Outreach and Events

May 2 and 3, 2024

In Person: University of Victoria; Online: Livestreamed via Zoom

Join the Faculty of Human and Social Development (HSD) and the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH) for “People, Place and the Planet,” a joint conference on May 2 and 3 at the University of Victoria. Conference sessions include three incredible plenary speakers (see below) as well as over 40 abstract-driven presentations in poster, short and long oral, and symposium format. View the program. A detailed agenda will be sent to registered attendees. 

“People, Place and the Planet” draws on UVic’s strategic plan, which calls on us all to work together to create a healthier and more resilient future that upholds the wellbeing of our region and of all life on our planet.

Plenary Speakers:

 “Ageing Across Cultures: Navigating the Lifecourse through a Multicultural Lens within the Context of People, Place, and the Planet” 

Dr. Jeffrey Proulx, Mindfulness Center, Brown University

Jeffrey Proulx (Mohawk, Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) is a gerontologist and psychologist whose research at Brown University's Proulx Lab for Multicultural Mindfulness focuses on the development of wellness programs tailored for underserved communities. With a keen interest in mind/body medicine and a dedication to interdisciplinary and lifecourse/lifespan approaches to aging, Dr. Proulx explores how mindfulness practices can enhance resilience and well-being across individuals' developmental trajectories. At the heart of Dr. Proulx's work lies a commitment to addressing the profound impact of historical and cultural traumas on stress levels within underserved communities. By fostering deep community partnerships and drawing upon the wisdom and healing inherent in these communities, his research seeks to mitigate the loss of culture and traditions while promoting holistic well-being. In addition to his role as Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University in Providence, RI, Dr. Proulx serves as an assistant professor in Public Health, Contemplative Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Psychiatry at Brown. His multifaceted expertise and compassionate approach make him a valuable contributor to the fields of mindfulness, aging, and community health.

“Co-Design for Care: Catalyzing change through creativity and collaboration” 

Caylee Raber, Director, Health Design Lab, Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Health Design Lab is a research and design center which specializes in the use of participatory design methods to catalyze, support and amplify local initiatives that address complex health challenges. Specializing in the engagement of people with lived experience in co-design processes, the lab collaborates on a range of health- related projects in close collaboration with community organizations, health authorities and other academic institutions. As a designer and researcher, Caylee’s practice is centred in participatory design research methods for collaboration with diverse populations in the conceptualization, development and implementation of social services, experiences and programs related to health. Through participatory and co-design methods her research seeks to ensure that people can not only inform but shape their future experiences. She is interested in how designers can work collaboratively with community to advance health equity and research engagement by people with lived experience. Current work includes collaboration with researchers at the University of Victoria related to Dementia-Friendly Communities, work on the Sunshine Coast to explore emergent models of care, and collaborations with BC Mental Health and Substance Use and BC Children’s Hospital. Caylee also teaches in the Faculty of Design and Dynamic Media and Faculty of Graduate Studies at Emily Carr University. 

“Research Partnerships in Public Health Practice” 

Dr. Réka Gustafson, Vice President of Population Health and Chief Medical Health Officer, Island Health

Réka Gustafson Is the Vice President, Population & Public Health and Chief Medical Health Officer at Island Health. In this role, Dr. Gustafson leads programs that aim to improve health and reduce inequities in health for residents of Island Health.  These programs include population health assessment, communicable disease control, immunization, maternal and child health programs, health protection and environmental health, community care facilities licensing, and population health promotion. Since substance use is one of the leading causes of poor health and early death in Island Health, Dr. Gustafson also leads the Island Health Addiction Medicine and Substance Use program.  One of her other roles as Chief Medical Health Officer is to advance public policies that improve population health and reduce health inequities in the population.  Dr. Gustafson joined Island Health from the BC Centre for Disease Control, the organization she led during the COVID-19 Pandemic.   Prior to that she was the Medical Health Officer for the City of Vancouver and Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health. Throughout her career, Dr. Gustafson has worked in the areas of HIV prevention and care, outbreak control and response, and overdose prevention and response.

The conference is free to attend, though registration is required. The deadline to register is Friday, April 19, 2024. 

Register here. 

The "People, Place, and the Planet" conference is jointly organized by the Faculty of Human and Social Development (HSD) and the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH), co-sponsored by the UVic President’s Office, the UVic Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation, the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Division of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities. We thank all of these groups for helping to make this conference free for all attendees!

Self-Management BC is excited to offer in-person sessions again! Put life back into your life.  

Free 6-Session workshops for adults with any ongoing health conditions

• Learn techniques to better manage your health
• Set goals and problem solve
• Communicate more effectively with your family,friends, and health care team
• Deal with stress and difficult emotions
• Take action and live a healthier life
• Family members and friends welcome!

In addition to our 6-week Self-Management Workshops, we offer the following:

• Self-Management Health Coach Program: This is a one-on-one telephone-based coaching program to support people living with chronic conditions to become better self-managers. Each individual is paired with a coach and receives a weekly, 30-minute phone call for a period of 3 months. Coaches are volunteers who may be living with chronic health conditions, and are passionate to help others to achieve wellness. For more information, please visit: selfmanagementbc.ca/healthcoachprogram
• Better Choices, Better Health® Online Program: This workshop takes place entirely online. Participants can participate using any computer with an Internet connection, even a dial-up connection. With up to 25 people in each workshop group, interactive sessions are posted each week for six weeks. Participants log on at their convenience two or three times a week for a total of about two hours a week. Participants can remain anonymous and everything takes place on a dedicated, secure website. Participants set their own goals and make a step-by-step action plan to help them feel better and achieve their goals. 

To see workshop schedules in British Columbia, visit https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/CommunityPrograms 

Many programs can be done online, by telephone, or independently. For more information please visit www.selfmanagementbc.ca or call TOLL FREE: 1-866-902-3767