Arlington Hts. doctor offers college safety, health lessons for mothers and daughters

As kids get ready to head back to school, one Northwest Community Hospital doctor is giving parents tips for sending their daughters off to college, and making sure they stay safe while they are there.

Dr. M. Susan Scanlon will host a free lecture, "Making Healthy Choices Away from Home: a Mother/Daughter Lecture," at 7 p.m. tonight at Northwest Community Hospital, NCH Room 1-10.

"It can be difficult to talk about things that may happen away from home," Scanlon said. "However, talking openly about making healthy choices and how to avoid bad situations is critical."

Scanlon said she plans to begin the lecture by asking the young women a question: "What kind of women do you want to be?"

The talk will focus on healthy eating, exercising, managing a busy schedule, getting involved in school activities, emotional stress, drinking and handling the new social situations they will face at college.

She said she hopes the lecture will be a starting point for mothers to talk to their daughters, even about difficult topics.

"The bottom line is, you want your daughter to have the knowledge and self-confidence that empowers her to make healthy choices away from home," Scanlon said.

The lecture is free to everyone. Attendees should park in Parking Lot #4, and use the East Entrance at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Road in Arlington Heights. Register at (847) 884-9800, ext. 1326, or by email to szitron@mcwhc.com.