Let’s Move Pittsburgh Symposium: Growing Healthy Children
The 2017 Let’s Move Pittsburgh Symposium brought together 100 community partners from various sectors to discuss how our organizations can bridge the gaps and reach the most children in Allegheny County. The symposium employed the World Café method to facilitate an open conversation about children’s health and how we can work together to make Allegheny County one of the healthiest places for children to live, learn and grow. Attendees had to opportunity to collaborate directly with thought leaders in the fields of nutrition and physical activity, and also hear from project leaders from our Champion Schools program. The Champion Schools program celebrates and rewards schools with funding for leading new or existing programs that promote healthy food and nutrition education, increase physical activity, and teach students how grow and prepare healthy food.
During the symposium, attendees answered thought provoking questions and transcribed their thoughts on post-it notes. With each question the thoughts grew bigger, they started with sharing successes, then offering gifts and finally thinking of an action step all the organizations can take together. The final action steps were voted on and a final report has been created detailing all of the information shared at this event.
Speakers
Paul Borawski | World Café Expert
Paul spent his entire career working with nonprofit organizations and their communities of volunteers. He is a co-founder of Leading by Association and a core team member of Vernal Management Consultants. After 26 years as the chief executive officer of the American Society for Quality, Paul “retired” in 2014 to create another chapter of his life. His work now centers on nonprofit organizations, their leaders and boards. The chair of the World Café Community Foundation, Paul enjoys joining stewards in their vision of hosting the conversations that communities desire and unlocking the potential of people working in common interest.
Richard Piacentini | President anc CEO
Since 1994, Richard Piacentini has led the green transformation of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens including construction of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, the only building in the world to meet: the Living Building Challenge™, LEED® Platinum, WELL™ Platinum, and 4 Stars Sustainable SITES™ certifications. Piacentini is interested in the important connection between people and plants particularly as it relates to human and environmental health. He serves as past Chair of the International Living Future Institute™ (ILFI) and is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association. He has received numerous professional honors, including ILFI and USGBC leadership awards.
Michael D. Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM | Senior Medical Director, Health and Productivity, UPMC Health Plan
Dr. Parkinson oversees employer health and care strategies. After a career in the U.S. Air Force, Mike was a founder of Lumenos, a pioneer in consumer-directed health plans. He trained in family medicine and preventive medicine at George Washington University, UCLA and Johns Hopkins. He is a past president of the American College of Preventive Medicine and serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Medical Quality and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Dr. Sarah States | Director of Research and Science Education
Dr. Sarah States is responsible for creating innovative local, national and international research partnerships in the research areas of Phipps, such as ecology, human health and wellness, environmental education and science communication. Moreover, she oversees the development and implementation of pre-K – 12 informal education programs that focus on connecting youth to nature. She received her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral research at the Yale School of Public Health and Columbia University, focusing on community ecology and vector-borne disease.
Champion Schools Poster Presenters Included:
- Angels' Place, Inc.
- Bellevue Elementary School
- Community Day School
- Curtisville Primary Center
- Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. Elementary
- Fred L. Aiken Elementary School
- La Escuelita Arcoiris
- Mon Valley Special Education School
- Pittsburgh Dilworth Pre-K – 5
- Pittsburgh Faison K – 5
- PLEA School Based Partial Hospital
- South Fayette School District
- St. Edmund's Academy
- Urban Pathways K – 5 College Charter School
- Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania Charter School
Made Possible with Support from
Photos © Brian Cohen
