Active Aging Lecture Series in Sonoma Valley in February

January 25, 2024

ACTIVE AGING: MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
Sonoma Valley Hospital and Vintage House invite you to join a lively and informative community lecture series in February called Active Aging: Mind, Body, Spirit.

The three dynamic talks given by Sonoma Valley Hospital community health experts provide insights on the importance of engaging Mind, Body, and Spirit through the lens of Active Aging.

The talks are open to the community without charge and will be held in-person in Stone Hall at Vintage House from 3:00 – 4:30 pm on three successive Fridays, February 9, 16, and 23. Light refreshments will be provided. Vintage House is located at 264 1st Street East in Sonoma Valley.

Register online at Active Aging: Mind, Body, Spirit (brownpapertickets.com). Early RSVP is encouraged for all talks as seating is limited.

Speakers and topics include:

Master of Ceremony:  Dawn Kuwahara, RN, Chief Ancillary Officer for Sonoma Valley Hospital will welcome guests and introduce each speaker. Dawn is a native to Sonoma Valley and her executive leadership and nursing career spans more than 25 years serving our community.  

FEBRUARY 9: “MINDFUL MIND MAINTENANCE”
Patricia Brooks, LCSW, PhD is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California and earned a PhD in Healing Psychology and Integrative Medicine in 2003. She has worked in the Health Care field for over 40 years, specializing in the Mind/Body connection. She is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with an eclectic treatment approach tailored to an individual’s needs. Dr. Brooks designed and implemented numerous Integrative Medicine Programs including one at Sonoma Valley Hospital.

FEBRUARY 16: “ACTIVE AGING WITH THE 4M’s” In this session, we will explore the significance of incorporating the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System – What Matters, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility – into your daily life. Learn practical strategies and tips on how to enhance your mental and physical well-being, optimize your medication management, and align your priorities with what truly matters to you.

Dr. Sujatha Sankaran, MD, CMO, is a UCSF Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and subsequently completed her training in Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Universty/Washington Hospital Center program. Dr. Sankaran has worked extensively in global health, starting a non-governmental organization aimed at training health workers in the developing world to prevent chronic cardiovascular disease in 2008, and in 2015 was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study mechanisms for cardiovascular disease management in under-resourced areas of Southern India and has also worked on tobacco policy research in India.

Dr. Sankaran has a career interest on the intersection between health equity, health care leadership, and high-quality care. In November 2022, she became the Chief Medical Officer of Sonoma Valley Hospital. At Sonoma Valley Hospital, Dr. Sankaran is focused on improving access to subspecialty care, building a geriatric program, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and bolstering the linkages between UCSF Health and Sonoma Valley Hospital. 

Dr. Becky Spear, DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC, is a distinguished nursing professional with a career dedicated to older adults. Upon earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Arizona, Dr. Spear was the recipient of the Mary Opal Wolanin Outstanding Dissertation for Excellence in Nursing with Vulnerable Populations for her work in delirium prevention in post-acute care, demonstrating her commitment to elevating healthcare for underserved communities. Currently serving as the Inpatient Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Sonoma Valley Hospital, Dr. Spear brings her expertise to the forefront, ensuring the best care for elderly patients and guiding the hospital through Age-Friendly Health System recognition. 

Dr. Spear is not just a practitioner but a leader in the nursing community. She actively contributes to the Northern California Chapter of Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses (NCCGAPNA) as Secretary and President-elect, advocating for the elderly and advancing gerontological nursing, is a grant reader for the Alpha Phi Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club.

Dr. Sankaran and Dr. Spear’s presentation from Friday, 2/16.

FEBRUARY 23
Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt, DO, OB/GYN, Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner, is a Board Certified ObGyn and a certified menopause practitioner who has been practicing for the last 15 years in Napa, California. She is originally from New York City, where she grew up and went to medical school at the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1992. She practiced on Long Island for 11 years before moving to Napa. Her special interests are menopause management, including hormones and alternative management strategies. She owns a solo private practice which has been growing for the past 10 years, teaches medical students from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and spends her free time teaching, traveling, running, and writing. She has authored three books: two memoirs and the latest one, Perimenopause For Dummies, is available everywhere books are sold.

Watch Dr. Levy-Gantt’s presentation from Friday, 2/23.

Email us at community@sonomavalleyhospital.org for more information.