BENNINGTON, Vt. — This February, Southwestern  Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) will host four webinars focused on a range of public health topics designed for women in the community.

In this webinar series, women will gain knowledge and skills aimed at improving their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing from knowledgeable community partners.

"Healthy women are an integral part of a healthy community," said Rory Price, SVMC's coordinator of Population Health. "We are thrilled to provide opportunities for learning, sharing, and discussion, all within a judgment-free environment."

The webinar series will be held 6 – 7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays over the course of two weeks beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 16. All are free. Interested individuals are invited to sign-up for the series or just the sessions that interest them. Those interested in attending should visit svhealthcare.org/classes-events to register.

"This webinar series will be especially useful for any woman currently navigating a substance use disorder," said Lindsay Spitz, a SVMC's AmeriCorps VISTA fellow, who is organizing the event. "Though we are confident that the series offers something for every woman in our community."

Each session will feature mini-lectures led by dedicated medical staff and community partners, followed by a short question-and-answer session with the evening's presenters. The series will also feature an opioid education component, including a Narcan administration training. Topics include:

Sexual Health 101
6 – 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021
Speakers include Kelsey Dueland of the Project Against Violent Encounters (PAVE); a local provider from Planned Parenthood, Bennington Health Center; and Kimberley Sampson, MD, of SVMC OB/GYN. They will cover sexual and reproductive health for women and address relationship dynamics, sexual health, and long-term contraception in a series of mini-lectures.

Opioid Safety
6 – 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021
Speakers Julea Larsen, of the Turning Point Center of Bennington County, and Sue Conely of AIDS Project of Southern Vermont (APSV), will demonstrate NARCAN administration and share information on syringe services. This session will be especially useful to any woman currently navigating Opioid Use Disorder, whether it be her own or that of a loved one.

Social Health 101
6 – 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Speakers including Stephanie MacCrea of the Vermont Department of Health; Shelly Faris of BROC; Wendy Callert of the Vermont Association of Business, Industry, and Rehabilitation (VABIR);  Wendy Morse of the Vermont Department of Labor; Kara Pallman of the Vermont Department of Children and Families Economic Services Division; and Maria Burt of Vocational Rehabilitation of Vermont in Bennington, will address food access and nutrition, employment, and financial literacy in a series of mini-lectures.

Opioid Recovery
6 – 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2021
Speakers including Pamela Aulicino, MSN, RN, of Southwestern Vermont Healthcare and Vermont Blueprint for Health; Themarge Small, MD, of SVMC OB/GYN; and Julea Larsen of the Turning Point Center of Bennington County will cover recovery resources available to local women. Together, they will discuss pregnancy and OUD, medically assisted therapy (MAT), and community recovery resources in a series of mini-lectures. This session will be useful to women looking to begin their recovery journey, especially expectant mothers.

Those interested in attending should visit svhealthcare.org/classes-events to register.

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