Indiana University of Pennsylvania will host a seminar, “Best Practices: Environmental Health in the Home, Work, and Community,” on September 24, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Crimson Event Center, Folger Hall.

The program is presented by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Environmental Task Force and is sponsored by IUP's Zeta Lambda chapter of Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society.

It is open to all interested nurses, students, and other health-care professionals. Cost is $25 for students and $40 for other participants. Registration is requested by September 14.

The event will focus on reinforcing the link between health and the environment, exploring chemical legislative and policy issues, and exploring opportunities for collaboration between state nursing association lobbyists and local environmental organizations.

Program topics include the following:

  • “Mercury Emissions from Coal Burning Power Plants,” presented by Kristen Welker-Hood, director of Environmental and Health Programs from Physicians for Social Responsibility, at 8:30 a.m.
  • “Nurses' Hazardous Exposure Survey: Information You Need to Know,” presented by Renee Smith, clinical nurse educator from Geisinger Medical Center, at 11:00 a.m.
  • “The Safe Food, Safe Families Campaign: Keeping Antibiotic Medicines Working for You,” presented by Joylette Portlock, Western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator from Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, at 12:30 p.m.
  • “Campaign for Healthy Milk: The Risks of rBGH in Dairy” at 1:15 p.m. and “Nursing Food Back to Health?” at 3:15 p.m., presented by Dianne Moore, manager, Healthy Food in Healthcare Program, Women's Health and Environmental Network, Philadelphia
  • “Environmental Tracking Program,” presented by Jay Devasundaram, principal investigator and program manager from Pennsylvania Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, at 2:30 p.m.
  • The welcoming and opening address, “Do No Harm,” at 8:30 a.m. and a program on “Building Green Teams” at 4:00 p.m. will be presented by Judith Focareta, coordinator of environmental health initiatives from Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.

For more information, contact the IUP Office of Conference Services at 724-357-2227.