Stony Brook Medicine, alongside numerous healthcare providers, partnered with Suffolk County Medical Society and Suffolk Academy of Medicine to create a “free event for the community focusing on the women in your life.” The event took place in early February at the Long Island Aquarium and provided valuable resources and information from medical professionals on women’s health.
Upon entry, attendees were greeted by high school student volunteers from the Doctors of Tomorrow program, which is run by the Suffolk Academy of Medicine and provides personal and firsthand information on what it takes to be a doctor. The volunteers handed out pamphlets that included an itinerary of the evening and listed the names and credentials of special guest speakers.
The fair had 22 different tables, with each table representing a partner of the event and providing pamphlets with information about their services. During the first hour, attendees explored the room to inquire about the resources each table provided.
There were a wide range of medical groups, health insurance companies and numerous specialty care centers such as oncology and cardiology. Some of the groups in attendance were the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Health and Welfare Council of Long Island and Spine Medicine and Surgery of Long Island.
There were two tables dedicated to Stony Brook’s medical care. Specifically, Stony Brook Medicine and the LGBTQ* Care at Stony Brook. Cristina Witzke, a healthcare provider at the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center and Rose Walton Care Services, represented the LGBTQ medical care provided by Stony Brook.
Toward the end of the event, Nicole Gerberg, the executive director of Suffolk County Medical and the event coordinator, spoke about how much this event meant to her.
“Suffolk County medicine is something that is extremely near and dear to my heart. Being a community member in Suffolk County, being somebody who is very involved in medicine, who is very involved in women’s health, as a mom, as a wife, as a friend … everything about it [feels right],” she said.
Following her speech, 11 other female speakers all shared their credentials, experiences and medical advice pertaining to their field of medicine to the audience. Each speech focused on a particular topic concerning women’s health, such as breast cancer, domestic violence, heart disease in women and myths in menopause.
Cate Carbonaro, the executive director of The Retreat, a domestic violence organization, discussed what she described as an often-overlooked women’s health issue. She gave a speech detailing the services they offer to help victims of domestic violence, addressing both their physical and mental health needs.
“Here in this room of mostly women, I’m sure you all agree that we need to do better as a society, helping people that are vulnerable,” she said. “We have counseling, we have legal advocacy and we have prevention education too … The prevention of domestic violence, sexual assault [and] human trafficking is something we all can do by educating people [correctly], educating young children, educating fathers [and] educating the community.”
Carbonaro then introduced the final speaker, Genesis, a 19-year-old survivor of sexual abuse who did not feel comfortable disclosing her last name. She shared her experience of starting therapy at The Retreat at 15 and her fear of having to testify against her abuser in front of a jury.
“It was scary to stand in front of everybody, [especially] in front of a person who hurt me. But, sometimes you have to face your fears in order to be proud of yourself and thank yourself,” Genesis said. “I did get to a point in my life … where I started to not trust anyone who tried to talk to me.”
She thanked her mother, therapist, lawyer and advocates who guided her. Genesis urged those going through something similar not to suffer in silence and encouraged them to seek necessary help.
Gerberg thanked Genesis for her moving speech and the other speakers for their medical and personal advice. She then thanked attendees, volunteers and those who helped coordinate the event for their support.
“From all of us in Suffolk County, thank you for coming. Thank you for supporting us [and] thank you for being a part of this. Genesis, thank you for your passion and your story. I know how scary it is to stand up here,” said Gerberg. “To all of our speakers … thank you for your time, your dedication [and] your passion.”
