Wellness coach, nurse to speak at Keystone Series breakfast event

KALAMAZOO—The founder of The Wellness RN will discuss how to eat healthy while maintaining an on-the-go lifestyle during the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series in November at Western Michigan University.

Heather Ratliff, a registered nurse and wellness coach, will speak at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Haworth College of Business in 2150 Schneider Hall, delivering a presentation titled “Dining Out: Finding a Healthy Place at the Table.”

The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (269) 387-5050 or at wmich.edu/business/keystone-rsvp. Free parking is available.

Heather Ratliff

With a passion for wellness, Ratliff began The Wellness RN in 2012 to help individuals, families and small businesses achieve health goals and address issues such as obesity and stress that can lead to serious problems.

Her interest in helping people with weight management, lifestyle change and nutrition is what made her want to start The Wellness RN. Unlike nutritionists, who focus on exercise and diet, Ratliff takes a holistic approach to treating both the mind and body. She meets with her clients regularly to establish accountability and focus, goes with them grocery shopping and even helps clean out their pantries.

Ratliff is an alumna of WMU’s Bronson School of Nursing and received her master’s degrees in both environmental science and public policy from Indiana University. Prior to her career as a nurse, she worked at Pfizer as an industrial microbiologist.

Spring 2014 Keystone Series dates and speakers

• Jan. 31: Tara East, executive director for Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center
• Feb. 28: Troy Thrash, president and CEO of the Air Zoo
• March 28: President Don LeDuc, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and WMU President John M. Dunn