©Roz Chast. All rights reserved.
Stockbridge, MA, September 3, 2015—In conjunction with its latest exhibition, Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs, Norman Rockwell Museum will present “Aging in America: Attitudes and Access,” the latest in its Four Freedoms Forum series on Thursday, September 24, starting at 5:30 p.m. The public forum will explore the dynamic increase of life expectancy in the U.S. and other developed nations, and the challenges and increased needs it places on access to differentiated care. Inspired by the themes in artist Roz Chast’s award-winning graphic memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? which examines her relationship with her aging parents, the program will feature commentary by experts in the field and encourage community discourse. A reception will follow.
Featured speakers for the Forum will include: Dr. Mark Pettus, Director of Medical Education, Wellness and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems; Dr. Cindy Geyer, Medical Director, Canyon Ranch; Holly Chaffee, CEO of Porchlight VNA/Home Care; S. Daltrey Turner, clinical social worker at Austen Riggs Center; and Bobbie Orsi, Director of Community Relations at Home Instead Senior Care. Community conversation at the Four Freedoms Forums is free and open to the public.
Dr. Mark Pettus is a triple-board certified Internist, Nephrologist, and Integrative Medicine physician practicing for over 25 years. He received his A.B. from Boston University and his M.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, with postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. He currently serves as the Director of Medical Education, Wellness and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems. The physician lead on popular health initiatives in western Massachusetts, Dr. Pettus also serves as the Associated Dean of Medical Education at The University of Massachusetts Medical School; and as teaching faculty at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C., and the Meditation Institute in Averill Park, New York. Previously, he served as Chief of Medicine at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, New York, as well as Medical Director of the Kripalu Institute for Integrated Healing in Stockbridge. Dr. Pettus is the author of two books, The Savvy Patient: The Ultimate Advocate for Quality Health Care and It’s All In Your Head: Change Your Midn, Change Your Health.
Dr. Cindy Geyer received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees, with honors, from Ohio State University. She completed her internship and residency in medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She currently serves as the Medical Director of Canyon Ranch in Lenox. Dr. Geyer specializes in women’s health issues such as transition hormones, effects of sleep deprivation, and weight loss management strategies to boost metabolism and harness energy. She is also one of the core faculty members at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s “Food as Medicine” conference. An ardent hiker, Dr. Geyer recently participated in her second Extreme Hike, traversing over 27 miles along the Taconic Ridge Crest Trail in one day to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis. She also exercises the right-side of her brain by making her own jewelry.
Holly Chaffee began her career in healthcare as a nurse in pediatrics, receiving her bachelor of science in nursing at Skidmore College, and her masters in nursing administration from the University of Hartford. She currently serves as CEO of Porchlight VNA/Home Care, which she has been leading since 2009. During that time, Porchlight has become the only private pay company in Berkshire County to be accredited by the Home Care Alliance. Most recently, Chaffee guided Porchlight into a new ear with a merger with the former Chicopee VNA and Great To Be Home Care, bringing together two non-profit agencies with a long history of providing exceptional care. The move ensured that residents in Berkshire, Hampden and Hampshire counties continue to have the option for highly personalized, quality care in their homes. Ms. Chaffee served as the President of the Visiting Nurse Associations of New England from 2012 to 2014, is a board member of the Home Care Alliance, and a board member of the Lee Chamber of Commerce.
S. Daltrey Turner, LICSW is a clinical social worker at the Austen Riggs Center. She received her bachelors in social work from Cornell University and masters in social work from Boston University. Ms. Turner is currently an affiliate board member of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County. She is a former member of the Pittsfield School Committee. Her work history includes Program Director at the Robinson Development Center in Robinson, Texas; Clinician/Program Director/Director of Admissions and Marketing for Hillcrest Education Centers, Inc. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and Social Worker/Director of Social Work for Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield.
Bobbie Orsi MS, RN, CDP currently serves as Director of Community Relations at Home Instead Senior Care, where she brings 40 years of nursing practice, health and wellness leadership, program development, and partnership building to meet the growing needs of older adults in the Berkshires. Orsi has implemented community wide education programs on Alzheimer’s Disease and is working with local home care providers and physicians to improve early detection and caregiver support for individuals and families coping with this disease. Orsi received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Massachusetts, a Master’s of Science degree in Health Promotion from Nebraska Methodist College, and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has worked at Berkshire Health Systems, and led the development of early health screening and promotion efforts for BMC and other local worksites. Orsi continues to serve as Chair of the Pittsfield Board of Health, and was a founding member more than a decade ago.
Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs
On view through October 26, 2015
Over the past 37 years, readers of The New Yorker have been enjoying cartoonist Roz Chast’s signature style and wit. From her timelessly funny cartoons and lively children’s picture books, to her intricately painted pysanka eggs and hand-made textiles, Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs will feature works representing the breadth of Chast’s entire artistic career. A highlight of the exhibition will be nearly 120 original drawings and objects from her award-winning memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? which tackles the sensitive subject of caring for the elderly, with thoughtful insight and humor.
About Four Freedoms Forums:
Town Hall Meetings at the Norman Rockwell Museum
Join us to share your thoughts on the most compelling issues of our day. This series of Town Hall conversations inspired by Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings will explore aspects of our democracy and important social concerns in a rapidly changing and increasingly global world. Noted commentators will offer observations and inspire community discourse, with a reception to follow.
The tradition of Town Hall meetings has it roots in the founding of our nation where small New England communities would gather to invite citizen opinion and vote on matters of importance to the town. A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government.
The Four Freedoms Forums are free and open to the public.