"For Women In Pain, By Women In Pain"
—Women In Pain Conference Slogan

3rd Annual Women In Pain Conference

“Raising the Curtain on Pain”

Sing. Laugh. Dance. Heal.

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On behalf of For Grace, we invite you to a special event for women in pain, their caregivers and the healthcare professionals who treat them.

It’s our 3rd Annual Women in Pain Conference to be hosted on September 17, 2010 at the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities in downtown Los Angeles.

Our theme this year is “Raising the Curtain on Pain”, inspired by our founder’s first-in-25-year partial remission.  We will focus on the healing powers within ourselves using Integrative Medicine and the Creative Art therapies.  Also, laughter will be highlighted throughout the day.

The conference will include celebrity/legislator appearances and live performances, including dance, stand-up, music and visual art, to paint metaphorical murals of the Women In Pain experience. A literal mural reflecting the day will be painted by artist, advocate and woman in pain, Radene Marie Cook, with contributions from conference attendees.

Five (5) CEUs will be available for RNs in attendance and the event will be open to all via a live worldwide webcast by TVP Studios.

We’re proud to have assembled a distinguished roster of speakers, panelists and performers for this innovative conference.  Keynoters Include Dr. David Bresler, Founder of UCLA’s Pain Control Unit, Dr. Steven Sultanoff, Mirthologist and Therapeutic Humorist and Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, Director of Whole Child LA (formerly UCLA’s Pediatric Pain Center.)

Our MC will be actress/comedianne, Geri Jewell (The Facts of Life, Deadwood.)  Ms. Jewell is a woman in pain who was the first person with a disability to have a regular role on a prime time series.

California First Lady Maria Shriver will be the recipient of our first annual “Patron of Women’s Rights” Award.  Please link here to read the First Lady’s letter addressing conference attendees.

Please scroll down to see our exciting program.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

3rd Annual Women in Pain Conference
Friday, September 17th, 2010
California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities (Map & DirectionsHotel Information)
1000 North Alameda Street (Across the street from Union Station and next to Chinatown)
Los Angeles, CA

In Association With

California Endowment
Community Partners
Meet the Biz
Los Angeles County of Public Health – Office of Women’s Health
TVP Studios

Continuing Education Units

Accreditation

This program meets qualifications for five (5) hours of continuing education credit for Registered Nurses as required by California Board of Registered Nursing.  Provided by Holly Kiger, RN, MN.  Provider #10957.

Requirements

1.  You must attend the entire program to receive 5 full credits.

2.  You will be handed a post-test when you check in.  This post-test must be turned in before you leave at the end of the program.

3.  You must be licensed in the State of California.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be issued, less a $25 administrative fee, if cancellation is received in writing no later than September 1st, 2010.  Please write to wipaware@forgrace.org Refunds may take up to 10 days to be processed.

Conference Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the conference, participants will be able to:

1.  Explain the personal experiences of women living with pain and the challenges they face to maintain mental and physical wellness.
2.  Identify tools and techniques that a woman in pain can utilize to enhance one’s natural healing powers.
3.  Describe what Integrative Medicine is and how that model of care benefits women in pain.
4.  Understand how Creative Art Therapies can enhance pain control and wellness.
5.  Discuss the importance of good communication with one’s healthcare provider and what actions one can take to be a better advocate for their pain care.
6.  Identify how Guided Imagery can enhance pain control.
7.  Discuss the impact of chronic pain on family, friends and work relationships.
8.  Review how humor and laughter can positively impact the pain experience.
9.  Discuss how diet and exercise are important in maintaining pain control and well-being.
10. Identify current traditional pain management therapies and protocols.

Target Audience

Women who experience persistent pain, their caregivers and healthcare providers.

Program
“Raising the Curtain on Pain”

8 – 9am
Registration

9 – 9:05
Conference Introduction
John Garrett, Director – For Grace & Representative from California Endowment

9:05 – 9:10
Welcome
Denise Dador – KABC7 Health Specialist

9:10 – 9:25
Mistress of Ceremony
Geri Jewell

9:25 – 9:30
Creative Arts Interlude: Vocalist
Andrea Emmes performs “Beautifully Broken”

9:30 – 9:40
Sisters In Pain
Cynthia Toussaint – Founder & Spokesperson, For Grace

9:40 – 10:10
Integrative Medicine in Chronic Pain Management – The “Whys” and the “Whats”
Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer – Director, Whole Child LA and UCLA Pediatric Pain Program

10:10 – 10:40
Self-Management of Chronic Pain
Dr. David Bresler – Founder, UCLA’s Pain Control Unit & President of The Bresler Center

10:40 – 10:55
Morning Break

10:55 – 11:00
Creative Arts Interlude: Poetry
Joy Steward reads “Closed for Spring Cleaning”

11:00 – 11:30
The Power of Creative Art Therapy
Radene Marie Cook – Visual Artist and Co-Leader of Intractable Pain Patients United, Phyllis Gebauer – Author and UCLA educator, Vanya Green – Music Therapist, Whole Child LA

11:30 – 11:55
Women In Pain Dramatization
Moderator – Roy Abramsohn, Actors Kevin Dobson and Yeniffer Behrens

11:55 – 12:00
Creative Arts Interlude: Musician
Stone Grether performs “The Cutting”

12:00 – 12:35
Morning Breakout Sessions

The Traditional Approach to Pain Management
Dr. Steven Richeimer – Director, University of Southern California Pain Management Center

Pain Relief, The Natural Way with Diet & Exercise
Dr. Susan Nyanzi – Chronic Disease & Wellness Specialist/Researcher, LA County Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health & Bonnie Cardenas – President, Cardenas & Associates Physical Therapy

Women In Pain – The Inside Story About Surviving and Thriving!
Mindy Meyer, Karin Davalos and Gail Williamson

12:35 – 1:35
Lunch
“Patron of Women’s Rights” Award Presentation for California First Lady Maria Shriver

1:35 – 1:40
Creative Arts Interlude: Ballet
“Never Again” by Media City Ballet and For Grace

1:40 – 1:45
Special Guest
David Lander

1:45 – 2:30
Hee Hee Healing – The Power and Joy of Humor
Dr. Steven Sultanoff – Mirthologist, Therapeutic Humor-ist & Clinical Psychologist

2:30 – 2:35
Creative Arts Interlude: Stand-up Comedy
Dea Vise

2:35 – 3:10
Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Women In Pain – The Inside Story About Surviving and Thriving!
Mindy Meyer, Karin Davalos and Gail Williamson

Pain Relief, The Natural Way with Diet & Exercise
Dr. Susan Nyanzi – Chronic Disease & Wellness Specialist/Researcher, LA County Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health & Bonnie Cardenas – President, Cardenas & Associates Physical Therapy

3:10 – 3:25
Afternoon Break

3:25 – 3:50
Sharing the Women In Pain Experience – Stories & Testimonials
Moderator – Cynthia Toussaint, Panel – Heidi Cuda – Producer, FOX News LA, California Senator Liz Figueroa, LA City Controller Wendy Greuel, Tiiu Leek – Journalist/Former TV Anchor,  Rebekah Rodriguez-Lynn -District Director, California Senator Fran Pavley

3:50 – 4:00
Closing Remarks
Reflections & Commitments

4:00
Creative Arts Interlude: Vocalist
Tess Coleman performs “True Colors”

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors!

Boston Scientific
CVS/pharmacy
Los Angeles County Commission for Women
Medtronic
Purdue Pharmaceuticals
PriCara Pharmaceuticals
University of Southern California Pain Center

Also our deepest thanks to…

Benevia
Interstitial Cystitis Association
Network for a Healthy California
PainPathways Magazine
The Pain Store
Sore No More

Planning Committee Members

Bonnie Cardenas
Radene Marie Cook
Karin Davalos
Gary Erickson
John Garrett
Dr. Morgan Grether
Diane Hoffmann
Jennifer Hughes
Mindy Meyer
Dr. Susan Nyanzi
Jack Patterson
Cynthia Toussaint
David Zimmerman

Here are highlights from our 2009 Women In Pain Conference!