Mayo Clinic Hosted 25th WomenHeart Symposium
The program gathered women with heart disease to build advocacy and education skills in Rochester.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Heart Disease
Live Poll
Do you trust patient advocacy groups to help improve your health outcomes?
The 25th WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium took place at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The event trained women living with heart disease to serve as community advocates and educators.
Why it matters
The symposium aims to transform the lived experiences of patients into effective advocacy and support for others in their communities. Heart disease remains the primary cause of death for women.
The program has trained more than 1,000 women as champions since its inception. This 25th iteration of the symposium featured sessions dedicated to the mental health aspects of heart disease.
The players
Mayo Clinic
This nonprofit academic medical center based in Rochester, Minnesota, is a global leader in clinical practice, education, and research.
WomenHeart
This national organization is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for women living with heart disease.
Gwen Mayes
She is a long-term advocate who has participated in the WomenHeart symposium series since 2005.
The details
Participants received specialized training on how to condense their personal health journeys into impactful, short narratives. These advocates are equipped to provide support to other heart disease patients in their home areas.
Timeline
The 25th WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium was held on October 10, 2026.
Gwen Mayes has been participating in the symposiums since 2005.
Health Landscape
This event marks 25 years of the WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium, establishing a long-term precedent for patient-led advocacy in cardiology. The program continues to bridge the gap between clinical care and community support for women facing heart disease.
Local residents living with heart disease can connect with trained champions who offer peer support and educational resources. This program shifts the focus of cardiac recovery to include necessary mental health resources and community-based advocacy.
The takeaway
Patients who share their stories can create a powerful support network for others navigating similar health challenges. Integrating mental health support alongside clinical education is essential for improving long-term outcomes for women with heart disease.
Further reading
Learn more about local cardiovascular initiatives in the Heart Disease section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTTC.
Live Poll
Do you trust patient advocacy groups to help improve your health outcomes?
