Omaha Women's Health & Wellness Conference

24th annual Omaha Women's Health & Wellness Conference

October 8, 2021

We are committed to your safety.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will only offer this conference online.

Download conference brochure

Registration is Now CLOSED. 

If you would like to be notified of when the lectures become available online, both for personal viewing or for nursing credit, please  email ljmolczy@unmc.edu

Conference Agenda:

7:45 – 8:00 AM               Zoom Welcome

8:00 - 9:45 AM
“Making Peace with Your Enemies: Understand Your Anxiety to Conquer your Fears!”
Presenters:  Lauren Edwards, MD (UNMC Department of Psychiatry) and Emaan Lehardy, PhD (Nebraska Medicine Psychology Department)

Everyone occasionally experiences anxiety, and in most situations, it is manageable. However, for some individuals it can become excessive and interfere with daily life. This session will discuss the function of anxiety and its symptoms, as well as how to manage anxiety when it becomes severe. Evidence-based coping techniques will be provided.

10:00 - 10:50 AM
“Food & Feelings: Maintaining Healthy Eating Patterns During COVID”
Presenter:  Kimberly Vacek, PhD (Patient Centered Medical Home, Nebraska Medicine Bellevue Family Medicine Clinic)

It's undeniable that the stress of the pandemic led to uncertainty for all, which led to altered eating patterns for many. Whether it's the "quarantine 15" associated with emotional eating, or restrictive eating patterns, both frequently increase when control is threatened.  This session will discuss strategies for increasing your awareness and acceptance of your eating and emotional patterns while striving for healthy self-care, balanced nutrition and expanding your repertoire of healthy coping skills. 

11:00 - 11:50 AM
“Living in a Women’s World: Understanding the Priority of Your Health”
Presenters:  Emily Hill, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC (UNMC Department of Family Medicine, Eagle Run Clinic) and  Nicole Goliber, PA-C (UNMC Department of Family Medicine, Eagle Run Clinic)

Women of all ages can take preventive measures to stay healthy and detect illness, based on their individual risk factors.  This session will address the recommended screening guidelines for preventing cancer and heart disease, as well as outline dietary and exercise strategies to increase your wellness success.

11:50 AM          Lunch break

1:00 - 1:50 PM
“Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Women: Today’s Approach”
Presenter:  Kathryn Hutchins, MD (UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that can cause many uncomfortable symptoms. Sometimes individuals may think they have IBS but have not yet been diagnosed. This session will define IBS and its subtypes, describe how it is diagnosed clinically, and explain the common treatment and management approaches.

2:00 - 2:50 PM
“Modern Menopause: Optimizing Mental and Physical Wellness”
Presenter: Jennifer Griffin, MD, MPH (UNMC Department of Ob/Gyn)

Don’t be afraid!  Though misinformation, myths, and fears surround menopause for many women, in fact most women can gracefully navigate this life transition feeling stronger and wiser.  In this presentation, you will learn what to expect during the time preceding and after the menopause physically, mentally, and emotionally.  We will also discuss medical and holistic strategies to address common menopausal concerns. 

3:00 - 3:50 PM
“The Evolution of COVID-19 and Associated Racial Disparities: A National Emergency”
Presenter:  Jasmine Riviere Marcelin, MD (UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease)

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all.  This session will discuss the evolution of COVID-19 and describe what actions are needed to end the pandemic.  The racial and ethnic disparities that emerged during COVID will be highlighted with identifiable actions that can combat these inequities.

4:00 - 4:20 PM
“Within Hindsight There is the Deep Wisdom of Insight”   
Presenter:  Havalynn Russell, Interior Life Designer who has grown through mental health and addiction recovery challenges

This is a thought-provoking presentation about mental health and wellness with messages of inspiration delivered through relatable, personal examples, connected to powerful quotes and empowering take-a-ways. 

Global Learning Outcomes:

1. Articulate strategies to manage anxiety and how to intervene when it interrupts your quality of life. 
2. Discuss how stress can impact changes in eating routines and disorders related to the global pandemic and how to utilize coping techniques to establish healthy behaviors. 
3. Describe the importance of disease prevention and health promotion in women including cancer screenings, IBS management approaches, and optimizing mental/physical health during menopause. 
4. Identify the racial/ethnic disparities that have emerged from the pandemic and what actions are necessary to combat these inequities. 

Accreditation:

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by University of Nebraska Medical Center and Olson Center for Women’s Health. University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and 
the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this activity for 6.50 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit for the actual time spent participating in this activity.

For more information on the conference, please call the Olson Women's Health Resource Center at 402.559.6345 or email ljmolczy@unmc.edu.

The Omaha Women's Health & Wellness Conference is brought to you by the
Olson Center for Women's Health,