Jill Bolte Taylor keynotes ATSU womens wellness luncheon

MESA, Ariz. (Nov. 21, 2008 ) – Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., noted scientist, author, and stroke survivor, joined A.T. Still University (ATSU) to keynote a luncheon celebrating the launch of ATSU’s Women’s Wellness Program Nov. 18 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas. Dr. Taylor, who was recently named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, shared her personal story of survival, recovery, and discovery during her presentation entitled “How to Get Your Brain to Do What You Want it to Do.”

Dr. Taylor, a Harvard-educated neuroanatomist, had a rare form of stroke 12 years ago which caused a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain. It took eight years for Dr. Taylor to successfully rebuild her brain following the stroke, and she shares her story in her book “My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey.”

Dr. Taylor’s message of compassion during the healing process resonated deeply with an audience of ATSU friends, faculty, and staff who support a university mission that focuses on compassion, integrity, and ability. “Dr. Taylor inspired our students and faculty to look beyond a patient’s illness or injury and connect with their humanity through compassion and understanding,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., FAOASM. “She was inspired to see development of compassion in our students, faculty and staff as a major component of ATSU’s mission statement.”

ATSU Associate Provost Ted Wendel, Ph.D. was in agreement. “Dr. Taylor’sexperienceand knowledge brought reality to the words of the ATSU mission,” he said.

Close to 150 were in attendance at the luncheon that was also the launch of ATSU’s new Women’s Wellness Program. The program was founded to provide educational opportunities to the public as well as develop a collective of women focused on improving the quality of their lives and the lives of those around them.

According to Dr. Phelps, the Women’s Wellness Program is an important component in the university’s overall community outreach efforts. “As a leading edge university with a school of osteopathic medicine, it is imperative that we be involved in community wellness,” he said.

“For many years, women went unrecognized as important decision-makers in how families accessed healthcare,” he continued. “[This program] will provide information to key household stakeholders who often make healthcare decisions for immediate family, extended family, and sometimes the entire community.”

For more information about ATSU’s Women’s Wellness Program, please contact Gretchen Buhlig at 480.219.6105 or gbuhlig@astu.edu.