CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

Our 30^th Annual Conference on Challenges in Gynecology is designed for physicians, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals who face ever-increasing challenges in the clinical diagnoses, treatment options, and new technologies involved in caring for the female patient. Covering a wide array of topics, our expert faculty will discuss the latest evidence-based advancements in gynecology, present emerging clinical data, and provide skills and strategies for application and implementation into your practice. This educational activity aims to increase learner knowledge, improve the competence and performance of all attendees, and contribute to their ability to work together as part of a coordinated healthcare team.

Topics for this year’s conference have been selected based on the educational needs underlying identified professional practice gaps. The gaps were derived from a variety of sources including evaluations and outcomes data from past participants, clinical expert input, Symposia Medicus’ online survey, and other medical and nursing data such as current clinical guidelines, research findings, literature reviews, and patient safety considerations.

An outstanding faculty has been assembled for this conference. Each faculty member was selected based on their individual area of expertise and ability to communicate current, evidence-based, and practical information to participants.

The conference format includes didactic lectures, question and answer sessions, and case studies. Following a group of lectures, the question and answer sessions allow attendees to ask the faculty critical and challenging questions about caring for patients during various gynecologic situations.
 

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

As a result of participating in this conference, you should have increased knowledge and enhanced competence to…

• Identify at least four risk factors for breast cancer
• Recognize the difference between contact and irritant vulvar dermatitis
• Offer newer treatment options for menopause
• Describe hormonal effects on migraine headaches
• Prescribe treatment options for common causes of infectious vaginitis

Enrollment for this conference is limited in order to provide the best possible learning environment.
Early registration is advised.

You can register and receive conference lodging group rates in the following ways:

• Online via this website (unless otherwise directed) OR:
   
• Call (925) 969-1789 Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm (Pacific Time), with
   Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover; OR
   
• By mail; make check payable to Symposia Medicus and send along with registration form to:
  399 Taylor Blvd., Suite 102, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-2287

Conference registration will be confirmed via email

Please call (925) 969-1789 for additional questions or information.

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS

After attending this conference, participants are entitled to a certificate of credit which will be available online. Successful completion of this activity is determined by attending the live activity, reviewing the educational session materials, and submitting the case studies test, evaluations, surveys, and verification of attendance form. Each participant should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

ACCREDITATION

This accredited continuing education activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME and ANCC Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

Symposia Medicus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Symposia Medicus is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Physicians
Symposia Medicus designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This ACE activity was developed with standards to address California Assembly Bill (AB) 1195 cultural and linguistic competency (CLC) and CA AB 241 implicit bias (IB) to reduce health disparities. Please refer to the accreditation page on our website for resources.

ACOG
Application has been made with the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) for cognates, Formal Learning. Please check our website for updated credit information.

AAFP
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending. Please check our website for updated credit information.

Certified Nurse Midwives
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) accepts Category 1 CME approval from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Physician Associates
NCCPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician associates may receive a maximum of 12 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurse Practitioners/Nurses
The ANCC contact hours awarded for completion of this conference are 12.

Provider is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP2335, for 14.4 contact hours.

Pharmacists
The California Board of Pharmacy accepts as continuing professional education those courses that meet the standard of relevance to pharmacy practice and have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Pharmacotherapeutic CEUs for Nurses
This activity is designated for a maximum of 3.25 pharmacotherapeutic credits towards meeting the requirement for nursing pharmacology continuing education. Sessions awarding pharmacotherapeutic credits are denoted with an Rx in the schedule. Please contact your state’s Board of Nursing for specific educational requirements as they may vary state to state.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Consistent with ACCME and ANCC guidelines, it is the policy of Symposia Medicus to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Prior to the planning of this educational activity, all individuals in a position to influence and/or control the content of continuing education activities have been asked to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Symposia Medicus will also ensure that any and all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies will be mitigated before the conference commences. Beyond disclosure and mitigation of relevant financial relationships, faculty are required to disclose when they plan to discuss pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices that are not approved by the FDA and/or medical or surgical procedures that involve an unapproved or “off-label” use of an approved device or pharmaceutical. Symposia Medicus is committed to providing learners with commercially unbiased continuing education activities. This information is intended to assist learners in forming their own judgments about the content presented. Disclosure information will be included in the educational session materials for this activity and speakers will provide a disclosure slide for each presentation, which they will also disclose verbally on site.

CONFERENCE LODGING INFORMATION

Symposia Medicus has conference group rates at the New York Hilton Midtown.

These special rates will only be available until Thursday, November 21, 2024 and will only be available after that date on a space and rate available basis. We recommend you reserve your lodging as soon as possible, as rooms at the conference group rates are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Rooms may sell out and/or room rates may increase prior to the release date.
 

NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6078
(Located on 6^th Avenue between West 53^rd and West 54^th Streets)
Phone: 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667)

Hotel accommodations are in high demand in New York City during the holiday season

RESERVE EARLY – HOTEL ROOMS AT CONFERENCE GROUP RATES SELL OUT FAST!
 

To make your reservation, please click here

Or you can call (800) 445-8667. YOU MUST REFER TO group code SYMPO TO RECEIVE CONFERENCE GROUP RATES.

These group rates will also be available three days before and three days after the conference (based on availability) if you wish to extend your stay.
 

City Room (Floors 5-33)
Single/Double Occupancy - $399/night
Features a single king or two double beds, 55-inch television, on-demand entertainment, spacious work area, two telephones with voicemail, and in-room WiFi capabilities.

Skyline Rooms (Floors 34-43)
(Very limited, please reserve early)
Single/Double Occupancy - $439/night
Skyline Rooms are on higher floors of the hotel and include the same features as the City Rooms as well as upgraded bath amenities, and access to the Executive Lounge, located on the lobby level. The lounge features daily continental breakfast, and continuous coffee and tea service.

By booking your lodging using the Symposia Medicus group rates, the following items are included: Complimentary guestroom internet, complimentary access to the fitness center, a 15% discount at Herb n’ Kitchen in the hotel, and double HHonors points for all HHonors members.

• A deposit equal to one night’s room & tax is due to the hotel with major credit card upon making your reservation. Each guestroom must have at least one registered guest 21 years of age or older.
   
  
• Above conference group rates are per room, per night and do not include the following (subject to change):
  - 8.875% New York State Sales Tax
  - 5.875% City Tax
  - $2.00 Occupancy Tax
  - $1.50 Javits Center Fee
   
  
• Maximum guest occupancy, regardless of age:
  - up to 4 guests with two double beds
  - up to 3 guests with king (with sofa bed)
   
  
• Mandatory 3^rd & 4^th additional adult charge (19 years & older) is $20 each, per night and will be added to the nightly room rate
   
  
• Children 18 years & younger are complimentary in room with an adult – not to exceed stated maximum occupancy
   
  
• Bed Type Requests: You can select one or two beds; however, requests cannot be guaranteed until check-in
   
  
• Rollaway Beds & Cribs: Rollaway beds are not offered as all king bed rooms include a sofa bed. Cribs are complimentary (subject to availability and change).
   
  
• Check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is noon. Guests arriving prior to 3:00pm will be accommodated as rooms become available.
   
  
• A 30-minute break has been allotted in our conference schedule on the last day for those of who need to check-out
   
  
• Early Departure Fee: Please confirm your scheduled departure date with the hotel at check-in. An early departure fee equal to one night’s room and tax will be charged to any guest who checks out of the hotel before their confirmed departure date.
   
  
• Credit/Debit Card Policy: Upon check-in, the hotel requires a credit card or debit card to ensure that funds are available. Holds are placed on your account for $75 per day for your entire stay for incidentals; however, the amount may be immediately deducted from your account. The length of time for which these holds remain on your credit or debit account varies from bank to bank.
   
  
• Parking: The hotel only offers valet parking at $85/sedan and $100 for SUV and oversized vehicles, NO in/out privileges. There are other parking garages within walking distance of the hotel (prices may vary). All rates are subject to change.
   
  
• Hotel Cancellation Policy: Hotel cancellations must be made directly with the hotel at least 72 hours prior to your confirmed arrival date. After this date, the deposit of one night plus tax will be forfeited.

• Conference cancellations must be made in writing (via email) to Symposia Medicus and a refund, less a 10% processing fee, will be given. No refunds will be made if cancellation is received after November 8, 2024; however, tuition, less a 10% processing fee, may be applied to a future Symposia Medicus conference.
   
  
• All cancellations must be emailed to registrar@symposiamedicus.org by the dates stated above.
   
  
• In the unlikely event of conference cancellation by Symposia Medicus, full tuition refunds will be made. Symposia Medicus will not be responsible for refunding travel or any other expenses.

Each registrant will have online access to educational session materials. The educational session materials will be available for download approximately one week prior to the conference (you’ll receive an email with instructions).

If you are unable to attend this conference, you may purchase an electronic copy of the educational session materials one week after the conference. Please email publications@symposiamedicus.org for more information.

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

You can fly into LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which is approximately 25 minutes from the hotel; John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), which is approximately 45 minutes from the hotel; or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is approximately one hour from the hotel.

Symposia Medicus has arranged for discount fares with Alaska, Delta, and United Airlines for this conference. Reservations can be made either through your travel agency or through the airlines at the website or Convention Desk numbers listed below.

In order to receive the discounted rate, you or your travel agent must refer to the Symposia Medicus Group ID number listed here.
 

Alaska Airlines
For discounts on Alaska Airlines flights, please book online at www.alaskaair.com and click on the link “Use Discount Code,” located at the bottom of the “Book Flights” box. Once you click on this link, another page will appear. On this page, you will need to insert ECMK425 in the “Discount Code” box, located at the right hand side of the page.
Blackout Dates: December 13-19, 2024

Delta Airlines
For discounts on Delta Airlines, please visit www.delta.com, enter in your travel plans and then click on the “Advanced Search” link located below the “Passenger” box. Once you click on this link, a panel will appear and you will need to insert NY35Z in the “Meeting Code” box.
For questions, please call the Delta Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 328-1111.

United Airlines
For discounts on United Airlines, please visit www.united.com and click on Advanced Search, located on the bottom left corner of the “Book Travel” box. Once you click on this link, another page will appear. At the bottom of this page, you will insert ZNQA939938 in the “Promotions and Certificates” box at the end of the page. For questions, please call the United Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 426-1122.
 

GROUND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
 

OPTION 1 - Taxis

Taxis can be found outside the airport terminal. Depending the airport, the cost is approximately $85-120 each way (subject to change).
 

OPTION 2 – UBER OR LYFT

• www.uber.com
   
• www.lyft.com
   

OPTION 3 - PARKING AT HOTEL

The hotel only offers valet parking at $85/sedan and $100/SUV and oversized vehicles, NO in/out privileges. There are other parking garages within walking distance of the hotel (prices may vary). All rates are subject to change.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Manhattan is exciting at any time of the year, but in December, when the holiday season activities are at their peak, it is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Few places in the world have the magnetism and thrilling pace of New York City, and our conference will be held right in the heart of it all. Conveniently located in midtown Manhattan, the New York Hilton Midtown is just a short walk away from Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Diamond District, Times Square, and Central Park. Our beautiful hotel makes this weekend in New York appealing, and the outstanding theater, opera, and other live performances throughout the holiday season make it even more enticing.

Come visit The Big Apple, where you are sure to enjoy our exciting 30^th Annual Conference on Challenges in Gynecology in the exhilarating surroundings of New York City.

HOTEL INFORMATION

New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) New York, NY 10019
Phone: (800) 445-8667

• Hotel's Website
• Local Area Information
   
  

CONFERENCE CHECK-IN

Although you are already registered, you will need to check-in to get your badge.

Date – Friday, December 13
Location – Sutton Foyer, East Corridor (Take the escalator/elevator from the lobby to Promenade on the 2nd floor, go straight past coat check-in.)
Time – Begins at 7:00am
 

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

Continental breakfast will be served (for conference participants and faculty only) beginning at 7:00am on Friday and 7:30am on Saturday mornings located in the Sutton Foyer, East Corridor (Take the escalator/elevator from the lobby to Promenade on the 2nd floor, go straight past coat check-in).

GENERAL SESSIONS

Main Room Location – Sutton Ballroom, East Corridor (Take the escalator/elevator from the lobby to Promenade on the 2nd floor, go straight past coat check-in.)
Time – Begins at 8:00am on Friday and Saturday

If you are departing on Saturday, please keep in mind that the conference ends at approximately 1:30pm and hotel check-out is at Noon. You can store your luggage with the hotel while we are still in session.
 

QUESTION & ANSWER / GROUP DISCUSSION SESSIONS

During our meeting sessions, following a series of lectures, there is a Question and Answer/Group Discussion session. Please write down any questions or comments for the faculty on the yellow question cards placed in participant badges. These cards are collected and given to the appropriate speaker for response during these sessions.
 

MEETING ROOM COURTESY

As a courtesy to all, please place your electronic communication devices on “vibrate,” or “silent.” Also, in consideration to others, children and spouses are not permitted in the meeting rooms.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Participant Photos – We sometimes take photographs of our participants during conference sessions/activities (never pool pictures) to use in future brochures and on our website. If you would NOT like to appear in any individual or group candid photos, please notify the Conference Director.

Clothing – Formal attire is not required anywhere in the hotel or during our conference. We suggest you bring a sweater or jacket to wear during our meeting sessions, as meeting rooms are sometimes cool.

Recording – Participants, speakers, etc. must receive prior approval from Symposia Medicus to record lectures or any other educational sessions. For more information and/or questions, please e-mail us at info@symposiamedicus.org.

Temperatures – The temperatures in New York City in December usually range from the high 30’s during the day to the low 20’s during the evening

Time Zone – New York City is in the Eastern Time Zone

General Travel Safety Suggestions – https://symedblog.org/travelsafety/

Take Our Survey – Be entered to win an Amazon gift card at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/symedsurvey24
 

QUESTIONS?
Email us at info@symposiamedicus.org.

2024 BROADWAY THEATER TICKET INFORMATION

We have a limited number of theater tickets for the below Broadway shows.

To order your tickets, or if you have any questions, please call us at (925) 969-1789. We recommend that you place your order as soon as possible, as we do sell out.

Please note: you must be registered for the conference before you can purchase tickets.

For show descriptions, please visit here.

You will pick-up your tickets at our conference check-in desk on Friday, December 13^th. Tickets cannot be shipped or mailed to you.
 

ALL TICKETS BELOW ARE BASED ON AVAILABILITY
 

Hell's Kitchen (7:00pm, 12/13)
Theater: Shubert Theater
Seating: Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $170

The Notebook (7:00pm, 12/13)
Theater: Schoenfeld Theater
Seating: Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $160

The Outsiders (7:00pm, 12/13)
Theater: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Seating: Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $195

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (7:00pm, 12/13)
Theater: Radio City Music Hall
Seating: Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $205

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (7:00pm, 12/13)
Theater: Radio City Music Hall
Seating: Prime Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $225
 

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (7:00pm, 12/14)
Theater: Radio City Music Hall
Seating: Prime Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $265

The Outsiders (8:00pm, 12/14)
Theater: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Seating: Orchestra
^*Price per ticket: $195

^*Prices above include a service charge, however, it is less than the service charge you would pay through other ticket sellers, such as Broadway.com, Ticketmaster, etc. We also order our tickets early in the year to get the best seating.
 

Please visit the theater’s website for more detailed information and updated requirements:

• Shubert Theater
• Schoenfled Theater
• Bernard B. Jacobs Theater
• Radio City Music Hall