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The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library hosts regular health and wellness presentations and programs. The goal of the health and wellness programs is to educate the public about diseases, conditions, wellness, and prevention so they can make informed decisions about their health. The programs are open to all and anyone who is interested is welcome to attend - patients, their family members, community members, VCU and VCU Health students, faculty and staff, as well as community organization representatives.
Health and Wellness Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. After registering, participants will receive an event reminder and/or Zoom link via email. Please contact healthlibrary@vcuhealth.org or 804-828-2432 if you have any questions or need accommodations.
Upcoming Sessions
Your Guide to Aging Well with ViginiaNavigator
Sept. 28, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10990086
Finding local support services for seniors and caregivers is as simple as a click of a mouse! Join us Thursday, September 28 at noon at the Health and Wellness Library as Bonnie Scimone, Lead Community Specialist and Marketing Assistant at VirginiaNavigator, demonstrates how to use SeniorNavigator. SeniorNavigator is an online directory that lists 26,000+ resources that help older adults remain independent and supports family caregivers. Learn how to find information about health and aging issues, financial concerns, legal questions, caregiver support, housing and assisted living communities, and much more. Additionally, you will learn specific information on four key topics – Social and Community Engagement, Navigating Your Health Care, Brain Health, and Elder Abuse.
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder and a Zoom link prior to the event.
Health Literacy Basics
Oct. 10, 2023
11 a.m. - noon
Virtual
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11183847
October is Health Literacy Month. What exactly is health literacy? VCU Health and Wellness Librarian Dana Ladd, MS, PhD, AHIP and Nurse Educator Sharon Everette, MSN, RN, NPD-BC are here to teach you all about it! In this special program, we will discuss the definition of health literacy, cover specific methods for how to help patients make more informed decisions regarding their health, and discuss the many barriers to effective health care. Now more than ever, it is important to take care of ourselves and others– the first step is knowing how. Join us Tuesday, October 10 at 11 a.m. via Zoom.
This program is free and open to everyone. Registration is required.
Finding Reliable Health Resources
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
Virtual
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11183902
October is Health Literacy Month! What exactly is health literacy? Health and Wellness Librarian Dana Ladd, MS, PhD, AHIP, is here to teach you all about it! In this workshop, Dr. Ladd will discuss how to find and evaluate reliable resources that consumers can use to understand their condition and make more informed decisions regarding their health. (This will include resources for low-literacy individuals and resources in languages other than English). Now more than ever, it is important to take care of ourselves and others– the first step is knowing how. Join us Thursday, Oct. 12 at noon via Zoom.
This program is free and open to everyone. Registration is required.
Book Discussion - The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Oct. 19, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11029671
In The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong child, her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures, journalist Anne Fadiman tells the true story of a Laotian girl, Lia Lee, who has what the Hmong people know as qaug dab peg (the spirit catches you and you fall down), otherwise known in Western culture as epilepsy. Through Lia’s difficult health care journey, Fadiman presents valuable insights about culture and health literacy, presenting an empathic understanding of the Hmong people while also holding a revealing mirror up to Western culture and medicine.
Join the Health and Wellness Library on Oct. 19 at noon as we discuss this informative work of nonfiction.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the day of the event.
Halloween Craft Making
Oct. 31, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11129489
It’s the spooky season, a time for candy and crafts. This Halloween (Tuesday, October 31) at noon, visit the Health and Wellness Library and join Collections Care Librarian and Conservator Nora Bloch as she guides participants in a Halloween-themed craft making program. No tricks here, only treats.
Quitting Smoking and Tobacco Products
Nov. 2, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11127869
Quitting smoking isn't easy, but it may help to know that there are thousands across the country with the same goal. November is the month of The Great American Smokeout, an American Cancer Society initiative meant to bring people together in living a healthier life with less risk of cancer. Join us Thursday, November 2 at noon in the Health and Wellness Library as Sarah Birckhead from the Virginia Department of Health discusses the health effects of tobacco products and strategies to help you quit.
Managing Holiday Stress with the Dogs on Call
Nov. 16, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10994164
The holidays are upon us, and it can be a stressful time for many. The Dogs on Call are here to help. The Dogs on Call Therapy Dog Program from The Center for Human-Animal Interaction provides a complementary therapy to enhance the well being of people through canine-assisted interventions. Visit the Health and Wellness Library on Thursday, November 16 at noon as Sandra Barker, PhD, LPC, NCC presents on stress management, and don’t miss your chance to meet and pet some friendly dogs. You will also be able to pick up a Dogs on Call calendar.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the day of the event.
World AIDS Day
Dec. 1, 2023
noon-1 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10969129
According to the CDC, close to 1.2 million people in the U.S. had HIV at the end of 2019. HIV/AIDS is ever-relevant as an ongoing public health issue. This World AIDS Day, come by the Health and Wellness Library at noon to learn more about HIV/AIDS. Health Educator, Robert Rodney, will go over the basic facts of HIV/AIDS and answer questions from participants.
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder and a Zoom link prior to the event.
The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library is located in the VCU Health Gateway Building, Ground Floor, Room G-112.
Prior Sessions
Book Discussion - When Breath Becomes Air
July 27, 2023
1 - 2 p.m.
In-person
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10800316
In his book, When Breath Becomes Air, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi shares the transformational power of giving life as he comes to terms with his own mortality after a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis. Through his honest and philosophical writing, the doctor-turned-patient attempts to answer the question: what makes life worth living in the face of death? Join the Health and Wellness Library Thursday, July 27 at 1 p.m. as we discuss Kalanithi’s hopeful and informative memoir.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a reminder prior to the day of the event.
For more information, email healthlibrary@vcuhealth.org or call (804)-828-2432.
The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library is located in the VCU Health Gateway Building, Ground Floor, Room G-112.
Exercising at Your Desk!
June 29, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
In-person and Zoom
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10845197
Do you ever feel like you are sitting too much at work? Are you returning home each day stiff and tired? Join the Health and Wellness Library on Thursday, June 29 at noon as Health Coach and Educator Carrie Baines explains the benefits of physical activity and demonstrates ways you can keep active throughout the work day, whether you work at a desk or work at home.
The Health and Wellness Library is located on the Ground Floor of the VCU Medical Center Gateway Building
Summer Safety and Poison Prevention
June 22, 2023
noon -1:00 p.m.
In-person and Zoom
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10778013
Summer is a great time for picnics and cookouts. But summer is also a time when there is an increase in food poisoning and potentially poisonous injuries such as animal bites. Please join Educational Specialist Shelly Clary from the Virginia Poison Center in-person at the Health and Wellness Library or over Zoom on Thursday, June 22 from noon to 1:00 p.m. for Summer Safety and Poison Prevention. Hear about how you can prevent food poisoning, damage from the sun, harmful pool chemicals, animal bites, and generally stay safe for the summer months.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a Zoom link prior to the day of the event.
Summer Safety with the Poison Center Table Event
June 15, 2023
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
In-person
No registration required
Summer is a great time for picnics and cookouts! But summer is also a time when there is an increase in food poisoning and instances of animal bites. Come by the Health and Wellness Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15 to learn about food poisoning, animal bites, and summer safety from the Virginia Poison Center.
The VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library is located in the VCU Health Gateway Building, Ground Floor, Room G-112.
More Flavor, Less Salt
May 3, 2023
1- 2 p.m.
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10560376
Join the Health and Wellness Library and Massey Cancer Center Integrative Health as registered dietitian Samantha Haswell, MS, RD provides nutrition tips and tricks for reducing sodium in your diet.
Donate Life Month Table
April 20, 2023
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
April is National Donate Life Month. Stop by the VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library and learn more about organ donation. LifeNet Health Community Education Coordinator Patricia Dean will be here to answer any questions you might have about organ donation and she will talk to you about how you can sign up to be an organ donor. The Health and Wellness Library is located on the ground floor of the VCU Health Gateway Building.
Donate Life Month
April 6, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/9869475
April is National Donate Life Month, and that means it is time to raise awareness about organ donation. Donating an organ or receiving an organ transplant is a complex process and can be daunting for many patients. Please join the Health and Wellness Library on Thursday, April 6 at noon to learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation. LifeNet Health Community Education Coordinator Patricia Dean will guide participants through the organ donation process, including how to sign up to be an organ donor.
Scam and Fraud Prevention
March 28, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10298910
The internet makes many things a lot easier: communicating with loved ones who are far away, sharing photos, looking up addresses... but it also makes commiting a crime easier, and anyone can become a victim of scams or fraud. Unfortunately health scams are common. Join the Health and Wellness Library Tuesday, March 28 at noon as VirginiaNavigator Community Specialist Bonnie Scimone provides tips and tools to protect yourself from scams and fraud. You will also learn how to connect with local programs and services by using the VirginiaNavigator website.
Heart: A Book Discussion
March 2, 2023
1- 2 p.m.
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/10201040
Join us on Thursday, March 2 at 1 p.m. over Zoom for a virtual book discussion of Sandeep Jauhar's gripping and personal work of nonfiction, Heart: A History. Share your thoughts as we talk about pioneering medical professionals and the patients who risked their lives so that we could know more about the astounding organ that keeps us going.
Hands Only CPR
February 23, 2023
noon - 1 p.m.
https://vcu.libcal.com/event/9930123
Interested in learning basic life-saving resuscitation skills? Join us as VCU Health Cardiology Program Manager, Michelle Gossip, teaches hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Thursday, February 23 at noon on Zoom. This virtual program will help you to learn basic life-saving skills in less than an hour, right from your home. AED (automated external defibrillator) training will be discussed as well.
For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.