C L Magazine Summer 2015 - Volume 1 Issue 3

Volume 1 | Issue 3

CAREER & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE for women of color

S U MMER 201 5

Women

ART

in

Discover Cleveland Artist

10 Ways

to Put Your Doctor

OUT OF BUSINESS Tips by Linda D. Bradley, MD

Social Justice

It’s Time, America

Social Justice Consultant Ed Little Calls for Community Action

BIANCA FIELDS

GROWING STRONGER COMMUNITIES. We’re putting down deep roots and giving back to the communities we serve.

We think it’s only natural to cultivate meaningful relationships

volunteering over 100,000 hours of their time. From refurbishing

in the communities where we live and work. And at Dominion,

homeless shelters to replenishing local food banks to cleaning

that means we do more than write checks. So while we’re

up parks to helping soldiers and their families, we’re donating

very proud to invest more than $19 million in our communities

the most precious resource of all: our energy. Learn more by

annually, we’re even prouder of Dominion’s employees for

visiting dom.com/foundation.

contents FEATURED A National Outrage

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Coping with Depression

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Coping with Cancer

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Social and Criminal Justice in America: A Time for Change, Now A Psychologist’s Blueprint for Achieving Less Stress and More YOU

Fuel for Your Journey: Resources for Cancer Patients

Marijuana

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From Victim to Advocate

14

Executive Profile

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Speaking Out

20

Women in Art

22

A Physician Shares Some Critical Tips

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Healthy Choices, Healthy Life

35

Job Hunt

37

Foodie Alert!

40

Embracing Change

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Medical Marijuana Initiatives: Growing in Ohio?

SAVE YOURSELF FIRST! A compelling story of how a woman moved from domestic violence victim to a global advocate for children and women

Baltimore Executive Michelle McBride, Helps other CEOs Find their Space 25 Tips To Command Your Audience as a Professional Speaker

Discover Cleveland Artist Bianca Fields

10 Ways to Put Your Doctor Out of Business 3 Steps to a New, Healthier Life

You’re hired! HR Interview Secrets Revealed

Wednesdays are the New Fridays at Perk Park

Stop Fighting the Old and Build the New

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CL Magazine Team

Be a CL Magazine Writer

Alexandria Johnson Boone Publisher and Chief Editorial Officer

Dear Readers and Friends,

Simone Swanson Assistant Editor and Chief Researcher Michelle E. Urquhart Director, Production and Distribution Melissa Schiltz Art Director Paula T. Newman Business Manager Bernadette K. Mayfield Assistant to the Publisher Rodney L. Brown Photographer & Photo Editor TiaMarshae E. Sanford Director, Marketing and Social Media Platforms For advertising information, please contact us at: advertising@CL-Magazine.com Subscribe online at: www.CL-Magazine.com Join in on the conversation on: facebook.com/CareerLifestyleMagazine twitter.com/CLMagz

CL Magazine is published digitally on a quarterly basis, by the Women of Color Foundation (WOCF), (a 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt organization), for the benefit of women and girls of all colors.

Our offices are located at 50 Public Square, Tower City Center, Suite 832, Cleveland, Ohio 44113. Toll free phone number: 866.962-3411 (866.WOCF.411).

Copyright Š 2014-2015. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be distributed electronically, reproduced or duplicated in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. Subscription price is $16.00 per year. Readers and advertisers may subscribe at: www.CL-magazine.com Magazine Production: GAP Communications Group

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CL Magazine (a highly successful quarterly, digital publication targeting women and girls of all colors and backgrounds around the globe) is seeking the creative talents of skilled professional and amateur writers, poets, bloggers, artists, broadcast media personalities, photographers, industry experts and everyday people.

Are you passionate about career and lifestyle trends as they relate to women and girls?

Do you have a unique national, regional, or global perspective on a particular topic or trend?

Would you like to be part of the incredible, diverse editorial team at CL Magazine?

Do you crave exposure to the over 20,000 readers in our global database?

Want to share your personal story or advice of failure or victory with those seeking knowledge about the challenges of life, career, family, education, health and wellness, politics, science, art, travel, entrepreneurism, volunteerism, technology, religion and more?

If so, our editors want to hear from you. Please submit a sample of your writing, a current mini-bio, a color headshot, and briefly describe your topical passion or expertise. Send it to us today at info@CL-Magazine.com All submissions become the property of CL Magazine, to be used at our discretion.

Contributors do not receive monetary compensation if their work is selected for publication. However, editorial and/or photographic credit will be given. You will be notified by email if your submission is selected.

Your article could be published in an upcoming issue!

In the spirit of the greatness in us all,

Alexandria Johnson Boone Publisher and Chief Editorial Officer

It’s Time...

In a rarely talked about speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered on April 4, 1967, entitled, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” he takes aim at what he calls the three giant triplets of racism, extreme poverty, and militarism. Dr. King spoke eloquently and yet directly to America’s failed policies that neglected to invest the necessary resources in poor and marginalized communities, which he believes was a direct result of an unbridled thirst for war. The Washington Post declared that with this speech Dr. King “had diminished his usefulness to his cause, his country and his people.”

Imagine one of the largest media outlets in the country telling you that because you spoke your conscience, from this point on, you cease to have value. Then try imagining that exactly one year later to the day you delivered that speech you are assassinated…

What did it mean in 1967 when a mainstream media outlet had the audacity to say to one of the most prolific Black leaders of our time, you are no longer useful?

It meant the same thing it means today, when for years, thousands of rape kits in Cleveland went untested, while at the same time a drug war was waged in communities of color.

It meant the same thing it means today, when it is

implied that Tanisha Anderson–who was a daughter, a sister, and a mother experiencing a mental health crisis and ended up dead at the hands of police in her front yard, after police were called to take her to the hospital–that she in some way facilitated her own death.

It meant the same thing it means today, when people question whether or not Tamir Rice, a 12-yearold child and a son, was in some way instrumental in causing his own death at the hands of police while playing in a park, in front of his house, with a toy gun.

It meant the same thing it means today, when Sandra Bland, who was a daughter and a sister, unjustly stopped by the police, was wrong for speaking her conscience and therefore in some way played a role in her subsequent death in police custody.

It meant the same thing it means today, when it is suggested that Samuel Dubose, a father, a brother, and a son, was in some way complicit in his own death at the hands of police because he had a previous “felony conviction” and lived in a “high crime area,” while driving without a front license plate.

Unfortunately, today we are faced with the same issues that Dr. King gave his life to end. We live in a time in which our humanity is devalued and our usefulness is always in question.

It should come as no surprise that these issues have sparked national outrage, and the voices grow louder demanding criminal justice reform under the banner of “Black Lives Matter.”

What price will our children pay if we remain silent?

Edward Little - Criminal & Juvenile Justice Consultant EdLittle9@gmail.com

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Gain

Power

Over Your

Stress Tess was a woman who was able to handle any challenge, or so it seemed. A successful nonprofit executive and the only woman of color, she was in charge of the agency’s largest fundraising campaign. Her beloved grandmother who raised her had suffered a stroke and was now in a skilled care facility. Tess had moved in with her fiancé and an island wedding was planned for Christmas.

The future was bright, but Tess was miserable.

Grief and worry over her grandmother’s condition, the excitement and challenge of the fundraising campaign, adjusting to living with her fiancé and planning a wedding was overwhelming. Yet, she didn’t want people to think that she couldn’t handle it, especially her family and the people at work.

Her grandmother had raised her to be strong and independent.

The day the fundraising campaign ended, Tess came home, poured a glass of wine, and sat down on the couch. Suddenly her chest started to hurt and her heart began to beat fast. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath and she knew she was dying or going crazy or both. When her fiancé arrived home he found her curled up on the floor, weeping.

“Baby,” he said, “what’s wrong?”

Stress is our body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. Stress is hard on women of color. In addition to the stressors of daily living, we must deal with the chronic stressors associated with race, class, and gender. Our upbringings, as well as our positions at work, at school,

and in the community, make us believe that we must act like we have it together. In reality, much like Tess, we are falling apart. Stress affects our emotional as well as our physical health. When we are under great stress we may become irritable, angry, sad, anxious or similar to Tess, experience a panic attack.

As women of color, it is crucial that we stop pretending that we are ok and acknowledge that we are having difficulty with stress. When we fail to acknowledge that we are stressed, we fail to seek out help and place ourselves at high risk for anxiety and depression. We find ourselves experiencing panic attacks, negative thinking, fear, and a crisis in selfconfidence. We may find ourselves drinking more, eating more, and spending more. These changes in our thinking, emotions, and behaviors affect every aspect of our lives.

You are not alone. There is hope, but you must take the first step and ask for help. Human resource departments and college-counseling centers are excellent resources and all requests are confidential.

Your family doctor can also provide you with a referral. For some, asking for help is easy, following through is hard. Remember, by learning to effectively manage your stress, by overcoming the depression and anxiety created by it, you are giving yourself a great gift, the power to become the woman you were meant to be.

Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, Professor Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University aneal@kent.edu

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Coping with a

Cancer Diagnosis Despite the many lifesaving advances that have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, being diagnosed with the disease can cause fear and anxiety in most everyone who hears the news.

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Managing the physical, emotional, spiritual and social impact of a cancer diagnosis is an important aspect of coping while on the journey.

A person diagnosed with cancer can experience anger, fear, anxiety and even depression. It is valid to feel a myriad of emotions. An important aspect of coping with a cancer diagnosis is being able to express those varied emotions in a safe, nonjudgmental environment to help develop or enhance coping skills. Sometimes a family member or friend may be able to provide that kind of support. If not, seeking out a professional is a viable and sometimes necessary option. Often close family members or those serving as caregivers may need some help in sorting out their emotions around a loved one’s cancer diagnosis.

Treatment side effects such as fatigue and loss of appetite can leave you feeling drained. Listen to your body and allow it the rest it dictates. For individuals who are accustomed to being very active, it can be challenging when you don’t have the energy to do everything you used to do. Exercise classes specifically geared towards individuals in treatment or post treatment can be a very useful tool in managing physical side effects.

As you go through the cancer experience you will find that your needs change. Perhaps your usual way of coping isn’t working. It can be helpful to seek out the many resources that are available for coping with your own or a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. Perhaps it isn’t counseling that you need but being well informed is what will help you better cope. Dialog with your healthcare team when you don’t understand your options and the information presented to you. For some individuals, faith plays a very important role in coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Talking with clergy or spending time in prayer can help to bring about a semblance of peace during a very chaotic time.

In addition to your oncology team, there are a number of resources assist you along your journey.

Lodging-

Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city.

Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging allows guests to focus on getting well. Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment where guests can retreat to private rooms or connect with others. Every Hope Lodge also offers a variety of resources and information about cancer and how best to fight the disease (www.cancer.org).

Financial Assistance- CFAC is a coalition of financial assistance organizations joining forces to help cancer patients experience better health and wellbeing by limiting financial challenges. You can search for specific types of assistance as well as resources available for specific types of cancer (www.cancerFAC.org).

Support Groups

– At Cancer Care, oncology social workers provide free emotional and practical support for people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved (www.cancercare.org).

If you are the family member or friend and you are looking for ways to assist a loved one consider driving him or her to treatments. Pick up some extra groceries and deliver them after your next trip to the market. Mow the lawn, shovel snow, help set up meals or a car pool for the children. If you can, provide that non-judgmental supportive ear that listens and doesn’t give advice.

Whatever your cancer experience may be, recognize that you don’t have to navigate alone.

Work with your healthcare team and seek out community resources. Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help. Being able to provide assistance and support is an opportunity for them to feel useful. Asking for and accepting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and courage as well as self-awareness that some challenges require accessing and utilizing additional resources.

Kristina Austin, MSEd, LSW - The Gathering Place www.touchedbycancer.org

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your

It’s time to FLOURISH. The Flourish Conference for Women in Leadership

Cleveland, OH

October 30, 2015

Indianapolis, IN

October 9, 2015

Washington D.C.

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

September 25, 2015

Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland

The Mayflower Renaissance

Join an extraordinary lineup of leaders in an immersive one-day conference.

Choose the city of your choice, and join our extraordinary lineup of industry leaders for an inspirational, transformational and powerful leadership experience.

At the conclusion of this engaging one-day conference, you will come away with:

Are you a woman leader (either executive or entrepreneur) seeking to design your strategy for career advancement and impact, business growth and personal development? Then, it’s your time to FLOURISH.

• A leadership blueprint to thrive in career, business and life

• Well-defined ideas about personal and professional success • A customized Flourish 100-Day Action Plan • Networking with the best and brightest across industries

Flourish. Where Extraordinary Inspiration Meets World-Class Information.

Register today. FlourishLeaders.com

Steven Alonso Fifth Third Bank President & CEO, Greater Indiana

Sponsors:

Jodi Berg Vitamix President & CEO

Ken Bouyer Ernst & Young Director of Inclusiveness Recruiting

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio

Margot Copeland KeyCorp Executive Vice President

Deborah A Elam GE Foundation President

Dr. Lisa Harris Eskanazi Health CEO

Amy Hilliard Fashion Fair Cosmetics President

Christina Sarchio Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Partner

Embrace Consulting

specializes in providing Diversity and Inclusion consulting and leadership development services to champion employee engagement and drive for business results. Embrace Consulting is positioned to partner with your Leadership Team(s) as well as your Business Resource Networks to ensure alignment of business objectives, cultural competencies and skill development opportunities.

Creativity and innovation thrive in organizations that recognize the importance of building and sustaining a culture where all employees feel their contribution is recognized and valued. Creating and sustaining that culture is critical for businesses to grow and thrive. Embrace Consulting provides the essential foundational services to customize your Diversity & Inclusion and Employee Engagement strategic initiatives.

EMBRACE!

Contact: Renita Jefferson Embrace! Consulting Renita@EmbraceConsulting.biz www.EmbraceConsulting.biz 440-823-8914

C O N S U L T I N G We provide Strategic Planning services, which include the design and development of your strategic Diversity & Inclusion business case, mission, vision, goals and objectives. This plan will be your roadmap to support employee engagement, inclusion opportunities and achievement of key business results.

We specialize in Business Resource Network development and education. Business Resource Networks, Employee Resource Networks and Affinity Groups, encourage diversity and inclusion to ensure that a range of perspectives and experiences are recognized and leveraged to achieve organizational goals. These networks provide both internal and external value to organizations by increasing employee engagement, strengthening brand awareness and enhancing leadership development.

We provide Coaching and Consulting for Senior Leadership to Drive for Results critical to the success and sustainability of both the strategic planning process and Resource Network development. Essential to the success of these efforts is an actively engaged Leadership Council. This Leadership Council is representative of Business leaders throughout the organization given the privilege to champion and actively lead the progression and achievement of Diversity & Inclusion goals.

Making the Case for Change: Ohio is Ready to Grow with Medical Marijuana

What if Ohioans had access to groundbreaking medical technology for treating devastating diseases afflicting our friends, children, and parents? Diseases like cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

What if that treatment was all natural, affordable, and easily consumed in a variety of ways? The answer is one of the most under utilized and under studied technologies of our time. The answer is simple: medical marijuana.

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This November, Ohio has the chance to make it a reality. We will make history and can provide the relief for debilitating illnesses so urgently needed. History comes in the form of the Marijuana Legalization Amendment, the first and only marijuana initiative to make it to the ballot in Ohio. The initiative includes legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana for personal use. Legalizing both at the same time is important to be able to provide medical marijuana to patients, who have a legitimate need, and to also undercut the black market by putting dangerous drug dealers out of business in our communities.

Some vocal opponents of medical marijuana have demanded exhaustive testing before we allow use. They argue that legalization for Ohio is putting the cart before the horse. But I ask them, how can any professional organization thoroughly test the merits of a substance that remains illegal to work with? Are they not the ones demanding the unreasonable? Even without rigorous testing, we still know that many people have had their lives changed for the better with medical marijuana use.

Addyson Benton, a four-year-old girl with severe epilepsy, is one of the many. Addyson had little chance of physical and mental development while suffering through up to 1,000 seizures a day. Her family gave up on toxic anti-seizure medications that seemed to

do more harm than good. They moved with their last hope from Ohio to legalized Colorado.

Today, Addyson wears a small patch of medical marijuana on her ankle for treatment.

Her unique strain has very low levels of THC, the compound that creates a “high” feeling, and high levels of CBD, the compound that has anti-inflammatory medicinal properties.

With the help of this daily small patch on her skin, Addyson now only suffers 3 seizures per day. She is active, she is happy, and she has a chance at the life she was meant to have.

There are thousands of stories just like Addyson’s that we have yet to hear. Soldiers, heroes coming home from war, have praised the availability of marijuana as treatment for mental health. They most appreciate that it keeps them away from dangerous prescription drugs, and even more dangerous self-medication with alcohol and narcotics.

Chemotherapy and radiation patients enjoy renewed appetite and reduced anxiety during treatment. Clinically, recent Alzheimer’s disease studies show promising correlations between decreased fatal brain plaques and marijuana use. Other benefits and treatments are within sight. This fall, the Marijuana Legalization Amendment means a new option for patients who need help now and responsible reform for marijuana policy in Ohio.

Jennifer Redman - Internal Director of Communications, ResponsibleOhio Jennifer@responsibleohio.com

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14

Breaking the

Cycle of Violence Against Women

O

ctober marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an effort to bring more awareness to an issue that will affect an estimated one in four women living in the United States. Alarmingly, domestic violence — defined as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another.

Abuse, such as rape and domestic violence, can cause chronic health problems, a prevalent problem among women of color.

Physical, sexual, and psychological violence strikes women in epidemic proportions worldwide.

It crosses every social and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity. From domestic abuse to rape as a weapon of war, violence against women is a gross violation of their human rights. Not only does it threaten women’s health and their social and economic wellbeing, violence also thwarts global efforts to reduce poverty.

Violence is, however, preventable. Although no silver bullet will eliminate it, a combination of efforts that address income, education, health, laws, and infrastructure can significantly reduce violence and its tragic consequences. First and foremost, abusive behavior towards women must be viewed as unacceptable. Communities need to have an important role in defining solutions to violence and providing support to victims. And men must be engaged in the process, too, as agents of change standing alongside women to end violence.

If the world does not address these issues, it stands to suppress the enormous potential of women and girls. When they feel safe, when they are empowered, women and girls can be game-changers, the catalyst for the next great innovation, leaders of a more just world, and a driving force behind stronger economies.

I know about rape, violence and abuse because I too was once a victim-turned survivor of one of the most notorious abuse cases in the history of California. My ex-husband locked up my children and I in a garage when I tried to leave, and were beaten and forced to live in our own filth. While in captivity, for over six months, I gave birth to a daughter who was taken from me and raised by other women in the home, but I would eventually escape this nightmare by secretly slipping a 12-page letter to a postal worker outlining the details of my abuse. Authorities arrived and he was arrested, and is now serving 7 consecutive life terms. Today, I’m an advocate for the victims of domestic violence. I travel all over telling my story to schools, churches, sororities, prisons, and now traveling to Ghana. I chose to relive my experience to show others that there is a way out, because you’re not alone, there is help out there and never, ever give up. Love doesn’t hurt, so we need to break the silence on violence against women.

I leave you with a quote from Nina Simone: “You have to learn to get up from the table when love is no longer being served.”

Laura Cowan - The Laura Cowan Foundation thelauracowanfoundation@gmail.com

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Executive Profile:

I

n her own words, Michelle McBride describes her perspective on life this way: “I have a passion for helping entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth…I just feel that all of us here have untapped potential. It just takes enough of us to be able to support one another to realize that potential so that we can benefit the whole world and mankind.

I love working with business owners, from startup businesses to multi-million dollar business. I love helping them identify ways they can increase their profitability and their market share and have fun doing it.”

Michelle herself is a success story. Much of her career so far has been in the financial services and healthcare industries. While earning her MBA degree, she worked on

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Wall Street for Chemical Bank. For over 10 years she worked in their retail and wholesale banking divisions. Michelle later worked at the Prudential Healthcare HMO in Maryland. As a Director of Managed Care Contracting, she was responsible for high level recruitment and negotiating contract agreements between the health plan and local hospitals and physicians.

Michelle’s passion for healthcare began as a result of her need to help her mother cope with an illness which eventually led to her developing a passion for learning more about contract negotiation and physician recruitment. She also began to do more work building winning teams in the health plan. Along the way, Michelle entered the credit card processing industry and started a very successful company called Pay Bizness, which she still runs today. Naturally, her first customers for her credit card processing business were the doctors she worked with while in her Healthcare career.

Regardless of the venue or the institution, the common theme in Michelle’s work has been helping people achieve their full potential, whether in healthcare, credit card processing or in a more recent position at CEO Space International. CEO Space International helps startup, mid-size, and mature level entrepreneurs clarify and realize their business deliverables and assist them in taking their businesses to the next level.

The CEO Space International faculty and mentors are a distinguished brain trust that

Michelle McBride includes members of Fortune 1,000 and Fortune 500 companies who teach at the CEO Space Business Growth Conferences five times a year and provide one-on-one consultations. CEO Space also has a Teen Entrepreneur Program for young people, ages 13 to 20.

According to Michelle, the beauty of CEO Space is personal growth for everyone. It is a powerful networking experience, much more than a business card exchange. The organization holds a 7-day conference several times a year where the attendees have the opportunity to hear from and network with some of the best business minds in the country. Many attendees have their first Mastermind experience there.

CEO Space International has over 85,000 members representing about 120 countries.

Some iconic success stories have come out of CEO Space International. For example, the idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul book and book series was born through a collaborative effort at a CEO Space Conference. While at CEO Space, the author and motivational speaker, Lisa Nichols, connected with the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul and was subsequently featured in The Secret movie. Lisa has since written a New York Times Bestseller book called No Matter What and now has taken her company public. Lisa credits her business development and success to her membership in CEO Space where she attended over 42 conferences in a row. The immune system support supplement called

Airborne that was created by a 2nd grade school teacher was also birthed at CEO Space. Recently Sharon Lechter, co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad launched her newest book called Think and Grow Rich for Women at CEO Space where Sharon is on faculty.

CEO Space International is a 26-year-old private organization that does not advertise.

Membership is by invitation of another member. Each local club is its own franchise of sorts led by a club president who walks prospects through the membership process.

During her six years with CEO Space International, Michelle has moved from being a member to a club president, then on to regional manager and now heads a CEO Space region in the Northeast where she travels extensively to identify and recruit prospective new members for CEO Space International.

In what little spare time she has, Michelle loves to read. One of her favorite books that she has read again and again is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. She’s also read Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon Lechter. Next on her list is The Wealth Choice

by Dennis Kimbro and the new book by TD Jakes Instinct-The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive. Michelle also enjoys travel, playing trivia games, and spending quality time with her family.

If you’re interested in learning more about CEO Space, contact Michelle McBride at (888)992-5551 or michelle@ ceospacemaryland.com or visit www.ceospacemaryland.com

Sharon O. Williams - Radio One, Inc. www.radio-one.com

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PATHWAYS TO DISCOVERING A

Healthier You!

A Multicultural Women’s Health & Wellness Summit 12 Years of Dedication to Multicultural Women’s Health

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 Check-in: 8 a.m.

Program: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Executive Caterers at Landerhaven 6111 Landerhaven Drive Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “This Is Your Do-Over: The 7 Secrets to Losing Weight, Living Longer and Getting a Second Chance at the Life You Want” — Michael F. Roizen, MD, New York Times best-selling author and Cleveland Clinic Chief Wellness Officer PRESENTATION: “Charting Your Path to a Healthier Heart” — Leslie Cho, MD, a prominent cardiologist and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Cardiovascular Center

Linda D. Bradley, MD Chair and Founder of Celebrate SisterhoodSM Honorary Co-chairs Anita D. Cosgrove, Esquire Lynnette Jackson, MBA Margaret W. Wong, Esquire

PANEL DISCUSSION: “Everything You Wanted to Ask Your Gynecologist But Were Afraid to Ask” • Leonor Osorio, DO, a bilingual Cleveland Clinic community internal medicine expert (Moderator) • Linda D. Bradley, MD, Chair and Founder of Celebrate Sisterhood, a renowned Cleveland Clinic specialist on menstrual disorders and fibroids (Panelist) • Margaret L. McKenzie, MD, a leading Cleveland Clinic surgeon, gynecologist and medical school educator (Panelist) • Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, President and Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine and a widely respected infertility specialist and researcher (Panelist)

CONTINUED ON BACK

Keynote Speaker

Special Guests

Michael F. Roizen, MD, Keynote Speaker

Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD

Margaret L. McKenzie, MD, Event Co-chair

Leonor Osorio, DO, Event Co-chair

Leslie Cho, MD

SO MUCH TO SEE, DO AND LEARN! • Presentations and workshops

• Food tastings

• Health screenings

• Small business vendors

• “Ask the Doctor” information sessions

• Book signings

• Skin assessments

SPACE IS LIMITED. Advance registration required – no ticket sales at the door.

• Recipes

• Health information

• A multicultural, flavorful fall luncheon buffet

• Healthy diet advice

• Colorful, useful conference bags

• Healthy heart tips

• Free parking

• Product, food & healthcare exhibits

• Lifestyle exhibits

• Product samples

• Raffle Prizes

Registration fee: $50 per person before Sept. 17, 2015 (early bird discount); $60 per person Sept. 17 and thereafter. Pay by check, money order or credit card. All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you have special menu or seating needs, please let us know when you register.

This conference sells out every year — register early to reserve your spot!

For more information or to register online, visit clevelandclinic.org/CelebrateSisterhood2015 or call 855.897.7727 (toll-free).

15-OBG-1497

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Tips to be a

Powerful and Professional Speaker T

he key to evolving into a powerful and memorable executive speaker is to stay calm and in control. The tips below will support you in learning to reduce nervousness and deliver a powerful presentation that will move your audience.

Take each tip and mold it to your personality. Make it work for your voice and style.

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10 Tips for Preparing Your Speech: 1. Begin With The End In Mind

Start your writing with the ending in mind. What is the purpose of your message? Once you have this definitive point prepared and an objective, it should drive all else beneath it.

Note that: • Objectives are measurable.

• They have a time frame.

• They are attainable.

2. Hear Not Listen

As you write, think about how your words will sound – not how they read. Speaking is always more finite and simple than how a novel is done. Without this crucial fact, your speech ends up sounding monotonous.

3. Brainstorm Your Keys

Key points should flow out of your objective. Write these down, individually, on slips of paper and physically arrange them in order. Consider this order, and then possibly rearrange them to create natural links between each key. This task creates flow.

4. Repeat Good Keys

Key ideas should be repeated two or more times during your speech. These points back up and drive home your main objectives. This helps your audience completely understand the main message of your speech.

5. Stories Add Power and Uniqueness

Everyone loves a good story. Some stories can be used for almost any audience, while others are more specific. Tailor your story for your particular venue and add power and uniqueness to your speech.

6. Don’t Jumble With Jargon

The easiest way to miss the boat with your audience is with industry speak. Jargon is exactly that to anyone outside a specific bubble of knowledge.

Keep your words simple and understandable to all.

If you do use a word that could fall on deaf ears, explain it right after you state it.

7. Convey With Humor

Make it funny. An audience always needs some comic relief at times–especially if you have a serious topic. Remember though, humor must flow naturally to work, so don’t plan ahead too much. Too much planning with humor makes you appear stiff. Get it right and your audience loves you.

8. Use Facts for Support

Don’t just tell listeners what you want them to know– tell them why they should believe it. Everything that you have to impart should be backed up by facts.

9. Involve Your Audience

I mean really involve them. Grab a volunteer or ask a listener to answer a question. The rest of those watching will identify with that one person and each will feel as if they were called upon.

10. Cut the Fat

Be ruthless with yourself at this point. As you edit your writing, look at each sentence and decide whether or not it supports your objective or key idea. If not–remove it. Consider that each venue, as a speaker, is like real estate. Every inch of space is accounted for and worth money.

5 Audio Visual Tips:

Since most executive speakers use some form of audiovisual these days, here are a few tips to keep this area professional and powerful.

1. Copy Size Does Matter

Once you know what your audience size is and the room dimensions, tailor your visual copy to suit.

Those at the back of the room should be able to read without straining. The best way to test this is to take an early visit to your venue and physically check it out.

2. Fonts

Keep fonts to a minimum. Use two per slide at the most for readability. Avoid using all caps as this appears that you are shouting at the reader.

The advertising standard is sans serif for headings and serif for copy. These help the reader scan text and are easier on the eye.

3. Colors

Less is more in terms of color. Too many bold or primary colors are hard on the eye. Pair one strong choice with subtle undertones or those that are complementary.

4. Pictures Instead of 1,000 Words

If what you are saying can be illustrated with a picture, do it. Pictures jog the memory and incite imagination. Pictures add another, deeper dimension to the audience experience. Have them sprinkled throughout, either with or without copy. continued on page 25

21

B

ianca L. Fields is a 19-year-old artist who is currently enrolled in the top ranked art and design school in the Midwest, Cleveland Institute of Art. The painting major says, “I have been painting spontaneously ever since my junior year of high school, at Charles F. Brush High School, and I have been painting work of my own ever since.” Just this past summer, on July 25th, she held her first art show with 20 of her best pieces at Negative Space Gallery. The success of the event sparked

22

her passion to create more. Fields plans to perfect her craft by completing four years at CIA and then studying abroad in London where she will explore new art forms. “Art is a very big part of my life and it has been something that I have invested a lot of time into the past 3 years. I love showing people my perspective of everyday things in life, and I hope that if anything, it can move them.”

(Top, from left)

Swallowed Dreams Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “Part of my female emotion series that depicts the idea of getting wrapped up in dreams; and finding yourself in the process.”

Being Inside of Yourself Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “Part of my female emotion series that displays what it’s like to be trapped in one’s own thoughts; whether they are positive or negative.

Part of the mind growth process.”

Is This Mortification?

Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “Displays my personal emotions towards animal abuse. I feel that the circus is an illusion, as well as a form of propaganda that hides people from seeing what really happens to the circus animals behind closed doors.”

Freedom of

Expression The Art of Bianca Fields

Bloom Where You Are Planted Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “A flower that I came across that had colors that inspired me to paint 7 flower paintings within a week.”

Fishbowl Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “A self-portrait during a very low point of my life; and showing myself being trapped in my own mind. The fishbowl is a surrealist representation of my mind; and how there weren’t many places for my mind to go.”

Swallowed Cities Acrylic Paint on Canvas - “A scenery shot that was taken in New York, New York, that inspired me to show the countless interactions between hundreds of people at once. I felt the need to blur the whole scenery together to show how quickly time moves; and how nothing ever remains the same.”

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5. Break it Up

Jolt your viewers out of staring at your visuals by inserting a blank, black slide. All eyes will turn to you. This is the perfect time to tell a story and relate something essential.

10 On Stage Tips: 1. Know Your Content

Have your key message points memorized or displayed visually. These points will keep your material flowing naturally and prompt the less familiar statements out of you. If you happen to stumble, your next message is there to help.

2. Perfect Means Practice

Your first audience is always you–in the mirror and on voice recorder. By watching and listening to yourself, you will gain confidence and spot weak points.

Your second audience is family and friends. Have them critique you on body language and clarity.

No audience handy? Record yourself on video for a similar effect.

Continue practicing and practicing. This will give you poise for any technical hitches or curve balls that the venue may present.

3. Scope Out The Venue

Set up an early visit to the location of your presentation. Get familiar with the room set up so you can fine-tune your audiovisuals to suit. This will also reduce nervousness, as you know what to expect out of the room.

4. Pave Your Introduction

Write an intro and provide it to your host in advance of the event. In this way, you can control your lead-in and gain some credibility that appears to come from an outside source.

afterward. Your listeners will want to get details or discuss questions.

6. Open With A Bang

You have a limited time to make a first impression– merely seconds. So be sure to walk on stage with a smile and body language that is full of energy. You may also want to think of a quick fact or question that provokes thought and gets your audience interacting immediately.

7. No Need For an Apology

Think of the time you ate in an expensive restaurant and a server dropped a huge order on the floor then walked away as if nothing happened. That is exactly what they are trained to do, and you should do the same. Apologizing for a mistake only emphasizes it– most won’t realize that you even made one.

8. Use Effective Pauses

Listen to your audience and follow their lead. Allow breaks for applause, laughter and natural responses.

Never lead back in too early. They will feel as if they have been interrupted.

9. Make It About You Not Me

Personalize the experience for those present. This is easily done by replacing “me, myself, and I” with “you.” Even a personal story resonates best when you ask: “How would you feel if...?”

10. Your Final Actions

When the end is near, ask for more. In any presentation, your task is to generate interest and, of course, push action. Asking your audience to take specific action creates results and builds your name.

Use these tips to enhance your speech writing, present your material professionally, and deliver a powerful presentation. Make the most out of your executive speaking.

5. Mingle

Make time for schmoozing before you present. Be sure to factor in time spent on equipment set up, and also leave time for more ‘meet and greets’

DeLores Pressley, CEO - DeLores Pressley Worldwide www.DeloresPressley.com

25

10 Ways

To Put Your

Doctor Out of Business T

26

he current economy is gloomy, but healthcare business is booming. Thanks to our glutinous western diet, sedentary couch and mouse potato lifestyles, that include iPads, iPods, computers, TVs with remote controls, and lack of exercise, doctors are in high demand. Can you please put doctors out of the chronic disease healthcare business? Our culture is obsessed with doctors. Dr. Drew, Dr. Seuss, Dr. Oz, and Dr. Phil. We have doctors on the brain. Books by doctors make the bestseller lists. Prime time television looks like an American Medical Association convention. In a culture that thumbs its nose at power, doctors are among the few people who still rate some respect and authority.

People generally like doctors. They like to think that when there is something wrong with them, that someone in a white coat or scrubs is going to come

the electric company, but she’s not. She’s the last resort, like bankruptcy court.

You want to do everything in your power to avoid needing your doctor. You want to see her at Dave’s, Heinen’s, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, the bowling alley or at church–but not in her office and definitely not in her mask and gown. I don’t want to be hard on doctors. We are the finest, most compassionate, hardest-working people on earth, but there’s no reason you have to put your doctor’s children through college. And I don’t really want to put anybody out of business. But we have it in our power to transform the economics of healthcare. We can help decrease the $3.8 trillion dollars spent on healthcare in the U.S. this year. Incredibly, we’re on track to spend almost $8,920 per capita. Healthcare spending has climbed steadily and we spend 18 percent of GDP. Despite the amount of money spent annually, we fail to reap

down from the sky and make them all better.

Well, I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but by the time we get to see you, it might be too late. Maybe not too late to save your life, but too late to preserve life without chronic pain, tiredness or the sideeffects of medication; too late to save you from a lifetime of health worries and financial debt.

Some people think a doctor is a utility, like

the benefits of a longer life, improved quality of life, improved infant mortality, or decrease of chronic disease.

But wait a minute–you might say – “disease happens,” it’s “the luck of draw.” In many cases that’s true. However, three out of four people will die of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke–many of which are self-induced, chronic diseases that could be avoidable by lifestyle changes.

Chronic diseases are responsible for 83 percent of all health care spending. These are diseases that drag

on for years and years and get slowly worse, and require increasingly complex interventions. These are the diseases that keep doctors in business. And these are the diseases we have to power to control.

If we eliminated chronic diseases and embraced selfcare reform, we could put millions of doctors out of work.

Let me tell you “10 Ways to Put Your Doctor Out of Business.”

1 Take Your Medicine

America has a drug problem. Too many people are not taking drugs. Doctors prescribe them, pharmacists dispense them, and the little bottles of pills sit on the nightstand drawer, as the “use by” date slowly expires. Often, the patient is expiring right alongside of them. It’s estimated that about 50 percent of the 2 billion prescriptions filled each year are not taken correctly. One-third of patients take all their medicine, one-third takes some, and a third never even fill their prescriptions. Non-compliance is said to cause 125,000 deaths annually in the United States, and may lead to up to 28 percent of hospital and nursing home admissions. As the former surgeon general C. Everett Koop says, “Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.”

That goes for contraceptives, too. We live in a golden age of contraceptive medicine. There is no

don’t like your doctors, do what they say. You won’t have to see them again.

2 Lower Your Blood Pressure

They call hypertension the “quiet killer” because it’s virtually asymptomatic. People with uncontrolled high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop heart disease and six times more likely to develop congestive heart failure (a weak heart). Also, high blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke, for which you can control. Stroke is America’s number three killer and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability, and nursing home placements.

No one knows what causes most cases of hypertension, but we know its fellow travelers. They are obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, too much salt, moderate alcohol consumption, stress, race and family history of high blood pressure. If you want to put your doctor out of business, bury the salt shaker. Get a stationary bike. Lose weight. Pass the martini bar. Bypass the buffet table at your favorite restaurant.

3 Safety First

Most of us can expect to die of natural causes, but one out of every 22 Americans dies of something else. We call them accidents, but some experts don’t like that word because it makes these things sound unpredictable and continued on page 28

excuse for unplanned pregnancies. Abortion should be unnecessary, but the pill doesn’t take itself.

Condoms don’t slide on by themselves. Intrauterine devices, tubal ligation, and vasectomy require a doctor’s appointment.

Compliance goes beyond drugs. Do the physical therapy. Do the special exercises. Stay off your feet if you’re supposed to. Get out of bed if you’re supposed to do that. Follow that special diet. If you

27

unavoidable. Accidents are frighteningly predictable.

We know for certain that about 50,000 people will die in motor vehicle accidents every year, without fail. These people won’t need doctors any more, but accidents are like battlefield statistics. For every death, you can assume ten or more have injuries that will keep doctors busy. Common sense seems to be the answer to most safety issues. Yet the statistics show that common sense isn’t as common as it’s expected to be. Accidents kill more children than all childhood diseases combined, and fill the rehabilitation hospitals with sad cases.

Here’s how to give your pediatrician a boring life: make your children buckle up, make them wear bike helmets, supervise them in or near water, check your smoke detectors monthly, set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees, keep guns out of the house or locked up, and store cleaning fluids and medications out of reach.

National Safety Council statistics are fascinating.

More people died from falling against furniture, most often from tripping over a rug, shoes, or pet, than died in plane crashes in 2014. More than 3,500 people drowned that year. Nobody died of radiation exposure. Yet almost 900 people died from choking. How many of those 900 people could have been saved if someone nearby knew the Heimlich maneuver? Do you know it?

4 Safe Sex

To take a calculated risk, you need data, but too many people have too little data about their sexual partners. The result is the persistence of venereal diseases and HIV/AIDS. An estimated one million people are currently living with HIV in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections occurring each year.

• 30 percent of new infections occur in women.

• 75 percent of the new infections in women are heterosexually transmitted.

• Half of all new infections in the United States occur in people 25 years of age or younger.

Trich, hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, human papilloma virus are all sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You don’t get them by sitting on a toilet, or relaxing in a Jacuzzi or hot tub. You get them by having sex with an infected partner. Can you believe that there are 19 million STIs that occur yearly? More than 50% of cases occur among people <25 years of age?

Women are more likely to get an STI, and 10x more

28

likely to get HIV than men. Almost 65% of cases of HIV occur among heterosexual African American women.

Women often feel powerless to ask her partner to use condoms. I asked a patient of mine recently why she was not using condoms consistently. She said she was afraid to ask her partner. Another said that her partner would get angry. A more vocal group of patients have told me, “No glove…no love.” I like that mantra.

Talking about what kinds of people are getting HIV is not entirely to the point. People don’t spread HIV. Behaviors do. The rate of HIV infection slowed drastically among gay men over the past 25 years, largely thanks to educational programs that changed behavior. Each of us must be an advocate for our own safe sex practice. In so doing, we can decrease visits to the doctor for STI complaints.

5 Addressing Health Disparities

All the health conditions mentioned so far are worse for African-Americans. For instance, AfricanAmericans have the highest rate of hypertension in the world. They are more likely to be non-compliant in regards to medication. African-Americans have higher death and injury rates from accidents.

African-American men are 5 times more likely to die of HIV/AIDS than Caucasians. Lower income status is linked to poor physical fitness and higher mortality from all causes. Lack of exercise opportunities is a major factor. Also poor diet and greater exposure to tobacco smoke among are noted among people with a lower income.

Health disparities are also linked with less food choices. Multicultural communities need more supermarkets and farmers markets that sell fresh produce than another fast-food chain. Patients who live in low income communities often live in “food deserts.” Often they have little access to real food; rather they are exposed to more processed food.

All of us are eating more manufactured food and manufactured calories. Living in a food desert, they more often eat high fat, calorie dense, nutrition poor foods, filled with high-fructose corn syrup, brightly lit neon signs that shout “super-size” and meals filled with chemicals that we can’t even pronounce. Fewer food choices, coupled with limited transportation options limit access to fresh food choices.

6 Screening for Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in

America. The American Cancer Society estimates that almost a million and a half people will die of cancer this year–about the same number of men as women, and far more African-Americans than persons of other cultures. The cancer mortality rate for African-American men is 44 percent higher than for white men.

If you’re waiting for a cure for cancer, don’t hold your breath. The galaxy of diseases we call cancer is so vast and so complex that it defies any single treatment. Cancer researchers are stymied.

Decoding the genome has taught us a great deal– mostly, how little we know.

Tobacco and alcohol avoidance are the primary behavioral modifications you can take to prevent cancer. The same diet that protects against heart disease may also protect against some cancers.

We worry about pollution of the air and water, but according to the EPA, only 2 percent of cancer is caused by environmental pollution.

When it comes to putting your doctor out of business, cancer is a challenge. Your best strategy is screening. Fortunately, some of the deadliest cancers can be screened for and caught in their earliest stages. So women need to be faithful about getting their mammograms and pap smears. Did you know that more women die of colon cancer than breast cancer? Men and women over 55 or those with a family history of colon cancer need to get a colonoscopy every five years. Personal vigilance is also critical. That means breast and testicular self-examination; awareness of moles and skin discoloration; noting the presence of odd lumps or discharges. Cancer specialists will not be going out of business soon, but with screening, you can take a bite out of their incomes.

7 Take Care of Your Heart

The most recent American’s Best Hospital’s Survey noted that the Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute ranks number 1 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery. It is the largest singleuse medical building in the world. Only one disease is big enough to deserve a building of that size. Heart disease. Coronary artery disease is still the number one cause of death in America. Cleveland Clinic heart specialists are learning more and more about heart disease every day, and one of the things they’re learning is that it’s also one of the most preventable of the chronic diseases.

Most coronary artery disease is self-inflicted, or

made worse by our behaviors. Risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure. These are all factors we can control. Research led by Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Steve Nissen has shown that certain doses of statin drugs can not only stop the progression of atherosclerosis, but can reverse it. Increasingly, studies also indicate that plant-based and plantstrong diet can help diminish chances and even

reverse heart disease.

Another big discovery seems to be that women get heart disease, too. In fact, as many women die of heart attacks as men–only it happens on average later in life for women. Heart attacks may also have less obvious symptoms in women than in men, and women are less likely to get to an emergency room within 90 minutes–the time within which you can still save heart muscle and prevent more serious complications or death.

A recent study by Duke Medical Center showed that African-Americans were 40 percent more likely to die of heart disease than Caucasians. Co-morbidities were a factor, as African-Americans were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, but they were also less aggressively treated–for reasons that the study didn’t make clear. Statistics like this make the preventive mantra even more critical for AfricanAmericans: No smoking; eat healthy; exercise more; lower your cholesterol and blood pressure; watch your weight. Hospitals can build all the buildings they want, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be an empty, desolate place, and the roost of owls. But you don’t have to need them. You don’t want to be admitted.

8 Prevent Diabetes

Death rates from cancer, cardiovascular disease and strokes have all gone down in the past decade.

All the major diseases are getting better. Except for continued on page 30

29

one. And that one is getting very bad. I’m talking about diabetes.

Most people have only the vaguest idea of what diabetes is, what causes it, or what it does. They know it has something to do with sugar, so the image that comes to mind may be something amorphous, like cotton candy.

We can no longer afford to minimize our heath problems. So often you will hear someone say “oh well, I have a little sugar (diabetes)” which is like saying “I’m a little pregnant.” To a doctor, a diabetic is diabetic. You can lose kidney function, it can cause blindness, loss of feeling in your extremities, and if you are pregnant, is associated with a higher rate of stillbirths and birth defects.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes strikes in childhood, and may be genetic origin. Type 2 diabetes is far more common. Up until recently, it was primarily a disease of aging, but the age-ofonset has been creeping downward in our lifetimes.

Today, thousands of children are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The rate of admission for kids to hospitals for diabetes related disease has increased 200% in the last decade.

Diabetes has no single, trademark symptom; it delivers no ultimatums, no wake up calls. It sneaks up on you. It’s a glandular disease that throws your enzymes out of whack. The sugar you eat can’t get into your cells. It backs up in blood. Your body chemistry goes haywire. And almost twenty million Americans have diabetes. Almost a third of them may not be aware of it.

Diabetes keeps a lot of doctors very busy. Not only endocrinologists, who treat glandular disorders, but nephrologists, cardiologists, heart surgeons, urologists, vascular surgeons, podiatrists, and eye doctors. That’s because left untreated, diabetes can lead to kidney failure and dialysis, erectile dysfunction, stroke, vascular disease, heart disease, gangrene, and blindness.

While there’s no simple way to prevent or cure cancer, there is a “magic bullet” for diabetes.

It’s called diet, exercise, and avoiding becoming overweight or obese. No one is sure what causes diabetes. You can virtually eliminate your chances of getting diabetes by getting regular exercise and eating a plant strong diet. If you have diabetes, you can control and reverse the disease the same way.

9 10 Stop Smoking and Lose Weight &

Smoking and obesity run like Bonnie and Clyde

30

through every chronic disease condition. They’re implicated in thousands of crimes against the body.

Smoking and obesity alone may drive more than half to three-quarters of our current demand for health care. This fact is deeply ironic, because of all the variables that control human health, smoking and obesity are two of the most controllable. We can’t control our genes. We can’t run from viruses and bacteria, but smoking and obesity are 100 percent volitional.

Mark Twain said, “It’s easy to stop smoking…I’ve done it hundreds of time.” As Dr. Toby Cosgrove, the noted heart surgeon and CEO of Cleveland Clinic, says, “No single action can have a greater positive effect on individual health, than smoking cessation.”

It’s like stepping out of the way of an oncoming train.

Under Dr. Cosgrove’s leadership, the Cleveland Clinic campus went smoke free several years ago. Many hospitals across the country have adopted similar hiring policies.

Smoking went from sexy to scary in 1961 with the first study linking it to lung cancer. Now we know that smoking is associated with 17 types of cancer, in addition to causing wrinkles, cardiovascular disease, bladder cancer, birth defects, head and neck cancers, emphysema, and is a factor in everything from osteoporosis to gum disease. If tobacco use disappeared tomorrow, thousands of oncologists, pulmonologists, heart surgeons, vascular surgeons, and thoracic surgeons would have to find other lines of work. Gynecologists would go out of work too because smoking in women is associated with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, premature deliveries, premature menopause, and cervical precancer and cervical cancer.

But nothing is more culturally conditioned than our eating habits. Obesity arises from a complex interplay of cultural and emotional factors. People who are overweight deserve our compassion.

One of the most disturbing aspects of obesity is that we are passing these unhealthy habits on to our children. When parents are obese, children are more likely to be obese. One of the most sobering statistics reveals that this generation of young people, teens and younger, is one of the unhealthiest groups of kids ever. More children today are diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension than in the history of medicine. As in adults, obesity in children is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Sadly, our children will have a shorter lifespan than their parents and grandparents if they continued on page 32

“

Alex engaged our audience.

We laughed, cried and celebrated!

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ALEXANDRIA JOHNSON BOONE PRESIDENT & CEO • GAP COMMUNICATIONS GROUP FOUNDER • WOMEN OF COLOR FOUNDATION PUBLISHER • CL MAGAZINE

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continue with the lifestyles they are leading. Car seats are now being made in husky sizes for children because they are too large to fit in the average size ones. By viewing this excessive weight in babies as cute, we underplay the risk to these children’s lives. Get your kids outside to exercise. Limit TV, computers, and video games to less than one hour daily. Or in another practical way, for every minute of TV, the kids should engage in that amount of exercise.

Obesity is directly related to a long list of chronic illnesses. Foremost is diabetes. Rates of adult-onset diabetes shoot up right alongside the obesity rates.

Health statistics are deceptive. We talk about high rates of cardiovascular disease, breast and gynecological cancers, and colon cancer, but being overweight is also linked with orthopedic and joint problems. Hip, ankle, and knee replacements and other joint ailments and pain are noted in overweight patients. Accidents, falls, and sleep disorders are additional health conditions associated with obesity.

Obesity is a more serious public health problem than smoking. Smoking is one habit, one behavior.

Obesity is enabled by a galaxy of cultural, psychological, spiritual, economic and political factors that involve every facet of our society.

Tens of thousands of doctors enjoy excellent incomes, thanks to obesity. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a national change of heart about smoking, which has banished tobacco to the outer fringes of acceptability. Perhaps over the next 20 years, we’ll see a similar change of heart about food. We’ll talk about where and how our food is grown, how it is processed, what is added to it, when and how we eat, and how agricultural subsidies contribute to obesity in this country. We’ll talk about pride and personal responsibility, because unlike smoking, you can’t legislate how and where people eat.

A healthy weight takes sweat. It means learning how to cook your own meals, rather than eating out.

It means portion control. It means learning how to say “no.” It requires getting used to new tastes, new flavors, and modifying recipes, so that they contain less fat and salt. Try a new spice, herb, flavor, or meal plan for 30 days. Usually after 30 days anything we stick with becomes a habit. If we all stayed in the neighborhood of our ideal body

weight, we could put another tens of thousands of doctors out of work. And who wouldn’t like to take some profits from the pharmaceutical companies.

People who lose weight suddenly find that they can decrease the number and amount of medications or completely stop their medications. Addressing these two problems–tobacco and obesity–would essentially resolve our national health care crisis by shrinking demand for services down to a manageable size.

That’s my top ten, but there are other ways to cut your doctor’s business. For instance, you can cut your doctor visits by making each appointment really count. Be clear with yourself about what you want from the visit. Be absolutely honest with your doctor. Remember that your medical information is a sacred trust. Your doctor can’t help you if you hold information back. Ask questions; listen carefully.

Be prepared to talk about your health problems systematically. Discuss your concerns–even if they make you feel awkward. Repeat and summarize what your doctor tells you, and don’t leave without an action plan.

“So what?” You might say. “Who wants to live forever? Everybody has to die of something.”

Certainly we all die of something, but death doesn’t have to be slow or painful, and well in advance of the Biblical three score and ten. Chronic diseases don’t kill you suddenly. With chronic diseases, you get progressively more ill and debilitated, especially if your disease is not managed correctly.

The receptionist in the doctor’s waiting room gets to know you very well, and the names of all your children and pets. Death is inevitable, but a long, dragged out lifetime of ill health is not.

Paying attention to ourselves is not selfishness or narcissism. It’s part of our responsibility to others. Americans suffer from preventable diseases compared to exotic bacterial and parasitic infections seen in third world countries. We are all connected by invisible cords of mind, body and spirit. Let’s use our minds to take care of our bodies, care for ourselves and re-charge our spirits. Get off the pity-pot. Start with one small change, be it diet, a pledge to exercise more, smile more, have gratitude, forgiveness, or sharing your wealth with others. It’s never too late to get healthy. Make tomorrow the first day of the rest of your life.

Linda D. Bradley, MD - Vice Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology Cleveland Clinic

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2015

Calendar of Events

CLEVELAND, OHIO Tuesday, March 24, 2015

4th Annual “Speaking of Women!

A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Special Women’s History Month Program “A Conversation with a Woman of Vision”

4:30am – 6:00pm Cleveland Clinic - Beachwood Campus Building 3 Auditorium 3050 Science Park Drive Beachwood, Ohio 44122

CLEVELAND, OHIO Thursday, April 2 – Development Retreat for Friday, April 3, 2015

13th Annual Personal and Professional Women of Color “Connections, Community and Career 2015”

8:00am – 5:00pm Cuyahoga Community College - Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128

COLUMBUS, OHIO Monday, May 11, 2015

10th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat for Women of Color “Connections, Community and Career 2015”

8:00am – 5:00pm Creekside Conference & Event Center 101 Mill Street, Suite 300, Creekside Plaza Gahanna, Ohio 43230

CLEVELAND, OHIO Thursday, June 11, 2015

4th Annual “Speaking of Women!

A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Women’s Leadership Symposium

11:30am – 1:30pm Dominion East Ohio 1201 East 55th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44103

CLEVELAND, OHIO Thursday, September 10, 2015

1st Annual Women of Color Foundation “Special Outreach Program” by invitation only - not open to the public

12:00 noon – 3:00pm Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) 1479 Collins Avenue Marysville, Ohio 43040

CLEVELAND, OHIO Thursday, November 5, 2015

10th Annual Women of Color Leadership Development and Training Institute & Awards Luncheon American Greetings Corporation “Speaking of Women! A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership”

8:00am – 2:00pm Cleveland State University Wolstein Center 2000 Prospect Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115

For More Information Please Visit: www.womenofcolorfoundation.com Or Call: 216.391.4300, ext. 307 Toll Free: 866.962-­3411, ext. 307

This is a membership-based professional experience!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW

PROGRAM FACILITATED BY:

BENEFITS:

Dr. Ellen Burts-Cooper

o Coaching sessions, seminars, assessments, conferences, panel discussions, and business networking events o Action planning guides to ensure success and accountability for all participants o Learn from the latest research on successful women in leadership roles o Interactive, creative, scenario-based learning

and Expert Co-Facilitators from various industries

CUSTOMIZED COURSE TRACKS: Call 216-539-8737

o Experienced Leader o Emerging Leader

today for more information or a

LOCATION: The LOFT, 1667 East 40th Street, Suite 2E, Cleveland, Ohio 44103

confidential program

INVESTMENT: Continuous Development Offering with Professional Development Units (PDUs): $3,500.00

application!

theloft@improveconsulting.biz www.improveconsulting.biz/womensleadershipdevelopment

Envisioning a New You M

any of us have at least thought about some changes we would like to make in our lives.

We may want to start an exercise program, cut back on our stress-filled and often chaotic schedules, or figure out the best way to shed those unwanted pounds that we somehow picked up over the past couple of months.

While those thoughts are a good start, how many of us have actually formulated a plan to realize those changes in our lives? In reality, it often seems more overwhelming and stressful to start an exercise program, rearrange our schedules, and eat healthier than to simply maintain the status quo.

The fact is, if we continue maintaining the status quo and don’t start incorporating healthy choices into our lifestyle, we will become one of more than 100 million Americans living with a chronic disease, thereby increasing our risk for death and disability.

More importantly, we will live with unnecessary pain, fatigue and difficulty moving. The bottom line is, we will decrease our chances of living a high quality and fulfilling life.

Who wants to live like that? Isn’t it time to make some healthy changes? Incorporating a healthy lifestyle can be as easy as following the 3 simple steps listed below:

Step 1: Develop a PLAN

For example, maybe you know you drink too many soft drinks or sugar-filled drinks and you want to start drinking more water. Your plan could be as simple as deciding not to buy any more soft drinks and instead purchase a glass water bottle (better for the environment over plastic).

Drink water instead of the sugary drink for just 5 short days. Write the plan down and post it where you can see it everyday.

Starting off with something as simple as changing what you drink brings you one step closer to living the healthy lifestyle you desire.

Step 2: Review your plan EVERY DAY

In order to stay on track with your plan you should review it everyday. Remind yourself over and over what you are doing and remind yourself why you are doing it. For example, you could recite the following statement several times per day to help you remember: “I am drinking more water because I want to take better care of my body. I enjoy doing something good for myself!”

Step 3: Incorporate HELP

By incorporating help from others, we are asking someone to hold us accountable and help us to remain focused on the goals we are trying to achieve.

We cannot make sustainable changes in our lives without help. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of courage, to say out loud “I need help and I trust you to help me.”

Start today by taking one step toward the changes you want to see manifest in your life, and I guarantee you will agree that it is time for change and you are more than worth the hard work.

Decide what area of your life you would like to tackle first. What will bring you the quickest reward?

What will you feel most excited about? What aspect of your life can you readily develop a plan to help you get started? Whatever you decide, it helps to formulate a plan, and write it down. Having a plan in your head is good, but writing it down on paper is even better. Studies have shown that we are more likely to DO the things we write down.

Natalie Brown Rudd, RN, BSN - Cleveland Clinic Associate Minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio Author of Stormy Weather: Twenty-five Lessons Learned while Weathering the Storms of Life

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Preparing for a

Job Hunt

E

mbarking on a job hunt can be exciting yet intimidating at the same time. The hiring process is so much more than an interview. Take a deep breath and understand that you are not alone. People engage in the job hunt experience every day. Below you will find some tips that will be helpful to you in your journey.

Research the company and the position you are applying for. It is always best to conduct a preliminary analysis of the company to ensure cultural fit and moral alignment. It is better to understand what you could be possibly getting yourself involved with before investing time and energy.

Remember to thoroughly fill out the application and complete any pre-assessments related to the position (if applicable). When heavily involved in job seeking, make sure to keep track of all the positions you apply for, feedback received, and names of people you interact with. After applying to so many positions, information can become easily lost.

First impressions initiate when the hiring staff pulls the candidate resume, long before the face-to-face interview. The resume should be your best foot forward, on paper. It is always

a great idea to proof read your resume. Formatting errors and simple syntax mistakes are distasteful and take the attention away from the true essence of the resume. Why should a company consider a candidate to join their team? A powerful objective statement or executive/professional summary is not only an attention grabber, but it provides a high level review of your unique individual capabilities and your professional expectations. It is important that the content within the resume is concise and to the point, yet detailed enough that the hiring manager clearly recognizes your value.

The interview is your time to really put yourself on display. Be cognizant of your professional appearance, timeliness, and ability to efficiently and effectively communicate. Spend some time prior to the interview reviewing more about the company, i.e. significant accomplishments, vision and mission statements, and market competitiveness. Knowing company history shows initiative and earnest company interest. Take your time, listen effectively, and fully answer questions. Draw from your previous experiences and be honest about where you want to go.

After you have wowed the interview team with your dazzling personality and demonstrated ability to perform the job duties, thank the team for taking the time out to meet with you. Thank you cards or follow up emails are classic touches that solidify your interest and reinforces engagement. Lastly, once an offer is received, do not be afraid to counter offer or ask questions. Know your worth and what the company is capable of providing.

Good luck and happy job-hunting!

Dominique Perry, MHRM, BA - Human Resources: Recruiting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lead, Information Technology Ford Motor Company, Domperry09@gmail.com

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Walnut Wednesdays T

Bring Summer Fun to the Work Week

he fifth season of Walnut Wednesdays started May 6 and will last through the end of September. Sponsored by Ohio Savings Bank and hosted by Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) at Perk Plaza at Chester Commons, Walnut Wednesday is the food truck event that features live music and a rotation of more than 40 different trucks.

About the Event Originally created as a way to activate public space and attract office workers into Perk Park, Walnut Wednesday has become a downtown destination.

When created in 2011, the event ended the season with about 10 trucks and has grown to 4 times that size. Every week from May through September, 17 food trucks and five dessert trucks will surround the park from 11:00am to 1:30 pm. The event attracts over 1,000 people each week. Local bands, provided

by CBS Radio, turn the lunch time event into a partystyle outing.

“Walnut Wednesday has grown in popularity over the years–now more than 1,500 people visit Walnut Wednesday each week and Perk Plaza is an urban retreat all season long,” said Joe Marinucci, President and CEO of DCA. About the Location Walnut Wednesday is located at Perk Park in the NineTwelve District. In 2011, the renovated Perk Park opened with a level lawn perfect for picnic blankets as well as shaded areas and plentiful seating. At the time, there were limited food options in the NineTwelve District, and Walnut Wednesday brought lunch time options and activated the new

space. Since then, the district has flourished, but Walnut Wednesday is still in high demand.

The event had a direct effect of the office occupancy surrounding the park. Since the creation of Walnut Wednesday, 10 world headquarters have located in the NineTwelve district and 5,500 jobs have been committed to the district. NineTwelve is now one of downtown’s fastest growing districts.

“Walnut Wednesday, along with an increased residential and business population, has helped lead to a renaissance in the NineTwelve District,” says Marinucci.

About the Trucks In 2012, the food truck market grew exponentially.

DCA initiated a sign-up and rotation system for the trucks. The list of trucks is announced each Tuesday, so lunch-goers know when their favorite trucks are in town. Trucks include: 216 Bistro, Barrio Tacos, Sweet!

The Mobile Cupcakery, Swenson’s, Mason’s Creamery, Mobile Sushi Bar Sushi on the Roll, MotorMouth Food Truck, Nelly Belly, and many more!

Heather Holmes - Director of Marketing & Public Relations, hholmes@downtowncleveland.com; Meghan Tinker - Strategic Communications Specialist, mtinker@downtowncleveland.com - Downtown Cleveland Alliance

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Need to get in today?

Done.

World class care at over 90 locations

Embracing

Change

As practicing Clinical Social Workers, we know all too well that unpredictable change in roles and responsibilities at the professional work place impact a person. It is no secret that the fabric of our profession is different today and people are experiencing an array of fluctuating feelings. Being flexible to work design, administrative styles, and allocation of resources can help us to manage and cope well. We will share with you some approaches to change.

1. PLEASE DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL

Life is filled with change and it is impossible to escape it. Try to exercise patience and take control of the situation. A company’s decision to transform is usually not related to any individual. Instead, look at the redesign as an opportunity to grow, sharpen skills and to become familiar with various leadership styles and settings. Everyone wants to be associated with a winning team. The future’s vast uncharted territory of the unknown, holding joy or terror, comfort or pain can cause fear. Tomorrow’s story evolves by change today.

2. STRIVE TO DO YOUR BEST

There is some truth to the statement “Everything must change and nothing stays the same.” A person’s best shifts from moment to moment. Keeping a positive attitude will assist with focusing on optimism and

not despair. Work redesign will expose an individual to different perspectives that may challenge one to go beyond the norm and to reorganize.

3. RELY ON PERSONAL FAITH

Woven into human fabric is the desire to learn, understand, and grow. Our mind sets us apart from animals, as we analyze, conceptualize, theorize, discuss, and debate everything from science to the supernatural. As we grow through life, we hone into a sense of spirituality that calms us. Facts and opinions often fill our verbiage, but the true person lies hidden beneath some emotions attached to God. Having a way to anchor emotions during hard times can provide strength and sustain the individual so the person can hang in there. Our challenge to you is to develop an atmosphere that is electric, and find your anchor. With energy, style, and crisply spoken words, confront change head on. The proof of the reality of one’s faith lies in change.

Lastly, just as we have mastered change in our professional world, we encourage you to remain upbeat and bloom where you are planted. Against the backdrop of change, we must not cling to our old ways and ideas. Instead, blend them into positive energy and persevere. In the words of Socrates, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not fighting the old, but building the new.”

TJ Todd and Angela Hinton-Clay - Clinical Social Workers Cleveland Clinic

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