News

The Families, Individuals and Communities Conference Takes Place May 1

04/08/09

The 25th annual Families, Individuals and Communities Conference will take place May 1, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Carter Partnership Center at Delaware Technical & Community College in Georgetown. The theme this year is Healthy Communities Start with You.

Karyl Thomas Rattay, MD, MS, innovator of the 5-2-1-Almost None program, will be the keynote speaker. She is a Pediatric Preventive Medicine Physician at
Nemours Health and Prevention Services in Newark, Delaware. Dr. Rattay also oversees a Delaware statewide childhood obesity initiative and has a leadership role in the implementation of strategies addressing the prevention of overweight in the primary care setting.

Previously, she served in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the Officer of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Dr. Rattay was the advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Health and the Surgeon General on matters relating to overweight and obesity, physical activity and nutrition, specifically in children. She has published multiple articles in the field of childhood obesity.
The 5-2-1-Amost None program emphasizes the importance of exercise and eating fruits and vegetables. It stands for:
* Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day,
* Watching two or fewer hours of screen time a day,
* Getting one or more hours of physical activity a day,
* And drinking almost no sugary beverages.

Another highlight of the conference will be the performance of the Blank Slate Playback Theatre, a troupe of students who have come together to help other students using theater as its medium. Initially organized to address the bullying issues in the Indian River School District, Blank Slate now addresses a variety of issues faced by young people.

The conference features workshops, learning activities, panel discussions and health screenings, plus many exhibits. The fee is $35, which includes lunch. For registration forms, contact Christel Shumate 302-855-7890.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org