UWFox to host Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) one-day conference
Affinity physician featured as keynote speaker
09 / 15 / 2009
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Maria Heim, Media Relations
Affinity Health System
(920) 720-1752
(920) 554-0686 (pager)
MENASHA, Wis. - UWFox, Affinity Health System, and UWEX (UW Extension) and Outagamie County have teamed up to host a one-day event: Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS). This conference is designed for girls in grades six, seven and eight.
The event takes place on Saturday, October 3 at UWFox, 1478 Midway Road, Menasha, Wis. Registration forms can be found online at http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu/conted/gems.html or call the Office of Continuing Education at (920)832-2636.
“This event aims to provide hands-on activities and learning sessions that get young women excited about succeeding in math and science,” said Cathy Paynter, director of continuing education at UWFox. “Participants will have a chance to participate in fun activities, as well as hear from women who have pursued careers grounded in math and science.”
The $25 event fee includes a keynote presentation, workshops, lunch, t-shirt, goodie bag, snacks and a chance to win special gifts.
The event features twenty exciting workshops with activities such as creating a DNA necklace, papermaking, building an unsinkable boat and making your own lip gloss. There will also be learning sessions on topics such as women’s impact on technology and developing healthy eating habits.
Keynote speaker Dr. Ann Liebeskind will share her story, discuss increasing opportunities for women in math and science and encourage participants to learn more. Liebeskind is a clinical lipidologist with Affinity Medical Group. Other speakers include:
• Kristin Lugger, Advanced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Affinity Medical Group
• Kacee Des Jarlais, Scientist, Georgia Pacific
• Dr. Teresa Gonya, Associate Professor, UWFox
• Sandy White, Plant Physiologist
“Affinity Health System recognizes many girls growing up in our community right now will make long-lasting contributions to health care and other industries here in the Fox Valley,” said Jen Wagner Mauk, executive director of brand and marketing communications at Affinity Health System. “Affinity is happy to support the hopes and dreams of all girls who excel in engineering, math and science.”
In addition to information for the girls, the GEMS event also offers various parents’ workshops including: Cyber Space…its Power and Pitfall, Really! It’s Time to Start Thinking about College and Have a Clue: Baffling Mysteries of Middle School Girls.
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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a Catholic mission-oriented regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s third largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and is nationally listed among the top 50 hospitals for quality and efficiency (Thomson Reuters, Modern Healthcare). For eight consecutive years, Affinity Health System has been named to the SDI Health (formerly Verispan) Integrated Health Network Top 100, an annual assessment of the 100 most highly integrated health care networks in the nation – Affinity ranks no. 29 in the 2009 report. Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent among hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It is ranked 31st in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Community Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 22 family practice and specialty clinics – including two fully operational Medical Home models – in 14 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.