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Mrs. Anissa Riley,

Office of External Affairs,School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL 36088, (334)724-4509, FAX: (334)727-8177, Email: riley@tuskegee.edu

Tuskegee University Address Managing Obesity in America during Annual Fall Health Symposium

by Anissa L. Riley

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (November 1, 2009) -The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health will host the Annual Lillian Holland Harvey Fall Health Symposium on Friday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Emerging Concepts in Managing Obesity in America: Implications for Health Care Providers in the 21st Century.“

The keynote speaker is Neil E. Schaffner, MD, FACP, FACE, Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology Services, Central Alabama Veteran’s Healthcare System. Dr. Schaffner will address “Obesity and Diabetes: Impact on Health Care in America.”

Other featured speakers include Kathleen S. Tajeu, PhD, CHES, Community Health Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Helen Jones, Regional Extension Agent with Human Nutrition, Diet and Health, Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Savitre Miles-Reed and Johnnie Cook, RN, representing the Healthy Lifestyles Cancer Reduction Program; and Dr. Riggins Earl, Visiting Scholar, Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care.

“Each year the School of Nursing and Allied Health’s faculty, staff, and students look forward to hearing from some experts on emerging issues relevant to the symposium’s theme, as well as seeing old acquaintances and colleagues,” said Dr. Doris Holeman, associate dean, Tuskegee University School of Nursing and Allied Health. “This year’s symposium has several objectives for participants. The foci cover a broad spectrum of issues surrounding obesity like psychological factors, co-morbidities, financial factors, cultural issues, treatment options, and advance medical trends. The committee, under the leadership of chair Maxine Mullins, is to be commended for working very diligently to provide a continuing education effort that builds on the School’s goal of achieving scholarly excellence.“ Ms. Mullins, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor of nursing.

The Lillian H. Harvey Fall Symposium, named in honor of Dean Emeritus Dr. Lillian H. Harvey, was established as an interdisciplinary forum to allow faculty, staff, students and community participants the opportunity to interact with experts and discuss identified health-related issues of concern.

Symposium registration is $25. For an additional $10, participants can earn continuing education units, approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. For more information, contact Veronica Grant at 334-727-8191.