A free lecture series on women's health issues runs Tuesdays, Sept. 1-Dec. 8, 6-7:30 p.m., at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. Topics include: childbirth, how economics affect women's health care, breast cancer, men's health, domestic violence, gender issues in psychotherapy, abortion politics and lesbian health care. Lectures will be held in Stevenson 1002 (unless noted). Campus parking permits are required and cost $1.50.
Academic credit for the lecture series is available through the Nursing Department, Women's and Gender Studies Department and Open University. CEUs are available to nurses, also through Open University.
The series is coordinated by SSU's Nursing Department, Women's and Gender Studies Department and the Women's Resource Center and underwritten by Kaiser Permanente.
For more information, call the Women's Resource Center, 664-2845.
Women's Health Lecture Series Schedule
Sept. 1 Introduction: Class Instructor, Dr. Jeanette H. Koshar, RN, NP, provides an overview of current trends in women's health.
Sept. 8 Daphne Scholinski, author of The Last Time I Wore a Dress, describes the impact of being diagnosed with a "gender identity disorder" and spending her adolescent years in mental hospitals.
Sept. 15 SSU Professor Daniel Sonkin, MFCC, discusses men's involvement in domestic violence, its prevention and interventions.
Sept. 22 Cynthia Gorney, renowned journalist and author of Articles of Faith: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars, offers a balanced political and social narrative of the pivotal years of the abortion debate.
Sept. 29 Dr. Carroll L. Estes, Director, Institute for Health and Aging, UC San Francisco, a prominent national leader in the field of health policy, discusses the impact of economics and health policies on women's health now and in the coming years.
Oct. 6 Donna Ferrato, photojournalist and author of Living With the Enemy, offers a multimedia presentation that follows her pursuit to document, expose and prevent the abuse of women and children by the ones they love, and describes the societal impact of violent human relationships. Note: This lecture held in Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall.
Oct. 13 Julia Ross, MFCC, leads the discussion on the "new eating disorders," the impact of biochemical trauma on women's bodies and new therapies available.
Oct. 20 Marcy Ely, breast cancer survivor, who, as part of the group of survivors and Princeton students, climbed Mount Whitney. She provides a perspective on the power of the human spirit when facing life's challenges.
Oct. 27 Dr. Steven Dodge and Betsy Hall, MFCC, provide "insiders' perspectives" on the agonies and joys of pursuing in-vitro fertilization and on optimizing one's own fertility.
Nov. 3 Lisa Portman-Fain and Kris Avery, discuss their roles as doulas in providing information and support for women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. A birth video and discussion of taking a pro-active position in your own care is included.
Nov. 10 Dr. Victoria Rand, assistant clinical professor, UC San Francisco, presents "Alternative Medicine: What Helps, What Harms." She will share her knowledge of alternative medicine, including botanicals and acupuncture.
Nov. 17 Sandy Andresen, health educator, says that being "overweight" and "fit" do not have to be mutually exclusive. She'll discuss body image, women and weight, plus give information on normal eating behaviors, size and self-acceptance.
Nov. 24 Women's Health Specialists Clinic staff offer a panel on issues for lesbians seeking health care (including disclosing sexual identity), their partners and their health care providers.
Dec. 1 Dr. Will Courtenay, LCSW, discusses how men's beliefs about their manhood can affect their willingness to take health risks.
Dec. 8 Rose Murray, RN, describes the use of Therapeutic Touch and Jin shin Jyutsu as an alternative method of identifying problems and healing the human body and spirit.
