Women's Health Symposium 2025
International Women’s Day, on March 8th 2025, marked the Alberta Sex, Gender, and Women's Health Research Hub (SGWH*)’s inaugural public event – a Women’s Health Symposium hosted by Calgary Central Library, in collaboration with the University of Calgary's O'Brien Institute for Public Health and the Calgary Health Foundation. Dr. Erin Brennand, the SGWH*’s founder and Department Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Calgary, welcomed hundreds of visitors for a packed schedule of women’s health talks, audience Q&As, and an exclusive screening of the documentary Below the Belt, all emceed by Calgary’s Global News reporter Lesley Horton, plus a women’s health resource fair and art exhibition.
This unique event proved a resounding success in the SGWH*’s aims to prioritize women’s health, foster collaboration, and drive impactful innovation to improve healthcare outcomes for women across their lifespan. Continuing these efforts, you can view recordings of all the symposium’s expert speaker presentations, below, and find website links for more information on the organizations that hosted booths at the symposium resource fair and donated event prizes.
Menopause
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Alison Shea, is a highly respected researcher at McMaster University in Ontario and has extensive clinical and leadership experience in this vital area of women’s health. With a clinical fellowship in Menopause and Reproductive Mental Health, she also serves on the board of the Menopause Foundation of Canada.
Understanding chronic pain: The path to recovery
Dr. Magali Robert is a Professor at the University of Calgary. She established the Calgary Pelvic Floor Clinic, a dedicated group of urogynecologists with expertise in the management of pelvic floor disorders, and is also Medical Director of the Calgary Chronic Pain Program and the Alberta Virtual Pain Program.
What's desire got to do with it?
Dr. Lauren Walker is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the departments of Oncology and Psychology at the University of Calgary. As well as running her own clinical practice, she established the University of Calgary’s Oncology Sexual Health Lab and maintains an active research program conducting studies on sexual function and wellbeing, gender inclusive sexuality, and trauma informed care.
The silent struggle: Shedding light on pelvic floor disorders
Dr. Shunah Kim-Fine is Head of the Urogynecology team at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. In addition to her own clinical practice, she reintroduced a program for treating refractory pelvic floor disorders (a procedure called sacral neuromodulation), which some patients have described as transformative and life-changing.
PCOS in focus: Evidence based insights and solutions
Dr. Jamie Benham is an endocrinologist and Assistant Professor in the departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine. Her expertise includes the management of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes, and her research aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between hormones and overall health.
Nutrition: Fueling health across the female lifespan
Dr. Raylene Reimer is a registered dietitian and a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is also a full scientist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and an associate member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health. Her research explores the potential of nutrition to prevent and treat chronic diseases.
What is a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist? Why do kids and teens need to see a gynecologist?
Dr. Sarah MacQuillan is an Associate Professor in the University of Calgary’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology focusing on improving care for patients with anorectal and genital tract malformations, and enhancing fertility preservation options for children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment. She is also Program Director for the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship, which is one of only three in the country. Dr. Geneviève Coutu is currently completing her fellowship in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at the University of Calgary, and she will then be joining teams at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton. This talk was a joint presentation.
Resource Fair
Prize Donors
All visitors to the Women’s Health Symposium event were invited to enter a free draw for some incredible prizes, and we thank the organizations below for their generous donations.