Totally Healthy Woman Retreat draws nearly 600

During St. John's Health System's second annual "Let Your Light Shine" Totally Healthy Woman Retreat, 587 area women gathered Nov. 15-17 at Branson's Chateau on the Lake, according to a release from St. John's

St. John's staff led participants in a variety of break-out sessions on such topics as yoga, Pilates, intimacy, alternative medicine, financial planning, arthritis and home dcor, as well as seminars on health issues such as menopause, heart disease, self-esteem, osteoporosis and relationship building.

Featured speakers were Dr. Cal LeMon and Sinara O'Donnell.

Co-hosts for the event were KYTV anchor Lisa Rose and Branson entertainer Dee Dee Lennon.

New additions to the event this year were a fashion show featuring St. John's employees as models and a pajama party, during which nearly 300 of the retreat participants watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Charles Wollard, vice president of cardiovascular services for St. John's, said that more than 100 St. John's employees worked together on the event.

"We accomplished what we set out to do which was for these women to spend time relaxing and learning something, having fun, and for St. John's in some small way to be a blessing to them ," Wollard said.

Wollard and Susan Blackard, RN, vice president of St. John's Corporate Health Services, teamed up with Susanne Miller, RN, vice president of St. John's Women's Services, to organize the retreat.

"I am thrilled with the outcome of the retreat. It was a wonderful experience and a great team effort," Miller said.

During the event, an exhibit hall provided attendees with information about St. John's services, giveaways and opportunities to win prizes that included Silver Dollar City Christmas passes and massages.

Retreat participant Janet Arnold of Nixa, said of her experience, "I loved it. It was the best weekend. I loved how we had access to all of this information. My favorite break-out session was the one on exercise. I learned a lot, and we'll definitely come back."