Life sciences executives, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patient advocates gathered at Middlesex College on Friday, Oct. 16, for HERHealth 2026: What Women (And Men!) Need to Know, the third annual women’s health forum hosted by the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ).
The half-day forum addressed critical health challenges across the female lifespan, focusing on expanding clinical trial access, driving medical innovation, and addressing unmet needs in conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer’s disease.
The conference examined key health differences between men and women, focusing on research, awareness, and treatments for cardiovascular disease, cancer, menopause, mental health, and Alzheimer’s disease.
HINJ President and CEO Chrissy Buteas highlighted New Jersey’s role as a global life sciences hub—often referred to as the “Medicine Chest of the World”—in advancing specialized treatments for women.
“Women’s health deserves its own focus and prioritization – and there is still so much more we must do to make sure women have access to the information, care, clinical research, and innovative treatments they need,” Buteas said. “Today’s event was an opportunity to bring these partners together, shine a light on areas where more progress is needed, and demonstrate why New Jersey truly is the ‘Medicine Chest of the World.’”
A featured state policy session brought legislative and regulatory updates from Trenton, moderated by HINJ Director of Government and External Relations Kyle Sullender.
The panel featured Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, MD (D-11) and Iris Jones, Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Family Health Services at the New Jersey Department of Health.
Donlon emphasized the intersection of medicine and policy.
“As a physician and a legislator, I see every day why women must remain a priority in both our healthcare system and our public policy… New Jersey is proudly committed to our state’s sovereignty to direct the health and wellbeing of our residents,” Donlon said.
Meanwhile Jones stressed equitable implementation.
“Innovation and research are essential, but it’s just as important to make sure those advances translate into care that women and families can actually access. New Jersey is uniquely positioned to bring government, communities, healthcare providers, researchers, and the life sciences together to close gaps and improve outcomes,” Jones said
The agenda featured three expert-led sessions addressing critical gaps in clinical trial representation, menopause care, and systemic health threats:
| Session Title | Key Topics Covered | Panelists & Speakers |
| Addressing Access: Why Women Are Still Missing from Clinical Trials (See related story) | Enrollment barriers, building community trust, and improving clinical trial diversity. |
• Denise Anderson, PhD (Moderator, NJ Public Health Institute) • Shemika Austin, MS, CCRA (Novo Nordisk, Inc.) • Sophia Hurtado, MBA, RN (Organon & Co.) • Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, MD, PhD (Cooper Medical School of Rowan University) |
| Menopause, Answered: What Women Need to Know | Perimenopause, menopause symptoms, emerging therapies, and future directions in care. | • Kanchi Chadha, MD, FACOG (Hackensack University Medical Center) |
| More Than Menopause: Confronting the Biggest Threats | Health issues beyond reproductive health, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and mental health. |
• Chrissy Buteas (Moderator, HINJ) • Mai Himedan, MD (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine) • Tracy K. Paul, MD, FACC (Merck Research Laboratories) • Michal Schnaider Beeri, PhD (Rutgers Health) |
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that breakthroughs in the lab must be matched by public policy, awareness, and accessible clinical pathways.
“Innovation is most powerful when partnered with access, awareness, sound public policy, and a deep understanding of what patients need,” Buteas concluded. “We are proud to convene this conversation highlighting the extraordinary work taking place across New Jersey to advance women’s health and drive the next steps.”
The event was supported by partner-level sponsors including the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP).
