Loma Linda University Health's Annual Women’s Conference Empowers and Entertains 1,000 Women

“We all have the power to change our lives.” Those were just a few of the simple yet motivational words award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Joan Lunden, provided to a sold-out crowd of 1,000 women at the 6th annual Women’s Conference, “Be You! Fit | Smart | Healthy,” on Jan. 17 at the Ontario Convention Center. “We can empower our lives,” Lunden said during her keynote address that kicked off the day-long event. “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 walked off the stage after her inspiring speech. “Joan Lunden was awesome and amazing,” said 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 said she loved every aspect of the event. “There were so many breakout session options, it was hard to choose,” she said. She finally decided on “De-clutter 101: From Chaos to Clarity,” and “Slaying the Sugar Toothed Tiger: Strategies to Tame Sugar (and other food cravings) and Successfully Navigate the Slippery Slope.” After the event, Luevano spent most of her weekend passing along the valuable information to family and friends. “I’m looking forward to coming again next year,” she said. The Women’s Conference was an opportunity for Southern California women of all walks of life to become better informed and more proactive about their health and wellness while having fun doing it. “This event is all about being smart, healthy and confident women,” said Beverly Rigsby, 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 multiple topics including nutrition, avoiding medical misdiagnosis, mental illness, conquering stress, financial wellbeing and exercise to name a few. 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, orthopedic surgery, and stress management assessments. There was also a pamper suite that offered hand and back 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 over 600 families make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency since 2002.