PRESS RELEASE

Signature event on advancing women’s health to be hosted by Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and HealthyWomen.org

Registration now open for the Women’s Health Innovation and Leadership Showcase -- an event fostering provocative discussion, best practice sharing and networking.

NEW YORK, NY — February 13, 2015 —Today, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Metro chapter and HealthyWomen.org announced the full agenda, speakers and sponsors for their upcoming Women's Healthcare Innovation and Leadership Showcase (WHILS), which is being held on March 24, 2015, at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has provided founding sponsorship for this 2nd WHILS event, which will gather more than 350 professionals from all areas of healthcare to assess our most critical challenges and discuss opportunities for innovation and impact in women’s healthcare. Presenting sponsors, Tonix Pharmaceuticals and Inverse Mobile, have also made significant contributions to support WHILS 2015.

Registration is now available on the HBA website at

WHILS 2015 is a half-day program with keynote talk, two panel discussions featuring leading experts, and exhibits curated for diversity and impact in advancing women’s healthcare along four key strategies of basic and clinical research, medical practice, health literacy and healthcare access. Speakers, exhibits and attendees for this program will represent the spectrum of healthcare, ranging from advocacy, academia and clinical practice, to the healthcare products industry and payers.

Everyone interested in advancing women’s healthcare is invited to share ideas and follow pre-meeting discussions on Twitter via #WHILS.

WHILS 2015 – Program Agenda

Keynote talk by WHILS 2015 honorary chair: Charting the Future of Women’s Healthcare

Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the New York University Langone Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health

Panel I: Transforming Health Research and Practice in Women

Moderator: Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS,Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

Margaret Kemeny, MD, Queens Cancer Center of Queens Hospital

Theresa Devins, DrPH, MS, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jessie Jacob, MD, GE Healthcare.

Rain Henderson, Clinton Foundation Health Matters Initiative

Panel II:Empowering Women through Health Literacy and Access

Moderator: Margaret Columbia-Walsh, Inverse Mobile

Barbara Glickstein, MPh, MS, RN, Center for Health Media and Policy, CUNY/Hunter College

Penney Cowan, American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)

Cara James, PhD, Office of Minority Health, CMS

Anula Jayasuriya, MD, PhD, MBA, Evolvence India Life Science Fundand EXXClaim Capital

"The 2015 HBA Metro chapter programming theme is about reaching higher, pushing the envelope personally and professionally, and driving the healthcare industry forward” said HBA Metro chapter president, Susan Ostrowski, executive vice president, The Female Health Company. “The Women's Healthcare Innovation and Leadership Showcase is the embodiment of that theme, bringing together leaders in their respective fields, demonstrating the innovations in thinking, treatment, technologies and services that will grow the industry and create a better future for everyone. The collaboration with HealthyWomen allows WHILS to reach a broader audience, enhances the content of the program, and provides for increased business development activity."

“This forum on advancing women’s healthcare is a priority endeavor that exemplifies the mission of HealthyWomen and our work in education and advocacy,” said Beth Battaglino, CEO and president of HealthyWomen. “It’s so important that women have access to the best research, industry experts, knowledge and tools to increase the impact of informed care and create a better sense of health and wellness for themselves and their families.”

Thank you to our WHILS Sponsors:

Founding sponsor: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Presenting sponsors: Tonix Pharmaceuticals and Inverse Mobile
Platinum sponsors: Campbell Alliance/inVentiv Health and Insigniam
Gold sponsor: Quality Health/Sharecare

Silver sponsor: Rx4goodandThe Female Health Company

Specific offering sponsor: MedShadow

In-kind sponsors: Boehringer IngelheimPharmaceuticals,Inc, Chandler Chicco Companies, BioNJ, Working Mother Magazine, Makovsky

Sponsorship and advertising requests will be received by Lauren Peck at . Exhibitor applications can be processed through the exhibitor application site at and the deadline is February 13, 2015. If your application is accepted, exhibit fees must be received by February 27, 2015.

For more information on the showcase, visit the HBA Metro chapter website or contact Mary H. Sylvester, chair of the program at .

About the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) is the premier catalyst for the leadership development of women in healthcare worldwide, with the goal to advance the impact of women in healthcare. The HBA has a global membership of over 7,000 with 15 local chapters who deliver leading edge programming. The HBA Metro chapter is the largest chapter, with over 1,650 members in CT, NY and NJ. The HBA provides: networking forums to build relationships; knowledge-sharing and access to thought leaders to broaden perspective; educational programs to develop leadership skills and cutting edge industry knowledge; and recognition of outstanding women and companies to promote visibility of their achievements. The HBA has 100 Corporate Partners. It is widely recognized as the catalyst for leadership development of women in healthcare worldwide. Website:

About HealthyWomen.org

HealthyWomen partners with organizations, associations and corporations interested in women's health to increase awareness of health and wellness issues. HealthyWomen also regularly conducts national, multi-faceted public education campaigns to promote women's health and well-being and works closely with health care professionals and the media to expand the reach and depth of its public education programs Website:

For more information on the Showcase, visit the HBA Metro chapter website or Healthywomen.org

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Contacts:

Mary H. Sylvester, PhD, LSSMBB

HBA Metro chapter WHILSevent director

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
O: 203-798-4501 (no voicemail); C: 972-971-9819

Michelle Sawatka-Fernandez

Director, creative strategybusiness development at Healthywomen.org

C: 917-428-1321

Lauren Peck

Manger, meetings and events administration, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

O: 973-582-1980