"Nevada's First African American Wellness Conference Report"

Update to: http://128.125.109.137/NBL/Las Vegas Coalition.html June 6,1997
Dprothy Mt Johnson, Las Vegas Chain new address: 5324 W. Rancher Avenue Las Vegas. Nevada 89108
Telephone: (702) 655-3752 Fax: (702) 655-3762
NEVADA’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WELLNESS CONFERENCE REPORT
The Las Vegas Coalition, National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, Las Vegas, Nevada held Nevada’s First African American Wellness Conference May 30 - June 1,1997 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue., Las Vegas, Nevada.
The conference was sponsored by the Women’s Health Connection, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Nevada Cooperative Extension and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Theta Omega Chapter and addressed itself to various disease states including forms of cancer.
Our main patrons included Nevada Black Policemen’s Association, Nevada Medical Association and Black Nurses’s Association all of Las Vegas.
This was a two day conference with a wrap up session on the third day with visiting coalitions. Northern California, San Diego, California, Los Angeles, California, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix, Arizona and San Bernadino, California were in attendance. We were really pleased to see Frank Jackson, Special Populations, NCI, Bethesda, Md. in our midst. Special music was rendered by Bryan Byewaters, Priniciple Performer of the Rio Hotel and Casino and Willette Ballard, Regional Director of American Cancer Society Las Vegas. Pendelita Toney, poetress, read some of her poetry.
Twelve workshops were held over the two day period which were well received by the conferees. Evaluation of each work shop was done and all were highly rated.
Our Medical Workshop Facilitators were as follows: Doctors William E. Dougan, Larry J. Edwards, Anne-Marie’ Ice of Detroit, Michigan, Christopher A. Minott, Joseph Thornton, and Johnnie Woodson. Other facilitators included Deborah Antonella, Willette Ballard, David Christy, Dr. P.H., Fay Duncan-Daniel, Joyce Thomas and Joyce Woodson. Others appearing on the program in various capacities included Dr. Krawick of the Clarke County Health Department, Dr. I. Jean Davis, Drew University School of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, Dr. Oscar Streeter, Jr., USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Michelle Axel, No. California and Nevada Cancer Information Service and Pamela Graham, Nevada Health Department, Carson City, Nevada. Thank you cards were sent to every person appearing on our program within ten days of the conference closing.
The conference was well received and it was suggested by many that it be repeated during 1998. A total of 76 participants registered for the conference and 64 actually appeared. Participation cards were distributed to each partcipant, however, all were not returned as requested.
1997 Executive Committee:
Dorothy M. Johnson, Chairman
Betty Miller, Vice-Chair
Willa White, Recording Secretary
Martha Wells, Corresponding Secretary Lillian M. Gates, Treasurer