OHA July announcements to know

The Office of Healthy Aging and the College of Health and Human Performance thank Dr. Toyin Babatunde for her service and time as an effective co-director of the Office of Healthy Aging since 2021.

Babatunde is an associate professor in the ECU Department of Nutrition Sciences and has advanced OHA thanks to her ability to impact and uplift people, her professional and community affiliations, and overall passion for healthy aging and expertise in community-based health promotion research focused on wellness in underserved and vulnerable populations.

“Dr. Babatunde’s service to OHA not only helped to identify the campus and community needs the office could meet, it also included a great deal of wisdom related to honoring the dignity of everyone the office serves,” former HHP interim dean Dr. Stacey Altman said.

Dr. Abby Schwartz, Carolyn Freeze Baynes Distinguished Scholar in the School of Social Work, will continue in her role as director of the Office of Health Aging. Schwartz and Babatunde had served as co-directors.

The ECU Lifelong Learning Program fall kickoff event is Aug. 16.

“HHP is grateful for the service of Dr. Babatunde. Her dedication as co-director of our Office of Healthy Aging enriched our programming and inspires us to continue building upon a great foundation,” HHP dean Dr. Nicole Bromfield said.

Added Schwartz: “Dr. Babatunde’s leadership in the Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) has been integral to growing the office’s mission. She is an outstanding colleague, with a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of older adults. I am grateful to Dr. Babatunde for her contributions to the office”

OHA is housed in East Carolina University’s School of Social Work and will continue to engage the university and the greater Greenville community as a hub for interdisciplinary teaching, research and service-related activities. OHA remains focused on development of education and research to benefit people across the aging population, with particular attention on rural communities in eastern North Carolina.

Aging-related opportunities and events:

• Identifying and Reporting Medically-at-risk Drivers: Using a Film to Tell the Story: August 22, 2024, at 4pm via Zoom: – Dr. Anne Dickerson from ECU Allied Health will discuss the topic listed regarding driving evaluation as part of the IDEAS Forum. Questions? Contact Dr. Donna Roberson at robersondo@ecu.edu
• Symposium for Learning about Alzheimer’s disease-related Medical Research at Duke and UNC (SLAM-DUNC 2024): Sept. 12-13, 2024, at North Carolina Central University,  The 3rd Symposium for Learning about Alzheimer’s disease-related Medical Research at Duke and UNC. This includes research talks, poster and networking sessions, a panel of experts on ADRD therapeutics and keynote speakers. To learn more about this free event, Contact Dr. Donna Roberson at robersondo@ecu.edu
• Empowering Direct Care Workers and Family Caregivers to Meet Growing Demand for Care: This webinar will discuss key findings from the Together in Care issue brief on empowering direct care workers and family caregivers. Join the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving as we unveil our recommendations and discuss ways to empower direct care workers and family caregivers in providing care and support to older adults and people with disabilities  Download the Issue Brief, and registration is required.
• Lunch with a Doc: July 31 from 9:30-11 a.m. at ECU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic at 2610 Stantonsburg Rd.  Enjoy a free delicious, whole foods, plant-based breakfast accompanied by recipes, tips and lecture notes to help on a journey to be healthier. This is a free event, but registration is required. Please call 252-847-9908.
• ECU Lifelong Learning Program Fall 2024 Kickoff Event: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. at the Willis Building Auditorium. Join the Lifelong Learning Program for the Fall Membership Kickoff Event. Members of the program, the local community, and anyone interested in lifelong learning classes and fun are welcome to join! There will be fall catalogs, exhibit tables, class instructor tables, and refreshments. Be the first to sign up for popular classes, special events and trips. Register to attend the Fall Kickoff.  Also, preview the Fall 2024 Catalog.