Center of Excellence In Women's Health 2026 Symposium

University of Utah Health

Center of Excellence in Women's Health Symposium 2026

Thriving in Uncertainty: Meeting Women Where They Are In Every Life Stage

May 14, 2026

Venue: Moran Eye Center
1st Floor Auditorium and Atrium

Highlighting research and initiatives addressing sex differences and key factors impacting women’s health. Connect with researchers, clinicians, & students across disciplines, fostering collaboration & advancing the conversation on women’s health.

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Program Agenda

AM	MORNING SESSION — BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
8:00–8:30	Light breakfast
8:30–8:45	Introductory Remarks Alfred Cheung, MD and Kathleen Digre, MD
8:45-9:45	KEYNOTE: Jennifer Sullivan, PhD, FAHA Regents Professor of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, August University The Consideration of "Sex as a Biological Variable" in Preclinical Blood Pressure Research
9:45-10:00	BREAK
10:00–11:25	BASIC SCIENCE PRESENTATIONS Moderator — Alfred Cheung, MD Kaitlin Basham, PhD, Department of Oncological Sciences Sex Hormone Regulation of Anti-Tumor Immunity in Adrenal Cancer Brandi Wynn, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Div. Nephrology & Hypertension Worth Her Salt: Sex Differences in Sodium, Inflammation and Hypertension Keke Fairfax, PhD, Department of Pathology, Div. Microbiology & Immunology Dissecting the Roles of Passive Transfer of Maternal Immunity o Offspring Immunity
PM	AFTERNOON SESSION — CLINICAL
11:15 am-12:20 pm	POSTERS & LUNCH
12:20-12:30	Afternoon Introduction Kathleen Digre, MD
12:30-1:50	PANEL 1: GREY AREAS IN MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE Moderator: Kathleen Digre, MD Enihomo (Eni) Obadan-Udoh, DDS, MPH, School of Dentistry Navigating the Oral Health Divide Christine Cliatt Brown, MD, Department of Neurology Cognitive Health: Myths and Controversies Grayson Doar, PT, DPT, Department Physical Therapy & Athletic Training Load With Intention: Understanding External Loading for Bone & Muscle Health after Menopause Alekses Clifton, MD, Department of Internal Medicine Pain Management for IUD Placement Katie Ward, PhD, DNP, WHNP, College of Nursing Grey Areas in Femtech: From Clinical Innovation to Commercialized Anxiety
1:50-2:30	POSTER BREAK
2:30-3:30	PANEL 2: MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN Moderator: Lauren Gimbel, MD Bryce Wallis, PhD, Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics & OB/GYN Family Planning Cyclic Mood Symptoms & Contraceptive Decision-Making: Clinical Insights Across the Lifespan Rana Jawish, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute Mental Health in Reproductive Years Sara Webb, DNP, PMHNP‑BC, College of Nursing Psychiatric Care in Perimenopause & Menopause: What Every Provider Should Know
3:30-4:00	POSTER BREAK
4:00-5:00 Accredited CME 1 CME Credit	KEYNOTE PRESENTATION & OB/GYN GRAND ROUNDS: C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, MACC, FAHA, FESC Director—Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Director—Linda Joy Pollin Women’s Heart Health Program, Erika J. Glazer Women’s Heart Research Initiative, Director—Preventive Cardiac Center at Smidt Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Professor of Medicine—Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Reproductive Hormones, Cardiovascular Risk & Disease, and Heart Disease: Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy—What Do We Know?
5:10-5:15	CLOSING REMARKS BY ROBERT SILVER, MD—Professor & Chair, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology