National Alliance on Mental Illness       

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Conference Schedule  

Click here for Printable Schedule in PDF

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.  

Friday, October 17, 2008

full session descriptions 

9:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions (4 to choose from)

Understanding the Overlap Among Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and 

Bipolar Disorder: A Role for Patients and Family Members - James Reilly, Ph.D., clinical neuropsychologist and 

assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry's Center for Cognitive Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago  

 

Cognitive Behavior Therapy - What is It & Where to Get It? - Karen Lynn Cassiday, Ph.D., A.C.T., clinical director and owner, Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center    

 

Dream Team at the Psychiatric Hospital - Come meet the crew from Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers 

Grove and see what makes them the "Dream Team."  Patty Johnstone, Family Hospital Advocate; Susie Piasecki, 

Consumer Hospital Advocate; Paula Moore, manager of Behavioral  Health; Linda Richman M.C.S.W.; and Ann Carlson, M.C.S.W.

 

 

Families Making a Difference in Recovery - Department of Mental Health, Family Resource Specialists and their 

director, Amy Starin, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.; Kim Miller, Family Leadership Coordinator, Illinois Children Mental Health Partnership; Carlendia Newton, Penny Weedon, Darlene McGary and Susan Ling, Family consumer specialists, Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Services  

 

          11:00 a.m. Keynote Address

Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia  

Below the Neck: Physical Health & Mental Illness

Recent studies have revealed that people with serious mental illnesses 

are at high risk of early death and significant health problems due to 

factors such as elevated rates of smoking, poor nutrition, and side effects of medications, such as obesity and hypertension.  Dr. Vogel-Scibilia, a nationally known mental health advocate and psychiatrist will concentrate on practical strategies for achieving better physical health as part of an overall plan for recovery and wellness.

1:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (4 to choose from)

The Anxious Brain : The Neurobiological Basis of Anxiety Disorders - Steven Prinz, M.D., Medical Director, Linden Oaks Hospital Easting Disorder Program 

 

 

Essential Partnerships:  Building Effective Coalitions with Local Provider Organizations - Anthony Zipple, Sc.D., M.B.A., CEO of Thresholds, Chicago  

 

        Animal Assisted Therapy - Lisa Mahaffey, M.S., OTR/L and Camille Belpedio APRN-BC, Coordinator of Education & 

        Research - Linden Oaks at Edwards

 

 

        How to Make Lemonade When Life Gives You Lemons - A panel discussion on recovery with Richard J. Techman, In Our Own Voice presenter, Peer to Peer mentor, member of NAMI Illinois Consumer Council; Jennifer Jo, B.A. psychology, Dominican University, In Our Own Voice presenter; AJ French, Coordinator of Sacred Creations, WRAP Recovery Educator, In Our Own Voice presenter;  and Carrie Atterberry, B.A. psychology and rehabilitation, Southern Illinois University, WRAP facilitator, Recovery Support Specialist, NAMI Connection facilitator  

   2:30 p.m. Breakouts (4 to choose from)

Biomarkers to Improve the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia - John Csernansky, M.D., Lizzie Gilman Professor and 

Chairman, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine  

 

Illinois' Underfunded Mental Health System: What You Can Do About It! -  A panel discussion with Illinois legislators.  Moderated by Hugh Brady, NAMI Barrington

 

Metabolic Risk Screening - Mark E. Schneiderhan, Pharm D., BCPP, Clinical Asst. Professor of the College of  

Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Catherine Batscha, MSN, PMHCNS BC, Advanced Practice 

Nurse in Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago 

 

Promoting Recovery Through Family Education Programs - Sue Pickett-Schenk, Ph.D., Associate Professor, 

University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research & Policy

 

 

Consumer Council Meeting and Elections

 4:00 p.m.  Sessions

6:00 p.m.  Awards Dinner

Saturday, October 18, 2008

9:00 to 9:15 a.m.            Welcome

9:15 to 10:15 a.m.          General Session

Pharmacogenics, Personalized Medicine - Petronilo R. Costa, M.D., Director of Streamwood Behavioral Health Center

10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions (4 to choose from)

Empowerment through Advance Directives - Laurel Spahn, J.D., Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission and 

Alexander Magnus, B.S.M.E., Paralegal Certificate, Real Estate and Finances

 

 

Understanding & Ending the Cycle of Homelessness & Incarceration Through Permanent Supportive Housing - 

John Fallon, Sr., Program Manager, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Chicago  

 

Ending the Silence (Health Class Presentations for Students in High School)  - Brenda Hilligoss, 

School Outreach Coordinator  

 

Life in the Community Not Confinement: Psychosocial Interventions that Support Recovery - Sandra 

Wilkniss, Ph.D., Director of Thresholds Institute and Adjunct Professoar of Family and Community Medicine at Dartmouth Medical College 

 

 1:00 p.m. Breakouts (4 to choose from)

If Medications Are So Helpful, Why Do People Stop Them? - Peter J. Weiden, M.D., Director, Psychotic Disorders 

Program, Center of Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago  

 

Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT): Helping People with Co-Occurring Mental Illness and 

Substance Abuse Disorders - Melanie Kinley, B.A., C.A.D.C., Trainer/Consultant for Thresholds  

 

Top 60 Questions Regarding Special Education - Mary "Micki" Moran, J.D.,  The Child & Family Law Center  

 

NAMI Affiliates & Effectiveness Criteria - Tosha Cantrell-Bruce, doctoral candidate in public administration, Univeristy of Illinois at Springfield  

 

2:30 p.m. Breakouts (3 to choose from)

Smoking & Behavioral Health - Kathleen Brower, M.P.H., and Janel Noncek, health educators,

DuPage County Health Department  

 

New Beginnings Community Services Presents--Innovations in the Application of Group-As-A-Whole in the Treatment of Severely Mentally Ill Consumers in a Lodge Setting: Building Cohesiveness, Self-Efficacy and Harnessing Creativity - Diana Semmelhack, Psy.D., Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist with New Beginnings Community Services, Midwestern University; Wendell Carpenter, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, Midwestern University; Rebecca Catalano, Lodge Coordinator, Joanna's Lodge; and Emma Wood, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, Midwestern University

 

 

Legal Issues and Options for Young Adults with Mental Illness - Mary "Micki" Moran, J.D., Child and Family Law Center

 

 

    NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group – a 90 minute support group for individuals with  mental illness  

 

4:00 p.m. - Special General Session

You will be delighted and surprised to see what the Conference Committee has planned for this special 

general session. You will not want to miss it.  

 

7:00 p.m.  Dinner 

Followed by live entertainment until 10:00 - Goin South  (Southern Fried Rock and Roll)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Affiliate Skill Building Workshop - Beth Bowsky, Region 3 Leadership Consultant with NAMI Center for Leadership Development

The Nuts and Bolts: What Every Affiliate Needs to Know  

This informative workshop will include:

Board Development

Roles & Responsibilities

How Committees Get Things Done

Volunteers

Membership Retention & Growth

Goals, Priorities & Strategic Plans

Plus much, much more...

 

Additional Conference Highlights:

Experience the NAMI Illinois Exhibit Hall which will have a NEW LOOK with some unique frills!  

Awards Banquet will be held on Friday evening

NAMI After Hours - Live entertainment on Saturday night

Enjoy a power break with drinks and snacks 

Continuing Education Units will be available 

 

 

Registration Information

Consumer Scholarship Application

Hilton Lisle/Naperville

3003 Corporate West Dr.

Lisle, IL 60532

(630) 505-0900

Overnight Accommodations

Please contact the hotel directly to make arrangements for your overnight accommodations. 

Be sure to mention you are attending NAMI Illinois’ conference in order to receive the reduced room

rate of $104 plus tax per night.. Deadline for this room rate is September 18, 2008.

Coming Attractions  

NAMI Land is coming to the NAMI Illinois State Conference this year. Come see all of the personalized

items we have on display for purchase and to order.

We are also planning on having a bookstore at the conference. Our presenters who have authored a book

have agreed to do some book signing. Save time to browse!

Exhibitors

If you are interested in exhibiting at the conference, please contact the NAMI Illinois office at (217) 522-1403

to get more information. The exhibition area will be open from Friday, October 17 at 10:30 am to 6:00 pm and

Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Space is limited so please call early if you are wanting to

participate.