"Strong Women!" is the focus of this year's annual OHSU Center for Women's Health Conference scheduled for Saturday, May 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center. The keynote speaker, Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., is the author of the international best-sellers: "Strong Women Stay Young"; "Strong Women Stay Slim"; "Strong Women, Strong Bones"; "Strong Women Eat Well"; and "Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis." She will talk about strengthening every aspect of your health and wellness. Nelson lectures about women's health around the world and is the director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Friedman School of Science and Policy, Tufts University.

The conference features cutting-edge information about women's health, including the latest on heart health, strong bones, nutrition, diabetes risk factors for different ethnic groups, food and moods, women's cancers, healthy skin stress reduction, fitness, herbs and supplements, getting a good night's sleep, and how to successfully conquer the down times in our lives.

Speakers include:

• Stephanie Anderson, M.D., "A Template for Wellness" -- secrets for a long and healthy life. Anderson is assistant dean, Office of Minority Affairs, and assistant professor of medicine (general internal medicine and geriatrics), OHSU School of Medicine.
• Lyn Jacobs, M.D., "Why You May Be at Risk for Diabetes" -- why diabetes is more common in African-Americans, Latinos, American Indians, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Jacobs is a physician with the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in Cornelius, Ore.
• Rosa Colquitt, Ph.D., "The Seasons of Our Lives: Growing Stronger Through Transitions" -- how to successfully conquer the down times in your life. Colquitt is the special assistant to the Provost, OHSU. Colquitt has spent more than 10 years studying change and transition and its relationship to health consequences.
• Eric Orwoll, M.D., "Strong Bones for Life" -- what you can do to make and keep strong bones. He is a professor of medicine (endocrinology, diabetes and clinical nutrition), and assistant dean for research, OHSU School of Medicine; and director, OHSU Clinical Research Center.
• Anne Rosenfeld, R.N., C.N.S., Ph.D., "A Woman's Heart: It's Different" -- how to recognize and respond to heart attack symptoms. She is an associate professor, OHSU School of Nursing.
• Wendy Kohatsu, M.D., "Nutrition and Diet Sense" -- a new look at nutrition and popular diets in the news, and "Food and Moods," the key connections. Kohatsu is an assistant professor of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine.

"This is our ninth year for the women's conference. We focus on what's current, what's in the future, what women want to hear concerning their health. Women want to take charge of their own health and wellness, and this conference helps us to do that, and it's a fun day," said Wendy Mitchell, program manager, OHSU Center for Women's Health. The conference was created and is planned every year by two women community volunteers and civic leaders, Mary Wilcox and Gainor Arzt.

Besides speakers, there will be short Nia sessions. In Swahili Nia means "with purpose." It also stands for neuromuscular integrative action. It is a fitness and healing session using practical and diverse movements. A vegetarian lunch also is included in the $35 fee.

Reservations can be made by phone at 503 494-0712 or online at
www.OHSUwomenshealth.com. It's advisable to make reservations soon. Last year's conference sold out weeks before the event.

The OHSU Center for Women's Health was named a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health for its innovative and effective approach to care. The center offers a comprehensive model of care that treats the whole woman -- meeting her physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological needs.