The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate,
to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear Friends of CIHF,
While we hunker down and wait for the storm of Covid-19 to pass, it is important to remember the reason for this ongoing isolation and chaos. As we know, the most important thing to do now is to stay home as much as possible and practice social distancing. Although this is difficult and seemingly endless, it is helpful to consider that these sacrifices are not forever and are potentially saving lives. As Dr. Emily Landon from Chicago stated, "It's really hard to feel that you're saving the world when you're watching Netflix from your couch," but in fact, what many of us are doing is critical for the health of our families and communities. And we are not alone in making these sacrifices. Thousands of people across the country are demonstrating social solidarity by sheltering in place. We truly are in this together.

Finally, simply know that our thoughts are with our CIHF community, now more than ever.

Thank you, as ever, to all of you for continuing with us on this journey.
CIHF Leadership Team
Improving service excellence in healthcare, senior living, and wellness related organizations
Teaching | Research | Engagement | Membership
UPCOMING EVENT
Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures
Virtual Advisory Board Meeting
April 23, 2020, 1pm - 3:30pm
 
In keeping with New York state's shelter-in-place order, CIHF Spring 2020 Advisory Board Meeting will be virtual. This meeting will discuss advisory board observations on important issues in health, hospitality, and design as well as consider the CIHF strategic plan. Understandably, all of our discussions will be colored by the COIVD-19 situation and we look forward to sharing ideas, experiences, and best practices.

For more information, please contact, CIHF Program Manager, Nikki Cerra at hnc24@cornell.edu.
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CIHF TEAM: Working from Home, Alone,Together

Informal Updates
Executive Director, Brooke Hollis
Hi team,

So on the social isolation side, with my spouse in FL with my almost 101 year old mother in law, it's pretty quiet, but keeping busy with lots of projects and emails. 

I kept my social distance outside but took the opportunity to catch up speaking with my neighbor after retrieving my recycling bins today--he's an Army Corps of Engineers retiree and said his wife, a local nurse, was modifying her projects but they were staying optimistic. He said maybe we should have a virtual block party all dancing in our own yards but toasting each other!

Hope everyone is being safe!
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Director, Mardelle Shepley

My experience is highlighted by my clandestine 6:45 am walks. This poem says it all:

O sweet spontaneous

O sweet spontaneous
earth how often have
the
doting
 
            fingers of
prurient philosophers pinched
and
poked
 
thee
,has the naughty thumb
of science prodded
thy
 
       beauty     how
often have religions taken
thee upon their scraggy knees
squeezing and
 
buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive
gods
        (but
true
 
to the incomparable
couch of death thy
rhythmic
lover
 
            thou answerest
 
 
them only with
 
                             spring)
Director, Heather Kolakowski
Hi everyone!
 
It’s been a challenge here, hard to tell the 2 year old who is potty training and the 5 year old that I’m working... just took a conference call in the bathroom with the door locked. But only one broken dish and a small water flood in the bathroom when I came out 20 minutes later, so I guess that’s ok?
 
We shall see how I am going to record any lectures, might be doing that at 3 am... maybe I can live stream that to my students who live in Singapore....
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Program Manager, Nikki Cerra
Hi everyone,
We are taking everything day by day and remaining flexible. My husband and I started the Auburn Academy (street we live on & mom/dad school) as we thought it wise to have a schedule for our two kiddos. We are trading off, waking up early, staying up late and letting the kids use IPads for math lessons and some ELA. We are all learning…constantly learning.
 
I’m grateful to be able to work from home, be together as a family and for my cat who is filling in as my co-worker, editor and keyboard warmer.
 
Be well,
Nikki
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Program Assistant, Ellie Mendoza
Hi CIHF Team!

I miss seeing you all in person, but I really appreciate our Zoom meetings! Working from home during a pandemic is challenging and I'm trying hard not to worry about my loved ones on the other side of the country. I feel lucky that I have my partner and my dog for company. I must admit that I have been distracting myself with silly Netflix shows and decadent snacks. I'm enjoying these (seemingly) small pleasures immensely!

I hope you are all doing okay and adjusting as best you can. Remember to reach out and let me know if you need help.

Until our next Zoom...Be well.
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Helpful Suggestions in the Time of Corona

Makenzie Peterson MSc,
Cornell Wellbeing Program Director
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” – Prince

As we get through this period of sheltering-in-place, consider the following:

Routines help give us a sense of normalcy when things feel chaotic. Wake up around the same time as you usually do, shower, put on clothes that you didn’t sleep in, determine a designated work area if you’re working from home, keep to a sleep schedule, and eat at your usual times (not when you’re bored).

Separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those. Wash your hands. Remind others to wash theirs. Take your medications. Limit your consumption of news – do you really need to know what is happening on a cruise ship that you’re not on?
 
Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others. It’s okay if you’ve decided what makes you feel safe is limiting leaving your home, but make sure you separate when you are isolating based on potential for sickness versus isolating because it’s symptoms of depression. Practice self-awareness.
 
Get outside in nature – even if you are avoiding crowds. Take a walk around your neighborhood or just your backyard. The sun is starting to shine, get your dose of vitamin D, and remind yourself how good it feels to get some fresh air. Moving your body, even if you’re just gardening, helps both your physical and mental health.
CIHF + DEA Minor in Healthy Futures
CIHF and the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis offer a minor in Healthy Futures open to all Cornell undergraduate students. This innovative minor— the first of its kind — provides a high caliber, trans-disciplinary education in the fields of health, hospitality, and design, and may be of particular interest to students enrolled in health, wellness, policy, and hospitality related majors, or students interested in applying their education to problem-solving in the population health and wellness space.

If your organization is interested in sponsoring a three week or longer internship for CIHF minor students, please contact us at healthy-futures@cornell.edu to learn more.

An Intersection of Hospitality and Healthcare
Alan Lee, MHA, Chief Operating Officer, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Medical Hospital gives a talk at the CIHF seminar course (HADM/DEA 3055/6055). The speaker series provides an unique opportunity for students to learn from industry leaders.

CIHF CornellCast Videos
View 39 informative, forward-thinking, engaging interviews with industry leaders in health, hospitality & design, and roundtable discussions. CIHF CornellCast Link

CIHF Webinar Series eCornell Channel
Innovations in Health, Hospitality, Design, and Senior Living features webinars by Cornell faculty speakers on CIHF Innovations in Health, Design, and Senior Living. eCornell Link
Photo: "Primeval Pillars "
by Rosemary Glos