2008 WELLNESS SYMPOSIUM
DRAWS MORE THAN 800 HEALTH & WELLNESS LEADERS
AND PRACTITIONERS TO HOUSTON
TO TRANSLATE KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION

HOUSTON, TEXAS (Nov. 20, 2008) The Houston Wellness Association (HWA) announces that its 2008 Wellness Symposium brought together 800 leaders from the Private, Public, Not-For-Profit, Medical and Academic sectors to discuss important healthcare issues like obesity, work site wellness and the future of healthcare delivery.

Leaders like Dr. Mehmet Oz, vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University, best selling author, as well as a regular on the Oprah Winfrey show and Oprah & Friends radio programming, gathered together in Houston last week to cover hot topics, issues, trends and offer solutions to our nation’s current healthcare crisis. Dr. Oz is also partnering with Recipe for Success Foundation in an effort to combat childhood obesity.

The response to action was overwhelming. Mayor Bill White received a standing ovation after his keynote speech at the Worksite Wellness Conference as did Dr. Robert Austin at the inaugural Obesity Summit. Attendee and Sponsorship evaluations have been very favorable with great suggestions for future Symposiums.

“Paid attendance exceeded last year's inaugural Worksite Wellness Conference by 34%,” said Jonathan Lack, executive director of the Houston Wellness Association. “The fact that so many stakeholders came together last week in Houston—especially given the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and the current financial crisis the country is facing—shows that the business and medical community is beginning to understand that prevention is going to have to be a major part of the solution to our community’s healthcare crisis. Leaders from all industries are seeing big returns on their programs, both in financial and life-changing results.”

The event, held last Thursday and Friday, November 13th & 14th at Minute Maid Park Union Station, included the HWA's inaugural Obesity Summit and its second-annual Worksite Wellness Conference.  The Obesity Summit, held Thursday, November 13, focused on the impact of obesity from a multitude of perspectives, including personal, economic and environmental levels. The second-annual Work Site Wellness Conference held on Friday covered the latest information on improving employee health to increase productivity and profits.

CIGNA and KelseyCare were the 2008 Wellness Symposium Title Sponsors.

The Houston Wellness Association is a not-for-profit 501C6 with a mission to advance the health and well being of the Houston community and the economic vitality of its wellness sector with a vision to transform Houston into a widely modeled, innovative city for healthy living.

The next Wellness Symposium will held January 15-16, 2010 to coincide with the Chevron Houston Marathon.  A Call for Speakers will be posted in early 2009. The Houston Wellness Association is currently taking requests for potential exhibitors and sponsors.  Inquiries should be directed to Bill Krull, bkrull@houstonwellness.org, Membership and Development Director, 713.357.9515.