What Every Woman Should Know About Cancer – Getting screened for cancer can save your life.  How do you make sense of all the options? Learn what experts have to say about the newest research and how it can affect you.  Panelists will discuss the different screening and treatment options available and how it can affect you.

Moderator:

Susan Bass Levin - Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

Panelists:

• Dr. Generosa Grana - Director of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey , Cooper University Hospital
• Lareatha Payne - Vice President, Sisters Network of Central New Jersey
• Dr. Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez - Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
• Anne Travisano, RN, BSN - Public Health Nursing Supervisor, Westfield Regional Health Department

Follow Your Heart: Understanding Heart Disease – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women.  Learn the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, and how to reduce your chances of heart disease.

Moderator: Ellen Karcher – State Senator, District 12

Panelists:

• Letitia G. Colombi - Mayor, Haddonfield Borough
• Dr. Sharon Henry - Vice President of Global Medical Affairs, Cardiovasculars & Metabolics, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Dr. Marcia Liu - General Cardiologist, Monmouth Cardiology Association, Meridian Health System
• Carolyn Strimike - MSN, RN, APN-C, The Women’s Heart Center at St. Joseph’s

Dealing With Maternal Depression: Speak Up When You’re Down
Featuring Guest Speaker Mary Jo Codey
Former First Lady of the State of New Jersey, Educator and Advocate – Mary Jo Codey, former First Lady of the State of New Jersey, will provide insight into maternal mental health issues by sharing her personal experiences with depression during and/or after both of her pregnancies. She’ll talk about how those experiences led her and her husband, Senator and former Governor Richard Codey, to become activists with regard to maternal mental health issues.

Moderator:

Susan Bass Levin - Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

Healthcare Advocacy for Seniors – Women have unique healthcare needs.  Participants will discuss healthcare issues for senior women, how to navigate the various benefit systems available to seniors, and how to advocate for themselves and their needs.  

Moderator:

Joan Quigley - Assemblywoman, District 32

Panelists:

• Dr. Anita Chopra - Professor of Medicine and Director of Education and Clinical Programs, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging
• Heather Howard - Policy Counsel, Office of the Governor
• Trish Morris-Yamba - Executive Director, Newark Day Center
• Winifred V. Quinn, Ph.D. - Associate State Director of Health Advocacy, AARP New Jersey

Women & Disability – Help is out there for individuals and families coping with disabilities.  Experts in the disability field will explain how to navigate the variety of services available for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Moderator:

Marge Della Vecchia - Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Panelists:

• Paulette Eberle - Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, New Jersey CitizenAction
• Venus D. Majeski - Director of Development & Community Relations, Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County
• Elizabeth Shea - Deputy Director, Division of Developmental Disability Advocacy, Office of the Public Advocate
• Suzanne Smeltzer, Ed.D., RN - Professor at Villanova University College of Nursing
• Jen Velez - Deputy Commissioner for Family and Community Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services