2026 Living in Vitality Breakout Sessions
We are excited to offer each breakout session twice this year. Pick two morning breakout sessions and two afternoon breakout sessions.
- Reclaiming You!
-
Morning Session: Room A1
Join us for an honest, empowering conversation exploring a pivotal question: How do we move from being defined by our past to leading our future? Through reflection and shared stories, this amazing panel of therapists will inspire you to reclaim your story and boldly LIV your mark.
Presenters
Megan Endres, LSCSW - AdventHealth Behavioral Health
Abby Pollard, LSCSW, PMH-C - AdventHealth Behavioral Health
Kellie Strube, LCPC - AdventHealth Behavioral Health
Rennie McKinney, LPC - AdventHealth Behavioral Health
- Using Nutrition to Tackle Stress and Mental Health Issues
-
Morning Session: Room A2
People in high-stress jobs are prone to stress-related illnesses and anxiety, including burnout, insomnia, clinical depression and substance abuse. Now more than ever, it’s important to choose nutritious foods that can boost energy, increase brain power and simply put a smile on your face. Learn how balanced eating can help you better manage stress and make you a more effective leader both at work and at home.
Presenter:
Heidi Lohmann-Schrader, MS, RDN, LD
Sponsored By:
Hy-Vee
- Think Well: The Vital Mind — Brain Health for a Fuller Life
-
Morning Session: Room CY1
This panel discussion will explore practical, evidence-informed ways to support brain health across the lifespan, with a focus on cognition, nutrition, and everyday habits that promote vitality. Moderated by Weston Elder, the conversation will feature Dr. Megan Baumgardner, Lisa Markley, and Angela Katzer sharing clinical and lifestyle perspectives on how to protect and strengthen brain health for a fuller life.
Presenters
Dr. Megan Baumgardner - AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute
Lisa Markley - MS, RDN, LD - AdventHealth Whole Health Institute
Angela Katzer - APRN, NP-C, IFMCP - AdventHealth Whole Health Institute
Weston Elder - Director, AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute
- The Changing Landscape of Weight Loss: Medications, Lifestyle & Whole-Person Health
-
Morning Session: Room CY2
The conversation around weight loss continues to evolve—and so do the choices available. In this candid panel discussion, we’ll explore today’s weight-loss medications alongside lifestyle strategies and whole-person approaches that support lasting health and well-being. Hear from people who understand the journey personally and professionally as they share experiences, perspectives, and practical insights on navigating what can often feel like an overwhelming landscape. Together, we’ll look beyond the number on the scale to consider the body, mind, and spirit—and what it means to pursue health in a way that works for the whole person.
Presenters:
Jessica Lea, PharmD. - Tria Health and Stellus Rx
Dr. Christina Khong - AdventHealth Medical Group
Dr. Ravi Sabapathy - AdventHealth Medical Group.
Moderated by Amanda Nunamker - AdventHealth
Sponsored by:
Tria Health a Stellus Rx Company
- From Pressure to Power: How to Lead Yourself When You Don't Control the Outcome
-
Morning Session: Room CY3
The future is uncertain. Change is inevitable. Stress is unavoidable.
The question isn't whether difficult circumstances will show up. The question is who you'll be when they do.
In this engaging and practical session, Chelsea Berry explores the neuroscience behind stress, uncertainty, and decision-making, helping participants understand what happens in the brain when challenges arise and why so many people become stuck in reaction mode. Through a blend of storytelling, research, reflection, and actionable tools, attendees will learn how to calm their nervous systems, regain perspective, and make intentional choices even when they don't control the outcome.
Participants will leave with a practical framework for navigating change, a deeper understanding of personal responsibility and agency, and a personalized action plan they can immediately apply to their work and life.
Key Takeaways:
• Understand how the brain and nervous system respond to uncertainty and change
• Recognize the difference between reacting and responding under pressure
• Learn practical tools to regulate stress and improve decision-making
• Shift from feeling powerless to taking ownership of what can be controlled
• Create a personalized plan for navigating current challenges with greater confidence and intentionBecause while we may not control what happens to us, we always have a choice about how we show up.
Presenter
Chelsea Berry
Sponsored By:
- Focus on you, girl!
-
Morning Session: Room CY4
*Please note, this session is not repeated. Rather these back-to-back sessions will build upon each other. The first session will focus on women's health prior to perimenopause. The second session will focus on perimenopause through menopause and the years beyond. Feel free to attend one or both!
Focus on you, girl! Women’s Health from Preventive Care to Postpartum
Join physicians from MAPS for a practical conversation about women’s health in the earlier stages of life, including preventive care, routine screenings, reproductive health, pregnancy, prenatal care and postpartum support. This session will help women better understand how to advocate for their health, prepare for important life transitions and build a strong foundation for lifelong wellness
Focus on you, girl! Menopause, Healthy Aging and Life Beyond 65
Join physicians from MAPS for an informative conversation about women’s health through perimenopause, menopause and the years beyond. This session will explore common changes women may experience, the importance of preventive care and screenings, and ways to support physical, emotional and whole-person wellness while aging with confidence and vitality.
Presenters:
Dr. Nicole Petrillo - Johnson County OBGYN
Dr. Sherebanu Gaslightwala, MD, FACOG - Women's Care OBGYN
Dr. Corinna A. Cooper, MD, FACOG - Johnson County OBGYN
- Confident. Aware. Prepared. Practical Self-Defense for Everyday Life
-
Morning Session: Room CY5
What would you do if someone made you uncomfortable, ignored your boundaries, grabbed you, or simply made you feel that something wasn’t right?
You don’t need years of training to have options.
Personal safety starts long before a physical confrontation. In this interactive women’s self-defense seminar, you’ll learn practical ways to become more aware of your surroundings, recognize when something doesn’t feel right, set clear and assertive boundaries, and respond with confidence when those boundaries are ignored.
You’ll also practice simple, effective physical techniques for creating space, breaking free from common grabs and holds, and getting yourself to safety.
This isn’t about becoming a martial artist or learning complicated techniques. It’s about developing practical skills you can use in everyday life—and recognizing that your awareness, intuition, voice, and ability to take action are all important parts of self-defense.
No previous martial arts experience or special fitness level is required. Participants can train at their own comfort level.
Come ready to learn, move, ask questions, and leave with practical tools to help you feel more confident, more capable, and better prepared.
Presenters:
Shane Bedford - Elite Martial Arts
Shreya Reddy - Elite Martial Arts
- Palpitation Much? AKA flipflops, skips, dancing, flipping, pounding, racing.
-
Morning Session: Room CY6
We will take you through all the reasons, the fixes and when to be a little more interested…
Your chance to hear a breakdown of those pesky flipflops in your chest from heart experts Dr. Michelle Dew and Dr. Jessica Kline.
Presenters:
Dr. Michelle Dew
Dr. Jessica Kline
- Move and Meditate: How Meditation Can Be Implemented into Your Daily Movement
-
Morning Session: Room CY7
In this 45-minute session, Maddi and Lexi will introduce meditation and the countless benefits it offers as well as the many ways it can be implemented into your daily life. Following this introduction, you will be guided through a brief mellow yoga flow to prepare our bodies for the meditation that follows. We will end our time together with a 10-minute guided meditation and a 5-minute silence to continue meditating or to reflect upon what was learned in the session.
Presenters
Maddi Heise - Walli's Wellness
Lexi Heise - Walli's Wellness
- LIVing Your Mark - How Personal Color and Style Tell Your Story.
-
Afternoon Session: Room A1
Have you considered how you "LIV Your Mark" visually? The colors and styles we wear share clues about how we see ourselves. They illustrate how societal influences may impact the way we take up space. Costuming experts use color to create messages about a character in a movie or television show before the actor speaks.
During our fun and interactive conversation:
- We will debunk old myths like "I can't wear yellow," and examine beliefs that keep us from glowing;
- We will discuss using the colors currently in our closets to emphasize our authority or approachability;
- We will explore how clothing structure and accessories can emphasize our assets and share the unique story each of us is here to tell.
Presenter
Mary Frances Haake - Color Compass Studio
Sponsored by
- Think Well: Culinary Medicine for Cognitive Vitality
-
Afternoon Session: Room A2
This session will provide an overview of how eating patterns and food choices can support a healthier brain and long-term cognitive vitality. Lisa Markley will highlight key culinary medicine principles and practical strategies participants can use to build brain-healthy habits at home.
Presenter
Lisa Markley - MS, RDN, LD - AdventHealth Whole Health Institute
- Together We Rose: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey Beyond Eating Disorders
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY1
Recovery is possible, and hope is stronger than any diagnosis.
In this powerful and heartfelt breakout session, a mother and daughter share their personal journey through the pain, fear, and isolation of an eating disorder – and the resilience, faith, courage, and connection that led them to recovery. Through honest conversation and lived experience, they will explore the realities of eating disorders, the impact on the entire family, and the power of love, support, and perseverance.
Whether you have been personally affected by an eating disorder, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand the challenges of mental health and healing, this session will leave you with practical insights, renewed hope, and a reminder that no one has to walk the journey alone.
Join us for an authentic conversation about healing, restoration and discovering the strength to truly LIV in Vitality.
Presenters:
Teresa Noland - AdventHealth Lenexa City Center
Grace Collins - Advocate
- Hair Loss Treatments for Women
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY2
Hair Loss Therapies in Women explores the latest evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treating female hair loss across a range of conditions, including female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and scarring alopecias. In this presentation, Dr. Meena Singh reviews both established and emerging therapies, including topical and oral medications, procedural treatments, regenerative techniques, and hair transplantation, while emphasizing individualized treatment strategies. Attendees will gain understanding on appropriate therapies based on the underlying diagnosis, disease severity, and patient goals, with insights drawn from Dr. Singh's extensive clinical experience in medical and surgical hair restoration.
Presenter
Dr. Meena Singh - Skin and Hair Center
- Stronger Bones and a Stronger You
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY3
This presentation will discuss how to build and maintain strong bones as you age. We will discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic ways to fight against osteoporosis and prevent fractures. Educate on the basic arthritis types and how to not only live with arthritis but to thrive. Explore basic arthritis treatment options to keep you functioning at your highest level.
Presenter
Dr. Andrew Johnson - AdventHealth Medical Group
Sponsored By:
- 10 Things I Wish Every Woman Knew About Her Pelvic Floor
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY4
A Urogynecologist and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist's crash course in what you need to know about pelvic floor health. From leakage to prolapse to painful intercourse, we'll discuss all the things they forgot to teach you in health class. You'll leave with a set of tools to improve your pelvic health that goes beyond just Kegel's.
Presenters
Dr. Abby Stork - Urogynecology of Kansas City
Ashleigh Heldstab, OTR/L, CLT - AdventHealth
- The Art of Intentional Visioning: Manifesting Your Future through Creativity
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY5
What if you could see your future goals come to life before you actually achieve them?
Discover how manifestation is magic and vision boards do far more than look pretty. Vision Boards serve as a roadmap to prime your mind, align your intentions, and give your brain repeated cues that make your goals and aspirations more tangible. Drawing from my work as a Senior Designer at Hallmark, where visual curation drives creative direction, this hands-on session demonstrates how the same design principles can be applied to build an authentic and fulfilling life. We will explore how curating sensory-rich imagery, colors, and words helps you define intentions, foster daily motivation, and encourage positive action. Whether you want to clarify personal or professional goals, spark creative expression, or align your everyday routine with your true self, this session offers a fun, pressure-free approach to visualizing—and creating—your future.
Presenter
Lilli Stadler - Hallmark
- Connecting with Your Teen in the Digital Age
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY6
Helping your teen stay safe in the online world is a lot like teaching them to drive a car- it takes a lot of coaching, and accidents are bound to happen. Join Krista and Becky for a conversation about the hazards teens are facing in the digital world, staying connected to your teen through the bumps and bruises, and gradually turning over the keys to their digital world— without losing your sanity along the way!
Presenters
Dr. Becky Alfred
Krista Boan
- The Legacy of Gut Health
-
Afternoon Session: Room CY7
What if one of the greatest legacies you leave isn't something you own, but the health habits that become normal because of you? In this practical and encouraging session, naturopathic doctor Julia St. Clair explores how the gut serves as one of the body's key communication centers, influencing immunity, hormones, metabolism, and overall well-being. Together, we'll look at how simple, everyday habits shape not only our own health, but also the example we set for our families and future generations.
Presenter:
Dr. Julia St. Clair - AdventHealth Whole Health Institute