Inspiration and empowerment: Key highlights from Atlanta's Women's Health Summit
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, business and community leaders came together to celebrate Women's Health Month at the inaugural Atlanta Business Chronicle Women's Health Summit, presented by Wellstar and hosted by 11Alive anchor Cheryl Preheim.
The event featured two insightful panel discussions and an inspiring keynote by health and wellness expert, bestselling author and Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell. Designed to inspire, connect and empower women in the workplace, the summit offered a dynamic platform for dialogue and shared learning.
The program's first panel focused on women's workplace wellness and featured Wellstar's women's service line chief Dr. Paula Greaves, Spanx's chief people officer Kali Wilson Beyah and Elektra Health CEO Jannine Versi. The panel was moderated by Thompson Hine labor and employment partner Glianny Fagundo.
Attendees learned about cutting edge benefits being offered by employers like Spanx, innovations in telehealth and access to care and a look at a woman's health journey as a continuous 'ribbon' across her life. Panelists also addressed bringing transitions like menopause to the forefront of conversations and encouraged employers to consider health benefits that address this normal part of aging.
A second panel focused on Georgia's standing among the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality and steps that community and business leaders can take to work together to solve this problem.
Georgia Department of Community Health chief medical officer Dr. Dean Burke was joined by Center for Black Women's Wellness CEO Jemea Dorsey and Augusta State University professor of obstetrics and gynecology Dr. Chadburn Ray for this discussion, which our readers can learn more about in a follow-up summary publishing in Atlanta Business Chronicle on June 27.
The program culminated in a keynote speech from Lovewell, who discussed her own personal physical and mental health journeys, how wellness is a strategy, bringing your A game to self-care as we do for those we love and key takeaways from her new book, 'Live Learn Love Well: Lessons from a Life of Progress not Perfection' that we can all implement in our personal lives and businesses.
From puberty to preventative screenings and partnership during pregnancy, menopause and beyond, Wellstar's world-class team of women's health clinicians offers compassionate and comprehensive care for every aspect of your life. To learn more, visit wellstar.org/womenshealth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
30-05-2025
- Business Wire
Women's Health Month: Understanding How Menopause Can Impact Your Sex Life, According to a Sex & Relationships Expert
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During menopause, women undergo significant hormonal, physical, and emotional changes, many of which can have a direct impact on sexual health and relationships. These changes are natural, but they can also be challenging, especially when they go unspoken or unsupported. In recognition of Women's Health Month, Dr. Shannon Chavez, a renowned sex and relationships expert and licensed psychologist, is shedding light on how menopause affects intimacy, and why open conversations, education, and personalized care are essential for supporting women through this stage. "Just like puberty, this is a hormonal milestone that requires education, compassion, and the right tools. With support, this stage of life can lead to deeper self-awareness, empowerment, and even better sex.' 'Menopause is not the end of your sex life—it's the beginning of a new chapter,' says Dr. Chavez. 'But it's a chapter that comes with changes that women deserve to understand and navigate with confidence. Just like puberty, this is a hormonal milestone that requires education, compassion, and the right tools. With support, this stage of life can lead to deeper self-awareness, empowerment, and even better sex.' Below, Dr. Chavez shares key ways menopause can affect your sex life, as well as practical guidance for navigating these changes with confidence and care: Hormonal Shifts Can Affect Desire: A decline in estrogen and testosterone levels during menopause can lead to a noticeable drop in libido. Many women find themselves feeling less interested in sex due to hormonal changes that are entirely natural. Desire can be rekindled with intentional practices like sensate focus, sexual mindfulness, and, when appropriate, bioidentical hormone therapy. Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort: As estrogen levels drop, the vaginal walls may become thinner, dryer, and less elastic, making intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. Vaginal dryness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Luckily, over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can improve comfort and make intimacy pleasurable again. I recommend Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer and Replens Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant for effective relief. Emotional and Psychological Changes: Menopause can also bring mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and body image concerns—all of which can influence how one feels about sex and intimacy. Self-compassion, therapy, mindfulness practices, and strong communication with a partner can help women reclaim pleasure and emotional connection. Changes in Arousal: Many women notice it takes longer to become aroused or reach orgasm during and after menopause. This is due to changes in blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and lubrication. While this can be frustrating, Dr. Chavez emphasizes that slower arousal isn't something to fear or feel ashamed of. In fact, it can lead to more intentional and deeply satisfying intimacy when couples take the time to adapt their approach to pleasure. 'A satisfying sex life during and after menopause is absolutely possible, but it starts with education and honest communication,' says Dr. Chavez. 'The more you understand your body and talk openly with your partner and healthcare provider, the more empowered you'll feel to create the kind of intimacy that truly fulfills you.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wellstar proposes new hospital in Acworth
Wellstar is proposing that a new new 230-bed hospital be built in Acworth, citing the growing need in the northern part of Cobb County. The healthcare company said Thursday it had filed a letter of intent with the Georgia Department of Community Health, the first step in the process to get a certificate of need for a new hospital. The new facility would be located on Cobb Parkway across from the Wellstar Acworth Health Park. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'Wellstar is improving access to care, and this new hospital is the latest in a series of projects that do just that,' said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. Wellstar said in a statement it is expected to file a detailed certificate of need on or before June 23, which would include architectural rendering and how the hospital would serve the community's health needs. 'The area is growing so much that even when our new tower at Wellstar Kennestone opens next year, the region will need more hospital beds,' Saunders said. 'A new hospital in Acworth would fill a crucial need for the region's medical care.' Cobb County's estimated population is 787,538 as of July 1, 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau says. The population was 766,149 in the 2020 census and 688,078 in the 2010 census. RELATED STORY: Wellstar announces what they're going to do with the old Atlanta Medical Center 'Access to healthcare has been expanding throughout Cobb County, but we still have an unmet need for hospital beds in the northern portion of our county,' said Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. 'Wellstar is deeply committed to our region, and we're grateful that they recognized this need and are stepping forward with a solution.' Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood said the city's population has exploded, growing 'fivefold in ten years.' 'A hospital would be extremely beneficial to our community, and we appreciate Wellstar's willingness to meet our need,' he said. TRENDING STORIES: Tornado touches down in Henry County, 18-year-old critically injured 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car Report of person with box cutters draws large police response to Lavista Road, DeKalb police say Wellstar said it has more than $1.4 billion in major projects in the works across the state, including expanding facilities at Wellstar Kennestone, Wellstar Paulding and Wellstar Spalding. The medical center growth outside the perimeter comes after the company closed the Atlanta Medical Center in 2022. That 22-acre campus has sat vacant since the closure and will be redeveloped, Wellstar officials said last year. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Triad OB-GYN speaks on women's health
PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — May is Women's Health Month. It's devoted to empowering women to prioritize their well-being and encouraging them to take charge of their health. In the FOX8 House Call, Dr. April Miller, an OB-GYN at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, has health advice for women. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
