September 2021 Briefs

It was announced last week that HEROForum21 will shift to a fully virtual platform as the Covid-19 Delta variant continues to cause cases to rise across the United States. HEROForum21 was originally scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas during the week of October 11^th through the 15^th, 2021 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. As the Delta variant continues to take a stronghold in the U.S. and cases rise, HERO believes in the duty and responsibility of promoting safe practices and supporting public health in this dire time. HERO is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and encourages that all those able should receive the COVID-19 vaccination as well as follow CDC guidelines. HERO will continue to monitor the state of the pandemic for future meetings and events in 2022.

“The Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) Board of Directors announces HEROForum21 will move to a fully virtual event.” I never expected to arrive at the same decision and outcome as we did in 2020. This year was supposed to be different with access to vaccinations and diminishing case counts. Yet, here we are again, exploring new ways to connect a dissociated group.

The decision to convert to a fully virtual conference was heavy and frustrating and disappointing. The hard right often is. In addition to a stellar speaker line-up like every other year, we were looking forward to line dances and extra networking because we were giddy with the anticipation of seeing our HERO family and friends and putting Austin’s hospitality to the test. But we couldn’t ignore the number of businesses pressing the brakes on nonessential travel or the pandemic trends we’d been watching for 18 months climb yet another hill.

It feels like we’re on that same roller coaster of COVID-19 data, yet upside down. For every increase in case and death counts, the track of emotions dives deeper. This time, the hill of euphoria had just reached its highest peak since March 2020, making the downhill plunge even more devastating. And emotionally exhausting.

These challenges are clearly germane to the theme of Forum21 and HERO’s mission. Our theme of emotional resilience echoes our conviction that the health and well-being profession is critical to the ability of business, and our nation, to emerge from this pandemic and is positioned to lead in preventing and reducing the burden of future disease for employees, families, and communities. This is why we can’t put learning on hold.

2020 taught us many lessons. The HERO team has used some of those learnings to curate a more exciting virtual experience for Forum21. No, we won’t be able to dance together in a hotel ballroom, at least not this year. But we can be together, albeit in “Brady Bunch” fashion, to support one another through another season that is testing our individual resilience.

HERO is determined to pursue our purpose connecting science and practice to demonstrate the value of a health and well-being employer ecosystem. This year. Every year. We will get through this. Together.

With the move to a fully virtual HEROForum21, HERO’s Fall Think Tank will take place virtually on Tuesday, October 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT.

On-demand options will be available for those unable to attend the live session.

Our annual healthcare summit will move to virtual with date/time TBD. Agenda & Registration

HERO’s University Summit will take place virtually this year on November 8, 2021. The theme is Bouncing back and moving forward: Exploring emerging and innovative solutions at universities and medical centers that address top concerns through new or revised policies, system changes, structures, and programming, covering topics such as, hybrid work environment, women & family care needs and mental and emotional well-being. Register now

Thanks to WebMD we will participate in the second annual FitVent challenge. HERO is excited to be a part of this physical fitness challenge that encourages everyone to get moving, take steps, and better their well-being.

Registration will open on October 6th and remain open for two (2) weeks. Join a team, create a mascot and be a member of the FitVent challenge. You could win prizes from WebMD and the HERO Swag Store!

Check the HEROForum21 page for updates!

Thank you, WebMD for sponsoring this great event!

We can’t be together in person, so let’s be together in spirit. Get your HERO gear and show off your spirit and feel connected to the group as we work to learn together remotely. We can’t wait to be together again, until then, let’s show our HERO spirit in style with great finds like the pictured baseball tee, a spirit jersey, Nike dri-fit polos and more!

Click SHOP NOW to go to our SWAG store!

HERO Member Exclusive: Stand & Move at Work.

HERO Recommends

• “A Bowl of Vegetables With Someone You Love”: Faith, Health and Workplace Well-Being  Written by Paul Terry, PhD, HERO Senior Fellow. Paul’s editorial discusses the intersection of faith and the workplace, using a fictional dialogue to review these issues.
• Knowing Well, Being Well: well-being born of understanding: Addressing the Caregiving Crisis: The Roles for Employers and Policy Makers Authored by many industry professionals, including HERO Senior Research Fellow, Sara Johnson, PhD, this article discusses the ongoing caregiving crisis in America.
• The Case for Having Health Equity Guide Community Preparedness From the Robert Wood Johnson FoundationCulture of Health Blog, this article discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated health inequities among many communities.

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