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Branksome Hall

Branksome Hall Hosts Informative Evening on Menopause

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Six women stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera. They are casually dressed and appear to be at a social or professional gathering. The background includes a green wall, a large TV, and tiled flooring.
Alums from the class of '96 pose for a photo after the insightful presentations.

Branksome Hall welcomed alums, employees, parents and guests to campus on October 22 for No Pausing on Menopause, an enlightening evening focused on women’s health, specifically addressing perimenopause and menopause.

A group of people sit facing a presentation titled "History of Menopause," featuring historical images and text, while a speaker stands at the front and three panelists sit on stage.
Attendees learned about the history of menopause.

The event’s panel of medical experts included Dr. Woganee Filate, Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss, Dr. Sarah Shaw and Lindsay Jephcott, co-founders of Lume Women + Health. The speakers took the podium one by one, covering the history of menopause, their goals of rewriting the narrative on this life transition, educating women on symptoms and providing a modern reframe on aging, and debunking common myths about hormone therapy, sleep and sexual health. 

Attendees engaged in discussions about symptom management, disease prevention and the barriers to and costs associated with menopause care. The speakers shared that there is a lack of menopause education at the undergraduate and postgraduate/residency levels for physicians, as well as a lack of funding for menopause care. Many provincial health care plans do not provide coverage and there is not currently a menopause billing code for doctors. They encouraged attendees to learn more and to advocate for change in this area with government officials. 

A woman speaks at a podium to a seated audience in a large, bright room. Four panelists sit on stage under a screen displaying the words "your empowered health starts now.
Kimberly BROOKER Carter'96 introduces the panelists.

At the Q&A session at the end of the evening, guests were encouraged to share their experiences and ask questions, fostering an atmosphere of community and support. “It was inspiring to see everyone come together, learn from one another and destigmatize such an important life transition,” said Kimberly BROOKER Carter’96, Branksome alum and Executive Director of Enrolment Management.

A woman gives a presentation to a seated audience in a classroom. A slide on the screen debunks the myth “Cardio is a must, strength training is a maybe,” and lists benefits and tips for weight training.
Common menopause myths were debunked.

“The information provided by our partners at Lume Women + Health was incredibly valuable, but it was the moments of connection among community members that truly stood out,” added Neetu White, Associate Director of Alum Relations and Community Engagement.

Attendees left the event with knowledge and ideas, as well as the feeling of empowerment that comes from open dialogue about women’s health. This October event followed a similar one for parents in April 2024 featuring the women of Lume, which sold out quickly. Branksome Hall will continue hosting events in the future to keep fostering conversations around women’s and girls’ health and well-being. If you have suggestions for a topic that would resonate with you, please reach out to alum@branksome.on.ca.

Address

Branksome Hall
10 Elm Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
M4W 1N4

Contact

1-416-920-9741
admissions@branksome.on.ca

Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Wendat, the Seneca and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.*


*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.

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