“We all have the power to change our lives,” award-winning journalist Joan Lunden told the sold-out crowd of 1,000 women at the 6th annual LLUH Women’s Conference, titled “Be You! Fit, smart, healthy.” The event was held Friday, January 17 at the Ontario Convention Center.
“We can empower our lives,” Lunden said during her keynote address. “We are the author of our lives, and we hold the pen to write our next chapter.” The motivational speaker, a successful entrepreneur and mom of seven, received a standing ovation as she left the stage after her inspiring speech.
“Joan Lunden was awesome and amazing,” says first-time conference attendee, Rolinda Luevano of Loma Linda. “Women of any age could relate to and be inspired by her.” Luevano enjoyed the day with her daughter and loved every aspect of the event.
“There were so many breakout session options it was hard to choose,” she admitted, before deciding on “De-clutter 101: from chaos to clarity,” and “Slaying the sugar-toothed tiger: strategies to tame sugar (and other food cravings).” After the event, Luevano spent most of her weekend sharing valuable information with family and friends. “I’m looking forward to coming again next year,” she says.
“This event is all about being smart, healthy and confident women,” says Beverly Rigsby, MBA, service line director for GYN women’s services at Loma Linda University Medical Center. “We want every woman to have the power to live a healthy and successful life, and we hope the information and tools provided during the conference will inspire them to be their absolute best.”
The day provided morning and afternoon breakout sessions with experts on topics including nutrition, avoiding medical misdiagnosis, mental illness, conquering stress, financial wellbeing, and exercise.
Attendees also had access to various health screenings - such as blood pressure, bone density, fall risk, oral cancer, and mental health screenings - and assessments including body fat, and orthopaedic surgery. There was also a pamper suite that offered massages, beauty treatments, wig try-ons, and bra fittings.
The invigorating day included recognition ceremonies honoring local community leaders and cancer survivors, Inland Women Fighting Cancer; and Kim Carter, who founded the Time for Change Foundation, which has helped more than 600 families make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.