Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—The Park Forest Health Department hosted a free lecture at Dining on the Green banquet hall Saturday in conjunction with the Park Forest Ten Ton Challenge.
Monica Koehn, professor of nursing at St. Xavier University and certified legal nurse consultant, was the speaker at the morning lecture, the first in a series of lectures promoting healthy living.
Koehn was an intern at the Park Forest Health Department during the summer of 2004 while completing a graduate degree. During her internship , she participated in the implementation of a grant program funded by Congressman Jesse Jackson that focused on poor health in minority populations.
She has provided assistance in various clinics and community health speaking engagements since then and currently acts as academic preceptor to the St. Xavier Bachelors degree seeking students obtaining clinical hours through the Park Forest Health Department.
The forty-five minute lecture by Koehn encouraged participants to set realistic goals. Her presentation focused on the progression towards a healthier lifestyle through a process of assessment, diagnosis and implementation.
More than 50 area residents attended the event before taking part in the first monthly weigh-in at the Park Forest Health Department in the lower level of Village Hall.
Over 600 pounds of donations from Ten Ton Challenge participants were picked up from the Park Forest Health Department by the Rich Township Food Pantry.
The Park Forest Ten Ton Challenge is an ongoing effort in 2008. New participants can register Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 am and Monday evenings at 6:00 pm throughout the year. Those interested in signing up are encouraged to contact the Park Forest Health Department at 708-748-1118.
The next lecture, scheduled for Saturday, March 8th at the Park Forest Public Library, is titled “Grocery Shopping 101”. The lecture begins at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free.
