Breakout sessions
Get the latest in health and wellness information.
If a breakout session included a handout, you can access it by clicking the session title below:
Morning breakout sessions
Session One: 10:20 to 11:05 am
Session Two: 11:20 am to 12:05 pm
Speaker: Amy French, MD
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Menopause and hormone therapy (HT) have been put on the back burner for years, but the science is clear — for most women, the benefits of HT for symptom relief can outweigh the risks. Learn what to expect from menopause and how to know if you’re there; safe options for treatment, including lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies and FDA-approved medications; and a new effective nonhormonal treatment for hot flashes.
Speaker: Lisa Goodman
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Sound healing is a deeply restorative practice offering many benefits, such as reduced anxiety, improved sleep quality, increased focus and a revitalized sense of purpose. Combining the healing power of sound frequencies, guided meditation and the reflective practice of journaling, this transformative journey will lead you to a state of deep relaxation, inner peace and mental clarity.
Speaker: Lindsey Urband, MD, FAAOS
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Bone density starts to decrease with lowered levels of estrogen before, during and after menopause, resulting in osteoporosis and an increased risk of fracture in approximately 1 in 2 women age 50 and up. Discover how early intervention can reduce your risk, and learn the best preventive and treatment measures for bone health throughout all stages of life.
Speaker: Mark Jabro, MD
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Roughly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or living with obesity, and at an increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions. For many, it’s more than just a matter of willpower. Explore the landscape of the latest weight-loss medications, who qualifies as a candidate, the delicate balance between risks and benefits, and how to navigate the options to make informed decisions for sustainable weight loss and management.
Speaker: Chef Jose Santiago and Kate Harrington, MS, RD
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Eating more plants is certainly better for your health, but that doesn’t mean you need to go vegetarian or vegan to reap the benefits. Discover how to turn vegetables, legumes and whole grains into the stars of your plate with simple culinary techniques and easy recipes for delicious, sustainable meals designed to nourish your body and the planet too.
Speaker: Teresa Hardisty, MD
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“Blue Zones” are areas of the world where people have lower rates of chronic disease and live exceptionally long lives. Learn about the nine principles and lifestyle habits the population of these geographic areas have in common and make an action plan to bring these principles and the science of the Blue Zones into your home for a longer, happier and healthier life.
Speaker: Joseph Aleshaki, DO
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Learn how your skin can withstand the test of time with expert tips from a dermatologist. You’ll discover how to select and combine the right products for your skin, and what methods and procedures are best to achieve your skin rejuvenation goals.
Speaker: Noran Barry, MD
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About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime — many without a family history. But research suggests that what they have common is a stressful life event or chronic stress a few years before diagnosis. Learn how life stressors and environment can cause DNA changes in the body’s cells, and how leaning into resilience, balance and stress reduction can positively alter your genome and reduce your risk.
Speaker: Serene Carruthers, MS, LMFT
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From shopping and working excessively, to sugar, scrolling through Instagram, and that glass or two of wine at the end of the day, we all find ways to deal with what life throws at us. But sometimes these feel-good solutions can do more harm than good. Learn about the different types of coping styles, how to determine when there is cause for concern, and simple strategies and techniques to incorporate into your daily routine to help make lasting life changes.
Speaker: Kevin Posey
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Managing personal finances can be complicated and overwhelming. But there are countless technological solutions available to simplify the process, and help you make informed decisions and gain control over your financial health. Discover the best apps, digital platforms and online tools based on your needs to create a budget, track spending, automate savings, optimize investments and more so you can achieve your financial goals with ease.
Speaker: Jenny Driessen
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From the moment we wake up, we make choices that determine the direction of our day. Discover a variety of stretching, strengthening and meditation exercises along with simple lifestyle changes to alleviate stress and everyday aches and pains. You will walk away with a daily recipe for optimizing your central nervous system, maximizing your physical potential and reinvigorating your spirit.
Speaker: Nancy Jungling, PT
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Functional strength training improves your body’s ability to perform everyday functions without injury by developing strength in patterns that are used in everyday life. Designed to mimic daily activities and movements, and target multiple muscle groups in a single exercise, this dynamic bodyweight workout will also increase your metabolism, flexibility, balance, agility and core strength.
†Interactive session
Afternoon breakout sessions
Session Three: 2 to 2:45 pm
Session Four: 3 to 3:45 pm
Speaker: Corinne Yarbrough, MD
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In the United States, more than 40% of women experience loss of sex drive or difficulty enjoying sex — and most never seek help. Discover the causes of these common problems; the safest, most effective treatment options, including the latest FDA-approved medications; and which bogus products to avoid.
Speaker: Karla Fernandez, CPT
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This all-levels workout combines ballet-inspired barre exercises with elements of Pilates, yoga and strength training using high-repetition, low-impact resistance movements. With a focus on controlling the core and moving the spine through all planes of motion, you’ll discover the path to improved body alignment, strength, balance and flexibility.
Speaker: Alexandra Kharazi, MD
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Approximately 44% of women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease and have unique cardiovascular needs that require a different approach to diagnosis and treatment. Learn how to identify the distinct signs and symptoms every woman should know; how to assess your own risk; the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle, including the benefits of self-care and community; and tips to add to your everyday routine for improved heart health.
Speaker: Shanette Smith, LMFT
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Boundaries are often thought of as a way to keep people out. But in actuality, they’re a form of self-care and a valuable tool to create stronger connections. In this session, you will gain an understanding of the different types of boundaries, how to identify your limits, and practical strategies to establish and maintain healthy boundaries that honor your needs, enhance your relationships and improve your quality of life.
Speaker: Regina Lark, PhD
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Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough, but studies show that disorganization and clutter can lead to increased cortisol levels and a constant low-grade fight-or-flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival. This breakout will help you develop strategies to transform your relationship with your stuff by learning why we become attached to objects, how to identify de-clutter goals, where to start and techniques to maintain a clutter-free space.
Speaker: Mary Zientek, MA, MSN, RN, CPM
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This session will allow you to take a moment to reflect on where you are, learn how to let go of thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve you, and focus your energy on creating the future you desire. Using a guided creative process, you will discover cutting-edge tools to tap into your imagination, open your heart and create pathways to live the life of your dreams.
Speaker: Holly Moyer, RDN, CPT
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Many factors can affect the integrity of the intestines, also known as the “gut,” yielding unwanted symptoms that can lower your quality of life, including brain fog, weight-loss resistance and bloating. Learn about your own gut microbiome, gain tips to resolve uncomfortable symptoms, and discover what to eat to support optimal gut health and longevity.
Speakers: Diane Wintz, MD; Kelly Wright, MBA, MSN, RN, OCN; and Stacy Nilsen, PhD, RN, CNS, ACNS-BC
We plan for many things in life but rarely plan for the end, which could be the most significant gift we ever give to the most important people in our lives. From healthy aging goals to prehabilitation and advanced illness management, you will gain an understanding of how to access and navigate care that reflects your values; the legal, financial, and emotional considerations; and which questions to ask to empower yourself to make informed decisions to protect your family, safeguard your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored.
Speaker: Angela Dance
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Navigating conversations where stakes are high, opinions vary and emotions run strong can be scary. As a result, many people avoid having them at all. In this session, you will learn new ways of thinking about and maneuvering through difficult discussions; how to turn a disagreement into dialogue; and effective communication tools to tackle any conversation with ease.
Speakers: Kimia Menhaji, MD, and Emma Duran, PT, DPT
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Urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders affect millions of women in the U.S. and can lead to a significant burden on quality of life. Learn about the causes of these common but not often talked about conditions; the many nonsurgical and surgical treatment options available; and exercises to help increase muscle control and improve pelvic floor strength.
Speaker: Tracie Arlington
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Protect yourself with confidence should you ever need to fend off an attacker. During this interactive session designed for women of all ages, learn how to stay alert in your surroundings and defend yourself in the face of danger. You’ll leave armed with basic self-defense techniques and awareness concepts that just might save your life.
Speaker: Billy Blanks Jr.
Breakout Session Three Only — Dance It Out: Dance Party
Join Billy for his signature Dance It Out (DIO) workout to sweat, smile, laugh and feel good, all while burning calories. This high-energy class is for all ability levels and incorporates more than 20 dance styles, including hip-hop, disco, Bollywood and Broadway.
Breakout Session Four Only — Dance It Out: Dance Off
This session will include a short DIO workout before participants separate into three teams to learn a fun, easy combo. Each team will then perform for each other and the title of DIO Queens.
†Interactive session