The conference, sponsored by Michigan Medicine*West, brings together four DCI faculty and nearly 100 medical students, nurses, and staff – and they are thinking big, trying to help meet a looming conflict that will affect 100,000 Americans and cost at least $11 billion. The purpose of a conference is to use the latest advances in neuroscience, physical and cognitive science in a presentation that can be easily shared from the sidelines of the state’s largest healthcare conference.

The conference includes access to the Maeve Hartley Art Gallery, an exhibition of innovative artworks and its graphic representation of human and animal figures, and a free live arts performance by renowned choreographer Donna Reed. With blood, cheese, and palm readers, this special event is better for those with autism, cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. And it’s about the first step in building a community of role models, experts, and working professionals in the field of nutrition science and nutrition for the benefit of these people.

“Historically, nursing faculty and students have not attended this annual gathering,” says Richard Bear, M.D., director of the Center for Neurodevelopment of Excellence at Michigan Medicine.*The conference is especially important for faculty who are working toward moving beyond the trauma of obesity and its accompanying comorbidities.