Community, Exercise, and Compassion: Panel Discussion on the Short Documentary Film "Below Surface"

Stanford Health Library hosted a screening of the award-wining short documentary film, "Below Surface," followed by a panel discussion including executive producer, Mary Lake Polan. The documentary reveals the extraordinary power of community through an unlikely subject: a YMCA Aquafit class. The documentary gathers numerous moving stories of a multicultural and multigenerational Aquafit class to demonstrate how kindness and caring for others, combined with exercise, can be an antidote for grief, stress, and physical illness. The film brought to light the value of non-judgmental social interactions. #aquatictherapy #aging #aquafitness #communitysupport #community

The panel talks about the importance of creating and maintaining meaningful relationships to maximize health span and quality of life. Iris Litt, MD, highlights the benefits of intergenerational activities and connections for both older and younger individuals. VJ Periyakoil, MD, emphasizes the importance of addressing elements of Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, focusing on the 4Ms: medication, meditation, mobility, and what matters.

Moderator: Lisa Shah, PA-C, Stanford Women’s Cancer Center

Panel:
Iris Litt, MD, The Marron and Mary Elizabeth Kendrick Professor of Pediatrics (Emerita-Active) Chair, Emeriti/ae Council; Associate Dean for Senior and Retired Faculty School of Medicine; Co-Director, Stanford Center on Longevity.

Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, MPH, Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. Yale University School of Medicine.

VJ Periyakoil, MD, Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean of Research, Director, Stanford AGE Research Center, Director, Palliative Care Education, and Training, Stanford University School of Medicine; Director, Out-patient Palliative Care, ACOS, Organizational Culture, and Leadership, VA Palo Alto.