Press Release: February 19, 2008
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Panel Explores "The Path to True Recovery"
Magnolia Creek and the Alabama Network for Eating Disorders Awareness host a panel discussion with eating disorder professionals, families, and survivors of eating disorders.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (2/19/08) - As part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW), the nation's largest eating disorders outreach effort, Magnolia Creek Residential Treatment Center for Eating Disorders and the Alabama Network for Eating Disorders Awareness (ALNEDA) will host a panel bringing health professionals together with families and survivors of eating disorders. The panel will be held at 7:00 pm on the evening of Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on 2612 Park Lane Road.
Titled "The Path to True Recovery," the panel will explore the aspects and challenges of recovering from an eating disorder from medical, psychological, nutritional, and personal perspectives. Panelists include local eating disorder professionals: Dr. Dan Bowman of Personal Relationships, Inc.; dietitian Amy Baker-Parton of Tuscaloosa; Dr. A. Kenneth Olson and Dr. Dominic Maxwell of Magnolia Creek; as well as several others. The panel will also include families and women who have had personal experience with eating disorders.
"The key message for the 2008 NEDAW is all about 'being comfortable in your genes'," explains Dr. Nicole Siegfried, the clinical director of Magnolia Creek and moderator for the panel. "We wanted to explore that theme in the context of recovering from an eating disorder: 'How does comfort with and acceptance of one's body tie into true recovery? What does true recovery from an eating disorder look like?' We hope that we can start a positive dialogue as well as educate and spread awareness through this panel."
NEDAW runs from February 24 to March 1, 2008. In addition to the Magnolia Creek/ALNEDA panel, other NEDAW coordinators will be holding local events. Dr. Nancy Berland, Ph.D. will present question-and-answer discussions about eating disorders at the Vestavia Hills Methodist Church on February 27 at 6:00 pm and the Mountain Brook School Board Building on February 28 at 7:00 pm. And on February 29, from noon to 5:00 pm, dropoff locations for "The Great Jeans Giveaway" will be open at UAB and at 2200 Lakeshore Drive in Homewood.
About National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Held annually since 1987, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is the nation's largest eating disorders outreach effort. During NEDAW health care providers, educators, social workers, family members, students and eating disorder professionals work to teach people of all ages about the importance of promoting positive body image as well as raise awareness about the dangers of eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment by distributing educational materials and organizing events in their communities.
To learn more about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW), visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org and www.embraceyourgenes.org.
About the Alabama Network for Eating Disorders Awareness (ALNEDA)
Since October 2004, the Alabama Network for Eating Disorders Awareness (ALNEDA) has worked toward creating a statewide program for eating disorder awareness. Comprised of a volunteer network of therapists, educators, and health professionals, ALNEDA offers services such as outreach events, patient and parent support groups, an active speakers' bureau, an information resource library, and a healthcare professionals directory.
To learn more about the ALNEDA, visit www.alabamaeatingdisorders.com or www.alneda.info.
About Magnolia Creek Residential Treatment Center for Eating Disorders
Peacefully situated beside a private lake and nestled among more than thirty wooded acres just outside Birmingham, Alabama, Magnolia Creek provides treatment for women ages 18 and older struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Their comprehensive program provides intensive and personalized treatment in a natural, home-like setting, addressing the medical, psychological, nutritional, spiritual, and relational needs of their residents. Magnolia Creek is licensed by the State of Alabama and is now accredited by The Joint Commission.
Media Contact
Christine Lerios or Suzanne Zimmerman
205 678 4373
media @ magnolia-creek.com