Just like your annual physical, it's that time of year again: NYSUT's Professional Issues Forum on Health Care will be held March 15 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. For information on adolescent eating disorders, the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus skin infections affecting many school populations, or promoting student exercise and nutrition, this is one-stop shopping.

Hosted by NYSUT's Health Care Professionals Council, the forum is geared to school and hospital nurses, counselors and social workers, health teachers, respiratory and occupational therapists and a wide range of health professionals.

The keynote speech will be "Protecting Your Profession — Rights and Responsibilities," by Karen Halpern, a registered nurse and attorney. She will review state law that governs health care professionals on professional licenses and liability.

Other educational topics include trends in health care benefits, the health implications of periodontal disease, stress-related work issues, solution-focused therapy and ergonomics for health care professionals.

In addition to the subject-matter workshops, Continuing Education Unit credits will be given for the plenary session on Brain Gym, a program of physical movements that enhances learning and peformance in all areas. Since 2004, more than 500 NYSUT members have received CEUs through the AFT Health Care Division and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.