Noted therapist Dr. Ruth to speak in Syracuse Oct. 3

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a psychosexual therapist who helped pioneer the field of media psychology, will present "An Evening with Dr. Ruth" Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Hotel Syracuse/Radisson Plaza, 500 South Warren St.

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Imperial Ballroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available at the door. They may also be reserved by calling HealthConnections at 1-800-464-8668.

Westheimer was first heard discussing issues of sexuality on the airwaves in New York City in 1980 for a 15-minute segment for WYNY-FM. Since then she has had numerous radio and TV shows, most recently "Never Too Late," a program aimed at older adults, which aired on Nostalgia Television.

In addition, Westheimer writes a syndicated newspaper column, "Ask Dr. Ruth," has produced various videos and authored more than a dozen books, the most recent of which is "Dr. Ruth's Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Love, Sex and Medical Facts." Westheimer also has her own board game, "Dr. Ruth's Game of Good Sex," which has been recently released in a computer version. On the web she can be found at www. drruth.com.

Westheimer, who holds a doctorate in education, maintains a private practice and is an adjunct professor at New York University.

Westheimer's evening lecture will be followed by a daylong conference on "Sex and Sexuality: What's Age Got To Do With It?" to be held Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hotel Syracuse/Radisson Plaza. The conference is designed to promote an interdisciplinary perspective on sex and sexuality and the aging individual. The conference is geared toward healthcare providers and older adults and family members who want to improve their understanding of issues central to sexual health and well-being.

Key presentations include "Sex and the Elder Couple," "Sexual Issues in Aging Individuals with Chronic Medical Conditions," "Grieving, Loss and Sexuality: The Living Partner's Burden" and "Women, Aging and Sexuality."

"Most healthcare providers know that sexuality and aging is an important topic, but they've never discussed it in such a detailed way as this conference will," said Carolyn Wright, Ph.D., executive director of the New York Statewide Resource Center for Geriatric Education.

For more information on the conference please call SUNY Upstate's Office of Continuing Medical Education at 1-800-283-4606.

Westheimer's visit and the conference are sponsored by the New York Statewide Resource Center for Geriatric Education and the offices of continuing nursing and medical education at SUNY Upstate Medical University.