The University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center hosted an innovative conference for the South Florida Community last week that focused attention on the art and science of wellness and how it intersects with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and research. The program featured the top researchers and physicians from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer and Wellness Center, who provided information to more than 600 attendees to guide them along personal paths to wellness.

The morning started with an address by the University’s President, Dr. Donna Shalala. I have admired Dr. Shalala since her days as Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Clinton administration and was excited to hear her words. Her opening address talked about the challenges of today’s health care system and the vital need of providing access to the health care system, at the right time and the right place, to every American. She also encouraged those in the audience to make a commitment to make the changes in their lives that will help them achieve wellness. She said that we need to work together to improve health care, and that it is up to each of us to do our part. I was able to catch her as she left the hall and provide her with a copy of the April/May issue of Case in Point. I wanted her to see that there is a host of professionals dedicated to making her comments come to life. From here we moved to the various breakout sessions. The choices were:

• Can Cancer Be Prevented?
• Men’s Health
• Surviving Cancer
• Women’s Health: The First Half of Life

I chose “Can Cancer Be Prevented?” which was presented by Dr. W. Jarrard Goodwin, Director of UM/Sylvester. I have never heard a physician give such a down-to-earth presentation and communicate very complicated information in a way that held both the lay public’s attention as well as those from the healthcare community. Dr. Goodwin said that Sylvester is committed to merging wellness and science. The organization is engaged in various studies meant to demonstrate how treatments like music therapy, Yoga, relaxation and other alternative forms of medicine have an impact on patients being treated for cancer. They are finding important outcomes that prove the effectiveness of the combination of alternative and traditional medicine. Dr. Goodwin reviewed the latest studies that point to the importance of early identification of problems and the latest treatment options that are being used in Phase III clinical trials to treat those with various forms of chronic conditions, like congestive heart failure and cancer.

The next choice of session included:

• Genetics, Cracking the Code
• Raising Healthy Children and Proactive Parents
• How to Feel Better: Mind over Matter
• New Directions in Research
• Looking Healthy & Beautiful in Florida

I should have gone to “Looking Healthy & Beautiful in Florida” to learn some important tips, but I chose “How to Feel Better: Mind over Matter.” This was a panel presentation presented by three diverse speakers, including Dr. Michael Antoni, co-leader, UM/Sylvester Bio-behavioral Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology Program, who discussed the science behind bio-behavioral oncology and some of the impressive advances they are seeing with mind/body approaches. Next, Rosa Caiseda, MSW, Director of Social Work for Sylvester, talked about the role the social workers play in working with patients to ensure that they have access to the treatment and resources they need. She talked about the caring approach provided to all patients and the outcomes they are seeing among the diverse populations that come to the center. Last, Nancy Frehling, a cancer survivor, gave an inspiring and personal presentation of her journey with wellness and how it assisted her in coping with breast cancer. She was an inspiration to all.

Lunch was up next with a very special keynote speaker. Deepak Chopra, M.D., took the stage and captivated all 600 attendees. He took us on his journey of how he found his way to the field of mind-body medicine, peppering the journey with humor, insight and interesting personal details. I had never heard him speak, but made a beeline to the bookstore where I purchased his latest book, The Third Jesus. If you ever have the chance to see him, please don’t miss it. He is a true visionary.

Following lunch, the afternoon sessions offered a third round of breakout sessions that included such topics as Creating Your Personal Health Record, Women’s Health: The Second Half of Life, and Advocating for Good Health. Unfortunately, I had to leave during this session, but was glad to learn that all of the slides from the day will be posted on the Well Being/Being Well website.

It was an interesting day that taught me the importance of well being and being well.

Until Next Week, Be Well!

Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Across My Desk, Case in Point magazine, and the Case Management Resource Guide
allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com