PCOS Awareness Symposium

The PCOS Awareness Symposium presented by PCOS Challenge, Inc. will feature some of the world's leading experts on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a complex hormonal, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects 10 percent of women of reproductive age. The condition is estimated to affect over 130,000 government workers, a significant portion of whom do not know they have the condition. PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility and has devastating effects on women's and girls' self esteem and social development due to symptoms including: excess facial hair growth, acne, hair loss, depression and obesity. Women with PCOS constitute the largest group of women at risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 50 percent of women with PCOS will become diabetic or pre-diabetic by age 40. Some studies have also shown women with PCOS to be at higher risk for suicide as well as endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer.

There is a significant health disparity when it comes to diagnosis and funding for PCOS awareness, support and research. It is estimated that 50 percent of women with PCOS are going undiagnosed. Often it takes women many years and up to seven doctors before they get diagnosed and find someone who can help them with the condition. Despite affecting millions of women and the serious health consequences, PCOS support and awareness organizations receive less than one percent of the government funding that other health conditions receive. NIH estimates the cost to the American healthcare system to diagnose and treat women with PCOS to be over $4.3 billion.

The PCOS Awareness Symposium will help government workers both treating patients and affected by PCOS learn more about the condition, treatment options and how to minimize related health risks.

Some of the topics covered include:

PCOS Research Updates
Identifying and Addressing Practice Gaps in PCOS
Addressing PCOS Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
Diet, Nutrition, Exercise and Lifestyle Management of PCOS
Naturopathic and Integrative Care Approaches to PCOS
PCOS in Teens and Adolescents: Early Diagnosis and Intervention
The PCOS-Diabetes Connection: Prevention and Management
Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases in PCOS
PCOS and Fertility
Managing the Psychological Impacts of PCOS
Dermatologic Implications of PCOS

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.pcoschallenge.org/symposium.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Ricardo Azziz, MD, MPH, MBA
President, Georgia Regents University
Chief Executive Officer, Georgia Regents Health System
Senior Executive Director, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society

Topic #1: Identifying and Addressing Practice Gaps in PCOS
Topic #2: PCOS in Teens – Early Diagnosis and Intervention

Andrea E. Dunaif, MD
Charles F Kettering Professor of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine at the
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Topic: PCOS Research Updates

Michael P. Diamond, MD
Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Regents University
Associate Dean for Research, Medical College of Georgia
Vice President for Clinical and Translational Sciences
Topic: Addressing PCOS Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges

Mark Perloe, MD
Medical Director, Georgia Reproductive Specialists

Topic: Improving Fertility in Women with PCOS

Angela Grassi, MS, RD, LDN
Founder, PCOS Nutrition Center

Topic: PCOS Nutrition – Enjoying The Taste of Good Health

Sasha Ottey, MHA, MT (ASCP)
Executive Director, PCOS Challenge, Inc. - One of the largest 501(c)(3) support and advocacy organizations for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Executive Producer, PCOS Challenge Television Show
Host and Producer, PCOS Challenge Radio Show
Publisher, PCOS Challenge Magazine
Topic: Support Resources for Women and Girls with PCOS

Robert Ferguson, MS, CN
Chief Executive Officer, Diet Free Life, LLC

Serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association

Topic: Exercise for PCOS Metabolism and Better Health

Hillary M. Wright, MEd, RD, LDN
Director of Nutrition, Domar Center for Mind/Body Health
Topic: The PCOS-Diabetes Connection – Prevention and Management

Gregory Pokrywka, MD, FACP, FNLA
Medical Director, Baltimore Lipid Center
Topic: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women with PCOS

Gretchen Kubacky, PsyD
PCOS Clinical Psychologist
Topic: Emotional Wellness and PCOS

For more information on the PCOS Symposium speakers, please visit: http://www.pcoschallenge.org/symposium/speakers

Expected Number of Attendees

400

Relevant Government Agencies

Office of the President (includes OMB), Dept of Health & Human Services, State Government, County Government, City Government, National Institutes of Health