NUHS Faculty Anna Jurik, DC, MS, RD, LDN, recently gave a presentation on stress management during the 3^rd Annual First Responders Wellness & Crisis Intervention Conference held January 14 and 15 at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

The conference featured over 20 speakers who shared personal experiences and discussed crisis intervention along with mental, physical and emotional wellness.

Dr. Jurik’s presentation focused on how prolonged stress impacts the body and its function long term. For Dr. Jurik, presenting at the conference was especially important because she started her career in the health care field as a registered/ licensed dietitian working in a level 1 trauma center.

“I saw the ‘cleaned up version’ of what many first responders deal with on a regular basis. To say it was difficult to deal with at first is very simplified, so I recognize the need for all first responders to be able to access information, resources and help when needed,” she said. “I also have several first responders within my family and deeply respect what they do, so this is a way for me to give back.”