Annual Health and Wellness Fair and Expo
Dates: October 13-15, 2026
Times: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
About
Integrating health and wellness into our daily routines contributes to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. Our Annual Health and Wellness Fair and Expo features three days focused on stress management, prevention, and wellness through workshops, activities and resources.
Workshops are open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members!
The Health and Wellness Fair and Expo is a collaboration between the College of Health and Human Services and the Counseling and Wellness Center at GovState.
Registration Information
Free Kidney & Diabetes Screening!
The Kidney Mobile from the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois will be on campus Oct. 15 from 10am-2pm.
Jewel Osco Vaccination Station
Vaccinations will be offered on campus on October 15 in Engbretson Hall.
Free HIV Testing
Free rapid HIV testing will take place in the Hall of Honors on October 15 from 10am-4pm.
Free Massages
Participants can sign up for free massages on Oct 15 with Chiro One Wellness Centers in Hall of Governors.
Event Schedules and Vendor Lists
The Annual Health & Wellness Fair and Expo will be from Oct 13-15 with each day hosting a unique set of events, workshops, presentations, and vendors that reflect that day's theme.
- Tuesday, October 13: Health Promotion and Stress Management
- Wednesday, October 14: Health Promotion and Prevention
- Thursday, October 15: Health Promotion and Wellness
Use the accordions to view the schedules for each day and read more about the presenters and their workshops below.
Tuesday, October 13
| Workshops | Events |
| 10:00 am – 10:50 am | Test Anxiety Workshop – Sharon Holmes Hall of Honors | |
| 11:00 am –11:50 am | Managing Stress – Joy Grange Hall of Honors | De-stress calming activities (i.e. coloring, calming jar creations, study – CWC Staff Engbretson Hall |
| 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm | Opening Plenary: Thriving Together - Building a Culture of Health and Wellness Dr. Timothy Harrington PhD Dr. Cathy Balthazar, PhD, CCC-SLP Dr. Kim Major-Ford, PsyD, MS, Ed Dr. Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L Hall of Honors | De-stress calming activities (i.e. coloring, calming jar creations, study – CWC Staff Engbretson Hall |
| 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm | Massages – Tina David, Melanie Martell-McCoin: Engbretson Hall
Stretch Lab – Dr. Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L and OT Grad Students Engbretson Hall | De-stress games and music– CWC Staff Engbretson Hall |
| 2:00 pm – 2:50 pm | Massages – Tina David, Melanie Martell-McCoin: Engbretson Hall
Stretch Lab – Dr. Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L and OT Grad Student Engbretson Hall | De-stress games and music– CWC Staff Engbretson Hall |
| 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | “Mindfulness, Stress, and Well-Being” Dr. Tim Pedigo Engbretson Hall | |
| 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm | “Mindful Movement- Tap into Your Body’s Inner Strength” Dr. Frank Czuba, DrOT, OTR/L Engbretson Hall | |
| 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm | Yoga – Julia McDonald, MOT, OTRL Engbretson Hall
|
| Wednesday, October 14 | Workshops | Events |
| 10:00 am – 10:50 am | “Inner Cartographies: Mapping Burden, Identity, and Meaning Through Reflective Experiential Simulation” Dr. Jan Figa, MSLIS, PhD. Engbretson Hall | |
| 11:00 am –11:50 am | "We are what we eat: How food choices inform our health, wealth, and future." Dr. Uday Shinde, PhD, MS Engbretson Hall | |
| 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm | Institutional Wellness Committee Book Club: “The Caring University, by Kevin McClure” Dr. Candace Smith, Ed.D Dr. Laura Honeggar, PhD, LCSW Engbretson Hall | |
| 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm | Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Fair Hall of Governors Anew: Building Beyond Violence YWCA Metro Chicago GSU Title IX Office Montrose Behavioral Health Crisis Center South Suburbia Arab American Family Services ICADV Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence Guardian Angel Community Services- Groundwork Vet Center Rosencrance States Attorney Victim Witness Attorney General's Office Ascend Justice Apna Ghar Obsidian Holistic Services, LLC Graceful Growth Cook County Health Mujeres Latinas en Acción Legal Clinic PFLAG: Tinley Park | |
| 2:00 pm – 2:50 pm | Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Fair – Continues: Hall of Governors Domestic Violence Panel Discussion with hors d’oeuvres and dessert Hall of Honors Anew: Building Beyond Violence Crisis Center South Suburbia Arab American Family Services Guardian Angel Community Services- Groundwork Apna Ghar | |
| 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Fair – Continued: Hall of Governors Domestic Violence Panel Discussion – continued: Hall of Honors | |
| 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm | “Mindfulness and Compassion” Dr. Amy Bala, Ed.D, DPT, WCC, CWS, FACCWS Hall of Honors | Wrap-up of Domestic Violence Awareness Events |
| 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm | OPEN Hall of Honors | Wrap-up of Domestic Violence Awareness Events |
Thursday, October 15 | Workshops | Events |
| 10:00 am – 10:50 am | “Personal Mission, Vision and Purpose Creation” Dr. Cornelius Rogers, MD D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Medulla – Cynthia Rodriguez, Free Massages. Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County: Hall of Honors |
| 11:00 am –11:50 am | Dr. Renee A. Garbe, PhD, LMSW D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo- Continued: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks Continued: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County Continued: Hall of Honors |
| 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm | “Understanding How Our Sensory Systems Impact the Health of Our Mind, Body and Spirit” Jillian Rancatore, DrOT, MOT, OTR/L D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo- Continued: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks Continued: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County Continued: Hall of Honors |
| 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm | “Always Becoming: The Role of Spiritual Formation in Whole-Person Wellbeing” Dustin Hogan, DrOT, MOT, OTR/L D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo- Continued: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks Continued: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County Continued: Hall of Honors |
| 2:00 pm – 2:50 pm | OPEN D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo- Continued: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks Continued: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County Continued: Hall of Honors |
| 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | OPEN D-1497 | Health and Wellness Expo- Continued: Hall of Governors Register for events under "Registration Information" Vaccinations, Kidney Clinic, Health Checks Continued: Engbretson Hall HIV Testing – Will County Continued: Hall of Honors |
| 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm | “Headache: What is it and how do I treat it?” Dr. Scott Getsoian, PT, DPT, DHSc, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT D-1497 | Wrap-up of Expo Events |
| 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm | “Brain Health” Dr. Maryleen Jones, PT, DHS, CLT, NCS, CSRS D-1497 | Wrap-up of Expo Events |
GovState Welcomes the 26' Presenters
Scott Getsoian
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, Governors State University
Workshop Description: This workshop will explain the evolution of headache in human society. It will focus on our current understanding of the main headache types and provide general treatment descriptions for them. This workshop is geared toward those who suffer from headaches, have family or friends who have headaches, or want to learn more about the subject.
Speaker Bio: Scott Getsoian is an Associate Professor at Governors State University in the Physical Therapy department. He teaches classes on orthopedics, functional anatomy, medical imaging, and research. His research interests include headache, spinal movement and conditions, and general orthopedics.
Jan Figa
Dean of the University Library, Governors State University
Workshop Description: Inner Cartographies is an interactive workshop introducing an AI-supported reflective simulation that uses symbolic object selection, contemplative labyrinth journeys, and guided reflection to explore burden, identity, resilience, and meaning. Participants experience practical strategies for fostering mindfulness, reflective practice, and wellness applicable to healthcare, education, and professional development.
Speaker Bio: I grew up in a village of about 700 in Denmark to parents whose educational prospects had been destroyed by WWII. I remember at age eight, after a long day at work, my father coming home and putting old newspapers and magazines on the floor, and the nearby barber gladly paid my father in exchange for tall tales. I would promptly use small scissors to cut out stories and articles and sort them by my own categorization scheme — yes, a strange kid already trying to be a librarian... organizing for relevant retrieval and clearer comprehension. Fast-forward a few years with a few science degrees to come full circle with a degree in librarianship. So, you might say that I have a scientist’s mind and a humanist’s heart. More info at https://www.archium.space
Dustin Hogan
University Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, Governors State University
Workshop Description: Every day, our habits, routines, relationships, and experiences shape who we're becoming. While our daily choices influence this process, many wisdom traditions suggest that formation is not solely something we do, but also something we receive. This interactive workshop explores spiritual well-being through the lenses of meaning, purpose, vision, and personal formation. Participants will reflect on what is shaping their lives, consider the kind of person they hope to become, and explore how they can more intentionally participate in the ongoing work of becoming.
Speaker Bio: Hi, I'm Dustin Hogan, and I'm looking forward to meeting you in this workshop. As an Occupational Therapist and educator, I've spent years supporting the well-being and growth of others through teaching, mentoring, and exploring questions of meaning and purpose. I believe we're always becoming someone, and that we're better when we create space to reflect on the highest aims of our lives and encourage one another along the way. I'm also a dad of two who enjoys a good book, football, walks, and bike rides with my dog and friends, and a good cup of coffee.
Volunteers Needed!
Interested in volunteering? Contact us!
Vendors and Exhibitors
Interested in being a presenter or vendor? Click below for more information and steps for registration.
Get Involved
Join Our Wellness Book Club!
Interested in being a part of the Wellness book club? Click below for more information.
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Contact Us
Dr. Frank Czuba, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
- College of Health and Human Services
- 1 University Parkway, University Park,IL, 60484-0975
- fczuba@govst.edu