The art of living well is not always an exact science, but an upcoming health symposium is designed to make the process simpler and more manageable.

Dr. Monnie Singleton of Singleton Health Center had a vision to help residents of Orangeburg County and surrounding areas take better charge of their health, including teaching them how to better interact with their health providers.

His vision began two years ago with his development of True Vine, a nonprofit organization initially started to implement health-focused interventions in the lives of child patients that has since grown into a motivational program designed to foster children's educational and socioeconomic development.

Singleton is equally excited about a women's and children's health symposium that will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the campus of South Carolina State University. The symposium will be held under the theme "The Art of Living Well." Admission is free, but registration is required. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided for pre-registered participants.

"This is another phase of the outreach. We chose Orangeburg because oftentimes, the less healthy citizens with less healthy lifestyles are living in rural communities," Singleton said. "The goal is to start the process of translating the medical information that is available into a language that the general public can understand and accept. We're going to have this seminar to give them information that is going to be beneficial, especially in the areas of prevention and risk reduction."

Free health screenings, including those for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, will be given. Healthy lifestyle seminars on topics such as aging gracefully will also be held, along with smaller breakout session on topics like narcotic addiction and music and massage therapy.

"Drug addiction and domestic violence are topics that are not pretty, and people don't necessarily like to talk about them," Singleton said. "So, breaking down some of the fears and stereotypes associated with those conditions is also what we're hoping to accomplish."

Speakers for the event will include former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley, chairman of the National Advisory Council on Rural Health; Emma Forkner, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, who will be speaking on changes in the Medicaid program; Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter, co-operators of the Women's Health Institute in Maryland, who will speak on intergenerational diabetes; and keynote speaker the Rev. Jeri Wright, president of the Chicago chapter of the National Action Network, who will speak on the theme of "The Art of Living Well."

Jose Rivera, founder, president and CEO of Rivera, Sierra & Company Inc. and a former law professor at Rutgers University School of Law, will also speak on domestic violence. Ed Sellers, president and CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, will also speak on private health care, and luncheon speaker Jeannette Jordan, a Charleston dietician and owner of J&J Health Consultants, will speak on healthy eating tips.

Singleton said a separate children's program will feature speakers on healthy eating and exercise along with a presentation from doctors from the Medical University of South Carolina on its Junior Doctors of Health Program, which encourages youth to look at careers in health-related professions.

"Hopefully, we will be able to go to other rural parts of the state and present the same kinds of information," Singleton said.

Those interested in attending can register by calling 1-803-269-0323 and leaving a message with their name, contact information and, if applicable, the number of adults and children in their party.

Symposium sponsors include True Vine Health Services of Orangeburg, Blue/Cross Blue Shield of S.C., Blue Choice Health Plan of S.C. and Project EXPORT. Supporting agencies include Cornerstone Community Church, Select Health of South Carolina, Singleton Health Center and United Healthcare.

Singleton said more sponsors are being sought, and individuals and others who would like to make a tax-deductible donation can do so by calling Singleton Health Center at 803-535-3600. For more information on the symposium, call Isaiah Lineberry at the center.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

Health symposium schedule

8 a.m. -- Doors open, registration

8-8:55 a.m. -- Breakfast

8 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Free health screenings, exhibits and vendors open

9-10:30 a.m. -- Welcome and opening remarks featuring former Gov. David Beasley

9:45-10:30 a.m. -- Keynote speaker: The Rev. Jeri Wright

11 a.m.-noon -- Breakout workshops

Noon-1:30 p.m. -- Lunch

1:45-2:45 p.m. -- Breakout workshops

3:15-4 p.m. -- Closing ceremony

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