By Joshua Robison / The Jambar
Through educational programs, community engagement and partnerships, the Youngstown State University Bitonte College of Health and Human Services will be holding various events throughout the year to promote healthy lifestyles in the Mahoning Valley.
BCHHS works with many Ohio-based organizations outside of YSU, such as the Jadco Foundation, the Creative Retirement Systems, Inc. and Ohio Living to encourage healthy lifestyles for residents.
Each event is a part of either two series — Walk with a Doc and Wellness for Life Speaker Series — where the focus will be on different elements of wellbeing such as healthy cooking, stress awareness, oral health and more.
Sara Michaliszyn, dean of BCHHS, said that the wellness events are focused around the community.
“[The events] are largely community oriented,” Michaliszyn said. “Of course, we welcome all of our faculty and staff to participate as well, but it is largely a community initiative.”
Focused on community involvement with the wellness events, BCHHS students also do their part in making these events happen. Michaliszyn said the nature of each event will determine the extent of student participation and their collaboration with experts.
“It’s not driven all by students, but it is. Some of the programs are run by students, like the physical activity, while the speaker series is more driven by experts in the field,” Michaliszyn said.
Daniel Van Dussen, professor for BCHHS, program director for the Master of Health and Human Services and active participant in the wellness events, said events are established by constituents around the Valley.
“It’s mostly finding topics that are of interest to the constituents and then deciding where to hold [the events] around the community,” Van Dussen said.
Van Dussen also said he will be hosting a demonstration at an upcoming wellness event in Boardman Park.
“The next [event] that I’m doing is a cooking demonstration at Boardman Park in the Elton Cabin,” Van Dussen said. “One of our adjunct faculty members, Julieann Cheng [a part-time dietetics instructor], will be doing a cooking demonstration for the people there.”
Van Dussen said he will also be present for the “How to Leave a Legacy, Without Leaving a Mess” speaker series event at the United Methodist Church in Canfield on March 15.
“It’s kind of an estate planning, funeral planning event, and it’s going to include Judge Robert Rusu of the Mahoning County Probate Court and Greg Weber, who owns the Weber Funeral Homes in Lisbon,” Van Dussen said.
In addition to Michaliszyn’s sentiments, Van Dussen said it is the mission of BCHHS to promote quality health for the people in the community.
“Our mission is to be a part of the community, to try to improve the health and wellness and the social, emotional and physical activity and connectivity of our population,” Van Dussen said.
Those interested in learning more about upcoming BCHHS Wellness Events or how to get involved can refer to the BCHHS Wellness Events calendar online.