West Chester University’s College of Health Sciences is sponsoring a free online fall webinar series that takes place on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM. 

Jeanie Subach, associate professor of nutrition, is one of four faculty members in WCU’s College of Health Sciences who developed these programs specifically designed for the American Cancer Society (ACS) HEALED Community. Subach has been a regular monthly guest on these online programs, which were launched in May 2021 and are hosted by WCU alumnus Pat Croce. A cancer survivor, Croce hosts these weekly gatherings to discuss physical, mental, and spiritual health with expert guests and cancer survivors. 

An acronym for Health and Energy through Active Living Every Day, HEALED is an ACS community movement to educate and encourage people to live healthier lives in the present moment. The HEALED Community Movement’s goals are to reduce suffering and death due to cancer and to create a supportive community for cancer survivors, caregivers, and loved ones.  

On Sept. 14, Subach will open the series by discussing the “Application of Culinary Medicine for Cancer Prevention and Treatment.” A Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Sports Specialist Dietitian, Subach is also the advisor to the Student Dietetic Association and program director for the Ram Chefs, a culinary program for young adults with developmental disabilities. 

The series continues on Oct. 12 with Melissa Reed, associate professor of kinesiology, focusing on “Exercise is Medicine for Cancer.” One of Reed’s research interests is exercise as prevention and treatment for chronic disease. She has been involved in the Exercise is Medicine initiative at WCU. 

On Nov. 16, Ramona Stone, associate professor of health, emphasizes the “Importance of Screenings in Cancer Prevention.” Stone is a social epidemiologist specializing in quantitative research methods and in advanced statistical techniques, with extensive experience in community-based research. 

The series concludes on Dec. 7 in a conversation with Pat Croce and Don McCown, associate professor of health, regarding the “Importance of Daily Contemplative Practice and Mindfulness.” McCown is director of the minor in contemplative studies and director of WCU’s Center for Contemplative Studies. 

Scott Heinerichs, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor of sports medicine, notes that this webinar series “allows the College of Health Sciences to engage the community in sharing our faculty expertise to meet the mission of this movement started by our friend Pat Croce, in educating and encouraging individuals to live healthier lives through their attendance at timely conversations related to nutrition, physical activity, prevention, and mindfulness content.” 

The webinar series is free; however, attendees are able to contribute to the ACS HEALED movement through donations. 

Register for the webinars here. 

Learn more about the College of Health Sciences here.