The Journey Continues…

Faces and Voices 2025

Faces and Voices 2025—The Journey Continues is HOCC’s evolving web page dedicated to keeping women connected to each other and informed about their health, wellness, and their community. Meeting women when and where they are is our goal for keeping our web page up to date and ready for visitors.  There, people can see our most recent health and wellness information, share in women’s wisdom and voices, and appreciate our sisters’ smiles—and even sometimes, tears. Welcome to HOCC’s Faces and Voices Part Two–The Journey Continues!

Faces and Voices: January 2025 – December 2025

Save the Date

April 14, 2025

“Paving the Path to Wellness”

 Beth Frates, MD

April ZOOM Programming

Monday, April 28th @12:00-1:00pm

“Eating Healthy as We Age” with Jul

Jul Gerrior Schofield, MA, RD

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March 10, 2025

HOCC’s 20th Annual

“National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day”

with Jackie Chu, MD  –  MGH Infectious Diseases

                                                                                                                                                                                     Jackie, Chu, MD

Program Discussion:

FACES

March 10 marks National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), a day to recognize the unique challenges women face in the fight against HIV and to highlight the urgent need for equitable access to prevention and treatment.

 

VOICES

  • “Here at HOCC we learn from everything that is presented every month and I am grateful.”

  • “It’s amazing to see a doctor so involved and caring and helping us – Dr Jackie – thank you!!!”

  • “Thank you for setting the stage today with music and laughter – I needed that!”

  • “We got lot’s of information today and encouragement to make it happen.”

  • “Thank you HOCC for being a lighthouse for us.”

  • “It truly felt like the doctor cared about all of us and so supportive to share how to know about aging and help us navigate our way forward by knowing more.”

  • “HOCC women are so helpful all of the time but today I felt we were all helping each other.”

  • “I am getting older – I feel it and today I got some good information to understand how I can get age better.”

  • “As a group we have strength and lot’s of hope and HOCC makes sure we continue to.”

  • “The most helpful part of HOCC is connecting, networking, socializing, meeting our peers, all in a non-judgmental place.”

  • “Today HOCC was very helpful I got a lot of information and very good information about aging and useful.”

  • “The questions were great and the answers were detailed and very helpful.”

  • “The reminders of self-care are very helpful and good reminders.”

  • “Women sharing their experiences with their healthcare was really helpful to hear and I certainly related to it and having the doctor to kind of empower us to have better experiences.”

  • “It was a great presentation today – thank you!”

  • “This program was so helpful and really helped us!”

  • “I am jealous about seeing a doctor so caring and smart – she is great.”

  • “It’s a pleasure and honor to be a part of HOCC!”

  • “I loved today!!!”

  • “I really enjoyed HOCC today!”

  • “It was a great to have us all together to hear about the early days of women living with HIV- so many longtime survivors.”

  • “It made me feel better that HOCC will not be affected by all the changes and funding stuff.”

  • “The more I come the more I learn – today was great – I am inspired to work more on my Health!”

  • “It was very helpful to hear about the women’s different opinions regarding health issues.”

  • “The whole program was so good – starting with music – it made me smile.”

  • “Having a doctor presenting this program was so helpful – it focus on aging was perfect!

  • Dr Chu was very knowledgeable, informative, and caring and made aging less scary.”

  • “Positive thinking really helps.”

  • It was important for the doctor to stress the importance of community in terms of staying healthy – HOCC is my community and it never fails me – I don’t feel alone and I always day, March 5th @ 12:00pm – 1:0opm

“Taking Care of Your Mental Health”  with Jennease Hyatt, BS

Jennease Hyatt

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Monday,  March 31st @ 1o:00-11:00am

“Mindful Movement” with Ellie Enichen

Ellie Enichen, BS

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February 10, 2025

HOCC’s Annual

“Matters of the Heart – Heart Strong / HOCC Strong” 

with Sara Looby, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN

 

PROGRAM DICUSSION

SETTING UP THE ROOM

FACES

VOICES

  • “All the trainings are very knowledgeable – you learn so much!”

  • It was really helpful to hear the signs of heart attacks and stroke!”

  • “HOCC is so helpful every month and Matters of the Heart is very special with Sara!”

  • “Taking a moment in the beginning of the program by starting with a mindful breathing exercise was so helpful.”

  • I learn something every month and I share with my family”

  • The music was great and lifted all of our spirits.”

  • “Things have been so heavy to carry on with but today with the music, singing and dancing to “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow”  really lifted me up and it helped!!!”

  • “Sooo Much STRESS these days – but not today!”

  • “It was so helpful to hear about our heart and what we can do to keep us healthier and care more about matters of the heart.”

  • “The strech bands for exercising are so great – it has inspired me to exercise more like Sara suggested.”

  • “Thank you Sara and HOCC for having such a fun day – having a cup of “HOCC Chocolate” tonight!!!”

  • “Meghan’s mindful breathing was helpful today and going to use it for all of these stressful days ahead.”

  • “Great reminders about the importance of Self-Care – We all need to remember that we matter!”

  • “Thank you for the evaluation – it helped me review my risks and think more about my heart and talk with my doctor!”

  • “I really need to stop smoking but it helps me manage my stress – coughing through the breathing exercise was I good reminder to stop!”

  • “Seeing everyone today lifted my spirits!”

  • “This was such a good reminder of taking care of my heart and myself in total!”

  • “I really learn from the speaker and all of the women’s questions.”

  • “The SPIRIT of HOCC was in the HOUSE today!”

  • “I really got it today – how my eating has a direct assault on my heart – I am going to loose weight by eating better starting tomorrow.”

  • “Hearing about too much sugar linked to the heart health and the signs of nausea can be a sign of pending heart attack was really good to know.”

  • “I will continue to strive to be a good person.”

  • “Stress is over the top for me now and today helped lift up some of it.”

  • “I learned how I can help lower my blood pressure – it felt empowering!”

  • Learning about cholesterol was really helpful”

  • “We really have to remember about self-care – I certainly know how to take care of others but forget me – I am going to try better about my own care!”

  • “My biggest take away was learning that women die more from heart disease than cancer – I need to pay attention to all of my body instead of fearing I might get cancer someday.”

  • “Eating right each day is living longer each year”

  • “Love having our pictures taken and singing together was fun – I need more fun!”

  • “Love you HOCC family!!!”

  • “We need to dance next time we meet for a song or two – it was just what I needed!”

  • “Each time we have matters of the heart program I learn something new each time – thank you Sara!”

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January 13, 2025

“Oral Health = Overall Health”

with Henry M. Goldman: B.U. School of Dental Medicine

Program Discussion:

Oral Health Screenings:

 

FACES

VOICES

  • “Good to be back at HOCC and happy BU Dental school joined us today!”

  • “Head to toe – HOCC’s Oral Health Program is a great way to start 2025!”

  • “What a good reminder to stay on top of our oral health.”

  • “Didn’t know your mouth has so much to do with the rest of our bodies.”

  • “ I am one of those women who was referred to get an HIV test over 30 years ago because of a wild yeast infection – thank goodness I went to the dentist and found out she was correct – I was HIV positive!”

  • “For 2025 I am making a promise to myself to go to the dentist more.”

  • “The slides were really interesting!”

  • “It was great to hear all about oral health from fluoride to flossing!”

  • “I didn’t know not to use tooth paste on my dentures!”

  • “So important to take care of all of my health!”

  • “We always get great tips to keep us healthy.”

  • “The best thing that happens at HOCC is that we come together as a family every month.”

  • “Taking to my doctor this week about what I learned today about my oral health.”

  • “Telling my family about the value of flossing.”

  • “Interesting link about oral health and addictions.”

  • “I am making a pledge to focus on my health beyond HIV like oral health and nutrition – thanks for today’s program.”

  • “Insurance is an issue for my oral health care needs.”

  • “More time at HOCC so we can have more conversations which are so valuable.”

  • “Fluoride information was really important – concerned that politics could get in the middle of our oral health.”

  • “Ok I get it – I need to watch out for my oral health AND that was a very important message to hear today – thank you!”

  • “Great program and a wonderful way to start 2025!”

  • The slides were really good to see what could happen if I don’t care for my oral health!”

  • “Adding dental appointments twice a year to my health and wellness calendar for 2025.”

January Zoom Programming:

Friday,  January 20th @ 1:00-2:00pm

“Mindful Movement” with Ellie Enichen