Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Holy Name to host its first Women’s Health Symposium Oct. 19 in Englewood Cliffs
- Event features sessions on menopause, cancer, gut and heart health, and more
- Organized by Dr. Sharyn Lewin as part of Holy Name’s 100th anniversary celebration
- Focus on empowering women through education, prevention and wellness tools
As part of an ongoing effort to improve public health outcomes, Holy Name Medical Center is planning its first free symposium on the top health concerns facing women.
The program also aims to equip attendees with tools and strategies needed to take address issues affecting their wellbeing. It is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Holy Name Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing in Englewood Cliffs.
According to the Teaneck-based health system, the event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a meditation session followed by a 1-mile nature walk around the campus.
After that, the agenda will feature breakout sessions on several topics, such as fibroids, menopause, gut health, bone density health, colorectal health, breast cancer and gynecologic cancers.
The schedule also features a keynote address on menopause from Dr. Melanie Marin, director of Mount Sinai Health System’s menopause program and certified menopause practitioner.
A lunch & learn panel led by Holy Name specialists will focus on the biggest health concerns for women in 2025: heart health, cancer care, stroke prevention, respiratory diseases and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the network. Additionally, participants will be able to pursue an exhibition area offering more expertise on a variety of health topics, Holy Name said.
The day will then conclude with a 3:15 p.m. outdoor yoga session and refreshments.
‘A day to invest in your health’
Organized by Dr. Sharyn Lewin, the symposium is part of Holy Name’s 100th anniversary celebration this year. It also coincides with the centennial of the nursing school in Englewood Cliffs, she noted.
Lewin is director of Holy Name’s division of gynecologic oncology. She designed the event to be “an inspiring and historic gathering dedicated to the health, empowerment, and wellbeing of women in the community.”
As founder, president and chief executive officer of The Lewin Fund to Fight Women’s Cancers, she has led the nonprofit in hosting several smaller health symposiums for women in the community over the past decade.
“Initiatives like the Women’s Health Symposium embody Holy Name’s mission: to lead with compassion, empower through knowledge, and continue redefining what it means to provide exceptional, person-centered care,” she said. “Events like this one bridge the gap between medical knowledge and everyday life for women. Many women face barriers to accessing health care — from lack of information and time to cultural stigma or financial limitations.”
“Outreach programs bring health care to women, meeting them where they are and empowering them with tools to take charge of their own wellbeing. Data shows women prioritize many people over themselves. This is a day to focus on their own health and wellbeing – a day to invest in your health,” she said.
Power of preventative health
Lewin stressed the importance of empowerment through education and preventative health. She also spoke on how public outreach can help close equity gaps, improve care access, foster networks of support and inform health care systems of needs.
“Many women’s health issues — like breast cancer, cervical cancer, heart disease, and diabetes — can be treated most effectively when caught early. Community events and education sessions raise awareness about symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of screenings, helping women seek care sooner,” Lewin said, adding, “One in three women will face cancer in their lifetime.
“Studies show half of these cancers can be prevented with exercise, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, staying at an ideal body weight and eating healthy. Obesity is the cause of 13 different types of cancer. Healthy diet is of paramount importance!”
