2022 LIV Breakout Sessions

* Session times and rooms are subject to change.

Perimenopause - A Naturopathic Approach to Aging Gracefully in Our 40’s and 50’s: Speaker: Megan Schlick, ND
AdventHealth Whole Health Institute

Perimenopause can be a major time of change in a woman’s life for which she may feel unprepared. Join Naturopathic Doctor, Megan Schlick, for this session where she’ll share her naturopathic approach to evaluating and treating common concerns and symptoms that may be experienced during this transitional time in a woman’s life. If you’re a perimenopausal woman in her 40s-50s and experiencing weight gain, irritability/mood changes, hot flashes and disrupted sleep, and you’re wanting to explore natural approaches to help you feel your best, this session is for you!
Home Organization for Peace of Mind: Speaker: Joanie Nicholas, Home Organization Coach

Frantic. Frustrated. Fuming.

As a little girl I saw my mother in this state on a regular basis ~ tearing through the house in search of a misplaced item. A cluttered and disorganized home stops life in its tracks. We waste time looking for things, we overbuy because we forget what is already in our cabinets, and our health and well-being suffer from the stress.

If you are searching for a better way to live, this session will set you on the right path. Discover three areas of your home where a little bit of organization will pack a big punch. Clearing clutter is energizing and open space invites clarity. From letting go of items that no longer serve you to creating organizational systems in these key spots, you’ll be inspired to turn your home from chaotic to calming.

Everyone was put on earth with a purpose. When our home supports us, we can live that purpose with confidence and joy. Our lives are whole, our relationships fulfilling, and we have the energy to lead our communities toward peace and harmony.

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Embracing your Authentic Self: Speakers:

Rennie Shuler-McKinney, MS, LCP, Administrative Director, Behavioral Health

Megan Endres, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Therapist, Behavioral Health

Kellie Strube, Clinical Coordinator, Behavioral Health

Stretched too thin? Having a hard time communicating your needs effectively? Sometimes the expectations in life are high and we feel like we are drowning from the pressure. Come gain insight from our panel of highly trained therapists and discuss issues such as developing healthy boundaries, increasing emotional awareness, improving self-care and learning more about open, assertive communication. Being the most authentic and healthiest version of yourself will not only benefit you but those around you.
What's next? How to take advantage of big life transitions.: Speaker: Maki Moussavi, Executive Coach

Have your life responsibilities shifted and you aren't sure what comes next for you? This session will provide insight and guidance for making the most of the transition in ways that fulfill and satisfy you.
Building Rhythm and Resilience through Whole Person Health: Speaker: Dr. Michelle Robin, Founder of Small Changes Big Shifts, Big Shifts Foundation®, and the Kansas City Wellness Consortium®

Our world has been turned upside down the past several years. But the reality is, stress is always a factor in today’s busy world which can have negative impacts in your life and health. Join Dr. Robin as she shares motivation, wisdom, and resources to build your resilience. You will learn how to use the Quadrants of Well-being - a framework to better understand your well-being - to build rhythm in your day-to-day life and more easily move through all of life’s challenges. 

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Health Care Beyond Clinic Walls: Speaker: Juliet Santos, NP, Director for Population Health for AdventHealth Medical Group for Mid America

The pandemic has accelerated technology that helps people access health care in new ways. From online provider visits to house calls, there are more options than ever. But when should you take advantage of this new technology and when is it best to schedule a traditional visit or go to the ER? This session will help you navigate your health options and identify easy access to care right at your fingertips! Come to find fresh ideas to get care for you and your loved ones no matter what the situation.
Preparing Your Binder for Life: What You Need to Know for Peace of Mind, Protection and Provision: Speakers:

Beth Trimmer, Community Liaison, Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care

Mary Zahner Bauer, BSW, Director of Donor Relations, Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care

No matter what your age, it’s important to plan for the future - including end-of-life. A good plan will bring you and your loved ones peace of mind, protection and provision. Learn about the important financial, legal and healthcare decisions and documents you need to have in place for you and your loved ones. You’ll leave this session motivated and armed with valuable and practical tools and resources needed to create your Binder for Life. Being prepared is an important gift for you, your family and other personal representatives.

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Raising Children in an Over-Stimulating World: Speakers:

Janette Foster, MSEd., OTR/L, Educator at Britain Development, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Laura Gaffney, MD, Physician, AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Shawnee Mission

Being a parent, grand-parent and/or caregiver is one of the toughest things a person can do in their lifetime. It is complicated by a world that is filled with never-ending choices, a hurried pace, the fear of missing out, social media, peer pressure and so much more. Join us to learn how sensory processing influences how we respond to ourselves and the environment, the role sensory regulation plays in how we navigate the world around us, and practical strategies you can implement to help yourself and child cope in this over-stimulating world we live.

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Eat Better Pay Less: Speaker: Mary Carter, RD, LD, Registered Dietitian

Think that eating healthy is too expensive? It is possible to eat a balanced diet without breaking the bank. Your Hy-Vee dietitian will teach you strategies for eating better on a budget, including planning nutritious meals, shopping smarter and comparing products for the best value.

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* Session times and rooms are subject to change.

Stress, Gut and Our Health – Stop the Madness!: Speaker: Dr. Tereza Hubkova, Board-certified Integrative Medicine Physician, Whole Health Institute

Our health and wellbeing critically depend on a healthy digestive tract and a healthy gut microbiome. The past several years brought a lot of research on the bi-directional communication between our gut and our brain, and the fact that our health can’t be seen separately from the health of our gut microbiota and that of our environment. Learn about the profound effect of daily stress on our gut microbiome, the gut lining and our immune system and the implications it has for our physical and mental health, as well as the health of our children. We can’t stop the avalanche of digestive, immune, metabolic and mental health diseases and escalating cost of healthcare unless we address our toxic lifestyles, work life balance, and learn how to mitigate the damage. It’s time to stop the madness!

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An Empowering Hour for Parents & Grandparents: Speakers:

Tricia Rausch, RN, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Barbara C. Unell, Author and Co-Founder, Raised with Love and Limits Foundation

Do you ever say to yourself, “That’s not how we did it…and you turned out ok?"

Are your children parenting your grandchildren differently than you did yours? How has parenting changed and stayed the same across generations?

Tell us how you feel about how children are being raised today. Being a parent and grandparent are the most imperfect/perfect jobs there are…let’s talk about how to bridge that generation gap! 

We’ll share practical ways to navigate the ages and stages of parenthood, hear your stories about what’s working and answer your burning questions. Plus, introduce you to AdventHealth ParentCare to help build positive relationships with your adult kids and grandkids every day.

Raffle Giveaway! Participants will be entered into a raffle for an autographed copy of The 8 Seasons of Parenthood by workshop co-host Barbara C. Unell. This will be part of a raffle basket we will have at our table.
Achieving Flow for Personal Energy Management: Speaker: Haley Prophet, Senior Health & Wellness Specialist, Garmin International

Who doesn’t want to feel a greater sense of enjoyment, energy and involvement in their own life? We all do. Flow, a term referring to a time or experience when you are so completely absorbed in something that you lose track of time, feel euphoric and have a greater sense of accomplishment. Sounds powerful, right! We can all achieve being in a state of flow if we recognize how to get there. In this session we will review the general concept and history of being in a state of flow. The benefits and characteristics of a flow state as well as how this impacts our personal energy levels as we live out each day. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding and of how to personally achieve flow and be in control of your own energy levels to live a life where you thrive!

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Tapping into the Healing Power of Food and Finding More Joy & Ease in the Kitchen: Speaker: Lisa Markley, MS, RDN, LD
Culinary Medicine Director at AdventHealth Whole Health Institute

While our own home kitchens can be a key place to cultivate our health, it’s not uncommon to struggle with finding the time, energy, desire, and culinary confidence necessary to prepare the nourishing, health-supportive meals our bodies need to thrive. If you’re eager to learn more about the healing power of food but finding yourself in a rut, come to this session for some fresh ideas and inspiration. During this session, Lisa will share some of her favorite tips and tricks for finding more joy and ease in the kitchen while guiding you through a cooking demonstration featuring one of her favorite delicious plant-centered recipes. Recipes and tasting sample provided.

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Moroccan Chickpea & Carrot Salad
Reclaim Your Brain: Speaker: Dr. Jane Murray, Owner, Sastun Center

How big tech hijacks our attention and how to fight back; how your miraculous microglia and new peptides can revolutionize your ability to think, focus and prevent dementia. Come and learn about cutting edge research to help improve your ability to think more deeply and clearly.

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Normalize Pleasure: Give Yourself Permission to Feel Good: Speaker: Kia Walsh, Founder of Normalize Pleasure LLC

In this session we will explore the ways we seek pleasure in everyday life. Specifically, we will define boundaries, discuss ways to deepen personal intimacy, and look at ways to increase self-awareness. The goal of the session is to make space for growth and shape a pleasure perspective. As we navigate the world, we define and redefine our boundaries. We make pleasure centered choices daily. We eat the food we love, wear clothes that make us feel good, travel to relaxing and wonderfully magical places, enjoy our friends, and foster meaningful romantic relationships. This session will explore ways to push those edges and the importance of putting your pleasure first. This session is for everyone. If you are an expert level pleasure warrior or need information about where to start, there will be something for everyone. This is not a “how to session”. This session is about living an intentional pleasure filled life. Sensual pleasure will be the focus. Fun will be our method! Give yourself permission to feel good!

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The Case for Not Putting it Off: Cancer Screenings Are Self-Care: Speaker: Christine Khong, MD
AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Prairie Village

If there is one thing each of us has earned after the last few chaotic years, it's the right - and responsibility! - to focus on our own personal well-being. Making time for an annual wellness visit, including age-appropriate screenings for cancer and other conditions, is one of the very best things we can do to take care of our bodies and minds. If you know you should stay on top of your routine screenings, but you just haven't found the time to make that a priority, join us for a nudge in the right direction.
Finding Your Way with Courageous Kindness: Speaker: Mindy Corporon, Co-Founder of Workplace Healing LLC, and innovator of the Human Recovery Plan™ Software Platform

How do you find a path forward, let alone your breath, during and after grief? Our lives are filled with joy and sometimes sadness. The more life we live, the more we see and feel both of these emotions, frequently, at the same time. Mindy will inspire you to look inside yourself for the lifesaving courageous kindness that saves lives, maybe even yours. You will leave Mindy’s presentation encouraged to forge your own path through any grief appearing in your life and ready to assist those around you.

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Women's Cardiology 101: Heath Wilt, DO, FACC
AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery

When it comes to heart disease, men and women are different. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women and heart issues, including heart attacks, can manifest differently in women than men. During this session, learn how the heart works, common ailments and how to keep your heart healthy for life.