Artwork by Laura Diaz
First Women & Children's health Conference
Warwick, Rhode Island—Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts Networks of Las Comadres Para Las Americas hosted the First Women & Children's Health Conference on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Warwick Public Library, located at 600 Sandy Lane in Warwick, RI 02889.
Attendance was open and free to everyone interested in learning about the ailments currently impacting women and children. Our goal is to facilitate specialists in their respective fields to enlighten the community about diseases such as the human papilloma virus/cervical-vaginal cancer, MRSA, normal sleep and related disorders, HIV, effects of stress on women’s quality of life, and breast cancer.
Dr. Alice Bonitati, a Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine specialist from University Medicine Foundation, Lifespan, and Dr. Trevor Tejada, Gynecologic Oncologist and Obstetrician from Women & Infants Hospital were the Keynote Speakers.
Members of Las Comadres from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including National and International founder, President and CEO of Las Comadres, Nora de Hoyos Comstock Ph.D. were invited to attend. Nora comes from Austin, Texas and started the national level organization due to her deep desire to connect on a personal level with other Latinas in the Austin community, and to build and maintain her cultural heritage and empower Latinas through community building, culture, learning, networking and technology.
Ana Arelys Cruz, Rhode Island Network Coordinator, has been in the medical field for many years, understands the need to inform the community about the ailments that are currently affecting women & children. She believes that women play a major role in society, especially with issues concerning the well-being of their families and the community. Evelyn Reyes and Karla Jaramillo, Massachusetts Coordinators, joined this effort because they understand the importance of educating the community about the health issues that affect them.
Las Comadres networks are present in over 70 cities with more than 10,000 members connected via e-mail networks, monthly face to face/potluck events in each city, book clubs, and teleconferences.
Event Details:
1:15 p.m. Opening remarks, Nora Comstock, Ph.D.
1:20 p.m. HIV-Impact on women, Celia Lescano, MD, Lifespan
1:45 p.m. A two time breast cancer survivor chronicle, Carol Barber
2:00 p.m. MRSA-Effect on Children, Dr.Solange Santana
2:35 p.m. Normal Sleep and Sleep Disorders, Alice Bonitati, MD, Lifespan
3:05 p.m. HPV/Cervical Cancer/Vaginal Cancer, Trevor Tejada, MD, Women & Infants Hospital
4:00 p.m. Stress-Influence on women’s quality of life, Cristiana Rosa, PCNS, NAHN, O.S Chapter Founder
4:30 p.m. Closing Remarks, Evelyn Reyes, Karla Jaramillo, Ana Arelys Cruz, Boston and Providence Coordinators