Each semester the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine invites a wellness expert to give a presentation to the students and community on a topic related to wellbeing in the veterinary profession as part of the Dr. Jeffrey A. Sutarik Memorial Wellness Lecture series. This spring the speaker will be Karlene Belyea, who will give a talk on the topic, “Brain Training: Well-Being Starts in Your Mind,” on Tuesday, March 5, from 8:00 to 9:20 a.m. in LYNN 1136. The college is grateful to Ed and Pat Sutarik for continuing to fund this lecture series for the health of the college and the veterinary profession.
Belyea’s presentation will help attendees develop strategies that can be used every day to create rituals to make us happier, healthier, and more productive. She will share information about how people can take advantage of their brain’s plasticity and keep it in great shape by utilizing mindfulness to tame the procrastination monster, control imposter syndrome, reduce stress hormones, and to decide whether multitasking is a good thing. In short, Belyea will give insights into how attendees can work to rewire their brains toward improved cognition and productivity in all areas of life. In addition to the lecture, Belyea also will be speaking with the staff and faculty who work in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, in order to educate the college’s whole community on issues related to wellbeing.
Belyea’s passion is speaking to groups about how to improve communications, culture, and well-being in the workplace. She is a certified Everything DiSC® Trainer and presents sessions on behavioral styles, generational differences, body language, leadership and influence, creating positive and productive work cultures, wellness, work/life integration and brain training. She focuses on how to work together more effectively through understanding and appreciating the differences in people, while working to improve communications, team building, customer service and conflict resolution. Belyea currently is the Vice President of Wellness for Mission Veterinary Partners. Prior to assuming that role, she served as CEO of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association for 15 years. Overall, she has more than 30 years of experience in management and team building. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications from Michigan State. The in-person lecture will be given as part of the Current Issues in Veterinary Medicine class, but the presentation also will be streamed for people outside of the college through Kaltura.
