Monday, September 15

 

Tuesday, September 16

 

In this deeply personal and purpose-driven presentation, Lisa A. Sweeney shares the transformational journey that letd to the founding of Lyn's Heart Cancer Support Center - a community-rooted, faith0based organization offering psychosocial support, educaton, and holistic wellness tools for individuals impacted by cancer. Born out of profound loss and guided by a mission of hope, Lisa introduces participants to the heart of her work: prooting emotional healing, mental wellness, anddignity through grief, survivorship, and advocacy.  Attendees will learn about the center;s collaborative approach- including volunteer engagement, student opportunities, and partnerships with organizations such as A Silver Lining Foundation.  Grounded in compassion and resilience, this session inspires attendees to join a wellness movement that heals mind, body, and soul- and builds a legacy that lives beyond the presenter. 

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"Group Wellness Walk"
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Across Campus

 

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 "Thriving in a Sensory World: Understanding your Sensory Preferences"

Jillian Rancatore MOT, OTR/L, Doctoral Candidate
12 - 1 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

You may have learned about your basic senses, but have you ever considered the impact that these senses have on your participation? By better understanding your sensory systems and unique sensory preferences, you will further recognize the influence these preferences have on your engagement and overall well-being. Join me in exploring sensory processing and discover how a deeper understanding of this topic can help us thrive in a sensational world!

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"Recess for Grown-Ups: Why We All Need Play" 

Amy Kelly, Ed.D.

Candace Smith, Ed.D.

1 - 2 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

This interactive workshop session combines movement, laughter, and connection to explore the seven types of play identified by the National Institute for Play. Adults engage in hands-on activities linked to wellness and emotional resilience. Participants walk away with practical “micro-play” ideas, research insights, and a renewed appreciation for the role of play in everyday life.

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"Arboretum Enhancement Project (AEP)"

Erin Gutierrez 
2- 3 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

Did you know GovState's campus is an accredited arboretum? If not, the Arboretum Enhancement Project (AEP) is here to change that.  Grounded in Indigenous ethics of belonging, the AEP draws from Western science, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and environmental justice principles to guide its initiatives. Join Erin to discover how the arboretum is being transformed into a living laboratory that promotes the health, wellness, and mutual flourishing of all GovState's constituents-plants, animals, land, and people alike.

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  "True North: An Introduction to Purposeful Entrepreneurship"

Uday Shinde PhD, MS
3 - 4 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

The high-energy introductory sission is a "hook" into purposeful entrepreneurship-the practice of designing a meaningful life and career by creating, acting boldly, and reimagining resources. Instaead of trying to do everything at once we'll focus on two foundational moves: A fast "True North" values alignment and an introductory pass at the  proprietary Purpose Auadrant to surface purpose0aligned goals. We'll close with a visualization-based meditation to imprint your goal at a deeper level, leaving you clear, calm, and curious for the sessions ahead.

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"Breaking the Stiffness...Easing the Ache"
Karleigh Baran SPT,
Joyce Credo SPT,
Kaden Jull SPT,
Tina Tindall OTS,
Sandra Sowa OTS,
Keniya Smith OTS
4-5pm
Engbretson Hall

Arthritis is a global problem that can affect a muyltitude of an individual's life. It does not just affect physical health, but it can also have an impact mentally that can also affect their ability to work.

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"Legal Rights: What to do if you are Stopped by the Police"

April Preyar, JD
NOTE: 4:45-6:30pm
Hall of Honors

Register at the Wellness Week Webpage: https://www.govst.edu/wellness week/ 
Attorney Preyar and her legal team at Preyar Legal Solutions will facilitate an experiential in-person workshop where participants play a board game and participate in an interactive presentation on legal knowledge and procedures in staying safe when encountering the police. 

Attorney Preyar and her legal team have over 25 years of experience in criminal defense, police misconduct, and immigration cases. Attorney Preyar was voted "Best Lawyer of 2021" in the Chicago Reader and has appeared on national and local television over sixty times as a subject matter expert on criminal law.  

 

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 "Baby Steps Before Birth" (Baby Steps.2)

Jake Bumstead SPT, 
Annacoleen Cruz SPT,
Pamela Maria Hamoay SPT,
Ciara Golden OTS,
Madysen Gaus OTS,
Brent Fitzgerald OTS
NOTE: 5:00-6:00pm
Engbretson Hall  

Thsi workshop explores ways to increase the proportion of pregnant woment who receive early and adequate prenatal care.  Exercise decreases complicatons in gestational diabetes, hypertension, and lowering the risk of C-sections.

"The Resilience Game Human-Centered AI for Wellness: Supporting Mental Health, Resilience, and Personal Growth"
Jan Figa, MSLIS, PhD
10 - 11 a.m.
Engbretson Hall

The Resilience Game provides a Health Engagement Journey (HEJ) through AI-created persona’s wellness story in a game-like experience to motivate change, reflect struggles, and experiment with possible solutions. Additional supporting elements includes:

• 1) an AI Wellness Studio -- The Diorama concept offering creative and practical suggestions to showcase an interactive, empathetic, and reflective tool using AI personas with wellness challenges. This approach visually communicates how AI can be used for education, training, service design, and personal growth through visual storytelling and interactivity
• 2) an AI Persona Reflection Toolkit: Empathy-Driven Learning for Wellness, Growth & Service Innovation -- An Open Educational Resource for Education, Training, Service Design, and Personal Growth.

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"Group Wellness Walk-Across Campus"
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Across Campus

 

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 "Instructional Wellness Committee"
Somi Nagaraj DNP,MSN,RN,CSSGB,CONTL
12 - 1 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

 

Fall Book Club: Microjoys: finding Hope (Especially) when Life is Not Okay by Cyndie Speigel

Refreshments will be served. Participants must register via the Book club Registration Link 

Tom Peterson, CFP, Financial Planner
1 - 2 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

This extremely practical and informative workshop will review the basics of prsoal finance - budgeting, protection, accumulation.  building your "financial house" to provide mental and fiscal well-being.

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"Mindfulness and Well-Being"
Tim Pedigo Ph.D.
2 - 3 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

Mindfulness is the ongoing awareness in the present moment of what is going on within us and around us, with acceptance. As we practice mindfulness, we become aware of our reactivity and triggers which cause us experience stress and conflict or ill-being. By working with deeply with triggers we can eventually experience greater well-being and improved relationships. In this workshop participants will be introduced to the practice of R.A.I.N. (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture). Participants will learn use mindfulness and the steps of R.A.I.N. to improve their well-being.

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"Taping the World for Heath"
Clementine Carder COTA/L, LMT, CKTI
3 - 4 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

Having pain? Take a pill. Can’t sleep? Take a pill. Trouble breathing? Take a pill. Take a pill and you are taking a chance of developing one of numerous potentially serious side effects. In this work shop you will be introduced to the Kinesio Taping method (that can address all of the above plus many other conditions) with the only side effect being the resolution of your problem. Learn how Kinesio tape came to be, how and why it works and have the opportunity to experience for your self (completely volunteer) how it feels once applied and how to apply it to the lumbar (low back) area of your lab partner.

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"Healthy talk, Healthy Kids"
Leslie Carranza SPT,
Lesley Franco SPT,
Christian Galindo SPT,
Smantha Mantoan OTS,
Shaylynn Krause OTS,
Nicole Hill OTS
4 - 5 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

This workshop explores communication styles amohngst families and activities/tools they can utilize with their children to promote positive communication.

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"Cultivating Access, Cultivating Health: Access to Nutritional Foods"
Katerina Klementzos SPT, 
Joseph Knight SPT, 
Sean McCabe SPT,
Josua Aquino SPT,
Cassidy Green OTS, 
Zahria Edwards OTS
5 - 6 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

This workshop explores how to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables through education, with solutions to combvat other limiting social factors.

 

"Group Wellness Walk"
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Across Campus

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"Across CampusWellness Expo"
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hall of Governors

Local vendors, community and student organizations, service providers

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"Kidney Mobil Unit : Jewel-Osco Vaccinations"
12-1 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

(Must register: see above)

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"QPR Suicide Prevention"
12-1pm
E1540

Suicide prevention course that teaches participants how to help someone who may be considering suicide. 

Course Objectives: 

• Recognize the common causes, risk factors, and warning signs of suicide.
• Understand the common myths and facts surrounding suicidal behavior
• Question a person about suicide
• Persuade a suicidal person to get help
• Refer a suicdal person to the appropriate resources

 

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"Kidney Mobil Unit : Jewel-Osco Vaccinations"
1-2 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

 

Schedule through link above.

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“Yoga: Techniques to Enhance Mindful Movement for Healthy Living”
1 - 2 p.m.
Julia McDonald BFA, MOT, OTR/L

This session requires no previous experience and is meant for all bodies. Learn ways to focus and calm your thoughts while clearing out tension in your back, hips and shoulders. Participate at any level you are comfortable using guided movements that link mind and body. Leave feeling refreshed and restored. Most movement will be seated in a chair or standing if able.

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"Mental Health Strategies"
Jianna Termini MOT, OTR/L, DrOT Student
2 - 3 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

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"Kidney Mobil Unit : Jewel-Osco Vaccinations"
2 - 3 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

Schedule through link above. 

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"Substance Use Disorder"

John Roberts
 3 – 4 p.m.
E1540

On HERO's end, we will bring our Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer and anticipate giving regular trailer tours outdoors. If the wather is not in our favor we will move the trailer portion to a table display inside GSU. This will mirror what we have in the trailer and give the same information.  We will still require anyone taking an "indoor" or outdoor tour to be over 18 years old.

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  "From Pain to Progress: Navigating Arthritis, Employment, and Financial Well-Being" 
Jovanna Sarena SPT,
James Williams SPT,
Haley Cerny SPT,
Serena Estrada SPT,
Lia Shomaly OTS,
Jadyn Powell-Cook OTS
4 – 5 p.m.
Egbretson Hall 

There are many individuals living with arthritis therefore impacting their ability to work. Changes in the work schedule impacts an individual's income limiting their ability to achieve economic stability.

 

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"Narcan Training Workshop"
Instructor
4-5pm
E1540 

 

 

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   "Bridging The Gap"

Sophia Granato SPT,
MajestyGunn SPT,
Ashley Hanley SPT,
Bianca Mendoza SPT,
Kevin Murney OTS,
Stephanie Peterson OTS
5 - 6 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

This workshop focuses on strenggthening the intellectual, social, and occupational dimensions of wellness. Through interactive octivities and guided discussion, participants will explore strategies to overcome barriers to education, build confidence, and enhance college readiness.  The session is designed to support personal growth while preparing students for success inside and outside the classroom. 

Stretch Lab

Frank Czuba
10 - 11 a.m.
Engbretson Hall

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Students and Faculty will guide and assist participants through a comprehensive stretch routine to revive and energize. This workshop is designed to teach participants a variety of techniques to support holistic health, postural balance and overall flexibility. If you are feeling any muscular pain, tightness or tension, this workshop will help you address those issues and leave you feeling more relaxed, flexible and ready to take on the challenges of your day.

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"Group Wellness Walk"
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Across Campus

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"Awareness and Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury"

Somi Nagaraj DNP, MSN, RN, CSSGB, CONTL
12 - 1 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in renal function that poses significatn risks of morbidty, mortality, and long-term chronic kidney disease.  Despite its prevalence across healthcare settings, AKI often remains under-recognized until advanced stages, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and preventive strategies. This abstract explores the critical importance of early recognition, patient and provider educaiton, and the adoption of evidence based intervetions to mitigate AKI. Prevention measures in clude monitoring at-risk populations, judicious use of nephrotoxic medications, ensuring adequate hydration , and impementing standardized protocols for early detection.  Raising awareness among community participants, clinicians, patients, and caregivers is essential for reducing the global burden of AKI, minimizing hospitalizations and improving overall health outcomes. Strengthening preventive practices not only enhance patient safety but also decareases healthcoare costs by reducing complicaitons associated with delayed diagnosis.  Increaased awareness and proactive prevention are vital to curbing the silent but severe impact of AKI.

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"Yoga: Techniques to Enhance Mondful Movement for Healthy Living"
Julia McDonald BFA, MOT, OTR/L
1-2 p.m.
Engbretson Hall 

 

This session requires no previous experience and is meant for all bodies. Learn ways to focus and calm your thoughts while clearing out tension in your back hips and shoulders. Participate at any level your are comfortable using guided movements that link mind and body. Leave feeling refereshed and restored. Most movemetn will be seated in a chair or standing if able. "Yoga: Techniques to Enhance Mondful Movement for Healthy Living"
Julia McDonald BFA, MOT, OTR/L
1-2 p.m.
Engbretson Hall 

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"Owning Your Role: Check-ins for Awareness, Regulation, and Purpose"
Jianna Termini MOT, OTR/L, Doctoral Candidate
2-3 p.m.
Engbretson Hall 

 

This workshop will focus on emotional wellness an occupational wellness, two areas most directly connected to our roles and daily engagement. The purpose of this session is to integrate practical, evidence-based strategies into real life, explore hands-on sensory tools and self-regulation techniques that can be used in the moment, and provide participants with tools and strategies to strengthen both occupational and emotional wellness.

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"Compliance and Ehtics"

Kaitlyn Anne Wild JD, MBA Director of Compiance and Ethics

Kaitlyn Anne Wild joined GovState in early 2021 as the University’s first Director of Compliance. After having worked as an attorney in a private practice for ten years, Ms. Wild was excited to join GovState and support the university in its mission. Since joining GovState, Ms. Wild has further taken on the roles of Ethics Officer, FOIA Officer, and Title IX Coordinator. Now, in addition to guiding the University on matters of legal and regulatory compliance and ethics, she also assists employees and students directly with their compliance and ethics questions and concerns and matters involving sex discrimination.

Officer Damon Sloan/ Dean of Students

Dr. Damon Sloan is the Assistant Dean of Students at Governors State University and began his tenure here in September 2022. Prior to arriving at Governors State, he has held various positions in student affairs in residence life, student conduct, student activities, dean of students, and vice president of student and alumni affairs. Dr. Sloan serves as a deputy Title IX coordinator and has been actively involved in sexual assault prevention since 2003, adapting the popular No Zebras, No Excuses program (originated at Central Michigan University) at two different institutions. 

 

3-4 p.m
Engbretson Hall

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 "Beyond the Car: Rethinking Transportation in the Build Environment"
Julian Hernandez SPT,
Martza Reyes SPT, Andrew Synko SPT,
Mia Baron OTS,
Grace Foley OTS,
Arthur Katzman OTS
4-5 p.m.
Engbretson Hall 

This workshop addresses the overwhelming car dependency in University Park, and it drives the need for practical changes like safer sidewarls and improved public transit to build a healthier community ofr everyone. 

Mental Health First Aid*
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Engbretson Hall

8-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Course Objectives:

• • Recognize potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-injury.
• • Use a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.
• • Interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced negative attitudes in ont's own community.
• • Apply knowledge of appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage their problem and achieve recovery.
• • Assess one's own view and feelings about mental health problems and disorders.

*Registration Required

Register for Mental Health First Aid

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Questions?

If you have any questions regarding 2025 Wellness Week, please get in touch with the event organizer Dr. Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, at fczuba@govst.edu.