Academy Award Winner Marlee Matlin Comes to Town

Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin will lead a number of high-powered presenters at the upcoming “Power of Inclusion” conference held at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH). The second annual conference, which is open to the public, will highlight the important contributions that people with disabilities make to society. Conference registration costs range from $15 to $30. Matlin, who is hearing impaired and who won Best Actress for her performance in the 1986 film “Children of a Lesser God,” will present on the theme “Talent Has No Boundaries,” between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, at LLUH Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. Attendance to Matlin’s presentation is free to the public, with lunch available for purchase for $15. Other notable speakers scheduled to present at the conference include: March 19 • Tony Melendez, a renowned guitarist who was born without arms. Melendez, who performed for Pope John Paul II during the pontiff’s visit to Los Angeles in 1987, will present on the theme “No Boundaries, No Limits, Never Give Up!” • Dr. Samuel Betances, diversity expert, motivational speaker, and best selling author, will present on “Diversity Skill Sets for Providing Effective Health Care to Members of the Culture of Disability.” • Ginny Thornburgh, director of Interfaith Initiative at the American Association of People with Disablities, will present on the theme “That All May Worship: A Ramp is Not Enough.” • John Kemp, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center in New York City, will present on “Developing a Disability-Inclusive Workforce and Society.” March 20 • Grace Odums, noted author and strategy consultant, will present on “Building an Inclusive Work Environment.” To kick off the conference, a 5K Walk/Run/Roll, benefiting LLU PossAbilities, a community outreach program for disabled community members, will be held on Sunday, March 16. The conference will conclude with an International Food Festival, featuring foods from different parts of the world and live music, on March 20. “We are very excited to build upon our success last year and hope to host a very memorable ‘Power of Inclusion’ conference this year,” said Cari M. Dominguez, PhD., senior vice president of human resources at LLUH. “Diversity inspires creativity, inclusion promotes unity, and access provides opportunities for everyone.”