Before a woman walks into an exam room, decisions have already been made about her care. What research received funding. Which treatments her insurance covers. Whether a specialist is available nearby. Who made those decisions—and how can she help change them? In this special recast of the fifth and final My Vote. Our Health. webinar, Beyond the Paper Gown teams up with Women’s Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation to explore one of the most powerful tools we have to advance women’s health: our voices. From the ballot box to a conversation with an elected official, this discussion reveals how individual actions can influence the systems women rely on. Leaders in health advocacy and voter engagement explore why people remain outside the voting process, how healthcare professionals can help bridge that gap, and what it takes to turn concern about healthcare into meaningful participation. The stakes are personal: a new mother’s access to care, a timely diagnosis, an affordable prescription, support for a family caregiver. Connecting these everyday experiences to decisions made at every level of government, the conversation invites listeners to ask better questions, recognize their influence, and make women’s health a priority in every election. Featuring Wendy Nguyen, Emily Polak, Linda Goler Blount, and Dr. Mitzi Krockover, with moderator Liz Powell. This episode concludes the My Vote. Our Health. series, examining how policy decisions influence research, innovation, and access to care—and why advocacy and informed civic engagement are essential to advancing women’s health. Because the decisions that shape our health deserve our attention—and the people making them need to hear from us. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Women’s Health Advocates: https://womenshealthadvocates.org/ Community Catalyst: https://communitycatalyst.org/ National Menopause Foundation: https://nationalmenopausefoundation.org/ Vot-ER: https://vot-er.org/ Vote.gov: https://vote.gov/ Vote.health: https://vote.health/ Rise Forward Foundation: https://riseforwardfoundation.org/

Midlife is more than a transition—it is an opportunity to connect the dots between a woman’s health history, her current needs, and her future well-being. But does our healthcare system give women the information, screening, and support they need to make the most of that opportunity? In this special recast, Beyond the Paper Gown teams up with Women’s Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation for the fourth webinar in the My Vote. Our Health. series. Dr. Mitzi Krockover begins with a conversation with Claire Gill about menopause and osteoporosis, exploring gaps in clinician training, insurance coverage, bone density screening, and workplace support. An expert panel then broadens the discussion to cardiovascular health, brain health and Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer early detection, and the often-overlooked impact of caregiving on women’s physical and mental health. From the connection between pregnancy complications and later heart health to the competing demands of the sandwich generation, the conversation examines why midlife care must look beyond individual symptoms and specialties. Experts explore how research funding, affordable diagnostics, coordinated care, and policies that recognize women’s needs can support earlier intervention and healthier aging. Along the way, they highlight opportunities for advocacy—from improving access to menopause treatment and osteoporosis screening to supporting family caregivers and advancing women’s brain health research—and offer practical ways to raise these issues with elected officials and candidates. Featuring Claire Gill, Dr. Jayne Morgan, Dr. Madhavi Vemireddy, Melinda Kelley, and Phylicia Woods Lisiak, with host and moderator Dr. Mitzi Krockover. This episode is part of the My Vote. Our Health. series, examining how policy decisions influence research, innovation, and access to care—and why advocacy and informed civic engagement are essential to advancing women’s health. Because the care women receive in midlife can shape their health for decades to come. Please visit Beyond the Paper Gown to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Women’s Health Advocates (WHA) https://www.womenshealthadvocates.org Community Catalyst https://www.communitycatalyst.org National Menopause Foundation https://nationalmenopausefoundation.org/ Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation — Claire Gill https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org UsAgainstAlzheimer’s — Melinda Kelley usagainstalzheimers.org Wellthy — Dr. Madhavi Vemireddy https://wellthy.com Hologic — Phylicia Woods Lisiak https://www.hologic.com

Maternal Health & Reproductive Health is the third webinar in the My Vote. Our Health. series. Why do women still wait years for a diagnosis, struggle to access fertility care, or face barriers to contraception and postpartum support—even when promising solutions exist? In this special recast, Beyond the Paper Gown teams up with Women’s Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation to explore how policy decisions shape reproductive and maternal health—from fertility and family planning to pregnancy and beyond. Experts in medicine, innovation, industry, and patient advocacy examine delayed diagnosis of fibroids, endometriosis, and other gynecologic conditions; the importance of addressing fertility risks before infertility develops; and emerging approaches to identifying postpartum depression risk before symptoms appear. The conversation also explores contraceptive innovation, over-the-counter access, telemedicine, and the insurance and reimbursement barriers that affect both patients and providers. Along the way, the panel considers how stigma, gaps in physician education, racial disparities, and limited research funding contribute to missed opportunities for care—and what must change to ensure that women receive timely answers, meaningful choices, and support before, during, and after pregnancy. Featuring Dr. Elizabeth Garner, Jessica Bell van der Wal, Sateria Venable, Dr. Rashmi Raghavendra, Chad Turner, and Dr. Sophia Yen, with moderator Linda Goler Blount and Dr. Mitzi Krockover. This episode is part of the My Vote. Our Health. series, examining how policy decisions influence research, innovation, and access to care—and why advocacy and informed civic engagement are essential to advancing women’s health. Because better reproductive and maternal health care depends on more than medical advances—it depends on policies that help those advances reach the women who need them. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Women’s Health Advocates (WHA) https://www.womenshealthadvocates.org Community Catalyst https://www.communitycatalyst.org National Menopause Foundation https://nationalmenopausefoundation.org/ Frame Fertility https://www.frameyourfuture.com/ frameyourfuture.com The Fibroid Foundation https://www.fibroidfoundation.org/ Fibroid Foundation Dionysus Health https://dionysushealthcare.ai/ Dionysus Healthcare Pandia Health https://www.pandiahealth.com/ Doctor Founded, Women Led Mayne Pharma https://www.maynepharma.com/ maynepharma.com

Research & Innovation: Funding, the Regulatory Pathway, and Translation to Care is the second webinar in the My Vote. Our Health. series. In this special recast, Beyond the Paper Gown teams up with Women’s Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation to ask a deceptively simple question: What does it actually take to get a promising women’s health innovation into the hands of patients? The answer is far more complicated than developing a good idea. Experts take us inside the long journey from research to real-world care, including government funding, private investment, clinical trials, regulatory approval, reimbursement, healthcare adoption, and the challenge of fitting new tools into already crowded clinical workflows. Along the way, they explore where promising innovations get stuck, why even strong evidence is not always enough, and what must change to ensure that breakthroughs in women’s health do not remain on paper—but reach the women they were designed to help. Featuring Kathryn Schubert, Naseem Sayani, Katherine Andersen, Richard Lipkin, Dr. Barbara Marusiak, Nada Hanafi, Tracy MacNeal, Liz Powell, and Dr. Mitzi Krockover. This episode is part of the My Vote. Our Health. series, examining how policy decisions influence research, innovation, and access to care—and why advocacy and informed civic engagement are essential to advancing women's health. Because innovation only improves women's health when it reaches the women who need it most. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Society for Women’s Health Research https://www.swhr.org Materna Medical https://www.maternamedical.com/ Community Catalyst https://www.communitycatalyst.org National Menopause Foundation https://nationalmenopausefoundation.org/

Women's health is shaped by more than clinical care—it is influenced by policy decisions that affect access, coverage, funding, reimbursement and insurance coverage, and research. In this special recast from the My Vote. Our Health. webinar series, Beyond the Paper Gown is proud to partner with Women's Health Advocates, Community Catalyst, and the National Menopause Foundation to bring this important conversation to listeners. Leading experts in medicine, mental health, advocacy, healthcare policy, and technology examine the barriers women face in accessing care. The discussion explores mental health parity, telehealth, rural healthcare access, maternal health disparities, reimbursement inequities, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. From provider shortages and healthcare deserts to insurance coverage and payment policies, the panel highlights how systemic challenges impact women's health across the lifespan—and what can be done to create meaningful change. Featuring Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Dr. Nadia Johnson, Geovannie Gone, Vanessa Joy Walker, Lori Evans Bernstein, Linda Goler Blount, and Liz Powell. This episode is the first of five of the My Vote. Our Health. series, which explores how policy decisions shape women's health and why advocacy, civic engagement, and informed voting are critical to advancing better health outcomes for women. Because when it comes to women's health, policy matters—and every informed voice has the power to make a difference. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Women’s Health Advocates https://www.womenshealthadvocates.org Surgical Parity Project https://www.surgicalparityproject.org Community Catalyst https://www.communitycatalyst.org National Menopause Foundation https://www.communitycatalyst.org

Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent disease”—but is it really, or are we just missing the signs? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Mitzi Krockover, MD sits down with Robin Cohen, RN, Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and CEO & Co-Founder of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, to unpack what every woman needs to know. From risk factors and prevention to the realities of late-stage diagnosis, global gaps in care, and promising new treatments, this conversation sheds light on a disease that impacts more women than many realize. It’s a powerful discussion on awareness, advocacy, and why speaking up—about symptoms, research, and access—can save lives. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Robin Cohen, Board Chair, World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, CEO and Co-Founder, Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation http://linkedin.com/company/world-ovarian-cancer-coalition/ Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation https://www.sandyovarian.org/ World Ovarian Cancer Coalition https://worldovariancancercoalition.org/ ClinicalTrials.gov http://ClinicalTrials.gov

Standing in the supplement aisle and wondering what actually works? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Shikha Snigdha, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at OLLY, who brings more than 16 years of experience in neuropharmacology, clinical research, and translating complex science into practical women’s health solutions. Together, they break down the science behind nutraceuticals and supplements for women in perimenopause and menopause. They discuss how to tell evidence-based products from marketing hype, why clinical trials matter—even for over-the-counter supplements—and how to read labels with a more critical eye. The conversation also puts supplements in context, highlighting the essential role of lifestyle pillars like exercise, sleep, nutrition, gut health, and social connection. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your personal health decisions. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Shikha Snigdha, PhD & Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, OLLY https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikha-snigdha-56750068/ OLLY http://www.olly.com PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ National Institutes of Health (NIH) https://www.nih.gov/ U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — Dietary Supplements https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements Federal Trade Commission (FTC) https://www.ftc.gov

Why does women’s health still struggle to get the attention and investment it deserves—despite affecting half the population? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined by Anna Jeter, co-founder and Chief Regulatory Officer of AOA Dx, for a conversation that challenges how we think about progress in women’s health. Anna shares the story behind her work on early detection for ovarian cancer—and why it takes far too long for many women to get answers. She also explains the findings of her new report, Women’s Health Exits, which looks at what has actually happened when women’s health innovations succeed and grow. This episode goes beyond money. It’s about why these moments matter for patients—because they often determine whether a promising idea stays limited or becomes care that’s widely available. When women’s health innovations scale, they reach more clinicians, shorten delays in diagnosis, and improve outcomes in ways women can feel in their everyday lives. For listeners interested in the bigger picture, the conversation also offers a clear, data-driven look at how women’s health companies grow, why that growth has been misunderstood, and how changing the narrative can unlock faster progress. Whether you’re a patient, clinician, founder, investor, or advocate, this episode reframes women’s health as what it truly is: essential, overdue—and full of opportunity to improve lives.

How do you turn a women’s health problem into a real, usable digital product? In this bonus mini-episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover is joined again by Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light it, for a behind-the-scenes conversation designed for founders, innovators, and anyone thinking about building in femtech or digital health. Josefina breaks down what founders often get wrong—from skipping product discovery to misusing AI—and explains why trust, community, and compliance matter just as much as code. She shares practical guidance on MVPs, feedback loops, technical co-founders, and building responsibly in healthcare. 🎧 Be sure to catch the main episode for the full discussion on women’s health apps, femtech innovation, data privacy, and patient experience. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light-it https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefina-ruiz/ Light-it https://lightit.io Mavida Health https://www.mavidahealth.com Digital Health Insider Newsletter https://digitalhealthinsider.io

What makes a digital health app truly trustworthy—and who decides? In this episode of Beyond the Paper Gown, Dr. Mitzi Krockover speaks with Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light it, a global healthcare product agency building femtech and mental health platforms. Together, they explore what separates meaningful women’s health technology from “just another app”—from evidence-based design and patient experience to privacy, AI, and data security. Josefina also shares her personal journey of discovering she carries the BRCA2 genetic mutation, and how that experience reshaped her perspective on healthcare, advocacy, and the importance of empathy and community in digital health tools. 🎧 Plus: Don’t miss the bonus mini-episode where Josefina shares practical advice for founders building women’s health and digital health products. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Josefina Ruiz, Head of Growth at Light-it https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefina-ruiz/ Light-it https://lightit.io Seven Starling https://www.sevenstarling.com Mavida Health https://www.mavidahealth.com Cerula Care http://www.cerulacare.com Unease Health https://www.uneasehealth.com Puppeteer https://puppeteer.ai

How can women over 40 eat for energy, longevity, and a healthier, saner relationship with weight? Ro Huntriss—award-winning registered dietitian and Chief Nutrition Officer at Simple—breaks down how midlife shifts like estrogen decline and insulin resistance change the way our bodies respond to food, and what we can do to feel better. Ro shares an evidence-based roadmap: how much protein we really need, how to pair foods to steady blood sugar, why fiber and healthy fats matter, and how to approach time-restricted eating in a sustainable way. We also cover which labs to ask for (A1C, lipids, vitamin D/B12/iron) and when glucose monitoring is actually useful. You’ll hear her balanced take on GLP-1 medications, phytoestrogens like soy and flax, and the role of calcium and vitamin D in bone health. Plus: stress, sleep, and strength-training strategies to support cognition and cardiometabolic health—along with simple, doable swaps you can start this week. Visit Beyond the Paper Gown (https://www.beyondthepapergown.com/podcasts) to join our community and to learn more about achieving your optimal health. SHOW NOTES: Mitzi Krockover, Founder and CEO, Woman Centered, LLC and Host of Beyond the Paper Gown https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzikrockover/ Ro Huntriss, Chief Nutrition Officer, Simple https://www.linkedin.com/in/ro-huntriss-b8a968193/ Simple https://simple.life/

Menopause isn’t a niche issue—it’s a national one. In this special Beyond the Paper Gown episode, Beyond the Paper Gown brings you a recent congressional briefing, moderated by Dr. Mitzi Krockover, and featuring lawmakers and experts, Rep. Julia Brownley, Asm. Linda Rosenthal, Dr. Jayne Morgan, Jannine Versi, and Claire Gill to unpack the real health risks, the economic and workplace impact, and the policy solutions women need now—from insurance coverage and provider education to research funding and employer benefits. Clear, candid, and actionable, this conversation outlines how smarter policy can improve care and strengthen our workforce.