The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, in keeping with its mission of better health for all humanity, was proud to sponsor the 2013 Health Care Forum at the renowned Chautauqua Institution.
LECOM’s involvement was highlighted by educational lectures by Gregory W. Coppola, D.O., a faculty member at LECOM and a physician with Millcreek Community Hospital, and by James Lin, D.O., Vice President of Senior Services and Adult Living and Director of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging.
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| Greg Coppola, D.O., noted that more patients are looking for alternative forms of treatment, to include integrative medicine. |
Dr. Coppola and Dr. Lin each lectured to standing-room crowds of several hundred people, including nearly 100 members of LifeWorks Erie. In addition, Dr. Coppola and Dr. Lin fielded questions from enthusiastic audience members long after they had concluded their remarks.
The Forum, with nearly 30 lectures overall on topics such as health and wellness and the impact of the Affordable Care Act, offered an in-depth look at the current state and the future of health care in the United States.
“Living longer and healthier lives requires an understanding of concepts like wellness and prevention, which are the keys to osteopathic medicine,” said John Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO of LECOM. “We teach our students to take a holistic approach to treating the ‘whole person’ – mind, body and spirit. That same holistic philosophy is clearly evident in this year’s health forum at the Chautauqua Institution.
“The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is excited and grateful for the opportunity to help enlighten the minds and spirits of the Chautauqua Community,” Dr. Ferretti continued.
Thanks to Dr. Coppola and Dr. Lin, the Chautauqua Community and the LifeWorks Erie members were able to learn about integrative medicine, the aging process, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Coppola, board certified in family medicine, sports medicine, and neuromusculoskeletal medicine and is a licensed medical acupuncturist, gave a lecture entitled, “Acupuncture to Zinc: A Holistic Approach to Healthy Living.” He offered insight to numerous alternative treatment options that don’t involve surgery or medication.
“Some people continue to experience pain even after surgery, and some struggle with side effects from medication,” Dr. Coppola said. “It’s important for patients to understand all of the options available to them. Osteopathic medicine and integrative medicine give people therapeutic options for pain and stress related disorders.”
Dr. Lin, a specialist in geriatric medicine, lectured on the aging process, how aging impacts one’s cognitive abilities, and Dementia and Alzheimer’s. He emphasized that while aging is an inevitable part of life, people have the ability to influence how rapidly they age. “People who understand the aging process are better able to slow it and add to their quality of life,” Dr. Lin said.
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| James Lin, D.O., said that while aging is inevitable, people can slow the aging process by making healthy lifestyle choices with regard to diet, exercise, and other factors. To view a video of Dr. Lin’s lectures click here for Successful Aging. Click here for Forgetfulness. |
Lifestyle choices related to diet, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco greatly influence health and well-being, he advised. In addition, psychological factors can affect people as they age.
“People who don’t lead socially active and engaged lives may feel isolated, which in turn may lead to depression,” Dr. Lin noted. “It can be a domino effect.”
In addition to the lectures by Dr. Coppola and by Dr. Lin, Hershey Bell, M.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the LECOM School of Pharmacy, and Associate Dean of Faculty Development, gave a lecture on leadership to a group of clinical faculty preceptors. Dr. Bell’s lecture was presented by LECOM and by the Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training.
Dr. Bell discussed at length critical principles for all leaders, including earning the trust and respect of one’s followers, having a vision, and being able to effectively communicate the vision to others within the organization. “Great leaders are guided by strategic vision,” he added.
Dr. Bell also emphasized to the preceptors the importance of being enthusiastic and engaged when working with students. “Be a model for your students,” he said.
Following the lecture, the preceptors had dinner with Dr. Bell and other LECOM administrators and attended a concert by the Tenors at the historic Chautauqua Amphitheater.
LECOM, Chautauqua Institution to continue partnership
LECOM is committed to service, as evident in its credo, “not for ourselves, but for others.” Thus, Dr. Ferretti said LECOM is looking forward to continuing its partnership with the Institution.
“For nearly 140 years, Chautauqua has been extremely successful in promoting life-long learning among its thousands of visitors each year,” he said. “LECOM already has committed to work with the Institution through 2015, and we’re eager to identify speakers who will not only address the most pertinent health care issues, but who will also educate people on healthy living. At LECOM, we believe not just in adding years to one’s life, but in adding life to one’s years through a focus on health and wellness.”