Welcome to Our New Executive Director
Welcome to Our New Board Members
Welcome to Our Professional Advisory Council
Recent Events
Champagne: Celebrate Making a Difference
Magic Show Fundraiser
For Our Youth
For Our Parents
2009 Annual Giving Campaign
In the News
Upcoming Events
Article: Mental Health Parity
Article: Lobbyist for a Day
Article: Prevention
After an extensive and thoughtful search process, ACTH is thrilled to introduce our new Executive Director, Carolyn Rammel. Carolyn comes to ACTH from the consulting services firm Dunleavy & Associates. As a consultant, Carolyn focused her energies on strategic planning engagements with numerous nonprofit clients. Prior to her work in the nonprofit arena, Carolyn worked with Rosenbluth International, PNC Bank and The Vanguard Group. During her tenure with these organizations, Carolyn successfully built relationships with domestic and international partners, while managing the day-to-day operations of many business units.
A graduate of Denison University and The Agnes Irwin School, Carolyn has strong roots in the Philadelphia area and a dedication to the mission of A Chance to Heal. Carolyn joins us at a critical point in our evolution. We look forward to her enthusiasm and leadership.
Justin W. Chairman is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Securities Practice. Justin focuses his practice on representing private and public companies on securities matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, contract, and general corporate matters. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1995 and his B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Justin lives in Wynnewood with his wife and two children.
Maryellen Reilly Lamb is a Senior Associate Director at The Wharton School's office of MBA Career Management, advising students interested in careers in investment banking, sales and trading, and diversified financial services. Maryellen began her career as a buyside currency trader, in both London and New York, working for firms including Commodities Corporation and Capital Group.
Maryellen sits on the investment committee of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and is a member of the Forum of Executive Women. Maryellen received her BA in Communicationsfrom the University of Scranton. She lives in Chestnut Hill with her husband Bill and two daughters.
A Chance to Heal has dedicated itself to being the most comprehensive thought leader in the area of eating disorder prevention. Consistent with this commitment, ACTH has formed a Professional Advisory Council to gather and disseminate the latest research and practices to inform the work of the board, committees and staff. Headed by local professionals Jane Shure, PhD, LCSW and David Steinman, MD, this group of eating disorder prevention experts are considered some of the nation’s most influential thought leaders.
See their biographies page for a full list and more information.
Over 150 people gathered for the evening to celebrate the accomplishments of ACTH and the individuals and organizations who have helped achieve so much in such a short period of time. Supporters were greeted by live jazz music, performed by ACTH supporter and award recipient Stephen Shaw and friend Eric Price. This celebration was made possible by a generous donation of space by Ligne Roset and the delicious catering of Culinary Concepts. Thank you to our volunteers, award recipients, sponsors, and raffle prize donors for making the evening such a success! See the event page for photos, information about honorees, and raffle prize winners!
On July 25, Jacqui Cunliffe hosted “Night of Imagination,” a special event with awardwinning magician David Morey. Participants were amazed by seemingly impossible illusions and effects and astounded by David’s use of mentalism to “read the minds” of participants. With full audience participation, no one leftdisappointed. David has performed on fourcontinents and appeared on stage with theworld's greatest magicians. Check out hiswebsite at moreymagic.com. See the event page for more information or see below for a video clip from the event.
Jane Shure, PhD, LCSW led a media literacy presentation at Philadelphia's Teen Leadership Training Camp: “Where Leaders Learn”. This summer, 24 teens participated in Philadelphia's Teen Leadership Training Camp where they engaged in interactive leadershipworkshops and cultural trips while exploring exciting academic and career paths.
The teens, working with experts in the field, used a project-based learning model to create, present and evaluate workshops for youth in other community day camps. The teens created their workshops based on their shared core values, goals, interests and life experiences. Dr. Shure’s workshop included a look at the images that surround these teens every day.
The teens went on to describe their experiences dealing with their own self-esteem issues and the self-esteem challenges facing their friends. The teens will use the information learned in this workshop as they work with younger children in their communities.
Jane Shure lead a media literacy program for a group of Philadelphia youth at a city sponsored leadership training camp.
It's all over the news. Whether it be the firestorm over Self Magazine airbrushing the cover photo of Kelly Clarkson to appear much thinner than her true shape, Glamour Magazine being applauded for showing a "plus size 12" model with her beautiful belly for all to see, or the Health Care reform bill focusing on the need for "prevention," now more than ever is the time to act.
A Chance to Heal is in the center of this chatter, as our work is focused on bringing these issues into the homes, schools and minds of the children this chatter most effects. Our young boys and girls are being tussled between the obesity crises, the media bombardment of "perfection" and the day-to-day pressures to perform and excel.
Our ParentTalk program is the perfect forum for discussing these issues. By gathering together, we provide an opportunity to openly discuss concerns affecting our youth, learn how to effectively communicate and empower our children’s self-esteem. See the following for details on one such event held this past Spring.
On May 13, approximately 40 mothers and fathers from all over suburban Philadelphia with children who attend Perelman Jewish Day School (grades K-8) came together at the Saligman Middle School of Perelman Jewish Day School to participate in a ParentTalk program. Families from two elementary schools and the middle school learned about healthy and unhealthy messages our children are exposed to in the media and in society in general.
Jane Shure, PhD, LCSW, led participants in a discussion exploring the challenges of raising Jewish children in a body-conscious world. The particular impact of Jewish customs that embrace food to celebrate and concerns about genetic predispositions toward obesity were discussed. Participants were guided and cautioned about parental tendencies toward over involvement as well as under involvement with children’s food choices, and ways in which they can positively impact the development of long-term eating habits and body image. Participants became more aware of how to engage their children in conversations, using TV programs, commercials, movies, internet videos, and magazine ads to build their children's understanding of media messages that undermine their ability to feel good about themselves. Parents shared stories and suggestions with each other throughout the evening and left with tips for strengthening their children’s overall self-esteem.
See our ParentTalk webpage for more information and the fall schedule.
Parents at Saligman Middle School at a ParentTalk this Spring.
ACTH’s Annual Giving Campaign is a critical outreach initiative to ensure our ongoing work, and with your help, will raise $10,000. The campaign will run from November 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010. Reaching our goal of raising $10,000 will allow us to continue to deliver and grow our programming outreach.
While all of our programs have a unique approach and impact, the introduction of the Body Project, to launch in January of 2010, will revolutionize the way in which teenage girls think about “appearance”. After 16 years of extensive research, the Body Project’s creator Eric Stice, has systematically uncovered the value and impact on eating disorder prevention through an approach called cognitive dissonance. See inside for a compelling article written by Eric Stice.
Donate online, by sending a check to POB 2342 | Jenkintown PA 19046, or by using United Way Southeastern Pennsylvania Donor Choice Agency Number: #45636. The contribution you make can have a significant impact:
We look forward to your participation in this very important campaign and thank you in advance for your support!
Find out how you can donate online.
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NBC 10 | June 2, 2009
Family Circle | November 2009
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"Women & Influence 2009: Confident Girls, Courageous Women"
December 5, 2009
Featuring three workshops by two A Chance to Heal speakers: Jane Shure and Flavia Herzog
See the Women's Way Website for more information and to register.
See our ParentTalk webpage for the Fall 2009 schedule.
October 3, 2009 brought a new approach to mental health and substance abuse coverage for which many people have long hoped and waited. That’s when the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 became the law of the land for most group health plans. When an existing plan renews on or after October 3, the new law applies as of the renewal date. Likewise, if a new plan is created and becomes effective on or after October 3, the new law applies on that plan's effective date.
The new law means significant changes for people enrolled in a group health plan that offers mental health and/or substance abuse benefits along with medical and surgical benefits, and heralds a shift from the old, fragmented approach to coverage to a new, holistic approach.
One important change is that parity requirements no longer exclude substance abuse benefits. The most important change is that the law now requires true parity between mental health/substance abuse benefits and medical/surgical benefits. Group health plans will no longer be allowed to exclude substance abuse benefits or place treatment limits on mental health or substance abuse benefits unless similar limits are also placed on medical and surgical benefits.
In addition, a plan’s financial rules for mental health and substance abuse benefits cannot be more restrictive than those in place for substantially all medical and surgical benefits. Consequently, the deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums for mental health and substance abuse benefits, for example, must be equal to or better than those applied to medical and surgical benefits. Generally this means such maximums, when applied to inpatient mental health/substance abuse benefits, will be the same as those applied to inpatient medical and surgical benefits. The same is true for outpatient mental health/substance abuse benefits. The law also calls for shared or equal annual or lifetime maximums.
Why is this so important? Behavioral health issues, such as eating disorders, can be the primary cause of many physical symptoms and conditions, and can complicate medical treatment. People with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, who also suffer from depression, are less likely to manage their condition well and stay healthy. Some people might not be aware of the new parity law or may not understand how it applies to them. If a patient says his or her mental health benefits have been exhausted, the professional treating the individual should encourage the patient to check with the plan administrator about how the law may change the benefits offered under their plan. Once the new mental health parity requirements apply to that individual’s group health plan, treatment limitations on mental health services may no longer apply.
Many people have been waiting a long time for mental health parity. And thankfully, now federal law provides for this holistic approach to mental health and medical coverage. As all insurance programs differ, consult with your provider for details.
On a spectacular Washington DC September day, I was joined by 80 advocates from all over the country, committed to ensuring that our policy makers are educated on the FREED act, and fully understand the critical need for eating disorders to be included and clearly defined in any health care reform legislation. As you can imagine, the "Hill" and those on it are a bit busy right now. But as is often the case in life, timing is everything.
Our collective voices and personal stories were received with compassion and commitment. Our Representatives and Senators do recognize the long term financial impact eating disorders have on families. They, like so many in our society, recognize the inconsistency between the “silence” around this disease and its wide spread prevalence. Of the 4 offices we visited, 3 of the folks we spoke to personally knew someone with an eating disorder. It is everywhere!
It was an inspiring day. It was the type of experience that confirms our open access as citizens. And most importantly, it was a day that energized all of us to continue to fight the fight, and with your help, never rest until those in our families and communities get the best care should they be suffering, and critical prevention tools to ensure the suffering never begins.
The Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (HR 1193) is a comprehensive bill on eating disorders, addressing research, treatment, education and prevention. The bill:
While the passing of this bill could take quite some time, there is great hope that the bi-partisan support and opportunity to attach this to other health care reform legislation might substantially speed the process.
By Eric Stice and Emily Wade, The University of Texas at Austins
Read the full article here.
Patricia Wellenbach, for her thoughtful guidance and expertise in bringing many of our plans from concept to reality. A true friend and consummate professional.
Our newsletter editors Claudia Rayer, Jane Shure and Sabra Williams for their time and expertise.
