News

The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) will host its 13th annual Women’s Health Conference on Friday, 7 March 2025, at the Hotel Indigo.

With the theme, “Women’s Reproductive Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach,” this year’s conference will focus on the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in advancing women’s health. The conference will feature presentations on cutting-edge topics, including:

• Optimising outcomes: The synergistic role of external beam radiation and brachytherapy in gynecologic cancers
• Cervical cancer updates: Emerging paradigms and innovative treatment
• Uterine transposition and beyond: Advances in gynecologic surgery
• Role of the social worker in women’s reproductive healthcare
• Implementation of an integrated multidisciplinary follow-up program for gestational diabetes patients using NICE guidelines
• Sickle cell disease in maternal health: The Caribbean experience
• Labour of Love: Role of the partner
• Understanding female physiology
• Women’s reproductive mental health across the lifespan
• Emerging therapies in gynecology and women’s health
• Pitfalls in gynecology imaging: Case presentations
• Sexual dysfunction in women and men: Insights from a gynaecologist and endocrinologist
• Innovations in gynecologic cancer screening

“This year's theme reflects the essential need for collaboration in the field of women's healthcare to better serve women in our community and region," stated Consultant Gynaecologist at HSA and Chairperson of the event's organising committee, Dr. Gilbertha Alexander. “By bringing together experts from various disciplines, we aim to improve patient outcomes and empower women with the latest developments in reproductive health so they can make more informed decisions regarding their care. We also encourage healthcare professionals attending this event to view it as an opportunity to reflect on how they can strengthen collaboration within their own organisations, as well as at the community, regional, and global levels.”

The annual conference is held in recognition of International Women’s Day (March 8), a global celebration of women's achievements, that also serves as a call to action of gender equality and women's rights. The 2025 International Women’s Day theme, "Accelerate Action," highlights the urgency of addressing gender equality and health disparities.

“Women's healthcare is continuously evolving, and so is our commitment to ensuring that women in the Cayman Islands and beyond have access to the best care and information available,” said HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood. “We have moved the event from its previous location to a larger venue to accommodate growing interest. This tremendous growth in attendance highlights the vital need for education, information-sharing, and collaboration between the private and public sectors. We are excited to welcome an even larger audience this year.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Women’s Health Conference has expanded significantly, with last year’s event drawing over 350 attendees and filling all available spots within just one day. The move to the Hotel Indigo will allow for additional participation from the medical community, including over 20 sponsors and exhibitors, and the public.

The full-day event is free of charge, thanks to the generous support of sponsors including:

• Title Sponsor: Health Services Authority (HSA)
• Gold Sponsors: Baptist Health, Doctor's Hospital, CINICO, OceanMed
• Silver Sponsors: Cayman First, Britcay

Although registration is at capacity, the event will be available for online viewing at a later date. For the event agenda and updates, visit: https://www.hsa.ky/events-classes/womens-health-conference.