CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

Our 32^nd Annual Spring Conference on Women’s Health is designed for OB/GYNs, family physicians, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurses, and all other healthcare professionals who care for female patients. Covering a wide array of topics, our expert faculty will discuss the latest evidence-based advancements in women’s healthcare, 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, case studies, and small group breakouts. 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 women’s health situations.

The breakout sessions, designed to facilitate even greater interaction between faculty and participants, offer an opportunity to engage in group discussions on subjects relating to your particular area of interest. Please indicate your breakout session topic choices on the conference registration form in this brochure. Space is limited, so please reserve early.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

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

• Identify evidence-based alternatives for managing menopausal symptoms
• Treat common vulvar and skin disorders
• Apply pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies for managing chronic pain
• Recognize the importance of early diagnosis and prevention for women with heart disease
• List two common mechanisms for drug-herb interactions

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

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 18 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
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has assigned up to 18 cognate credits to this program.

AAFP
The AAFP has reviewed the 32^nd Annual Spring Conference on Women’s Health and deemed it acceptable for up to 18.00 Live AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 03/19/2025 to 03/22/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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 18 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurse Practitioners/Nurses
The ANCC contact hours awarded for completion of this conference are 18.

Provider is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP2335, for 21.6 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 5.75 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

Conference group rates have been arranged at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa. Rooms at our group rates are limited and on a first come, first served basis. PLEASE RESERVE EARLY as rooms may sell out and/or room rates may increase. If you wish to extend your stay, group rates may be available three days before and three days after the conference.

Two nights’ deposit (room rate only) must accompany your reservation. The balance of your lodging, hotel fees as stated below, and all incidental charges are due to the hotel. The hotel accepts most major credit cards.
 

GROUP RATES STATED BELOW INCLUDE DAILY BUFFET BREAKFAST FOR TWO PEOPLE

Deluxe Garden View (Single/Double) - $357/night

Deluxe Ocean View (Single/Double) - $411/night

Deluxe Ocean Front (Single/Double) - $463/night
 

All rooms are 556 sq. ft. and feature either a king bed or two double beds. Guest rooms offer a closet, bathroom, high-speed internet access, 32" flat screen TV, iPod docking station, Marriott´s luxury bedding, minibar, iron & ironing board, in-room safe, work desk, hair dryer, coffee maker, voice messaging, 24-hour room service, 3 telephones per room, and a terrace or balcony. Rooms only differ by view and floor.

By booking your lodging with Symposia Medicus, you will receive the following on a complimentary basis: in-room and resort-wide internet access, self and valet parking, use of the fitness center, nightly turndown service, complimentary access to Dynamic Exercise, volleyball, and giant chess.

The resort has a daily resort fee and some items are not included in our group rate. Upon check-in, you may choose to pay the resort fee to receive the additional resort amenities (subject to change). For more information regarding the resort fee, please contact the hotel.

• Above conference group rates are per room, per night and do not include the following (subject to change):
  - 13% sales Tax
  - $7.00 mandatory housekeeping charge
   
  
• Maximum guestroom occupancy is four, regardless of age (no exceptions)
   
  
• Mandatory additional occupant charge (13 years & older) is $45.00 per person, per night (includes daily buffet breakfast & taxes)
   
  
• Children 12 years & under are complementary when sharing with parents (includes daily buffet breakfast & taxes)
   
  
• Rollaways & Cribs: Rollaway beds & cribs are both complementary (based on availability and subject to change)
   
  
• Check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is noon. A late check-out can only be confirmed on the date of departure by the front desk. Late check-outs are based on availability and additional charges may apply.
   
  
• Early Departure Fee: Please notify Symposia Medicus of any changes to your scheduled departure date at least 30 days prior to your check-in date. Any changes made within 30 days of your arrival, including changes made at the conference hotel, may be charged the full original length of stay.
   
  
• Credit/Debit Card Policy: Upon check-in, the hotel will require a credit card and will place a hold for your total room & tax charges, plus $100/day for incidental charges, for your entire stay. Please be aware that if you use a debit card instead of a credit card, the funds will be immediately deducted from your account (even if you have prepaid your stay). The amount will be based on the average length of your stay, plus an estimate of incidental charges. The length of time for which these holds remain on your credit or debit account varies from bank to bank.
   
  
• Parking: Both valet and self-parking are complimentary for all conference guests

• 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 February 12, 2025; however, tuition, less a 10% processing fee, may be applied to a future Symposia Medicus conference.
   
  
• Per our hotel contract, hotel reservation cancellations must be made in writing to Symposia Medicus and you will receive a full refund if emailed by January 15, 2025. Between January 16, 2025 and February 12, 2025 one night’s deposit is forfeited. After February 12, 2025, no hotel refunds can be made.
   
  
• 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 and, if reservation was made with Symposia Medicus, hotel deposit 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

The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is located in Guanacaste, in the northwest area of Costa Rica. You can fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR - known as Liberia International Airport), which is an approximate 1¼ hour drive to 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 below.
 

Alaska Airlines
For discounts on Alaska Airlines flights, please book here 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 ECMK616 in the “Discount Code” box, located at the right hand side of the page.
Blackout Dates: March 20-23, 2025

Delta Airlines
For discounts on Delta Airlines, please book here, 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 NY3B8 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 book here 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 ZPT8594284 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 AND TOURS

We have arranged with TAM Travel, our selected tour company in Costa Rica, to provide Symposia Medicus conference attendees with tour options and ground transportation. For more information and to reserve tours and/or ground transportation, please visit https://www.wetravel.com/trips/symposia-medicus-march-group-tam-travel-corporation-61861117.

MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION

Please visit our blog for more information at;https://symedblog.org/whcostarica/ 

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Beautiful Costa Rica, bordered by the Caribbean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Panama to the south, is a democratic country where peace is the most precious possession of its people. Costa Rica is known for its white sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, mountainous plains, numerous national parks, tropical forests, and wildlife reserves—all protected through widely renowned conservation efforts. It is a country with modern goods and services combined with exotic charm.

Our conference resort, the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, is within driving distance to the small town of Tamarindo (about a 20-minute drive) and other tourist attractions such as Arenal Volcano National Park (80 miles northwest of San Jose) and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (110 miles north of San Jose).

Located on Mansita Beach in Hacienda Pinilla, the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa sits on the northwest coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. Immerse yourself in all that this resort has to offer—a private beach within Hacienda Pinilla, an infinity pool, a championship golf course, an equestrian center, a world-class spa, and so much more.

During conference breaks, you can also venture out of the resort and experience various activities such as horseback riding, fishing, touring national parks, river floating, canoeing, snorkeling, riding ATVs, scuba diving, and zip-lining through the canopies of the rainforest. Costa Rica truly is a paradise for those who are in search of a combination of beauty, history, culture, and both land and water sports.

Whatever your pleasure, you’ll be sure to find it in Costa Rica, at our 32^nd Annual Spring Conference on Women’s Health.

HOTEL INFORMATION

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Hacienda, Provincia de Guanacaste, Pinilla, 50309, Costa Rica
Phone: +506-2681-2000

• 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 – Wednesday, March 19
Location – Pacuare Ballroom Foyer
Time – Begins at 7:00am
 

CONFERENCE BREAKFAST

Your room rate includes daily buffet breakfast for two occupants. Children 12 years and under are free, and additional occupants, 13 years and older, are an additional $45.00 each, per night (includes daily buffet breakfast and taxes), not to exceed maximum occupancy.

Buffet breakfast will be served daily for you and your guests at the Pimento Restaurant from 6:30am-11:30am. You will check-in with the host and provide your room number. You will be asked to sign a bill at the restaurant, however, the breakfast charge for two occupants will be removed from your hotel bill when you check-out.

If you did not inform us of your room occupants at the time of registration, they may not be able to participate in the full buffet breakfast. Please contact Symposia Medicus as soon as possible, prior to arrival, to add and/or change occupants.

If you are not staying at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa OR did not book your lodging through Symposia Medicus and would like to have breakfast, please notify the Symposia Medicus staff when you check-in for the conference. A breakfast ticket will be given to you. Breakfast tickets are for conference participants only and can only be used on the mornings in which we are in a conference general session (Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

GENERAL SESSIONS

Main Room Location – Pacuare Ballroom, located in the lobby level
Time – Begins at 8:00am on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday

If you are departing on Saturday, please keep in mind that the conference ends at approximately 1:15pm and hotel check-out is at noon. You can store your luggage with the hotel while we are still in session.
 

GROUP RECEPTION

Please join us for this fun event, as it is a great way to become better acquainted with faculty, other participants, and their guests.

Date – Wednesday, March 19
Time – Begins at 5:30pm and concludes at 7:00pm
Location – Mansita Restaurant & Pool Area, located in the pool level

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The name of your breakout that you have pre-selected will be printed on your badge.

Time – Begins at 3:00pm & 4:45pm on Friday, March 21

BREAKOUTS

Cardiology Case Studies Including Pregnancy, Contraception, and Congenital Heart Disease
Karen Stout, MD
Location: Tabacon 3

Management of Personality Disorders in Women
Jesse D. Markman, MD, MBA
Location: Pacuare 1

Weight Loss, Dietary Supplements, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Candy Tsourounis, PharmD
Location: Pacuare 2

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 your badge.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

Internet Access – Wireless internet access is complimentary in the meeting rooms.

Currency – The official currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón, however, American dollars are widely accepted.

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 the Guanacaste area in Maqrch usually range from the high 90’s during the day to the mid 70’s at night.

Time Zone – Guanacaste, Costa Rica is in the Central Standard 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.

Tours

We have arranged with TAM Travel, our selected tour company in Costa Rica, to provide Symposia Medicus conference attendees with tour options and ground transportation. For more information and to reserve tours and/or ground transportation, please visit https://www.wetravel.com/trips/symposia-medicus-march-group-tam-travel-corporation-61861117.

Dining/Activities

Please visit our blog for more information at;https://symedblog.org/whcostarica/