2026 Menopause is Thriving at UVA

Program Co-Chair Welcome

Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton & Dr. Carrie Sopata welcome you to this important and exciting day about menopause—an opportunity to learn, connect, and explore how we can better support women through every stage of the menopause transition. Please join us in advancing thoughtful, evidence-based care and meaningful conversations that help women thrive.

Menopause affects over 50 million women in the U.S., often leading to symptoms that can reduce quality of life, productivity, and long-term health. Despite its prevalence, menopause care is often fragmented and inconsistently delivered. As women approach menopause, they may experience symptoms and body system changes that impact both daily life and future health. This inaugural CME conference will prepare providers to educate patients about the menopause transition and beyond. Experts in women’s menopausal health and aging will address topics such as hot flashes, sleep and mood changes, brain fog, sexual dysfunction, weight management, exercise, and long-term risks including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer.

The conference will also promote collaboration among women’s health providers at UVa to advance conversation, knowledge, research, and education about menopause, ultimately improving care for women in Virginia and at UVa.

The day is partitioned into these themes:

• Perimenopause Unpacked

• Managing Risks in Gynecologic Cancer and High-Risk Breast

• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

• Critical Window for Health Optimization

1. Identify the symptoms and hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause.
2. Compare and contrast pharmacological and non-hormonal treatment options for hot flashes and night sweats.
3. Describe the neurological impact of hormone fluctuations (e.g., brain fog, sleep disruption, mood changes) and evaluate lifestyle interventions.
4. Differentiate between pain due to genitourinary syndrome of menopause, low sexual desire, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), and discuss the role of vaginal estrogen and other appropriate therapies.
5. Evaluate the safety, risks, and benefits of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), including precise prescribing guidelines for estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone used off label.
6. Select appropriate non-hormonal prescription treatments, both FDA approved and off label, and lifestyle modalities based on individual patient profiles.
7. Apply evidence-based screening and treatment strategies for the prevention of bone loss and osteoporosis.
8. Differentiate metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors that escalate during the menopause transition, and implement primary prevention paradigms and understand the role of testing to stratify risks.
9. Identify metabolic changes and implement evidence-based lifestyle and pharmaceutical strategies for weight management and body composition shifts.
10. Synthesize symptom management, risk assessment, and patient-centered counseling into comprehensive, personalized care plans.
11. Utilize up-to-date resources to dispel common myths, address misinformation, and improve patient counseling and shared decision-making.

*Scholarship opportunity for Students/Residents: please complete this Qualtrics survey to be considered for a $50 scholarship to cover registration costs. Reach out to Kara Watts at [email protected] with questions. 

Call for Abstracts & Submission Guidelines:

The UVA Menopause Symposium committee invites you to share your scholarship in our poster session. Abstracts must be submitted using this Qualtrics Survey.

The deadline for submission is September 18, 2026. Posters will be displayed during the conference; there will be no oral presentations. Awards for best overall poster, as well as special recognition for best student first author and best community or patient advocacy centered study aim will be announced during the conclusion of the conference day.

The Abstract Review Committee will use a blinded, peer-reviewed evaluation process where two to three independent members grade submissions on pre-defined specific criteria and strict formatting guidelines. Each presenting author may submit one abstract for consideration. You may be an author on more than one submission as long as each submission has a different presenting author.

We are permitting “encore” presentations for work previously presented in the last year but they will not be eligible for the best poster competition.

Format for Abstract:

• Title

• Introduction

• Objective(s)

• Methods

• Results/Data

• Conclusion/Discussion

• References

The work limit of 500 words does not include authors or references. Please do NOT put authors names or institution in the submitted abstract document that you upload as part of the Qualtrics submission to allow a blinded review process.

Criteria for Abstract grading:

Approach/Design: Does the study design help answer the objectives?  Are the methodologies and analytic approach strong and match the study aims? Do the study conclusions flow from the results? Are study limitations recognized? 

Clarity, Data & Analysis: : Is the study presented in a clear and easily understandable manner? Are the goals of the science, the findings, and the interpretation readily accessible to the audience? Are the results clearly analyzed, with adequate sample sizes and statistical data rather than vague speculations.  Are the conclusions drawn should be supported by the study findings?

Relevance: Does the study have clinical utility and practical application for healthcare professionals and/or women in midlife.

Innovation/Originality:  Does the study provide novel ideas, paradigm shifts, or unique advances to current research or clinical practice in the field of menopause or midlife women’s health?

UVA Health CE Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests received in writing no less than 30 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received within 30 days or for registration fees of less than $50.  Please send cancellation requests [email protected]. UVA Health Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel CE activities if necessary.  In this case, the entire registration fee will be refunded.  All other expenses incurred in conjunction with this CE activity are the sole responsibility of the participant.

Physicians
UVA Health Continuing Education designates this live activity for a maximum of  7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^TM Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
UVA Health Continuing Education awards up to 7.25 contact hour(s) for nurses who participate in this educational activity and complete the post activity evaluation.

Hours of Participation
UVA Health Continuing Education awards 7.25 hours of participation (consistent with the designated number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM  or ANCC contact hours) to a participant who successfully completes this educational activity. UVA Health Continuing Education maintains a record of participation for six (6) years.

Details coming soon.

Thank you to the conference Scientific Chair, Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, Division Director for Midlife Health at the University of Virginia, and course Co-Chair, Dr. Carrie Sopata, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Virginia, for leading the efforts in creating this engaging education event.

To read a faculty biography, select the name below.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

UVA Health Continuing Education adheres to the Joint Accreditation Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

To view financial disclosures, select the faculty name below. 

Anita H Clayton, MD
Wilford W. Spradlin Professor and Chair
University of Virginia
Gordonsville, VA

Paola Gehrig, MD, FACOG, FACS
W. Norman Thornton, Jr., Professor and Chair
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Vanessa H Gregg, MD, MBA
Division Director of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Suzanne Jan de Beur, MD
Chief, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
University of Virgnina
Charlottesville, VA

Carol A Manning, PhD, ABPP
Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of Neurology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Jennifer Payne, MD
Professor and Vice Chair of Research
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

JoAnn V Pinkerton, MD, MSCP, FACOG
The Women’s Midlife Health and Mamie Jessup Professor
University of Virginia Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Charlottesville, VA

Tamara Pringle, MD
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UVA Health System
Midlothian, VA

Dana L Redick, MD, MSCP
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Kari L Ring, MD
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Virignia
Charlottesville, VA

Patricia Rodriguez-Lozano, MD, MS, FACC, FSCCT
Director of UVA Health Women’s Heart Care
University of Virginia
Keswick, VA

Carrie Sopata, MD,MPH
Associate Professor
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Catherine Varney, DO
Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Stephanie Zuo, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Friday, October 16, 2026

Copy of Exhibit Opportunities 

Copy of Promotion & Exhibit Agreement

W-9

*Non-profit and community entities - reach out to Kara Watts at [email protected] to discuss exhibit table opportunities. 

The exhibit fee is $2,000 for one (1) 6’ table, two (2) company representatives, and meals and breaks with faculty and learners.

Sponsor a breakfast for $3000. This includes a 30-minute non-accredited presentation by a speaker of your choice, sponsorship listed on conference materials, additional signage by the buffet tables, as well as 1 registration to enter the education space for the full day.

Please note that you must have registered for an exhibit table in order to be eligible to sponsor the breakfast; the breakfast is an optional add-on during the registration process.

In fairness, the first to register for the breakfast reserves the opportunity, though please note that the conference planners are hoping to have one of these suggested topics: nuts and bolts of GLP-1s, progestin IUD & perimenopause, vaso-motor symptoms and non-hormone options, bone loss at menopause, post-menopausal bone health, or GSM.

Thank you for your support of this conference!