Welcome to the 12th Annual Wellness Conference: Discovering Greatness in Ourselves, our Organizations, and our Community! We are thrilled to have you join us for this transformative event, where we will delve into the depths of personal wellness, resilience, and the power of community.
Our speaker lineup promises to offer rich insights and practical tools for personal and professional introspection. You’ll learn about the groundbreaking work of the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab (CORAL), explore the intersections between creative expression and community in healthcare, learn how to integrate cultural humility into our teams in our greater community, daydream our lives and the collective into being, and so much more!
We invite you to take time today and reflect on what greatness means to you and how we cultivate it throughout our community. Thank you for being part of this incredible gathering. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and uplifted!
We are better together,
Brittney Wilburn
Land Acknowledgement
Land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native nations and communities. Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to recognize Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live.
The Yampa Valley Wellness Conference steering committee respectfully acknowledges the Indigenous Nations of Colorado, and the Ute people in particular, who originally inhabited and stewarded Northwest Colorado and on lands that we now live. With deep respect and commitment, may we all engage in our own reflection, education, and action toward reconciliation and healing today and in perpetuity.
To learn more about ancestral cultures and original inhabitants of Northwest Colorado, we invite you to visit information from Ten Tribes Partnerships, the Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat, or the Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig.
Bitchin Kitchin
Bitchin Kitchin will provide a FREE make-your-own trail mix bar with fun + healthy choices to fuel your body while the conference fuels your mind – stop by their station throughout the conference.
Presented by
2024 Sponsors
Schedule at a glance
Please write your name on the provided name tag, then visit our ribbon station to make your name tag exclusively yours, and discover commonalities with other attendees.
7:45am-8:30am
Registration
Light breakfast and coffee will be available.
8:30am-8:45am
Welcome
8:45am – 10am
Presentation 1
Sue Schneider, PhD (she/her)
Going on a bear hunt and other lessons in mindfulness, compassion, and resilience
10:00am – 10:15am
Break
10:15am – 10:20am
Self-Care in Seconds
Sarah Coleman (she/her)
10:20am – 11:35am
Presentation 2
Kerrie Joy (she/her/hers)
The Art of Daydreaming
11:35am – 12:10pm
Lunch
Friendly reminder, you previously selected your menu option during registration, please refrain from changing.
12:10pm – 1:10pm
Presentation 3
Nicole Mes Cotter, MD, FACR, ABOIM (she/her)
The Intersection of Medicine, Lifestyle, and Community
1:10pm – 1:25pm
Break
1:25pm – 2:40pm
Presentation 4
Anthony (Tony) Edelblute, LPC, MT-BC (he/him)
&
Hillary Sinn, LPC, R-DMT and Somatic Psychotherapist (she/her)
Resilience Through Creativity & Connection: The CORAL Program
2:40pm – 2:55pm
Break
2:55pm – 3pm
Self-Care in Seconds
Sarah Coleman (she/her)
3pm-4:15pm
Presentation 5
Jerry Hernandez (he/él)
Cultural Humility
4:15pm – 4:30pm
Closing Remarks
4:30pm – 4:45pm
Break
4:45pm – 6pm
Bonus Session
Meghan Francone, MHA, BS SLP/Aud., FI, CISM (she/her)
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training
2024 Yampa Valley Wellness Post-Conference Survey
Thank you for attending the 2024 Yampa Valley Wellness Conference. We appreciate your feedback and any thoughts you may have for upcoming conferences.
2024 Presenters
8:45am – 10am
Sue Schneider, Ph.D. (she/her)
Extension Professor and State Health Specialist
Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension
Going on a bear hunt and other lessons in mindfulness, compassion, and resilience
In our precarious, conflicted world, it is easy to experience overwhelm as we go about our daily lives. When obstacles show up, our instinct may be to distract and avoid, rather than facing what is difficult. Yet, life may require something different from us in order to grow. As a child’s tale about a bear hunt wisely instructs: “We can’t go over it, We can’t go under it, We’re just gonna have to go through it.” As daunting as facing life’s challenges can be, the inner resources that we need to tap into our strength, courage, and resilience are readily available to help us navigate even the most difficult circumstances.
In this experiential workshop, we will explore our inner resources like mindfulness and compassion, specifically delving into practices that support the five mind states essential to emotional resilience – Calm, Centered, Curious, Caring, and Connected. Drawing from perspectives within psychology, neurobiology, and contemplative science, participants will be introduced to tools that can help us stay present with difficult emotions, decrease our reactivity, build stress resilience, and create new pathways for compassionate self-care. We will find that this inner work contributes directly to what we bring to our homes, organizations, and communities, and it is at the heart of our capacity for discovering greatness within ourselves and around us.
Sue Schneider, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, integrative health coach, certified meditation instructor, and author. She leads community health and wellness initiatives across Colorado as an Extension Professor and State Health Specialist with Colorado State University’s Office of Engagement and Extension and is a faculty member of the Colorado School of Public Health.
For the last decade, Sue has been teaching mindfulness in university and community settings across the country and has been implementing and evaluating community health programs for over 20 years. She is the author of Meeting the Moment with Kindness: How Mindfulness Can Help us Find Calm, Stability, and an Open Heart.
meetingthemoment.org | Meeting the Moment with Kindness book
Photographer: Ryan Landell
10:20am – 11:35am
Kerrie Joy (she/her/hers)
Adams County Poet Laureate
The Art of Daydreaming
Our dreams are power. Sometimes, creating a world that we all deserve begins with the simplicity of resting, opening your mind’s eye, and exploring your imagination. Through the guiding words of Tricia Hersey and Thich Nhat Hanh, the vibrations of sound healing, and the creative energy of Kerrie Joy, let us journey inward together and learn just how powerful we already are.
Kerrie Joy is a poet, singer/songwriter, storyteller, educator, and revolutionary. She is based in Denver, CO where she channels her creativity through poetry, hip-hop, song, graphic design, and fashion. She is an organizer of ideas and a facilitator of critical thinking through art. Kerrie Joy has performed at Red Rocks, TEDx Mile High, City Winery DC, Atlanta, & Charlotte, the Denver Womxn’s March, Dazzle Denver, The Soiled Dove Underground and much more. In 2022 Kerrie Joy was named the Creative-in-Residence at the Denver Art Museum and continues to challenge herself as a master creator. In 2023, Kerrie Joy made history as she was named the Inaugural Poet of Adams County, CO. She recently released her very first EP “ ‘Preachin’ To Myself” and is working on her next project, focused on love, to be released soon.
kerriejoy.com
12:10pm – 1:10pm
Nicole Mes Cotter, MD, FACR, ABOIM (she/her)
Board-certified Rheumatologist and Integrative Medicine Physician
The Intersection of Medicine, Lifestyle, and Community
There is more to health than what is found in a doctor’s office or hospital. Most of what keeps us healthy are the things to which we are exposed and surrounded by in our daily lives. Optimal Health can be found at the intersection of modern medicine, lifestyle, and community.
Dr. Nicole Cotter is an Integrative Rheumatologist practicing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She is a graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee) and Louisiana State University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center of Houston, was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society after nomination by the Baylor medical students for excellence in teaching, and returned to Louisiana for a fellowship in Rheumatology where she was Chief Fellow in her final year. She has been in private practice Rheumatology since 2009. Because of her belief that there is more to health than what is learned in medical school, she completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine through The University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and was a recipient of the Jones/Lovell scholarship in Integrative Rheumatology. Dr. Cotter is one of the few Integrative Rheumatologists in the country.
Professional Affiliations: UCHealth, Yampa Valley Medical Center, American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Integrative Medicine, American College of Rheumatologyv
1:25pm – 2:40pm
Anthony (Tony) Edelblute, LPC, MT-BC (he/him)
&
Hillary Sinn, LPC, R-DMT and Somatic Psychotherapist (she/her)
Resilience Through Creativity and Connection: The CORAL Program
In this presentation, we will present on the work of the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab (CORAL), and its research studying the efficacy of creative arts in reducing burnout and increasing resilience in healthcare workers. The presentation will combine information and research outcomes of the program with demonstrations and experiential activities to illustrate the work done in the research protocols. The major theme that has come from this research is the efficacy of combining creative expression with a sense of community in reducing anxiety and depression, and increasing employee retention.
Coral Program
Tony Edelblute, LPC, MT-BC has worked as a Music Therapist and psychotherapist at Children’s Hospital Colorado since 2003, and previously for HospiceCare of Boulder County. As a member of the Ponzio Creative Arts Therapies Program, he has worked with children with psychiatric and medical diagnoses in units throughout the hospital. From 2013-19, he also co-led the CHCO mental health Youth Action Board, guiding Denver-area teens through the creation of advocacy projects related to de-stigmatizing mental health issues. He led DBT groups for a decade, and is a member of the CORAL research team, working to reduce burnout in health-care workers.
Learn more here.
Hillary Sinn, LPC, R-DMT received her MA in Somatic Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy, from Naropa University in 2013. Previously she studied dance and theatre at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and went on to work as a professional actress. Most recently she worked as a dance/movement therapist at Children’s Hospital Colorado with the Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program and then as a clinical therapist in a community clinic in Denver. With her background in performance and career in mental health, Hillary is passionate about supporting others to remember that their first home is their body. She works in private practice in Aurora, CO and is a member of the CORAL research team studying how participation in the arts supports resilience.
Learn more here.
3pm – 4:15pm
Jerry Hernandez (he/él)
Executive Director and DEI Practitioner for Integrated Community
Cultural Humility
In this insightful session, Jerry Hernandez will explore the application of Cultural Humility principles to enhance healthcare outcomes. He will demonstrate how embracing Cultural Humility can lead to more effective, inclusive, and equitable healthcare services. By acknowledging and addressing biases, fostering mutual respect, and continuously learning from diverse communities, healthcare professionals can significantly improve patient care. Jerry will share practical strategies for integrating Cultural Humility into healthcare practices, showcasing its impact on building trust, promoting understanding, and ultimately improving health outcomes for all community members. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on advancing healthcare through the lens of cultural respect and inclusivity.”
Jerry Hernandez, Executive Director of Integrated Community, brings over two decades of dedicated service in the non-profit sector, with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. As a seasoned DEI Practitioner, Jerry has spearheaded initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive environments within healthcare settings, both domestically and internationally. His extensive work with international NGOs has been pivotal in advancing healthcare services and accessibility in underserved communities. Jerry’s commitment to health equity and his innovative approach to integrating the principles of cultural humility into healthcare practices have made him a respected leader and advocate in the field.
Integrated Community | Center for Cultural Humility
10:15am – 10:20am & 2:55 – 3pm
Sarah Coleman (she/her)
Fitness, Wellness, and Recovery Coach
Self-Care in Seconds
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of prioritizing our mental and physical well-being. However, by incorporating simple yet effective techniques into our daily routines, we can unlock our full potential and discover the greatness that resides within each of us.
Between conference sessions, we’ll spend a few minutes together delving into practical strategies of self-care, mindfulness, and resetting. We’ll explore a variety of methods tailored to suit different preferences and lifestyles that can be implemented in just a few moments, allowing for rejuvenation and mental clarity throughout the day.
Sarah is a wellness and recovery coach at Foundry Steamboat (a 90-day drug and alcohol rehabilitation center), a fitness coach, a CrossFitter, a food connoisseur at Bitchin Kitchin (food and meal prep service), and an outdoor enthusiast everywhere. She believes when we have the support and knowledge to grow, we can move the roadblocks and set ourselves up for success. Sarah is passionate about creating more JOY for you.
4:45pm – 6pm
Bonus Session
What does QPR mean?
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
Through her personal and professional experiences and careers, Meghan seeks to promote the notion that every individual has the right to a safe, productive, and responsible life. Mental Health and Addiction challenges are largely present in Moffat County as Moffat County has some of Colorado’s highest rates of domestic violence, alcoholism and suicide. Meghan realizes the need for agencies to come together to create established referral processes to widen safety frameworks for individuals in crisis and is passionate about being a part of positive effective movements towards this outcome. Restoring hope to the hopeless has, does and will save lives.
Meghan Francone (she/her/hers) is the Moffat County Coordinator for Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (REPS). She has also been a Master Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Trainer (ASIST), safeTALK and Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Trainer since 2011. In this role she has trained over 7,150 individuals in multiple counties in evidence-based suicide prevention and intervention skills. Meghan has been a certified Forensic Interviewer since 2020.
Many Thanks!
These companies who generously contributed in-kind donations, adding an extra touch of care and quality to our event:
- Lululemon
- Off the Beaten Path
- Steamboat Soap Company
Thank you to our committee!
Organizing this conference each year involves the efforts of many individuals! Our conference planning committee and subcommittee groups convene regularly throughout the year. They meticulously attend to myriad details in curating a thoughtful, relevant, and exceptional event. Please join us in acknowledging the dedication of this year’s conference planning team:
- Angela Modesitt – Integrated Community
- Barbara Gueldner – Successful Kids Today LLC
- Calandra Lindstadt – CSU Extension
- Tom Gangel – Mind Springs Health
- Brittney Wilburn, Catherine Olsen, Emily Schweitzer, Sarah Meade, Shelly Gainsley – The Health Partnership