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The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library hosts regular health and wellness presentations and programs. The goal of the health and wellness programs is to educate the public about diseases, conditions, wellness, and prevention so they can make informed decisions about their health. The programs are open to all and anyone who is interested is welcome to attend - patients, their family members, community members, VCU and VCU Health students, faculty and staff, as well as community organization representatives.
Health and Wellness Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. After registering, participants will receive an event reminder and/or Zoom link via email. Please contact healthlibrary@vcuhealth.org or 804-828-2432 if you have any questions or need accommodations.
Upcoming Sessions
Exercise at Your Desk
April 30, 2024
noon-1 p.m.
Register Now.
Do you find yourself sitting for prolonged periods at work? Do you return home each day feeling stiff and tired? Join the Health and Wellness Library on Tuesday, April 30, at noon as Health Coach and Educator Carrie Baines discusses ways you can stay active throughout the workday, whether you're at a desk or working from home.
This in-person event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the event.
The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library is located in the VCU Health Gateway Building, Ground Floor, Room G-112. Visit us in-person, online and on Facebook.
Prior Sessions
Knowing Nutrition
March 19, 2024
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
With seemingly limitless options for potential snacks and meals, maintaining healthy eating habits can be challenging. The Health and Wellness Library is here to assist you in building a plan for better nutrition. Join us in person for "Knowing Nutrition" on Tuesday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m. as we engage in a conversation with Mary-Jo Sawyer, a registered dietitian at VCU Health. We will discuss strategies and tips for sustaining a healthy diet.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the event.
Hands-Only CPR Training
Feb. 27, 2024
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now
Interested in acquiring basic life-saving resuscitation skills? Join Michelle Gossip, cardiology program manager at VCU Health, as she instructs hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at noon in the Health and Wellness Library.
This in-person program is designed to teach you fundamental life-saving skills in less than an hour.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a program reminder prior to the event.
For more information, email healthlibrary@vcuhealth.org or call (804)-828-2432.
World AIDS Day
Dec. 1, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
According to the CDC, close to 1.2 million people in the U.S. had HIV at the end of 2019. HIV/AIDS is ever-relevant as an ongoing public health issue. This World AIDS Day, come by the Health and Wellness Library at noon to learn more about HIV/AIDS. Health Educator, Robert Rodney, will go over the basic facts of HIV/AIDS and answer questions from participants.
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder and a Zoom link prior to the event.
The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library is located in the VCU Health Gateway Building, Ground Floor, Room G-112.
Managing Holiday Stress with the Dogs on Call
Nov. 16, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
The holidays are upon us, and it can be a stressful time for many. The Dogs on Call are here to help. The Dogs on Call Therapy Dog Program from The Center for Human-Animal Interaction provides a complementary therapy to enhance the well being of people through canine-assisted interventions. Visit the Health and Wellness Library on Thursday, November 16 at noon as Sandra Barker, PhD, LPC, NCC presents on stress management, and don’t miss your chance to meet and pet some friendly dogs. You will also be able to pick up a Dogs on Call calendar.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the day of the event.
Quitting Smoking and Tobacco Products
Nov. 2, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
Quitting smoking isn't easy, but it may help to know that there are thousands across the country with the same goal. November is the month of The Great American Smokeout, an American Cancer Society initiative meant to bring people together in living a healthier life with less risk of cancer. Join us Thursday, November 2 at noon in the Health and Wellness Library as Sarah Birckhead from the Virginia Department of Health discusses the health effects of tobacco products and strategies to help you quit.
Halloween Craft Making
Oct. 31, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
It’s the spooky season, a time for candy and crafts. This Halloween (Tuesday, October 31) at noon, visit the Health and Wellness Library and join Collections Care Librarian and Conservator Nora Bloch as she guides participants in a Halloween-themed craft making program. No tricks here, only treats.
Book Discussion - The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Oct. 19, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
In The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong child, her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures, journalist Anne Fadiman tells the true story of a Laotian girl, Lia Lee, who has what the Hmong people know as qaug dab peg (the spirit catches you and you fall down), otherwise known in Western culture as epilepsy. Through Lia’s difficult health care journey, Fadiman presents valuable insights about culture and health literacy, presenting an empathic understanding of the Hmong people while also holding a revealing mirror up to Western culture and medicine.
Join the Health and Wellness Library on Oct. 19 at noon as we discuss this informative work of nonfiction.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the day of the event.
Finding Reliable Health Resources
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
Virtual
Register Now.
October is Health Literacy Month. What exactly is health literacy? Health and Wellness Librarian Dana Ladd, MS, PhD, AHIP, is here to teach you all about it! In this workshop, Dr. Ladd will discuss how to find and evaluate reliable resources that consumers can use to understand their condition and make more informed decisions regarding their health. (This will include resources for low-literacy individuals and resources in languages other than English). Now more than ever, it is important to take care of ourselves and others– the first step is knowing how. Join us Thursday, Oct. 12 at noon via Zoom.
This program is free and open to everyone. Registration is required.
Health Literacy Basics
Oct. 10, 2023
11 a.m.-noon
Virtual
Register Now.
October is Health Literacy Month. What exactly is health literacy? VCU Health and Wellness Librarian Dana Ladd, MS, PhD, AHIP and Nurse Educator Sharon Everette, MSN, RN, NPD-BC are here to teach you all about it! In this special program, we will discuss the definition of health literacy, cover specific methods for how to help patients make more informed decisions regarding their health, and discuss the many barriers to effective health care. Now more than ever, it is important to take care of ourselves and others– the first step is knowing how. Join us Tuesday, October 10 at 11 a.m. via Zoom.
This program is free and open to everyone. Registration is required.
Your Guide to Aging Well with ViginiaNavigator
Sept. 28, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
Register Now.
Finding local support services for seniors and caregivers is as simple as a click of a mouse! Join us Thursday, September 28 at noon at the Health and Wellness Library as Bonnie Scimone, Lead Community Specialist and Marketing Assistant at VirginiaNavigator, demonstrates how to use SeniorNavigator. SeniorNavigator is an online directory that lists 26,000+ resources that help older adults remain independent and supports family caregivers. Learn how to find information about health and aging issues, financial concerns, legal questions, caregiver support, housing and assisted living communities, and much more. Additionally, you will learn specific information on four key topics – Social and Community Engagement, Navigating Your Health Care, Brain Health, and Elder Abuse.
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder and a Zoom link prior to the event.
For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.