On May 28th, 2014 we held our first Bridge for Health networking event Toronto!

We had guests from community, research, health and arts come out and share their stories and ideas on what promoting health means to them and how they take action! We hope to support a local network in Ontario in the upcoming year. Check out the Facebook page for photos!

Thank you to Health Nexus for offering your space #sharingourselves

If you are interested in participating in future events in Toronto please connect today! info@bridgeforhealth.org

Bridge for Health is excited to collaborate with Health Nexus to promote this year’s 3m Health Leadership Award to celebrate leaders who inspire change in their communities across Canada. Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to promote health and well-being in their community?

Nominate a community leader today! Deadline extended until July 6th, 2014!

We are happy to announce that Bridge for Health will be holding a networking event in Toronto Wednesday May 28th between 6-8pm .

Since February 2013 Bridge for Health network has been operating as a volunteer-based network in B.C. however we have expanded our reach to others in Latin-America, Austalia and Europe. As we move towards building a business case and strategy, we would love to meet other colleagues and friends beyond BC who share our passion and commitment to promote health and well-being for all!

Health Nexus in Ontario has kindly offered a space for Paola Ardiles and Shannon Turner from British Columbia network to give a brief introduction about Bridge for Health to explore future opportunities for Ontario colleagues and friends to participate.

There will be a chance for participants to introduce each other and meet other like-minded people who are interested in creating a local network in Toronto.

Please forward this invitation to those who may be interested in joining us.

Space is limited, so please make sure to RSVP by Friday May 23^rd  to Suzetter Llacer ette.llacer@gmail.com for more details.

For more information about Bridge for Health please contact Paola Ardiles paola@bridgeforhealth.org

We hope to see you there!

Bridge for Health is proud to participate on the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (NCCDH) Let’s Talk series interactive webinar taking place on April 22nd 2014 at 10:00am PST, 1:00pm PST.

The webinar will highlight some important themes covered in the newly released report on ‘Let’s Talk….Populations and the power of language’, which explores the language public health practitioners and organizations use to label populations that are identified by their social, economic, geographic or other demographic characteristics.

Bridge for Health’s founder Paola Ardiles & Branka Agic from Ontario’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Health Equity office are invited as Advisors on Tap to bring their experiences to this dialogue.

During this interactive webinar, participants will have a chance to: a) reflect on the values and assumptions underlying our choice of language in public health, and b) explore how terminology can support or hinder our efforts to reduce social & health inequities.

Click here to register!

Bridge for Health welcomes Irving Rootman PhD., a global pioneer & a leader in health promotion research and practice in Canada for over thirty years, as our first Canadian expert advisor on tap!

Dr. Rootman developed the first national health promotion survey; led a national project to develop knowledge in health promotion; was the first Director of the Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Toronto; stimulated the establishment of the Canadian Consortium for Health Promotion Research; and developed a national program of research in literacy and health. He was a member of the U.S. Institute of Medicine Expert Committee on Health Literacy and  Co-Chair of the Canadian Expert Panel on Health Literacy. 

Currently,  Dr. Rootman is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria and a Visiting Professor in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University.  He is the Co-chair of the Capacity-Building Committee for the Public Health Association of BC, as well as the Chair of the Steering Committee for the BC Health Literacy Network. 

Those who have been fortunate to work with Dr. Rootman over the trajectory of his career understand that he is a true visionary, enabler, mentor & role-model as he demonstrates through his collaborative style how to support others to reach their own potential to promote health. We are grateful to have Dr. Rootman’s support as Bridge for Health grows!

Thank you to all those who joined us for the 1st annual Bridge for Health Art Show Sharing Ourselves Through Canvas opening last Sunday April 6, 2014, in Vancouver. We had over 40 guests attend the opening which featured the work of architect, painter and musician Jack McDonald. 

Promoting your health is not just about things you can do as an individual. Creating health & wellbeing is also about sharing ourselves, building community and tapping into our creativity. It is well-documented that the arts have incredible healing power. Here is one comment received by email shortly after the opening night.

Hello Jack, My name is Sam Israel. Brenda, my wife, and I were out for a walk last night, and we dropped in to check out the art show, and we saw your vibrant, beautifully executed pieces. Thanks for having the show. It’s been a stressful period: we are about to sell our house and your work helped me climb out of myself for a bit and appreciate something fine. Thanks, Sam

Bridge for Health is inspired to continue planning more engaging events this year! Stay Tuned for more!

Promoting your health is not just about things you can do as an individual. Creating health & wellbeing is also about #sharingourselves, building community and tapping into our creativity.

Join us for the 1st annual Bridge for Health Art Show featuring work of architect, painter and musician Jack McDonald, born and raised in Kitsilano and current resident of East Vancouver, Canada.

More about Jack

Art show opening: Sunday April 6, 2014, 4-7pm.

Show will run between 4-15th April, 2014 in case you cannot make it to the opening.
Location: Havana Restaurant 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC.

Bridge for Health is pleased to announce a new partnership with HealthAware  a global resource based in Australia that brings you the latest in health-related events around the world!

Visit HealthAware and check out or add local health-related events near you!

Bridge for Health local events will be highlighted on the site for your easy access!

Upcoming Local Vancouver Events:
Sunday April 6, 2014, 4-7pm. Bridge for Health’s first annual art show, featuring work of
local artist Jack McDonald.
Location: Havana Restaurant 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC.