#United States #Boston #PCOS Challenge #Brigham and Women's #PMOS Symposium

PCOS Awareness Symposium 2026: A Gathering of Minds

On September 19, 2026, the PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, is set to host the PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium 2026 at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center in Boston. This event marks a significant occasion for individuals affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and polygender metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), providing a platform to connect with experts and advocates in the field.

The theme for this year’s symposium, “Accelerating Progress, Expanding Access,” emphasizes the importance of collaboration in improving care, research, and accessibility for those living with PCOS/PMOS. For many patients, the path to understanding their condition is often fraught with complexity. Often, they have to navigate a fragmented healthcare system involving various specialists without easily accessible cohesive information.

An Unmatched Opportunity for Learning
The symposium offers attendees a chance to learn from distinguished faculty at Harvard Medical School, leading researchers, and patient leaders, as well as to engage with state legislators. This multidimensional approach aims to forge stronger connections between clinical practice, research, and policy-making, thereby enhancing care frameworks and patient outcomes.

Sasha Ottey, the founder of PCOS Challenge, highlighted the need for such collaborations, stating, “People with PCOS have spent too long piecing together answers from systems that do not always connect the expertise and resources they need.” The symposium intends to rectify this by fostering direct access to specialists and engaging all stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

Focused Discussions and Topics
The full-day agenda will cover various vital aspects of PCOS/PMOS care and research. Attendees will explore evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and management, nutrition, pharmacological treatments, including GLP-1s, and the interplay of metabolic, reproductive, and mental health. A noteworthy feature of this year's event will also include discussions on the ongoing transition from the PCOS terminology to PMOS, with a special session conducted in Spanish to broaden accessibility.

The symposium will not only cater to adult patients but will also extend its reach to adolescents. A separate program designed for younger individuals will foster future leaders by allowing them to work alongside established professionals in Policy and Innovation Labs focused on critical challenges in PCOS/PMOS. Through this initiative, participating students and young patients will gain invaluable insights into the intricacies of healthcare, research, and advocacy.

Legislator Involvement
Adding to the symposium's significance, Massachusetts state legislators, including Senator Liz Miranda and Representative Sam Montaño, will actively engage with attendees. Their involvement emphasizes the growing recognition of PCOS/PMOS, and the importance of implementing policies that address the needs of patients effectively. This collaboration aims to equip participants with the skills needed to carry on advocacy and innovation beyond the symposium itself.

As outlined by Skand Shekhar, MD, MHS, Co-Course Director of the event, “Connecting clinical expertise and research with patient experience, policy and the realities that influence access to care helps us ask better questions and make better-informed decisions.” This holistic approach is anticipated to lead towards a more comprehensive understanding and treatment of PCOS/PMOS.

Conclusion
The PCOS/PMOS Awareness Symposium 2026 represents a crucial step forward in the journey towards a more integrated, patient-centered approach to healthcare. By gathering patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers under one roof, PCOS Challenge and Brigham and Women's Hospital aim to spark meaningful changes that resonate through research, treatment, and legislative corridors. To learn more about this transformative symposium or to register, visit PCOS Challenge Symposium.