CLEVELAND, OHIO – June 5, 2025 – In celebration of its first anniversary, the Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center hosted a sold-out Women’s Health Forum at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel. The event brought together leading experts, advocates, and healthcare professionals to spotlight menopause awareness and broader women’s health issues. Notable speakers included journalist and advocate Maria Shriver and author Janice Kaplan.
Empowering Women Through Education and Dialogue
The forum commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Beri Ridgeway, Executive Vice President and Enterprise Chief of Staff at Cleveland Clinic. She emphasized the importance of addressing women’s health comprehensively, especially during midlife transitions.
Maria Shriver, founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and Chief Visionary and Strategic Advisor of the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, participated in a keynote conversation. She highlighted the intersection of menopause and brain health, calling for a more holistic view of women’s wellness that treats each individual in her totality.
Janice Kaplan added her voice to the discussion, bringing insights on the societal and cultural shifts needed to better support women going through menopause. Her remarks underscored the need to normalize open conversations about what many women still face in silence.
Addressing Menopause: Myths, Treatments, and Research
A significant portion of the forum focused on demystifying menopause. Medical experts, including Dr. Pelin Batur, Dr. Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, and Dr. Sarah Keller, led detailed discussions on a wide range of topics from hormonal therapies to managing sleep disturbances. Their sessions tackled prevalent myths and promoted evidence-based treatments tailored to individual needs.
Dr. Batur spoke about the need for personalized care plans, stressing that every woman’s journey through menopause is different. She advocated for listening to patients and involving them in the decision-making process to enhance confidence and outcomes.
Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer focused on the impact of menopause on sleep, highlighting common disruptions and offering guidance on available interventions, both medicinal and behavioral. Dr. Keller emphasized the importance of psychological wellness, noting the emotional fluctuations that can accompany hormonal changes.
Holistic Wellness: Beyond Menopause
Beyond menopause, the forum expanded its lens to cover general aspects of women’s health. Sessions addressed cardiovascular wellness, weight management, and mental well-being. Dr. Leslie Cho and Dr. Caroline Just presented on heart health and lifestyle modifications that support long-term wellness.
Panel discussions highlighted the challenges women face in balancing their health with personal and professional responsibilities. CEOs Trina Bediako, Tricia Griffith, Rebecca Liebert, and Jenny Parmentier shared personal stories and advocated for systemic changes in workplace policies that promote women’s health and flexibility.
These leaders emphasized that corporate culture must evolve to accommodate the needs of aging female employees, offering support systems such as flexible schedules, comprehensive health benefits, and open conversations about midlife changes.
Research and Future Directions
The event showcased data from recent health surveys indicating that nearly half of all women cite healthcare costs as a primary barrier to prioritizing their health. It also revealed that a significant portion of women are interested in participating in clinical trials, indicating a desire to contribute to advancing medical knowledge.
Dr. Serpil Erzurum, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Research and Academic Officer, addressed future directions for women’s health research. She called for expanded funding and greater inclusion of midlife women in clinical studies, which have historically overlooked this demographic.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Access and Resources
To extend the reach of the forum, Cleveland Clinic introduced a Digital Experience for those unable to attend in person. This platform offers recordings of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and supplementary educational materials.
The Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center reaffirmed its mission to support women through midlife and beyond. Since its launch, the center has served over 8,600 patients and conducted more than 14,000 appointments, demonstrating a commitment to closing care gaps and advancing women-centered medical practices.
As the event concluded, attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect, learn, and advocate. The forum not only celebrated a milestone but also reinforced a movement toward better, more inclusive healthcare for women at every stage of life.
