Vinton native and Virginia Tech professor Dr. Kimberly Horn is launching her debut book on the power of friendship for well-being. She and the Vinton Historical Society will host her first signing of “Friends Matter, for Life” at the Vinton War Memorial on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Horn is currently a professor and research psychologist at Virginia Tech. She brings nearly 30 years of experience in promoting healthier, happier lives through her work. Her career has been dedicated to understanding the choices people make about their health, with a special focus on how social and human connections are at the heart of well-being. Her groundbreaking research spans topics such as addiction, mental health, physical activity, and nutrition, earning her recognition both locally and internationally.
Praised for her engaging and compassionate approach, Horn has shared her insights in settings ranging from intimate town hall discussions to global conferences. Now, with her debut book, “Friends Matter, for Life,” she focuses on a timely issue – the loneliness crisis and its profound impact on public health.
She highlights friendship as a crucial yet sometimes challenging avenue for social connection, offering readers guidance on how to foster and appreciate these meaningful relationships.
In celebration of her book launch, Horn is excited to bring her first book signing to her hometown of Vinton. The Vinton Historical Society and Dr. Horn invite the community to join her in this special moment, as she shares her passion for the transformative power of friendship and connection.
Eileen Drage O’Reilly, former president of the National Press, said, “One of the most crucial skills you need as an adult is to know how to make new friends; yet nobody teaches you that. Until now. Dr. Kimberly Horn has the science-backed strategies you need for making real, lasting adult friendships.”
New York Times best-selling author Mel Robbins has commented that “‘In Friends Matter, for Life,’ Kimberly Horn masterfully addresses how crucial friendships are to health, offering a heartfelt, actionable guide to combating loneliness and nurturing the connections vital to our well-being.”
Newspaper columnist, author, and television commentator, Dr. Leana Wen notes that “Kimberly Horn’s book couldn’t come at a better time. We’re facing what many are calling a global epidemic of loneliness and isolation. She reminds us that there are different types of friendships, all of which are important for us to nurture and not take for granted. She gives us leave to mourn, but also to release ourselves from those relationships that have become toxic. And she couches her suggestions within an actionable framework, coupled with forward-looking positive scenarios and introspective, reflective exercises.”
Dr. Horn is a graduate of William Byrd High School and the daughter of Carolyn Hodges Campbell of Vinton.
Light refreshments will be provided by the Vinton Historical Society.
