Buffalo State College Sponsors 9/11 Programs on Healing

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9/11 One Year Later, Wellness in the Aftermath, a day-long conference focusing on treatment issues, relapse information, appealing to family members for help and experiencing wellness in the aftermath of suffering, will be presented at the Buffalo Convention Center on Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 for members of the community and emergency responders who have been exposed to traumatic events.

"Moments of Grace: Hope, Healing and Resiliency in the Aftermath of 9/11," a two-part program of healing, will feature "The Wisdom Circle," from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, in the Independent Living Project, 3108 Main St., Buffalo, and "An Evening of Reflection," from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, in the Buffalo State College Bulger Communication Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

"9/11 One Year Later, Wellness in the Aftermath," will feature keynote speaker Grady Bray, Ph.D., disaster psychologist and president of Bray and Associates. Targeted to administrators, correction officers, dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, emergency service personnel, educators, employee assistance professionals, firefighters, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, emergency department staff and the family members of these professionals, it will give specific information gleaned from lessons learned from 9/11. Bray will present "In the Shadow of the Towers: A Psychological Autopsy."

Also presenting are:

- Anthony Ng., M.D., medical director of Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, who will speak on "Crisis Response: The Mental Health Perspective and Its Role in the World Trade Center Disaster Response,"

- The Rev. Joseph Bayne, O.F.M.., chaplain of the Erie County Department of Emergency Services, who will speak on "Ministry at Ground Zero: A Human and Spiritual Perspective," and,

- Catherine Ansuini, Ed.D, chair of the Buffalo State College Health and Wellness Department, who will speak on "Paths to Recovery: Harm to Hope - Healing to Happiness."

Bray enjoys an international reputation as a lecturer, author and trainer. A member of the faculty of Preventive, Family and Rehabilitative Medicine at the University of Rochester, he serves as the director of training and family assistance for Kenyon International Emergency Services, behavioral scientist for the national Emergency Medical System's Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team and is an adjunct and frequent presenter for FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. He worked the Oklahoma City bombing and numerous air disasters, and has worked with FEMA, state and local governments on terrorism preparedness and response. He also serves on the federal National Disaster Medical System's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical response team. Bray has provided assessment and training for the executive office of the president of the United States as well as international response teams for private corporations and government agencies.

Ng, a board-certified psychiatrist who earned his medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is on the faculty at the New York University School of Medicine and School of Nursing. He was involved in coordinating clinical responses at the Ground Zero Family Assistance Center as well as the anthrax mental health responses at the NBC and ABC television networks and the crash of American Airlines Flight 587. He serves as the chair of the New York City Chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and the New York State Office of Mental Health Multicultural Advisory Committee.

Ansuini is an inspirational and motivational speaker who uses energy and humor in her presentations. Active in the field of health promotion as an author, researcher, television personality, grant-writer and nationally recognized keynote speaker, she is chair and associate professor of the Buffalo State College Health and Wellne, isfrom afirefighting family. His father died in the line of duty in May 1977 in a high-rise fire near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. A member of the Buffalo Emergency Medical Services board, Bayne is a certified hospital chaplain, a peer counselor for the Western New York Stress Reduction Team and executive director of the Franciscan Center, Inc., a youth shelter. A member of many professional organizations, including the Federation of Fire Chaplains and the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, he provided support to emergency service providers at Ground Zero.

The cost of "9/11: One Year Later, Wellness in the Aftermath" is $40 for advance registration ($50 the day of the conference) and $25 for family members or students 16 years or older. Registration information is available online at www.buffalostate.edu/academics/cenc or by calling (716) 878-5907.

"9/11: One Year Later, Wellness in the Aftermath" is sponsored by Buffalo State College, the Institute of Crisis Intervention and Family Support, SUNY Conversations in the Disciplines, the Western New York Stress Reduction Program, the Erie County Department of Mental Health, Concerns of Police Survivors and the Police/Mental Health Coordination Project/Crisis Services.

"The Wisdom Circle," the "Moments of Grace" program to be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, will give participants an opportunity to hear and share experiences of hope, healing and resiliency in the aftermath of 9/11. Facilitated by Andrea Binner, M.S. Ed., C.S.W., Mid-Erie Counseling and Treatment Services, and Bonnie Collins, Ed.M., CSW-R, an adjunct faculty member of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work and principal of Bonnie Collins and Associates, Family Counseling and Wellness Center it is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Erie County Trauma Task Force.

"An Evening of Reflection," the "Moments of Grace" program to be held on Friday, Sept. 13, will feature a welcome by Michael Weiner, commissioner of the Erie County Department of Mental Health; an invocation by Joel Miller, minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church; a children's art show by Nanci Monaco, assistant professor of Educational Foundations at Buffalo State College; "In My Brother's Boots," by the Imani Dance Workshop Ensemble;" and "Remembrance" and "The Cathedral of the Universe," by the Universalist Unitarian Church Choir. The program is free and open to the public.

Sponsors include: Buffalo State College, Tops Friendly Markets, the Erie County Trauma Task Force, Action for Mental Health, Jewish Family Service, Hopevale, Judy Munzi Art Therapist, the Erie County Department of Mental Health, Mental Health Association of Erie County, Lake Shore Behavioral Health, Bonnie Collins and Associates, Church Mission of Help, Buffalo Arts Studio and the Police Mental Health Coordination Project/Crisis Services.

For additional information about the "Moments of Grace" programs, contact Jay Swathout, coordinator of Dual Recovery Services for Erie County, at (716) 856-2587, ext. 33, or email at jayswarthout@yahoo.com.

Media Contact:
Nanette Tramont, Director of News Services | 7168784325 | newsservices@bscmail.buffalostate.edu