Members and guests of the Southcoast Worksite Health & Wellness Collaborative gathered at the rejuvenated Fall River YMCA on May 6, 2015 for the Sixth Annual Conference. The event featured Keynote Speaker Michael Rocha, M.D. Hawthorne Medical Associates cardiologist Heart Failure Director at St. Luke's Hospital. Dr. Rocha titled his talk "How to Avoid Seeing Me as a Cardiologist and Put Me Out of Business" and went on to talk about what's needed to bring the rate of heart disease down in the South Coast Area. He emphasized the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise, mindfulness and stress reduction throughout the hour-long talk. Jessica Webb of Anchor Yoga and Meditation then led the group in a stretch break, and a three-person panel concluded the event by describing best practices. Click here for a  70-minute video of Dr. Rocha's presentation, here for a 26-minute video of Jessica Webb's presentation, and here for a 35-minute video of the best practices panel.  The monthly Collaborative meetings, often held at the Sylvia Insurance Company headquarters on Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth, offer presentations on a number of topics related to worksite wellness. Past meetings have focused on healthy eating, stress in the workplace, ergonomics, CPR, and on substance abuse. Click here, here, here and here for video of previous presentations at the Collaborative meetings. Anyone planning to attend the monthly meetings is asked to RSVP Chairperson Angela Bras at 774-400-4466.

(Top row, left) YMCA Wellness Director Emily Bird chats with Elaine Couto of Joseph Abboud Manufacturing and YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Director Dara Midwood. (Top row, center and right) Collaborative Chairperson Angela Bras talks with Nickie Collard and Carmen Aguilar of Bristol Community College before introducing Dr. Rocha. (Row two) Dr. Rocha talks about the difference between his work, including the New Bedford Wellness Initiative, to prevent heart disease and the usual medical practice of merely treating symptoms once they develop. (Row three) Jessica Webb of.Anchor Yoga and Meditation leads the group on a stretch break, illustrating the kind of yoga that can easily be done in a workplace setting. (Row four) Emily Bird and YMCA Membership Director Michelle Alves lead the group on a tour of the newly revitalized YMCA building. (Bottom row, left and center) Nicole DaSilva of the Titelist Corporation, Kris Aimone of Southcoast Health, and Sue Potvin of Family Service Association talk about their best practices during the panel presentation. (Bottom row, right) Angie Bras talks with Kris during a break.