Community of Wellness Symposium and Gala

Embark on a journey towards health and happiness.

• Facing Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, or Obesity?
• Suffering from inflammation or Arthritis?
• Looking for a simpler path to your best health and wellness?

At our event you'll learn how a simple self-care routine can prevent and reverse many of today's chronic diseases, helping you to add years to your life and life to your years!

Whether you're seeking guidance on nutrition, movement, stress management, or finding your passion, this event is for you.

More information available at Lotus Health Foundation

Happiness, the essence of life, is a complex and deeply personal emotional state. The pursuit of happiness serves as a fundamental driving force, providing life with meaning and purpose. Research has identified key determinants of happiness, including Health, Hope, and Harmony. These determinants encompass mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as purpose and social relationships, aligning with the outcomes of adopting the six basic pillars of a healthy lifestyle.

The symposium commences by addressing the continuum of freedom from chronic diseases, which impose both physical and emotional burdens. Attendees will gain insights into how lifestyle medicine can effectively manage, prevent, and even reverse some of the most prevalent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Following this, the agenda will shift its focus to passion and compassion, emphasizing that emotional well-being is integral to achieving personal happiness.

Symposium

• Learn from leading medical experts including Wayne Dysinger, MD, Eddie Ramirez, MD, and Brenda Davis, RD about the evidence-based science supporting Lifestyle Medicine.
• Receive practical tips on how to become your happiest and healthiest self.
• Join a live episode of "The Exam Room" podcast, hosted by Chuck Carroll and sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
• And much, much more!

Thursday, May 16, 2024
125 LIVE, Rochester, MN

8:00 – 8:15am — Introduction - Ron Hanson and Denise Stegall, Emcee; Mei Liu, Founder & President; Mayor Kim Norton

8:15 – 8:45am — Wayne Dysinger, MD, MPH: A New Health Care Paradigm

8:45 – 9:15am — Eddie Ramirez, MD: The Fires that Destroy Health: Inflammation

9:15 – 9:30am — Q&A

9:30 – 9:45am — Break 1: Chad Hergott, PT will lead the group with streatching exercises.

9:45 – 10:45am — Jengyu Lai, DPM, DipABLM: Osteoarthritis: An Inflammatory Disease; Chad Hergott, PT, Physical Therapy for osteoarthritis.

10:45 – 11:00am — Break 2

10:00am – 12:00pm — Mei Liu and Letticia Callies, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist: Mindrulness and stress management.

12:00 – 1:00pm — Lunch break ( whole-food, plant-based lunch)

1:00 – 1:30pm — Dawn Jacobson, MD: Hormone Balance for Health and Happiness

1:30 – 2:00pm — Sara Persinger, DNP, DipABLM: The Practice of Mindful Acceptance

2:00 – 2:15pm — Q&A

2:15 – 2:30pm — Break 3

2:30 – 3:00pm — Chuck Carroll: Protein and Weight Loss from the Perspective of a Person Who Lost 275 lbs.

3:00 – 3:30pm — Brenda Davis, RD: Plant Powered Protein

3:30 – 3:45pm — Q&A

3:45 – 4:00pm — Break 4

4:00 – 4:30pm — Panel Discussions

FREE Community Activities - Walk With A Doc (WWAD) and Presentation by Chuck Carroll

5:30 – 6:15pm — Walk With A Doc (WWAD) – Jengyu Lai, DPM

6:15 – 6:45pm — Refreshment and Connections

6:45 – 7:15pm — Chuck Carroll: Overcoming Food Addiction and 10,000 Calories Per Day Junk Food Habit. A 250-pound weight loss journey.

7:15 – 7:45pm — Panel Discussions: Healthy Weight, Healthy Life

Connect with support groups in the Lifestyle Medicine Community and Resources for your sustainable health journey.

Friday, May 17, 2024
125 LIVE, Rochester, MN

8:00 – 8:15am — Introduction - Ron Hanson and Denise Stegall, Emcee; Mei Liu, Founder & President; Mayor Kim Norton

8:15 – 8:45am — Eddie Ramirez, MD: Body Clocks and Your Health

8:45 – 9:15am — Wayne Dysinger, MD: Gut Health and Fasting

9:15 – 9:30am — Q&A

9:30 – 9:45am — Break 1

9:45 – 10:30am — Dawn Mussallem, DO, DipABLM: The Journey Within: Self-discovery, Love, and Connectedness

10:30 – 10:45am — Break 2

10:45 – 11:15am — Brian Carlsen, MD, DipABLM: Thriving With Diabetes

11:15 – 11:45am — Lauren Plunkett, RD: Transforming Type 1 Diabetes through Lifestyle Habits... and a Dash of Disobedience

11:45am – 12:00pm — Q&A

12:00 – 1:00pm — Lunch break (whole-food, plant-based lunch.)

1:00 – 1:30pm — Courtney Baechler, MD: Mental Health and Heart Disease

1:30 – 2:00pm — Thomas Kottke, MD: Promoting Personal and Community Well-being Through Civility, Kindness and Appreciation

2:00 – 2:15pm — Q&A

2:15 to 2:30pm — Break 3

2:30 – 3:00pm — Panel Discussion

Community of Wellness Gala

• Get insights on living a life filled with gratitude, kindness, and happiness from Dr. Amit Sood, a world-renowned expert in resilience and stress management.
• Explore the connection between lifestyle and happiness with leading health experts.
• Enjoy delicious, chef-prepared, plant-based food, with live music, and a silent auction.
• Network with local health professionals, wellness practitioners and community members who are dedicated to creating a healthier and more vibrant Rochester!

Friday, May 17, 2024 • 5:30 – 8:45 pm
Rochester Golf and Country Club, Rochester, MN

The “Community of Wellness” Gala on the evening of May 17 will feature a keynote presentation from Dr. Amit Sood, MD with practical tips to cultivate a lifestyle full of resilience, gratitude, kindness, and happiness. A panel discussion will follow with local and national experts discussing the connection between Lifestyle and Happiness. Guests will enjoy delicious whole food, plant-based dinner, live music, silent auction, and an opportunity to network with local health professionals, wellness practitioners, and community organizations dedicated to promoting holistic health. The event will also serve as a tribute to Dr. Hans Diehl, honoring his significant contributions to the Rochester community and local healthcare systems.

5:30 – 6:00pm —Social Hour

6:00 – 6:15pm — Welcome and Introduction

6:15 – 7:15pm — Dinner

7:15 – 7:35pm — A Tribute to Dr. Hans Diehl: Honoring Dr. Diehl’s significant contributions to Rochester and the local healthcare community. Dr. Diehl was a pioneer in Lifestyle Medicine and a lifelong champion of the power of preventative medicine.

7:35 – 7:40pm — Jazz music performance

7:40 – 8:10pm — Keynote: Amit Sood, MD: Resilient Option–Keys to Happiness

8:10 – 8:30pm — Panel discussion: Local stakeholders including the Mayor, guest speakers, corporate leaders, and the community at large will reflect the lifestyle medicine principles presented at the conference and how we can effectively apply those to our daily life. A conversation on how we create happiness at different places, roles, and stages of our life.

8:30 – 8:45pm — Closing