Beyond the Clinic: Expanding the OB-GYN Role in Industry, Advocacy, Innovation, and Media
Availability
Registration Required
Online Meeting
Jun 13, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
Cost
Member: $99.00
Non-Member: $149.00
Student/Resident/Fellow: $0.00
Life Member: $49.00
Company: Not Eligible
Exhibitor: Not Eligible
Credit Offered
6 1A AOA; 1 AMA Credits
6 Non-Physician Credits

ACOOG Summer Virtual Symposium

An exciting and thought-provoking
one-day live cme event

Beyond the Clinic: Expanding the OB-GYN Role in Industry, Advocacy, Innovation, and Media

June 13, 2026  •  10:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET  •  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT

6 CME Credits

About This Activity

You trained to care for patients.
You also trained to lead change.

This one-day virtual symposium explores how OB-GYNs are using clinical expertise beyond the exam room, from industry and innovation to advocacy, academics, private practice, writing, and media.

This activity helps physicians explore meaningful career paths beyond traditional clinical roles. Faculty will share practical insights on working with industry, pursuing entrepreneurship, building personal brands, practicing in academics, serving as advocates, and using medical expertise in new ways.

Participants will hear from OB-GYN leaders who have expanded their work into industry, innovation, advocacy, private practice, academic leadership, writing, and media. The program emphasizes practical next steps, real tradeoffs, and models for building a career with purpose, flexibility, and impact.

Participants will:

  • See what is possible beyond the traditional OB-GYN career path.
  • Learn practical steps from physicians who have already expanded their careers.
  • Explore ways to use medical expertise to shape women’s health beyond the exam room.

Our Faculty

Emmie Strassberg, DO, FACOOG (Dist.)

Emmie Strassberg, DO, FACOOG (Dist.)

Program Chair | Maternal-fetal medicine physician with a focus on preconception counseling and pregnancy loss

A board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Dr. Strassberg helps women feel empowered and confident as they plan for pregnancy. Through personalized preconception counseling, she works with patients to understand their medical history, lifestyle, and goals, reduce risks, answer questions, and create a clear roadmap toward conception and beyond. She offers telemedicine visits for patients in Virginia and Alaska.

Karla F. Loken, DO, FACOOG

Karla F. Loken, DO, FACOOG

OB-GYN, industry expert, and women’s health advocate

Dr. Loken brings experience in medical affairs for global therapeutics and medical device companies, along with more than 20 years of women’s health experience in private practice, medical education, and academics.

Liza H. Kunz, MD, FACOG

Liza H. Kunz, MD, FACOG

System Director for Endocrinology & Reproductive Health, Abbott Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Kunz is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine. She maintains a clinical practice at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, where she previously served as founding partner of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, director of maternal-fetal medicine, and service line director for women’s health. She transitioned to a primary role in diagnostics in 2017 after seeing how well-designed assays help clarify the diagnostic journey for patients.

Angela Jones, DO, MS, FACOOG

Angela Jones, DO, MS, FACOOG

Medical Director of Pharmacy Services, Capital Rx

Dr. Jones serves as Medical Director of Pharmacy Services at Capital Rx. Her background includes clinical care in obstetrics and gynecology, physician work in multiple practice settings, and residency training at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital following internship at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital.

Andrea Braden, MD, IBCLC, FACOG

Andrea Braden, MD, IBCLC, FACOG

Founder & CEO, Lybbie

Dr. Braden has devoted her career to improving postpartum care through clinical practice, education, and innovation. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lybbie, she leads work in breastfeeding innovation through a wearable milk supply sensor and companion app. She also serves as Medical Director of the Atlanta Birth Center and is a board-certified lactation consultant.

Barbra Hanna, DO, FACOOG, MSCP

Barbra Hanna, DO, FACOOG, MSCP

OB-GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Co-Founder and CEO of MyMenopauseRx

Dr. Hanna is a board-certified gynecologist and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who founded MyMenopauseRx after seeing patients travel long distances for menopause care. She created the virtual medical practice to expand access to evidence-based menopause care and help patients feel heard, supported, and equipped to protect their long-term health.

Margo Harrison, MD, MPH, FACOG

Margo Harrison, MD, MPH, FACOG

Founder & CEO, WaveBye, Inc.

Dr. Harrison is an obstetrician-gynecologist, femtech entrepreneur, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wave Bye Inc., a menstrual health company focused on improving the period experience and supporting reproductive autonomy. She earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and practices in Denver, Colorado.

Suzanne Gilberg, MD, FACOG

Suzanne Gilberg, MD, FACOG

Integrative medicine specialist, media correspondent, author, and healthcare leader

A disruptor, healer, educator and fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg earned her medical degree from USC in 1996 and completed her OB/GYN residency at Cedars-Sinai. Board certified in integrative and holistic medicine, she also holds a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree. Dr. Gilberg is Chief Medical Correspondent for The Drew Barrymore Show and author of Menopause Bootcamp. She serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Monarch, transforming women’s healthcare, and co-founded Cedars-Sinai’s Green Committee. Based in Beverly Hills, she’s committed to healing individuals, families, communities, and the planet.

Sadaf Lodhi, DO, FACOOG, MSCP, IF

Sadaf Lodhi, DO, FACOOG, MSCP, IF

Gynecologist specializing in menopause and sexual health, Founder and CEO of Femme Vie Health

Dr. Lodhi is a practicing OB-GYN in New York with more than 20 years of experience helping women achieve sexual, physical, and emotional health. She founded Femme Vie Health, where she provides coaching, telehealth, and in-person care focused on women’s wellness, sexual health, self-discovery, and empowerment.

Corinna Muller, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), MBA

Corinna Muller, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), MBA

Maternal-fetal medicine physician, physician development coach, author, and flutist

Dr. Muller is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and board-certified perinatologist who founded Aurora Maternal-Fetal Medicine, LLC. She is a Distinguished Fellow of ACOOG, a certified physician development coach, founder of LadyDOx Physician Coaching and Ottava Creative, and author of The Ottava Method.

Anissa Mattison, DO

Anissa Mattison, DO

OB-GYN and Associate Dean at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dr. Mattison is an osteopathic physician and academic leader at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves as Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Operations and the Detroit Medical Center campus. Her leadership reflects a commitment to medical education, student mentorship, institutional service, and osteopathic training in Detroit.

Matthew Shelnutt, DO, FACOOG

Matthew Shelnutt, DO, FACOOG

OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at PCOM South Georgia

Dr. Shelnutt is an assistant professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia and a graduate of PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. He completed his OB-GYN residency at University of Michigan Health-West, served as co-chief resident, and now leads curricular integration between osteopathic principles and clinical medicine.

Amy Burkett, MD

Amy Burkett, MD

OB-GYN Vice Chair and Patient Experience Officer at Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Burkett works as an OB-GYN hospitalist and Centering Pregnancy facilitator with Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Throughout her career, she has advocated for OB-GYNs and the patients they serve. Her work emphasizes physician wellness, negotiation, boundaries, and building a career aligned with the life a physician wants to lead.

Jodi A. Benett, DO, FACOOG

Jodi A. Benett, DO, FACOOG

Pediatric and adolescent gynecologist and women’s health advocate

Dr. Benett is a board-certified gynecologist who has practiced at Advocare Center for Specialized Gynecology since 2007. She chairs the ACOOG Government Affairs Committee, serves on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Government Relations Committee, has participated in Congressional Leadership Conferences, and advocates for women’s health and legislative priorities.

Kerry Krauss, MD, FACOG

Kerry Krauss, MD, FACOG

OB-GYN and Senior Medical Advisor at Natural Cycles

Dr. Krauss is an OB-GYN and Senior Medical Advisor at Natural Cycles, where she helps advance patient education, reproductive health literacy, and technology-supported women’s health. Her work reflects a commitment to patient-centered contraception, expanded birth control options, reproductive autonomy, and reduced stigma around gynecologic concerns.

Franziska Haydanek, DO, FACOG

Franziska Haydanek, DO, FACOG

OB-GYN, Medical Director of Obstetrics, and social media educator

Dr. Haydanek is a board-certified OB-GYN with more than seven years of experience and currently practices in Rochester, New York. She creates educational content about obstetrics and gynecology online to combat misinformation and empower audiences with evidence-based healthcare information.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify career pathways for OB-GYN physicians beyond traditional clinical practice, including roles in industry, innovation, private practice, academic medicine, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, writing, and media.
  2. Describe the ethical, regulatory, operational, and professional considerations involved in expanding physician work into nontraditional or hybrid career settings.
  3. Compare models for translating clinical expertise into broader impact, including industry collaboration, entrepreneurship, academic leadership, independent practice, policy engagement, and public communication.
  4. Develop an individualized next-step plan for pursuing a career expansion opportunity aligned with the participant’s skills, values, professional goals, and commitment to women’s health.

Agenda

All times listed in Eastern Time.

10:00 AM

Bridging the Gap: Navigating Industry Collaboration and Career Pathways for Clinicians

Karla F. Loken, DO, FACOOG  •  Liza H. Kunz, MD, FACOG  •  Angela Jones, DO, MS, FACOOG

Explore how physicians work ethically and effectively with pharma, medtech, diagnostics, advisory boards, research teams, and other industry partners.

11:00 AM

Founders and Innovators in Medicine: Finding Solutions to Unmet Needs

Andrea Braden, MD, IBCLC, FACOG  •  Barbra Hanna, DO, FACOOG, MSCP  •  Margo Harrison, MD, MPH, FACOG

Learn how physician founders turn clinical insight into products, services, companies, and care models that address gaps in women’s health.

12:00 PM  •  Lunch Break

1:00 PM

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building a Bold Future in Private Practice

Suzanne Gilberg, MD, FACOG  •  Sadaf Lodhi, DO, FACOOG, MSCP, IF  •  Corinna Muller, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), MBA

Examine practical paths to autonomy through private practice, concierge care, hybrid models, and Direct Primary Care-style approaches.

2:00 PM

Academic Leadership and Teaching Pathways in OB-GYN

Anissa Mattison, DO  •  Matthew Shelnutt, DO, FACOOG

Discover how OB-GYNs build careers in academic medicine through teaching, mentorship, scholarship, promotion, program leadership, and institutional service.

3:00 PM

Advocacy in Action: Physicians Leading Change Through Policy and Nonprofit Leadership

Amy Burkett, MD  •  Jodi A. Benett, DO, FACOOG

Explore how physicians move from clinical concern to organized action through policy advocacy, nonprofit leadership, board service, and community engagement.

4:00 PM

Medical Writing, Storytelling, and Media Engagement for the Modern OB-GYN

Kerry Krauss, MD, FACOG  •  Franziska Haydanek, DO, FACOG

Learn how physicians use writing, storytelling, social media, and media engagement to educate audiences and advance women’s health.

Format and System Requirements

This activity will be presented as a live webinar using Zoom. Questions will be taken by chat during the activity.

To participate, you will need:

  • An internet-connected device, such as a computer or mobile device
  • High-speed internet access
  • The Zoom Client installed on your device
  • JavaScript and cookies enabled in your browser so the activity works properly

Conflict of Interest Disclosures & Risk Mitigation

ACOOG requires each planner and presenter to identify all potential conflicts of interest with ineligible companies and mitigates relevant relationships using appropriate strategies.

The ACOOG, ACOOG staff, planners, and each faculty member and presenter for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Requirements for Successful Completion

  • Participation in the activity
  • Attestation
  • Completion of an overall evaluation

Commercial Support

This activity is not commercially supported.

Accreditation

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit Designation

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists designates this program for a maximum of 6 AOA Category 1-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ACOG Cognate Credits

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists designates this activity for a maximum of 6 Category 1 College Cognate Credits. A reciprocity agreement with the AMA exists that allows AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to be equivalent to ACOG Cognate Credits.

NPs, PAs & CNMs

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) recognizes activities approved for Category 1-A credit through the AOA as providing advanced practice CE content hours for applicants seeking renewal through continuing education credit.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) recognizes activities approved for Category 1-A credit through the AOA as Regular Category 1 CME for national certification maintenance. ACOOG recommends that NPs and PAs check with their certification and licensing authority to confirm credit reciprocity.

The Certificate Maintenance Program of the American Midwifery Certification Board accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to satisfy its contact hours requirement.

All NPs, PAs, CNMs, and other health professionals participating in this activity will receive a certificate of completion commensurate with the extent of their participation. ACOOG recommends all non-physician health professionals check with their certification and licensing organizations to confirm credit reciprocity.

Info and Policies

Grievances

Any registrant finding evidence that the continuing medical education program presented is inappropriate with regard to facilities, materials, content, or observes any unacceptable promotion by a commercial interest may submit a grievance in writing to ACOOG, PO Box 17598, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Unresolved issues will require a formal written complaint to the AOA Division of CME, 142 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

Agenda, Format & Venue Changes

We make every attempt to finalize the agenda as soon as possible. Unforeseen issues often cause presentations to be rearranged, the format to be altered, or venue to be reconsidered. ACOOG reserves the right to modify the agenda, format, and venue at any time without advanced notice.

Privacy Policy

This activity complies with ACOOG’s privacy policies.

Anti-Harassment

All attendees are expected to abide by ACOOG’s Anti-Harassment policy when participating in this activity.

Data Use

Data collected as part of this activity may be analyzed as part of educational research to study the effectiveness of educational interventions on health care, population health, health care providers, and others, or to identify additional needs and gaps for future interventions.

Refunds

Refunds are not available for this educational product.

American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists

acoog.org

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