Schedule
Women's Health Symposium Schedule
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | Houston Methodist Hospital
8 – 9 a.m. | Check-in and Breakfast
9 – 10 a.m. | Welcome and Keynote Speaker: Janet Gurwitch
From Runway to Boardroom – My Journey Through Three Careers
10:15 a.m. – 10: 55 a.m. | Health and Wellness Session I (Select One)
- Gut Instincts: From Celiac to Crohn’s to Colitis | Bincy Abraham, MD
- Is it Hot in Here? Menopause Made Manageable | M. Kathleen Borchardt, MD
- Feeding the Mind: Understanding and Treating Depression Through the Brain-Gut Interface | Alok Madan, PhD
- Committed to Memory | Joseph C. Masdeu, MD, PhD
- Strength in Motion: Stay Active and Injury-Free | Patrick McCulloch, MD
11:05 a.m. – 11: 45 a.m. | Health and Wellness Session II (Select One)
- Elevate Your Pelvic Health | Danielle Antosh, MD, and Emily Rutledge, MD
- Nutrition and your Skin: Separating Fact from Fiction | Amanda Beaver, RD, ACE-CPT
- The Heart of a Woman | Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD
- Mindful Balance: A Lifespan Approach to Mental Health | Jessica Rohr, PhD
Noon – 1 p.m. | Luncheon with Houston Methodist physicians, researchers and executives
GUT INSTINCTS: FROM CELIAC TO CROHN’S TO COLITIS
It pays to know your Cs when it comes to intestinal issues. Learning about the link between gastrointestinal tract health and the body’s inflammatory response might come in handy the next time your gut is telling you to get help.
Fondren Distinguished Professor in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Director, Fondren Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship Program,
Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
IS IT HOT IN HERE? MENOPAUSE MADE MANAGEABLE
Is this menopause? What does it feel like? Dr. Borchardt will address the top questions and concerns about menopause that she covers with patients — from hormone therapy to nutrition, to minimizing weight gain and symptoms.
Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates
Instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Weill Cornell Medical College
Back to schedule
FEEDING THE MIND: UNDERSTANDING AND TREATING DEPRESSION THROUGH THE BRAIN-GUT INTERFACE
Did you know changing your diet could improve your mental health? Learn about the gut-brain connection and how we are identifying microbial signatures of psychiatric illness and employing diet-based interventions to manipulate gut functioning.
John S. Dunn Foundation Distinguished Centennial Chair in Behavioral Health
Vice Chair, Houston Methodist Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Professor of Psychology, Weill Cornell Medical College
COMMITTED TO MEMORY
You likely know someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. What is being done to address and prevent this terrible scourge ? Learn about ongoing research and how to take steps to keep your brain healthy.
Joseph C. Masdeu, MD, PhD
Graham Family Distinguished Chair for Neurological Sciences
Director, Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist
Professor of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College
STRENGTH IN MOTION: STAY ACTIVE AND INJURY-FREE
Don’t let an injury sideline your daily life. Dr. McCulloch will share his expert opinion about preventing injuries, maintaining your athleticism and how you can stay out of the orthopedic surgeon’s office.
Patrick McCulloch, MD
John S. Dunn Chair in Orthopedic Surgery
Vice Chair, Houston Methodist Department of Orthopedic s and Sports Medicine
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
ELEVATE YOUR PELVIC HEALTH
One in three women will experience at least one pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime. Women are at special risk thanks to pregnancy, childbirth and shifting hormones. Learn the latest in prevention, plus proper techniques for the classic Kegel and other pelvic floor workouts.
Danielle Antosh, MD
Director, Houston Methodist Center for Restorative Pelvic Medicine
Urogynecologist, Houston Methodist Urogynecology Associates
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College
Emily Rutledge, MD
Urogynecologist, Houston Methodist Urogynecology Associates
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College
NUTRITION AND YOUR SKIN: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
Should I take collagen? Does vitamin C help prevent wrinkles? Learn more as our wellness dietitian takes a deep dive into how the food we eat affects our skin, and how we can leverage the power of nutrition to stay glowing inside and out.
Amanda Beaver, RDN, ACE-CPT
Senior Wellness Dietitian
Employee Wellness Services
Houston Methodist Hospital
THE HEART OF A WOMAN
Why is a heart condition so different in women than in men? Learn about these differences and what you can do to mitigate the risks. Learn why you need to be your own best advocate for better heart health.
Karla Kurrelmeyer, MD
Medical Director, Houston Methodist Department of Cardiology
Associate Professor of Clinical Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical College
MINDFUL BALANCE: A LIFESPAN APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH
Hormonal changes unique to women throughout their lifespans have a documented impact on mood and functioning. Learn about women’s mental health and share with others what you learn.
Jessica Rohr, PhD
Director, Women’s Mental Health Program
Clinical Psychologist
Houston Methodist Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health