Department of Human Resources

Hearts and Brains Under the Microscope: A Look at Duluth Medical School Research Funded by the American Heart Association

Medical School scientists, supported by the AHA, study blood vessels of the heart and brain in order to advance the treatment of heart attacks and stroke. Research projects will be featured in order to increase awareness
of the contributions of local scientists and the benefits of AHA fund raising efforts.

Healthy Lifestyle Change

If you are interested in making healthy lifestyle changes, this Brown Bag is for you. Learn to set S.M.A.R.T. goals, overcome barriers, and use strategies to set yourself up for success.

Office Ergonomics and Exercise for Aging Warriors

Malcolm will discuss how to make your office environment efficient for your body throughout your office career. Exercises will be demonstrated and practiced to help keep your muscles and joints from deteriorating before you reach the end of the day.

Facilitator: Malcolm Macaulay is a Physical Therapist with SMDC and also with Achieve Physical Therapy. He is an adjunct faculty at College of St. Scholastica in the PT department. He has 22 years experience working with people of all ages and occupations.

Healthy Eating & You

Come and join Rachel as she talks about an overview of healthy eating and how it relates to you. Portion sizes and weight control topics will be discussed along with the connection between healthy eating, sleep, exercise and stress.

Facilitator: Rachel Gilbertson is a graduate of UMD with a degree in Community Health Education and a minor in Psychology. She is also a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

Your Retirement Strategy

What is your retirement strategy? Are you aware of all your options? Do you understand the rules? The presentation covers much of the information you should be aware of in order to develop successful strategies to meet your retirement dreams. The information provided will be helpful to everyone whether you have a strategy in place or just getting started.

Understanding Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes

This presentation will review the risk indicators for pre-diabetes and the criteria to be diagnosed with diabetes. A review of key education points including diet, medications, signs and symptoms, new technology and tools to maintain control of diabetes will also take place.

Facilitator: Julie Drake a certified Diabetes Nurse Educator at St. Luke's Hospital. Her work at St. Luke’s includes assisting in inpatient and outpatient education as well as assisting with hospital nurse staff development. Julie has degree in nursing, licensed with the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Healthy Nutrition and Weight Management

Making better food choices is a key component to a healthy lifestyle. This session will review the basic nutrition components of the new food guide pyramid and tips to demystifying weight loss programs.

Facilitator: Mary Zbaracki has been a registered dietitian with St. Luke's Hospital for over 15 years. Her work includes areas of specialty in cardiac rehab, diabetes, weight management and medical nutrition therapy.

Sleep Well to Feel Well

Sleep Well to Feel Well is the workshop for you if you want to understand:

• What our bodies do when we sleep
• Importance of sleep
• How to sleep better
• What are sleep disorders and how they affect our sleep

Bird Flu and You

This session will discuss:

• virus basics;
• differences between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu;
• what to do to be prepared and prevent the spread of seasonal and pandemic flu; and
• what to do to get ready at home so you will be prepared to work during the pandemic.

Pilates

Pilates is a series of exercises that are designed to work achy muscle in your body focusing on your "core" muscles (abs and back). It is a great way to increase strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.

Facilitator: Rachel Gilbertson is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She has been teaching Pilates for three years.

Preparing for Winter Adventures: Key Points for Managing Safety, First Aid and Survival

A general framework for managing safety, first aid and survival in winter will be provided. Small groups will then apply these concepts to various “what-if” winter outdoor scenarios to determine how to maintain an enjoyable outing or how to resolve problems.

Shiatsu for Your Health: Self Care Acupressure and Stretches

Learn how to locate and use key acupressure points on your body to help relieve daily stress that can cause headaches and other muscular tension. Simple stretches and breathing techniques that can be done at work will also be demonstrated.

Stress and Tension Relief

Stress and Tension Relief is an interactive class designed to educate about the effects of stress on our body. Simple methods to treat minor stress related tension in our shoulders, neck, and back will also be discussed including how to recognize a tension headache and how to get relief on your own without using drugs.

Yoga

Power Yoga is patterned after the Ashtanga style of yoga. It is an interactive class with a flow from one pose to another. All levels are welcome.

Women's Health

This session is a discussion of health issues unique to women including health maintenance and illnesses. Time will be available for questions.

Facilitator: Dr. Ruth Westra is an Assistant Professor and the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Duluth at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth.

Tai Chi & QiGong

This class will be an experiential introduction to the Chinese health exercises Tai Chi and Qigong. The movements are slow and relaxed and increases strength, flexibility, and balance. Also good for stress. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing and come expecting to have a good time.

Men's Health

This session is a discussion of health issues unique to men including health maintenance and illnesses. There will be adequate time for questions.

Facilitator: Dr. Alan Johns is an Adjunct Associate Professor at UMD Medical School in Duluth and the Twin Cities. He works at the General Internal Medicine at SMDC.

Funding for the workshops are provided in part by the
University of Minnesota Employee Wellness Program.