keeping our hearts working well for years to come, there are steps each of us can take to protect and enhance our cardiovascular health. For women in particular, menopause—which all of us will journey through—can influence heart health in various ways. In this session, a leading women's heart health expert will discuss tips for heart disease prevention as well as practical steps that we can each take to make the menopause transition smoother, less scary and actually something to look forward to!

Mary Carter, RD, LD, Hy-Vee dietitian

Hy-Vee

Is the saying “you are what you eat” actually true? In this case, it just might be. Join your Hy-Vee dietitian, Mary Carter, RD, LD, for an exploration of the foods that we eat and how they affect our mood. Learn about nutrient-dense options that may decrease rates of depression, increase your happiness and boost your energy level so you can feel your best each day.

Kristen Delsigne, PT, DPT, pelvic floor physical therapist

PT Solutions

Menopause and Changes to your Pelvic Floor Handout

Many changes occur for women during menopause, particularly to levels of hormones. The decrease in estrogen can directly impact your pelvic floor and lead to an array of symptoms including a change in urinary urgency or frequency, fecal or urinary incontinence, constipation, or a sense of heaviness or a "falling out" feeling. Join pelvic floor physical therapist Kristen Delsigne, PT, DPT, to find out more about these common changes and how treating your pelvic floor with physical therapy can make a drastic difference and improve your quality of life.

Lisa Bernard, MD, earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas and is a Kansas City native. After a successful 30-year career in anesthesia, she recently retired and has since been exploring her interest in hospice care.

Tammi Watkins, APRN, ACHPN, is a Board-certified adult nurse practitioner and advanced certified hospice & palliative nurse. She has more than 20 years of experience in hospice and palliative care, including the last six years with Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.

Confident Conversation Presentation

As we age, one of the nicest gifts we can give to our loved ones (and ourselves) is a candid conversation about health care and end-of-life wishes. Planning ahead can provide joy and peace of mind. Learn how to reduce the stress families often face when determining health care decisions, how to have practical discussions before unexpected circumstances occur, and walk away armed with resources to begin the planning process.

Andrea Arlotti, MA, CCC-SLP, founder and owner, Infinite Possibilities Healing

Learn about your body’s natural neurobiology, how and why your body responds the way it does and simple ways to create change. As a mind-body integrative practitioner, trauma & nervous system specialist and bioenergetic healer, Andrea will advise you on guiding your mind and your body to create connection, safety and optimal health. She will lead a guided meditation and body scan, talk about reflex integration for calming the nervous system and provide tips on practicing breath work.

Taylor Beeman, Jessica Carson, Nancy Phelps, Lauren Stanley and Susan Schaefer

JE Dunn Construction

Women in the workforce are crucial to the nation’s economic security. As you might expect, the construction industry is one of the most male dominated fields, with only 10.9% of construction professionals identifying as female. Any professional, regardless of gender, can find navigating their career path challenging, on top of achieving work-life integration. Join a panel of JE Dunn Construction’s female leaders for a conversation about career growth and adaptability, establishing trust and respect in the workplace, setting personal and professional boundaries, and what it means to LIV confidently.

Lisa Markley, MS, RDN, LD

AdventHealth Whole Health Institute

Kitchen Pharmacy Slide Deck

During this engaging cooking demonstration, Culinary Medicine Director and dietitian Lisa Markley will present evidence-based information on the relationship between nutrition and cancer prevention. She will translate the science to the plate by preparing a delicious recipe that features specific foods that have been studied for cancer risk reduction. Come to this session if you want to feel more confident about how to prepare nourishing, cancer-preventative recipes to help your body thrive! Recipe and tasting sample provided.

Jill Leiker

The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation (T.A.K.E. Defense)

To LIV with Confidence, we should each feel prepared to protect ourselves in the event of danger. In this session, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation (T.A.K.E. Defense) will provide unique reality-based, hands-on self-defense training, helping you gain safety awareness to remain vigilant in an unpredictable world.

Since 2005, T.A.K.E. Defense has taught thousands of girls and women of all ages how to live with confidence by being aware of their surroundings and feeling equipped to take control of frightening situations. This is an interactive, practical-skills session you don't want to miss!

Closing the Tabs: Your Guide to Defining Values and Crafting a Personal Mission Statement for a Life Filled with Clarity and Purpose

Presentation Slide Deck

Lauren Hays, ARPN, PMHNP-C and Tricia Rausch, RN

Join Lauren Hays, APRN, PMHNP-C, of The Matrescense and Tricia Rausch, RN, of AdventHealth ParentCare for this insightful discussion about giving yourself permission to care for your own needs through various seasons of motherhood. With Lauren's experience as a certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and former NICU nurse and Tricia's experience as the program coordinator for AdventHealth's perinatal bereavement and postpartum emotional support program, the pair is well equipped to lead this interactive session about maternal wellness. They will facilitate an activity to help you clarify your personal values and craft a maternal mission statement to start living with intention amidst life's noise and distractions.

Ashley Smith, PhD, psychologist and co-founder, Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength

Peak Mind Psychology

Presentation Slide Deck

Did you know that only 10% of your happiness is determined by external circumstances? Much more is actually due to how you think about those circumstances. Unfortunately, our default thinking patterns tend to be distorted, skewed, or overly negative. In this interactive breakout session, we’ll steer clear of simplistic “just be positive” messaging and, instead, explore the fascinating brain science behind how and why our minds work the way they do. Arm yourself with actionable insights as we uncover some of the most common brain tricks and provide effective strategies for overcoming them. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to reshape your thinking so you can nurture a resilient, helpful mindset. Join us on this transformative journey to change your mind and change your life.

Christine Cook, MD, MPA, Board-certified pulmonologist and critical care physician

AdventHealth Medical Group Pulmonology at Shawnee Mission

The impacts of poor sleep can be profound, and for women, sleep struggles are often associated with mood disorders, changes in sex hormones, and aging. In this session, Christine Cook, MD, MPA, will highlight barriers to quality sleep throughout the phases of the female lifespan, including pregnancy and menopause, and will identify ways to reduce sleep disturbances to improve your overall health and wellness. We will explore the science of sleep, review the benefits of quality sleep, and discuss specific sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome.

Valerie Deardorff, MD, Brit Moore, MD, Daniel Reinhardt, MD, Brian Stewart, DPT

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

Medicine, especially orthopedic healthcare, is constantly evolving. Patients are more independent than ever when seeking solutions to treat aches and pains. And while access to information is easy, finding credible resources, like the physicians actually engaging in the diagnosis, treatment and management of orthopedic issues, is not quite as easy. In this dynamic panel discussion, we will discuss new techniques for treating musculoskeletal issues, surgical technology enhancing outcomes and how patient education can help you help yourself.

Jane Gard, SVP and private banking team leader, The Commerce Trust Company

Sara Swadley, VP and portfolio manager, The Commerce Trust Company

Miranda Burks, CFP, financial planner, The Commerce Trust Company

Moderator: Brianna McKay, senior certified sales trainer, Commerce Bank

Throughout our lives, we are faced with navigating transitions—some expected and others very unexpected. To successfully manage these changes, financial planning is essential, no matter what stage of life you are at. Join this powerhouse panel of financial experts for a discussion on facing any transition head-on, fiercely and gracefully so you can have peace of mind.

Rev. Ashley Masoni Huber, Regional Director of Clinical Mission Integration

AdventHealth

Shannon Starek, Director of Adult Discipleship

Resurrection Downtown

Rev. Dr. Angie McCarty

Local pastor of 25 years

Join us for this powerful panel discussion about how to cultivate spirituality, how to live in alignment with our spirituality, and how our overall spirituality plays into our physical and mental health. With deep and broad experience as pastors and providers of spiritual guidance, the panelists are well positioned to lead this interactive session about spirituality and wellness. They will offer insight and knowledge, as well as practical steps and rituals to help you navigate a sometimes hard-to-handle world with peace, grace and wholeness.

Rachael Hiles

Sandwiched KC

Do you spend several hours or more a week helping a loved one with medical care, financial responsibilities or daily living tasks like housework, driving or grocery shopping? Do you sometimes put the needs of your loved one ahead of your own? Are you overwhelmed with the responsibilities of providing this care in the midst of your busy life?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you're not alone. Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging. No one is ever completely prepared for the job, especially since caregiving is often a long-term responsibility that may become more difficult over time and sometimes does not have a defined duration. In this workshop, you will learn 5 steps to be prepared for caregiving and tips on how to adjust caregiving plans as needed throughout your journey.