Mercy Health-St. Rita’s held its inaugural women’s health symposium on Friday, offering discussions focused on various health topics, including hormones, perimenopause, and menopause. The event, which took place in Lima, brought together both local and external medical professionals to address common health concerns relevant to women in the community.
Joyce Bochenek, director of St. Rita’s Women and Health Management Services and the symposium's primary organizer, stated that this new symposium replaces the hospital's previous fall Women’s Wine and Wellness events, which were hosted a few times each year. Bochenek emphasized the importance of women prioritizing their own well-being. She explained that women often serve as the backbones of families and communities, performing significant roles for others, which makes taking care of themselves crucial.
The symposium featured several speakers, including Dr. Malaika Woods, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Kansas City. Dr. Woods delivered a presentation that covered essential topics such as hormones, perimenopause, menopause, and heart disease. Bochenek highlighted the importance of bringing in perspectives from outside the immediate community. She noted that women’s changing bodies during perimenopause and menopause are becoming a popular topic of discussion around the country, making external viewpoints valuable for the event.
Another key speaker was Kathy Harvey, a nurse practitioner specializing in health and hormones at St. Rita’s Women’s Health Center. Harvey's presentation aimed to challenge common gendered notions surrounding testosterone. She explained that testosterone can be used to combat some of the side effects associated with menopause and noted that it has been utilized to treat women since the late 1930s. Harvey stressed that the goal is "extending the quality of your life, not just the quantity." She further asserted that hormones contribute positively to overall sense of well-being, including health, sex drive, energy, and vitality, and encouraged women to pursue and expect these benefits. Harvey shared that her understanding of the importance of hormones and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy developed significantly during her clinicals for her nurse practitioner program, particularly after she personally experienced negative side effects of menopause regularly.
The symposium concluded with both a lunch and a fashion show for all attendees. Looking ahead, Bochenek announced plans for next year's event. She indicated that future symposiums would focus on topics such as bone health, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal health, and mental health. A specific emphasis for mental health discussions will be on how it relates to the constant self-improvement messaging prevalent on social media platforms.
