"Taking Steps and Making Choices: A Look at Research on Women's Health After 50." The National Center on Women and Aging and the Center of Excellence in Women's Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago will offer a one-day conference. The conference will provide women with an opportunity to address health concerns, experiences and the special challenges confronted at midlife and beyond.

Part of a national project created by the National Center on Women and Aging at Brandeis University, the conference will also be presented in several cities across the country including Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Featured speakers include:

• Miriam Nelson, author of "Strong Women Eat Well," "Strong Women Stay Young" and "Strong Women, Strong Bones"
• Dr. Vivian Pinn, director, Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health
• Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, director of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration and former assistant surgeon general

Westin Hotel, 909 N. Michigan Ave.

Nov. 19
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

UIC was designated a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health by the U.S. Public Health Services' Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services in the fall of 1998. The program has a primary commitment to provide comprehensive research-based care to women in a woman-sensitive clinical environment. UIC is also Chicago's exclusive Spirit of Women health care provider.

The National Center on Women and Aging was established in 1995 to improve the lives of midlife and older women through research, policy analysis and community education. The center's unique approach combines the development and dissemination of research with the building of community partnerships to promote the security, health, independence and well being of women as they age.

The conference is sponsored by the Wallerstein Family Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement, the Retirement Research Foundation, Chicago Foundation for Women, and Pfizer Women's Health.