EmpowerUS Gulf South Women's Health Forum to Spotlight Groundbreaking Research and Policy

In partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, LSU Health New Orleans, and the University of Alabama Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine is hosting the inaugural EmpowerUS Gulf South Women’s Health Forum on December 12-13 in the Tidewater Auditorium on Tulane’s downtown campus.  

This transformative event will bring together some of the region's leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to address critical issues in women’s health across the lifespan. 

The symposium features a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, expert panels, and collaborative discussions to inspire progress in gender-specific research and healthcare solutions. Key highlights from the two-day event include a panel on menopause featuring Jill Daniel, PhD, the  Gary P. Dohanich Professor in Brain Science in the Department of Psychology at Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, and a leading expert on Alzheimer’s and menopause research; and Heddwen Brooks, PhD, chair of the Department of Physiology at Tulane School of Medicine. Brooks is renowned for her work on inflammation and hypertension in menopausal women. Daniel and Brooks will join other specialists to explore how menopause impacts long-term health risks. 

Day 2 begins with a morning session led by Lorena Amaral. PhD, who will showcase breakthroughs in understanding and managing pre-eclampsia and polycystic ovary syndrome. A panel moderated by Dr. Patricia Molina will dive into the environmental and structural factors influencing women’s health, with insights on substance use, perinatal mental health, and early childhood development. A virtual discussion featuring Congresswoman Julia Letlow and other Gulf South policymakers will address the future of women’s health at the national level. The symposium will conclude with a keynote address by Dr. Rebekah Gee, whose groundbreaking work in healthcare policy and practice has shaped initiatives to improve health outcomes for women across the region. 

By fostering collaboration among the Gulf South’s top research institutions, the EmpowerUS symposium aims to drive meaningful change in women’s health through cutting-edge research, innovative strategies, and bold policy initiatives. 

Registration is open to students, researchers, healthcare providers, and community members. For more information and a detailed agenda, click here.