Advancing Women's Health: A 2026 Update
- Continuing Education
Expand your clinical expertise and improve patient care by enrolling in this expert-led, evidence-based course that delivers essential strategies for diagnosing, managing, and treating medical conditions unique to and prevalent in women.
- Live Online
This course is taught online in real time.
Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and made available to participants for on-demand online viewing for 30 days after the end of the course.
$250 Save with early registration
This is the standard price, for a full list of profession pricing see below.
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Fee increases to $300 after
Continuing Education
Earn up to:
7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™
7.50 ANCC contact hours
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One Day
Please view the Schedule for a full description of the program.
On This Page
Overview
Sex and gender significantly impact health and disease throughout the life course and across all organ systems. This live virtual course provides clinicians with up-to-date, evidence-based guidance on managing medical conditions that are unique to women, disproportionately affect women, or present differently compared to men—necessitating tailored prevention and treatment strategies. Through expert-led lectures and interactive Q&A sessions, the course offers a comprehensive overview of key topics in women’s health, informed by faculty members’ clinical expertise and peer-reviewed research, across a wide range of medical specialties. This year’s course topics will include:
- Mental Health in Women
- Menopause and Sexual Health
- Geriatrics and Women’s Health
- Reproductive Health Updates
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- LGBTQ+ Health
Participants report that this symposium has equipped them with knowledge that can be directly translated into patient care and clinic practice improvements:
“I cannot wait to return to work on Monday and share all that I've learned from this conference. It was truly phenomenal. The information felt timely in this challenging healthcare landscape."
“Will allow me to incorporate new information in my daily conversations with patients and how they can manage their health.”
“Very well organized and relevant for practice today. Especially for a primary care physician.”
“Gave me more confidence in the care I provide to women and have additional resources to utilize.”
“Learned a lot of great pearls to add to and improve my practice!”
“The sessions provided updated, evidence-based information across multiple areas of women’s health, which will help me strengthen my diagnostic accuracy, refine treatment plans, and enhance patient counseling.”
“I found a lot of the information very helpful to review diagnoses that I do not often see in practice. It was useful to see the updated data about managing these problems.”
Learning Objectives
- Recognize sex and gender as integral elements of precision medicine and women’s health.
- Utilize the information presented to recommend appropriate sex- and gender-specific treatment and management of medical conditions unique to women.
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Who Should Participate
Primary Care Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Specialty Physicians
Schedule
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Opening Remarks
8:00-8:05 am
Management of Perimenopausal Symptoms
8:05-8:45 am
Hair Loss in Women
8:45-9:25 am
Diagnosis & Management of Vulvovaginal Disease
9:25-10:05 am
Break
10:05-10:25 am
The Evaluation and Treatment of Common Lower Extremity Injuries in Women
10:25-11:05 am
Trans Health and Experiences in Healthcare Settings, Patient Panel
11:05-11:55 am
Lunch
11:55 am-12:45 pm
Human Trafficking
12:45-1:25 pm
Cervical Cancer Updates and HPV Self-Screening for Patients
1:25-2:05 pm
Contraception and Patient Centered Reproductive Justice
2:05-2:45 pm
Break
2:45-3:05 pm
News You Can Use: 2026 Papers of Interest in Women's Health
3:05-3:45 pm
Lipid Management in Women
3:45-4:25 pm
Closing Remarks
4:25-4:30 pm
Faculty
Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.
Course Directors
Kathryn Rexrode
MD, MPH | Course Director
- Chief Academic Officer, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Chief, Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Eve Rittenberg
MD | Course Director
- Associate Physician, Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Annie Lewis-O'Connor
PhD, MSN, APRN, MPH | Course Director
- Associate Scientist, Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Senior Nursing Scientist, Center for Nursing Excellence
- Founder and Director, C.A.R.E. Clinic
Cristina Baseggio Alexander, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Part-time, Harvard Medical School
Associate Physician, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Kari Braaten, MD, MPH
Director, Fellowship in Complex Family Planning; Director, Fish Center for Women’s Health Gynecology Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Ole-Petter R. Hamnvik, MBBCH, BAO, MMSc
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Program Director, Endocrinology Fellowship, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Michael Honigberg, MD, MPP
Director of Research, Women's Heart Health Program, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Associate Member, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Kathie P. Huang, MD, FAAD
Medical Director, Phototherapy Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Co-Director, Hair Loss Clinic, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School
Sydney Karnovsky, MD
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Departments of Sports Medicine and Physiatry at Mass General Brigham; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology
Director, Vulvovaginal Disorders Program
Massachusetts General Hospital
Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology
Alisa Pascale, DNP, WHNP-BC
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Massachusetts General Hospital Benign Gynecology & Vulvar and Vaginal Disorders Clinic, Midlife Women's Health, Mass General Brigham
Andrea Reilly, MD
Medical Director, Mass General Freedom Clinic
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Eve Rittenberg, MD
Associate Physician, Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
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Course Fees
Registration Details
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, one course book, electronic syllabus, and access to some recordings for 30 days after the course.
At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
Early Registration Deadline:
| Role | Course Fee | Early Registration Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $300 | $250 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $200 | $150 |
| PA | $200 | $150 |
| Psychologist | $200 | $150 |
| Resident/Fellow | $200 | $150 |
| Social Worker | $200 | $150 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $300 | $250 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 ANCC contact hours.
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.