Presenters: Ann Vertovec, MD and Katherine Varey, PhD

Presenters Ann Vertovec, MD and Katherine Varey, PhD will discuss the health benefits of nature in general. Dr. Varey will focus on the benefits of outdoor play for children. While Dr. Vertovec will present research findings on nature’s medical benefits, including “prescribing nature” as medical treatment, the importance of access to nature, and the relationship between human health and planetary health. Advance registration is requested to attend this event:

Registration Link for Riverside Public Library

Bios

Kate Varey, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Harry S. Truman College: City Colleges of Chicago in the Education, Human Development and Family Studies Department. She has worked for almost two decades in the early childhood, elementary, high school, and college context. Her ongoing research interests include nature-based play and education, wellness, environmental affordances, and cross-cultural studies’ impact on learning, development and education.

Ann Vertovec, MD, FACEP, ABOIM, is an integrative emergency physician at Northwestern University. As a veteran emergency physician, she turned to integrative medicine after observing the epidemic of chronic lifestyle diseases including diabetes, obesity, and anxiety.