CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

A dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, sexual health is closely linked to our overall health and quality of life. At the crux of our overall well-being, sexual health can affect many aspects of life including intimacy, reproductive health, disease prevention, clinical care, policy, advocacy, health equality, and the social determinants of health. Determining the etiology of sexual complaints is often a complex process. As such, healthcare providers must operate as cautious detectives, exploring medical, psychological, and even environmental issues.

Designed for physicians, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals, our 10^th Annual Conference on Challenges in Sexual Healthcare takes place over the course of four days. Covering a wide array of topics, our expert faculty will discuss the latest evidence-based advancements and innovations in sexual healthcare, present emerging clinical data, and provide skills and strategies for application and implementation into your practice. As you collaborate with your fellow healthcare providers, this course will allow you to share information and participate in insightful conversations about supporting and sustaining healthy sexuality. 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 sexual healthcare situations.
 

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

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

• Explain the underlying mechanisms of endometriosis and its common symptoms with an emphasis on how these symptoms can specifically impact sexual desire and function
   
  
• Identify common medications used in sexual medicine to enhance sexual function and promote sexual wellness in older patients
   
  
• Utilize practical strategies to deliver healthcare that respects and affirms the identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ patients, including the use of inclusive language, understanding gender and sexual diversity, and creating a welcoming clinical environment
   
  
• Outline therapeutic options from lifestyle changes to over-the-counter medications to prescription drugs (non-hormonal and hormonal) for each of the manifestations of perimenopause and menopause
   
  
• Discuss the impact of breast cancer on sexuality and address these impacts with your patients

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 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
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.

ACP
The American College of Physicians (ACP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

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 4 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

In accordance with ACCME and ANCC guidelines, Symposia Medicus maintains a policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Prior to the planning of this educational activity, all individuals in control of content disclosed all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Symposia Medicus will mitigate any and all relevant financial relationships before the conference begins. 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 Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & 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.
 

Run-of-House (Single/Double) - $334/night
(view of perimeter and exterior of hotel)

Garden View Room (Single/Double) - $364/night
(view of hotel’s courtyard)

Patio Room With M-Club Access (Single/Double) - $384/night
(view of hotel’s courtyard)
M-Club access includes complimentary continental breakfast, daily midday snacks, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, non-alcoholic beverages, and business services.
 

All rooms are non-smoking and approximately 375 sq. ft. and feature either one king bed or two double beds. Rooms also include air conditioning, deluxe bedding, luxurious bathrobes, spa-quality bath essentials, mini-refrigerators, coffee makers with complimentary coffee, flat screen TVs with plug-in high-tech panel, premium movie channels, and pay-per-view movie access.

Due to strict fire codes, rollaway beds and cribs are not permitted in a room with two beds. Only one rollaway or crib is permitted in a room with a king bed.

By reserving your lodging with Symposia Medicus, the $20 per room, per night Destination Fee is waived. The fee includes (subject to change): coffee/tea in the lobby, purified water stations throughout the hotel, daily yoga class, complimentary fitness center access, 1-hour complimentary electric bike rental (per stay, per guest), daily homemade s’mores kits, nightly wine hour with local wineries, and wireless high-speed internet access. Inclusions are subject to change.

• Conference group rates are per room, per night and do not include the following (subject to change):
  - 12% tax
  - 0.24% California Tourism Assessment Fee
  - 3% Tourism Business Improvement District Assessment
   
  
• Maximum guestroom occupancy is four people and cannot be exceeded due to fire codes
   
  
• There is no additional charge for 3^rd and 4^th guests in room
   
  
• Bed Type Requests: You can select one or two beds; however, requests cannot be guaranteed until check-in
   
  
• Rollaways & Cribs: Rollaway beds and cribs are complimentary (based on availability and subject to change). Please note: Due to strict fire codes, rollaway beds and cribs are not permitted in a room with two beds. Only one rollaway or crib is permitted in a room with a king bed.
   
  
• Check-in time is 4:00pm and check-out time is 11:00am. 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.
   
  
• 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 your entire stay plus estimated 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.
   
  
• 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.
   
  
• Parking: Self-parking is complimentary; valet parking is not available at this hotel

• 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 April 2, 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 March 5, 2025. Between March 6, 2025 and April 2, 2025, one night’s deposit is forfeited. After April 2, 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 closest airport to the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa is Oakland International Airport (OAK); however, lower fares can sometimes be found by flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), or San Jose International Airport (SJC). Oakland is approximately 50 miles from the hotel, while San Francisco and Sacramento are approximately 60 miles, and San Jose is approximately 85 miles.

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 ECMK720 in the “Discount Code” box, located at the right hand side of the page.

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 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 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 ZPT8594284 in the “Promotions and Certificates” box.
For questions, please call the United Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 426-1122.
 

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNT

For conference discounts, Symposia Medicus has made arrangements with AVIS and Budget Car Rentals. Reservations can be made online or by phone; please refer to the conference code and the conference/airport location when making your reservations. Please see below:

AVIS
www.avis.com
800-331-1600
AWD # B766625

Budget
www.budget.com
800-772-3773
BCD # U076767
 

CONFERENCE LOCATION

California’s wine country offers scenic countryside views, great wines, and superb restaurants. With over 450 wineries offering a variety of wines for all tastes, it’s no wonder that the Napa Valley is considered the heart of the American wine industry. Located approximately 60 miles north of San Francisco, there is much more to Napa than just its grapes—you can also enjoy hot-air ballooning, horseback riding, mountain biking, or golfing.

Find incredible discounts on your favorite brand names at the Napa Premium Outlets or visit Old Town Napa for unique shopping. Visit the recently restored Napa Valley Opera House for headliners from jazz to country music. Although wine comes to mind when thinking of the Napa Valley, the food in this region is equally as tantalizing with world-renowned restaurants in the area such as The French Laundry, Bottega, and Morimoto.

There is so much to do in this abundant valley. But if the Napa Valley isn’t enough to keep your interest, San Francisco, with Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the city’s famous cable cars, is just an hour away—or the kid inside you will love the excitement of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom located just 20 minutes away, or Safari West wildlife preserve just 45 minutes away.

The Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa combines modern convenience with traditional comfort. If you are looking for a refreshing escape, just head over to the hotel’s all new resort-style pool and courtyard. They’ll provide the towels, sunscreen, lounge chairs, and umbrellas—all you have to do is relax and enjoy every moment.

Sip on specialty cocktails or your favorite Napa Valley wines complemented by creative small bites from Little Summer’s innovative kitchen, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar. Start the day with morning yoga sessions on the pool deck, or just unwind with a cocktail on the pool patio under a gorgeous California sunset after a long day spent touring vineyards or teeing off on Napa’s famous golf courses!

Whatever your pleasure, you’ll be sure to find it in Napa, at our 10^th Annual Conference on Challenges in Sexual Healthcare.