Department of Ob-Gyn hosts successful 2025 Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium
The UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted the 2025 Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium on October 23, 2025. The Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium (formerly the Women's Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium) is an annual meeting that connects healthcare professionals, researchers, and community advocates dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity. Specialists in reproductive health equity from UW and other universities came together to give presentations on their research:
The event opened with Brief and Brilliant presentations, short talks about health equity research methods and outcomes:
“Between Two Worlds: Birth, Belonging, and the Rohingya Mothers of Milwaukee” – Amulya Suresh, BS, M3; Elizabeth Corey, MD, MPH
“Environmental Exposures and Ovarian Cancer Risk” – Rachel Pomazal, MS
“Community Based Organizations’ Perspectives on Structural Racism and Systemic Failures’ Impact on Black Birthing People: ‘This System is Cracked’” – Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle, PhD
Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, founder and CEO of Dr. Karen, LLC and assistant professor in the University of North Carolina School of Nursing presented the keynote “Exploring Black Birthing People’s Perspectives on Racial Concordance with Obstetric Care Providers” – Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM
Tatiana Maida, Equity and Community Partnerships Director at healthTIDE, and Amy Meinen, MPH, RDN, Statewide Partnerships Director at healthTIDE and Research and Outreach Program Manager in the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology, led the Researcher and Community Partner Joint Presentation “Raising Latino Children in Wisconsin: Understanding Community Needs from an Intergenerational, Bilingual, Multicultural, and Community-Led Approach” – Janean Dilworth-Bart, PhD; Tatiana Maida; Amy Meinen, MPH, RDN
Following the Symposium, Maida and Meinen shared links to the Raising Latino Children in Wisconsin resources included in their presentations:
Raising Latino Children in Wisconsin full report (PDF)
Raising Latino Children in Wisconsin executive summary (PDF)
The symposium grew out of the pioneering vision of Dr. Gloria Sarto and Dr. Gloria Johnson-Powell.
Watch the symposium recording here.
**by Ob-Gyn Communications Intern Melis Baskaya