Every conversation and contribution from this year’s forum helps advance the future of women’s health and research while creating lasting impact for women everywhere.
The Knauss family was inspired to support Cleveland Clinic after experiencing compassionate, patient-centered care during a difficult time. Their gift reflects a commitment to helping ensure women feel heard, respected and supported throughout their care journey.
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Forum celebrates groundbreaking ideas, meaningful conversations and visionary leaders working to advance research, awareness and advocacy for women’s brain health and Alzheimer’s research.
This year’s Global Women’s Health Forum proudly welcomed the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Forum, bringing important conversations around women’s brain health, Alzheimer’s research and advocacy to the event. Founded by Maria Shriver, WAM works to raise awareness and advance research focused on women and Alzheimer’s disease.
Throughout the forum, speakers and honorees highlighted the importance of innovation, education and continued investment in women’s health and brain health research, including the impact of WAM grants supporting groundbreaking work in the field.
The Global Women’s Health + WAM Forum is part of a larger movement led by the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic. Co-founded by Maria Shriver and Dr. Beri Ridgeway, the center is reimagining women’s healthcare through innovation, research and personalized care focused on helping women feel seen, heard and supported at every stage of life.
With integrated specialties, patient navigators and a commitment to advancing research and education, the center is helping transform the future of women’s healthcare for generations to come.
Call 216.444.8686 to make an appointment today or visit our website to learn more.
Dear Friends,
We are excited to announce that the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Forum will be held in Cleveland for the very first time!
On May 7, 2026, the WAM forum will join Cleveland Clinic’s Global Women’s Health Forum, a landmark gathering that brings together leading voices from around the world to examine the full spectrum of women’s health.
This year, the WAM Forum will spotlight pioneering advancements in Alzheimer’s disease, brain health and prevention. Esteemed experts, researchers, physicians, caregivers and advocates will present breakthrough findings in science and medicine, focusing on the unique challenges women face with Alzheimer’s. Since women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s, this mission is more urgent than ever.
Cleveland Clinic’s Global Women’s Health Forum will celebrate the achievements of our Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center.
For the second consecutive year, we will explore topics ranging from heart, brain, breast, gut and hormones, to wellness, nutrition, exercise and preventive care. Medical experts, research leaders, philanthropists, advocates and community voices will come together to elevate the conversation on women’s health for all ages and backgrounds.
During the event, we will honor three remarkable women with the Annual WAM Awards, recognizing their contributions and outstanding achievements in philanthropy, corporate leadership and caregiving within the Alzheimer’s community. We also will introduce the recipients of the 2026 WAM Research Grants — dedicated researchers whose work is deepening our understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease impacts women.
We invite you join us as a sponsor of this exciting and transformative day, where the WAM Forum and Cleveland Clinic’s Global Women’s Health Forum unite to inform and empower women on all aspects of their health.
Sponsorship opportunities provide meaningful ways to support these vital initiatives. Our team is enthusiastic about connecting with you to discuss these opportunities and answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to sharing a remarkable day, rich with engaging discussions and a spirit of unity, sparking a broader, worldwide initiative focused on women’s health.
We cannot wait to see you in Cleveland on May 7, 2026!
Maria Shriver, Beri Ridgeway, MD and Stacy Sims, PhD explored how movement, exercise and overall wellness can positively impact cognitive function and long-term brain health. The conversation highlighted the importance of proactive health strategies and continued education surrounding women’s wellness and aging.
The WAM Awards recognized individuals whose leadership, advocacy and philanthropy continue to advance women’s health and Alzheimer’s research. Honorees Camille Ruvo, Karen Sandone, Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard were celebrated for their meaningful contributions, continued support and commitment to driving awareness, innovation and impact through the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement.
Maria Shriver and Beri Ridgeway, MD, co-founders of the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, opened the Global Women’s Health + WAM Forum with a conversation about the vision behind the movement and the future of women’s health, research and advocacy. Joined by special guests Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine and Tom Mihaljevic, MD, the session highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and continued investment in women’s healthcare.
The State of Women’s Health featured exercise physiologist and author Stacy Sims, PhD, and urologist and sexual medicine expert Rachel Rubin, MD, for a candid discussion about women’s wellness, performance and overall health. Together, they explored how conversations around women’s health are evolving and why education, advocacy and personalized care are essential to improving outcomes for women at every stage of life.
The CEO Panel Discussion featured Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, CEO of AARP, and Joanne Pike, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, for a conversation centered on leadership, innovation and advocacy in women’s health and aging. The discussion explored the importance of collaboration, research and continued investment in improving health outcomes and quality of life for women across generations.
Serves as President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, the global leader in Alzheimer’s and dementia research, care and advocacy. She is guiding the organization through a pivotal era of scientific advancement, including the emergence of disease-modifying treatments, while advancing a bold 10-year vision to transform brain health, expand access to care and accelerate research worldwide. She also serves as CEO of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement and chair of the World Dementia Council.
An internationally recognized exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist challenging traditional fitness models with her groundbreaking approach, “Women Are Not Small Men.” Her work focuses on female-specific training and nutrition, emphasizing strength, proper fueling and hormone-informed performance. She has led research at Stanford and leading universities worldwide and is the author of ROAR and Next Level.
