Reproductive Justice: Advocates, Activists, Academics in Ann Arbor

Who: This conference is sponsored by a Michigan Meetings Grant from the Rackham Graduate School and with added funding from the University of Michigan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

When: Wednesday, May 29th- Friday, May 31st

Where: Unless noted, all events will take place in the Rackham Building.

What:  The expected schedule of events is listed below.

Wednesday, May 29th

• 1:30-4:00pm   Reproductive Justice at the University of Michigan: Research, Pedagogy, and Practice
• 4:30-6:00pm  Opening Reception and Panel with Rickie Solinger & Alexandra Stern, PhD
• Birthing Reproductive Justice: 150 Years of Images and Ideas

Thursday, May 30th

• 8:00-9:00am      Registration Check-in and Breakfast
• 9:15-10:45am      Panel 1:  Exciting Developments in RJ
• 11:00-12:00pm   Table Discussions: Engaging in RJ Work
• 12:00-1:00pm     Lunch
• 1:00-2:30pm       Panel 2: Cultivating Collaborations: Academics and Advocates Discuss Partnerships
• 2:45-4:00pm      Working Sessions: Advancing a RJ Agenda Through Collaboration
• 5:00-7:00pm      SNEAK PREVIEW of documentary work-in-progress: No Más Bebes por Vida
• 7:00-8:00pm      Reception with strolling dinner

Friday, May 31st

• 8:00-9:00am      Registration Check-in and Breakfast
• 9:00-9:15am       Welcome and Plan for the Day
• 9:15-10:45am      Panel 3: Taking it to the Limit: Advancing RJ in Academia
• 11:00-12:30pm   Topical Working Sessions 
• 12:30-1:30pm     Lunch
• 1:30-3:00pm      Methods Working Sessions
• 3:30-5:00pm      Panel 4: Looking Forward, Anticipating Challenges
• 5:00-5:15pm       Closing Remarks

Why: This conference will be of interest to:

• Anyone interested in broadening and strengthening the RJ dialogue among academics, activists, and advocates
• Academics working on reproductive justice who wants to collaborate with other scholars and advocates
• Anyone working in the RJ movement who wants to partner with academics in specific research and practice areas

National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

May 19th, 2013 is the 9th annual National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

This day is largely supported by the efforts of the Banyan Tree Project. The Banyan Tree Project  is a national community mobilization and social marketing campaign to end the silence and shame surrounding HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) communities. The Banyan Tree Project produces annual anti-HIV stigma messages and materials, and helps hold events for the A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

How can I participate?

• Learn the facts about HIV/AIDS in the A&PI community
• Tweet about HIV on the #BTPchat, every Thursday at 5 PM Eastern until June 9th
• Host an HIV/AIDS awareness event in your community on May 19th
• Get tested for HIV/AIDS!

To learn more about the Banyan Tree Project, visit here.

Dos & Don’ts of Dementia Communication

As part of Senior Living Week 2013, speaker  Laura Struble, Ph.D., RN, GNP-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor, from the University of Michigan, School of Nursing will present this Tuesday, May 14th on the “Dos and Don’ts of Communication in Dementia Care” at the Linden Square Assisted Living Center (map).

The following topics will be addressed:

• Understand how communication changes in dementia
• Set up successful conversations
• Respond to inappropriate verbal and physical communications
• Strategies to support a person in distress
• How to give bad news

This talk will take place from 10:30 AM – 12 PM. Learn more here.

National Women’s Check Up Day!

Monday, May 13th marks National Women’s Check Up Day!

This nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health encourages women to call and visit health care professionals to schedule and receive checkups; and promotes regular checkups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, and other conditions.

How can I participate in National Women’s Check Up Day?

• Contacting your current doctor to schedule a checkup or screening
• Discussing which screenings and tests are right for you and when and how often you should have them.
• Check out the preventive health screenings available with the Affordable Care Act
• Take the Check-up Day Pledge and pledge to schedule at least one preventive health screening during May 2013.

To learn more, visit here!

5K VisionWalk

When: This Saturday, May 11th with registration at 9 AM and the walk kicking off at 10:30 AM

Where: The Kensingston Metropark at Maple Beach (map)

What: The Eastern Michigan 5K VisionWalk is striving to raise $93,000 to support promising gene therapy, stem cell-based and pharmaceutical research that could save and even restore sight. Blinding retinal degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration and Usher syndrome affect more than 10 million Americans, but the Foundation Fighting Blindness is funding cutting-edge studies toward preventions, treatments and cures.

Who: Hundreds of walkers, many of whom are visually impaired, are expected at the free VisionWalk (park entrance is $5) , which also includes children’s activities, a bounce house, refreshments, a DJ, and more. Dogs and strollers are welcome on the 3.1 mile walk course.

Why: If you are interested in supporting vision research you should walk or volunteer at this awesome event!

To learn more about this event, learn the answers to FAQ, and register visit here.

RACE 2012: An Understanding Race Event

This Friday, May 10th the University of Michigan Detroit Center (directions)will be screening RACE 2012 at 9 AM and again at 6 PM as part of the programming of the University-wide theme semester, Understanding Race.

This documentary uses last year’s presidential election as a lens for people to view the nation’s racial landscape. The program also highlights how immigrants have reshaped the American electoral process, white voters’ reaction to their declining numbers and diminished influence, and the economic imbalance between races that may affect America’s political future.

The screening will be followed by an audience discussion of the topics evoked by the documentary.Prof. Dale Thomson, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Associate Professor of Political Science, will moderate the evening program. Panelists include:

• Conrad Mallett, Chief Administrative Officer, Detroit Medical Center
• Sheila Cockrel, Former Detroit City Council Member
• Marshalle Montgomery, Senior Program Associate, Constituency Development, New Detroit, Inc.
• Ray Lozano, Director, Racial Justice & Cultural Collaboration, New Detroit, Inc.

The event includes complimentary admission, parking and light refreshments for all attendees. To learn more, visit here.

Senior Living Week 2013

What: An annual event that brings together the people who provide senior living, housing and support services with those who need them! Seniors and their family members are given the chance to explore the variety of senior living, housing, and care options available in our area, to interact with service professionals, to visit senior housing communities, and to participate in numerous activities, including relevant educational programming on home & personal services, health and wellness, social services, home design and remodeling, financial services, and legal services. A list of just a few of the events at the expo:

• Friday, 9-10:15 AM: Navigating Long Term Care
• Tuesday, 10:30-12 PM: The Dos & Don’t of Dementia Care
• Wednesaday, 10-11 AM: Protecting Seniors from Fraud
• and MORE!

When: May 10th- May 19th with the event kicking off at 8:30 AM this Friday!

Where: Various Locations with kick off at the Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building (map)

Who: This event is free and open to ALL seniors in the area who are looking for housing and care options

Why: Whether you are an older adult looking to transition to a new living arrangement, have recently retired and are exploring options for the future, or are a caregiver caring for a spouse, a child, a parent, or a friend, you will not want to miss this important and FREE event.

To learn more about this event and to register for the workshops, please visit here.