Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

March/April, 1998

“Cultivating Excellence, Harvesting Professionalism”

THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF DISABILITY Examiners (MADE) is hosting the annual Great Lakes Regional Training Conference. It will be held May 13-15, 1998 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in beautiful downtown St. Paul close to several restaurants, the Minnesota State Capitol and the Minnesota DDS.

The conference begins on Wednesday with a tour of the Minnesota DDS. Training sessions in the afternoon feature two psychologists with different specialties. Dr. Jeff Boyd will speak on “The World of the Schizophrenic”. Dr. Boyd is chief clinical psychologist for the Twin Cities’ largest public hospital. Dr. Robert Barron will speak on the psychiatric assessment of southeast Asian claimants. Dr. David Walsh will give the keynote speech, “Reclaiming America’s Children,” on Thursday afternoon. Dr. Walsh founded the National Institute on Media and the Family and he is considered a national authority on family life, parenting and the impact of media. A psychologist, educator, author and parent of three teenagers, Dr. Walsh will also speak on his work promoting the positive use of media in building healthy families and communities.

The MADE chapter has planned a festive Awards Luncheon on Thursday. Mari Harris is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and an inspirational speaker who performs nationally. Her presentation will cover humor in the workplace and in life itself. Prepare to have a good time! Excursions on Wednesday and Thursday nights are an opportunity to meet other NADE members (at local St. Paul restaurants on Wednesday and at the ever popular Mall of America on Thursday).

The Embassy Suites Hotel offers a free airport shuttle, free parking and a free full breakfast. Call the hotel directly at (612) 225-5400 to register and specify the NADE conference. For more information, please contact your local chapter president or Carla Lukermann (Minnesota DDS) at (612) 215-1734.