Dimock’s daylong event
shoots for healthier women, both ‘Body & Soul’

As the tulips bloom, it can only mean one thing — it’s time for “Body & Soul: The Wellness Connection.”

Hundreds of women of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds will gather under the big tent erected on the beautiful historic campus of Roxbury’s Dimock Community Health Center on Friday, May 11. This is the 11th year that Dimock Community Health Center has hosted this free event for Boston-area women, the largest event of its kind in the city.

At the daylong event, attendees will be able to participate in health and wellness workshops, attend health screenings and listen to inspirational speakers. Dimock doctors will also be available to answer questions and showcase the services Dimock provides.

Workshops will cover a wide range of health and wellness issues, including healthy eating, dealing with violence in our community, living with diabetes, “Ask the Doctor,” managing your finances, depression and spiritual health. Health screenings will be provided by HeartScreen America.

The main focus of this year’s event will be HIV/AIDS, as the health center look to address issues of awareness and prevention.

“Unfortunately, there is a rise in HIV cases among African American women,” said Dimock President and CEO Ruth Ellen Fitch. “Therefore, as the area’s premier health center, it is our obligation to create awareness about HIV to the women of our community.”

Highlighting this discussion will be keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author J.L. King, who has received several awards for his work educating people about the importance of getting tested for HIV and encouraging people to make healthy choices when it comes to sex.

King’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion led by Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, Dimock’s chief medical officer, and Dimock Dr. Bela Bashar.

Joining the speakers will be the event’s honorary chair, Dr. Nancy Norman of the Boston Public Health Commission. Jayne Carvelli Sheehan of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Sabrina Williams of The Stop and Shop Supermarket Company are the co-chairs.

“Body & Soul: The Wellness Connection” will be held Friday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dimock’s campus in Roxbury. The event is free and open to all women.

To register or to obtain more information about the Women’s Health Forum, please call Dimock at 617-442-8800, ext.1736. For sponsorships, please call 617-442-8800, ext.1150.