Pregnant woman undergoing ultrasound scan in modern clinic

Innovations in Healthcare: Women’s Health

In this online event, learn about new treatment models and health initiatives that bring greater equity, deeper compassion, and improved outcomes to the field of women’s health.

The United States lags behind in many key health indicators for women, such as maternal mortality in childbirth. Amid these gaps, doctors and public health experts in the US are working to create new, innovative models of care for women’s reproductive health, to break stigmas around women’s bodies, and to foster greater equity for women’s health outcomes across class and ethnic lines.

This online seminar addresses new innovations in care models and community building for women’s and reproductive health. We will discuss the latest trends in midwifery, including the increasing popularity of birth centers providing comprehensive reproductive health services focused on compassionate and individualized care. And we will explore the work of a health nonprofit committed to menstrual equity through education, resources, and mentorship.

The seminar is the first in a three-part series of workshops on innovations in healthcare, organized by Swissnex in Boston and the Swiss School of Health Sciences – Vaud (HESAV).

Program (ET)

11:00 am: Welcome and Speaker Introductions

11:05 am: Lori Bellwood, Cambridge Health Alliance – “Midwifery and Birth Centers as Models for Women’s Care”

11:25 am: Bria Gadsden and Dr. Ebere Azumah, Love Your Menses – “Promoting Menstrual Equity Through Education, Resource Connection, and STEM Innovation”

11:45 am: Audience Q&A

12:00 pm: Event ends

 

Program (Swiss Time)

5:00 pm: Welcome and Speaker Introductions

5:05 pm: Lori Bellwood, Cambridge Health Alliance – “Midwifery and Birth Centers as Models for Women’s Care”

5:25 pm: Bria Gadsden and Dr. Ebere Azuma, Love Your Menses – “Promoting Menstrual Equity Through Education, Resource Connection, and STEM Innovation”

5:45 pm: Audience Q&A

6:00 pm: Event ends

Speakers

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    Bio

    Lori Bellwood

    Director of Midwifery at Cambridge Health Alliance

    Lori Bellwood brings four decades of experience to women’s reproductive health. A certified nurse midwife with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, she has taught at various universities including Georgetown and Tufts. She has served as Director of Midwifery at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Maine, and at Cambridge Health Alliance in Cambridge, MA, where she has provided full scope midwifery services. She also serves as Director of the Cambridge Birth Center, a home-like facility for birthing and women’s health next to the Cambridge Hospital. Her experiences include treatment for pregnant women who are drug addicted or at risk because of obesity and hypertension.

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    Bio

    Bria Gadsden

    Co-Founder and Executive Director of Love Your Menses

    Bria Gadsden is a health educator, menstrual equity leader, youth development worker, published author, and Executive Director of Love Your Menses. With over a decade of experience working in youth development, Bria is committed to dispelling myths surrounding menstruation and sparking women’s health innovation among young menstrual equity leaders. Bria has facilitated menstrual health education workshops and menstrual equity training for youth and adult caregivers in various settings including, schools, community centers, universities, and faith-based organizations. Bria holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and a Master of Science in Community Health Education from Merrimack College.

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    Bio

    Ebere Azumah

    Co-Founder and President of Love Your Menses

    Dr. Ebere Azumah is the Co-Founder and President of Love Your Menses. She specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) and brings with her many years of experience as an OB/GYN, public health expert, a trained doula, a midwife, and a published author! As an OB/GYN and woman of Nigerian descent, Dr. Azumah is passionate about promoting menstrual equity and ensuring women and girls in America and worldwide have access to the resources they need to thrive and be well throughout their reproductive years. Dr. Azumah received her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Long Island Jewish-Northwell School of Medicine in New Hyde, New York. She also holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

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