โ€œFighting Disparities in Women’s Healthโ€”2004โ€ is the theme of the 16th Annual W.F.B. James Symposium in Obstetrics and Gynecology to be held Friday, April 2 at Meharry. The one-day, physician-education event will be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Compton-Nelson Auditorium of the S.S. Kresge Learning Resources Center on Albion Street between Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard and 21st Avenue North.

Participating physicians will gain knowledge of how to utilize current changes in medical education and apply them to the health care of women.

โ€œThe Future of Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology: The Probable Impact on the Health Care of Underserved Womenโ€ is the subject of the keynote Carr A Treherne Heritage Lecture presented by Sterling Williams, M.D., vice president of education of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington.

Other sessions will cover topics on identifying patient risk for urinary incontinence, the impact of socio-economic factors on perinatal outcomes, modern management of hormone therapy, factors affecting perimenopausal symptoms in hysterectomies, female pelvic floor dysfunction and disparities among women with HIV.

The symposium offers continuing medical and nursing education credits. Further details, including registration fees, are available at the Meharry Medical College Web site, www.mmc.edu, or by calling 615-327-6284.

Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent historically black institution dedicated solely to educating health science professionals. Since its founding in 1876, it has been a leading educator of African-American physicians, dentists and biomedical scientists. Black Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as the top educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences. The College is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce.

In Tennessee, the Office of Minority Health recognizes that raising the awareness level about life-threatening illnesses and increasing access to affordable, available culturally competent health services is the first step in elimination of health disparities. For more information on Minority Health Month in Tennessee, contact the Office of Minority Health at 615-741-9443 or toll free 1-877-606-0089.