Presentation Overviews

Estrogen: The Hormone of Life and Female Health

Felice Gersh, MD

Menopause is not simply the loss of fertility. It initiates a huge metabolic shift in the state of female metabolic health and function. This alteration in metabolic status impacts every organ system. This presentation will provide a detailed overview of the impact of the hormonal deficiency status due to ovarian aging on the brain, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and on bone health. It will also provide a practical, integrative, and efficacious therapeutic plan.

Eating Disorders in Women: The Silent Epidemic

James Greenblatt, MD

This presentation will provide an overview of the integrative and functional model for the treatment of anorexia nervosa, a silent epidemic that is both life threatening and debilitating for patients, who are primarily women. Conventional strategies have not been found to be consistently helpful. In this presentation, Dr. Greenblatt will discuss the obvious, yet often ignored, research looking at profound nutritional deficiencies that underline anorexia nervosa. The correction of nutritional deficiencies is critical for sustained recovery from anorexia.

Bioidentical Hormones for Brain Health in the Menopausal Woman

Ann Hathaway, MD

After women pass into menopause estradiol replacement is of major importance in the maintenance of cognition, prevention of dementia, and vascular health and important for mood in some women. Published research concludes that if all women were on topical estradiol from the time of menopause the incidence of Alzheimer’s would decrease by at least 34%. Progesterone is calming and improves sleep duration and sleep quality after menopause, important for both brain health and overall mental and physical health.

Integrative Medicine & Nutrition for Women with PTSD, Complex Trauma, and TBI

Leslie Korn, PhD

PTSD, complex trauma, and TBI is the quintessential mind body treatment dilemma that affects women disproportionately due to exposure to high rates of exposure to violence, neglect, and abuse. This presentation provides advanced methods for effective treatment that address the common symptoms and sequelae affecting women at all stages of life.

The Intersection of Motherhood, Mental Health, and Parenting

Catrina Luca, MD

When navigating the demands of family, parenting, and self-care, knowledge is power and in motherhood this truth reigns supreme (as well as the truth that chocolate and “boo-boo stickers” fix EVERYTHING!) In this presentation, we will explore caring for ourselves, our families, and specifically our children amidst increasing societal demands, numerous distractions, and well-intended “experts”.

An Integrative Approach to Perinatal Depression & Anxiety

Vesna Pirec, MD, PhD

Both pregnancy and postpartum are periods in women’s reproductive life that do not protect them from new onset or exacerbation of previously existing depression and/or anxiety disorder. The postpartum period is especially vulnerable. Several risk factors and etiologies have been proposed as contributing factors for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) such as sociocultural, endocrine and psychoimmunological changes, hormonal dysregulation, as well as nutrition, and neurotransmitters. In this presentation, Dr. Pirec will discuss how crucial it is to appropriately screen and diagnose PMAD and provide adequate comprehensive treatment.

Bonus Presentations

Non-Medical Treatment of Female Sexual Concerns and Dysfunctions

Marianne Brandon, PhD

Sexual concerns and dysfunctions are common, and they hold profound personal and interpersonal meaning for each of us. However, discussing and treating our patient’s sexual concerns can be challenging. In this talk we discuss treatment options and interventions to assist your patients with their intimacy struggles.

The Future of Intimacy

Marianne Brandon, PhD

Sex, gender, and relationship dynamics are changing faster than at any time in history, all within a backdrop of exploding artificial intelligence (AI). This talk will explore new and soon-to-be released developments in AI that are expected to impact human emotional and sexual relationships. It’s time for medical professionals to join the critically important conversation of the future of intimacy.

How the Medical Community Failed an Olympian

Anita Nall Richesson

After swimming for the cycle (gold, silver, & bronze) in the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, many health challenges hampered this athlete’s attempts at returning to an Olympic level. Challenged by a series of “mystery illnesses” that lasted a decade after the Olympics, Anita rediscovered health through food and functional medicine. During this talk, hear Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder’s amazing health journey from elite athleticism to sleeping 13 hours a night and barely waking. The struggle was real for Anita for over a decade until she was able to discover her own path to healing and lay the foundation for her work in functional nutrition and wellness.