The Benefits of Smoking

70% of smokers would like to quit, but only 4 to 7% will be successful. Tobacco Treatment Specialist Carol L. Rickard, author of The Benefits of Smoking: Why It\'s So Hard to Quit Smoking and What You Can Do about It explained what smokers perceive as the benefits and why it\'s so hard for people to kick the habit once they\'ve started. She also discussed the potential risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. She suggested resources that smokers can use to quit for good.

Overcoming Bias

Mathew Freeman, Co-Founder and Senior Executive Consultant at TMI Consulting, a diversity and inclusion management consulting firm, co-author of Overcoming Bias: Building Authentic Relationships across Differences said every human is biased in one way or another, and it’s a constant process to recognize and reduce it. He explained why bias has such an impact in every aspect of life, and how companies should address it in the workplace. He said the secret to dealing with bias is by intentionally cultivating meaningful relationships with those who are different.

Preventing Medical Errors

A recent study found that American hospitals are making preventable medical errors that kill thousands of Americans each year. Patient advocate Gloria Lopez-Cordle, nationally-recognized, creator of “the Personal Medical Journal”, a patient organizational tool
believes that patients and their families need to take charge of their medical information to prevent mistakes by doctors. She offered advice on what kinds of medical data is important and how to organize it.

Carol L. Rickard

Carol Rickard, LCSW, TTS has written over a dozen publications & conducted national training workshops on stress and wellness. She is the founder and CEO of Well University, LLC, a global health education & training company dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools and supports to achieve lifelong wellness. She is the creator of L.I.F.E. Wellness System, and Whole Brain EducationWell Curriculum. Carol has over 20 years experience working in hospital based programs and helped thousands of individuals change their habits and reclaim their lives. It has been her mission to bring her work beyond the walls of a hospital to the rest of the world. She’s appeared in Esperanza magazine, US 1, and is weekly contributor to HopetoCope.com. Organizations she’s worked with include Campfire USA NJ, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, NJ Department of Labor, New Jersey Business & Industry Association as well as New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, & Florida’s Recreation Associations.

Carol\'s Website

Matthew Freeman

Matthew’s passion for racial reconciliation and social justice has led him across the United States and overseas, helping people connect across difference and begin to address the challenges that divide them. Matthew believes the solutions to our most intractable problems, like social division and poverty, require bold leadership willing to try risky and innovative solutions. When given the opportunity, he can help groups find the courage to tackle their most pernicious problems and move toward collaboration, mutual understanding, and action.

Learn More About Matthew and tmi Consulting