Calgary Hosts 2026 Women's Health Symposium for International Women's Day Weekend
The 2026 Women's Health Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Calgary Central Library. This free event, open to all attendees, will commence with doors opening at 9:00 AM, followed by formal programming starting at 9:15 AM. The symposium features eight informative educational sessions throughout the day, concluding with a special screening of The (M) Factor 2: Before the Pause Perimenopause at 2:50 PM.
Building on Success with Focused Education
This second annual symposium, co-hosted by the Calgary Health Foundation in partnership with the University of Calgary's O'Brien Institute, Calgary Public Library, and the Sex, Gender and Women's Health Research Hub, aims to build on the success of last year's inaugural event. Organizers invite the public to celebrate International Women's Day by participating in expert talks on various women's health topics, visiting interactive booths, and watching the documentary screening.
The new documentary, The (M) Factor 2: Before the Pause Perimenopause, serves as a prequel to the highly successful The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause. It expands the conversation by exploring the untold realities of perimenopause, a critical phase in women's health often overlooked in public discourse.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Women's Healthcare
Women's health is a key fundraising priority for the Calgary Health Foundation, motivating their continued co-hosting of this event. Paul Rossmann, President & CEO of Calgary Health Foundation, emphasized the symposium's purpose: "Our intention behind co-hosting the Women's Health Symposium is to spotlight the breadth of women's health challenges, to showcase the experts working at the forefront of the field, to educate, and to empower women to advocate for their health."
Rossmann highlighted that despite decades of progress, the healthcare system still lags in addressing women's unique medical needs. He noted that women's health affects everyone, as they are mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, friends, colleagues, and mentors in our lives.
Expert Leadership and Advocacy
Dr. Erin Brennand, department head for obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine and Alberta Health Services, Calgary Corridor, and a urogynecologist at the Calgary Pelvic Floor Clinic, conceived the symposium to garner attention, advocacy, and funding for women's healthcare gaps.
Dr. Brennand stated: "The story of women's health is one of extraordinary advancement together with persistent gender inequity. In 2026, women are living longer and benefiting from breakthroughs in prevention, diagnostics, and treatment that were unimaginable a generation ago – yet critical gaps remain in research inclusion, timely diagnosis, equitable access, and health outcomes."
She pointed out that women's pain is often minimized, conditions disproportionately affecting women remain underfunded, and sex-specific differences are not consistently incorporated into care. The symposium aims to celebrate progress while acknowledging the work still needed.
Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr. Brennand's involvement extends to other initiatives, such as the Suncor Women's Health Centre, announced in February 2026. This expanded, modernized, and integrated facility will consolidate essential programs under one roof to improve access, reduce wait times, and enhance care for women in Calgary and across southern Alberta.
The 2026 Women's Health Symposium represents a significant community effort to advance women's health through education, advocacy, and hope. By bringing together leading specialists and the public, it fosters a dialogue essential for addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by women today.
