MAHEC #77426 Open

2026 Blue Ridge Sports Medicine Symposium - Keeping Pace with Her: Maintaining and Improving the Health of the Female Runner

2026 Blue Ridge Sports Medicine Symposium - Keeping Pace with Her: Maintaining and Improving the Health of the Female Runner

Location

Mountain Area Health Education Center
Blue Ridge Room
121 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803-2868

Dates & Times

Mar 20, 2026 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Contact

Do you have event related questions or need help with registration?

This annual interprofessional symposium will explore evidence-based strategies for maintaining and improving the health of female runners across all levels of performance. Sessions will address unique physiological, biomechanical, and psychosocial considerations in women's running, with a focus on injury prevention, performance optimization, and long-term wellness. Exhibitors will be on-site with products and services relevant to the subject matter of the conference.

Please plan to join faculty and other conference participants for a special pre-conference conversation and networking event hosted by Anti-Fragile Physical Therapy at their 408 Depot St., Suite 160, Asheville, NC 28801 location on Thursday 3/19/2026 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

Agenda

Thursday, March 19, 2026
6:00 PM - 6:30 PMCheck-In & Networking
6:30 PM - 7:00 PMThe Physical Therapist's Role in the Management of Bone Stress Injuries in Female Athletes - Annie Barnes, PT, DPT, OCS, PCES
7:00 PM - 8:00 PMSocial Networking with Refreshments Provided

Friday, March 20, 2026

7:30 - 8:00 AMRegistration/Check-In with Light Refreshments (provided) and Exhibitors
8:00 - 9:00 AMExercise Physiology - Jennifer Kurtz, Ph.D, CSCS, CISSN, ACSM-EP-C
9:00 - 10:00 AMPeri Partum Care and Return to Running - Allison Lukacic, MPH, DO, CAQSM
10:00 - 10:30 AMBreak and Exhibitors
10:30 - 11:15 AMPelvic Floor Therapy - Rachael Paszko, PT, DPT, OCS, PRPC
11:15 - 11:45 AMRehabilitation of the Aging Female Athlete- Michele Hobson, PT, DPT
11:45 - 12:15 PMPanel Discussion
12:15 - 1:00 PMLunch (provided) with Exhibitors
1:00 - 1:30 PMStronger, Faster, Healthier: Evidence-Based Training and Nutrition for Young Female Runners - Emily Sherrard, MD, CAQSM, DipIBLM
1:30 - 2:00 PMResearch Project and Findings - Jessica Knapp, DO, CAQSM; Kendra Miller, MPH, RDN, CSSD; Dayton Steelman, LCMHC, LCAS, CEDS, QCS
2:00 - 2:15 PMBreak and Exhibitors
2:15 - 3:00 PMSports Medicine Fellows Research Presentation and Participant Learning Assessment - Brennan Dagle, MD; JJ Josilevich, DO, MSPH
3:00 PMComplete Attestation and Adjourn


This educational event is jointly provided by MAHEC (Departments of Continuing Professional Development and Sports Medicine Fellowship Programs) and EmergeOrtho – Blue Ridge Region.

Jointly provided by

UNC HS

Audience

Healthcare Professionals including Physicians, APPs, ATs, Nurses, OT/OTAs, and PT/PTAs; Running Athletes and Coaches

Objectives

check Describe the unique physiological and biomechanical factors that influence health and performance in female runners across different life stages
check Evaluate nutritional and hormonal considerations specific to female athletes, including energy availability, menstrual cycle impacts, and bone health
check Integrate interprofessional approaches to long-term wellness for female runners, including collaboration among sports medicine, physical therapy, nutrition, and behavioral health professionals
check Identify best practices for supporting female runners during the peripartum period, including safe return-to-running protocols, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and strategies for managing musculoskeletal and hormonal changes
check Analyze current evidence-based strategies for preventing and treating common running-related injuries in women, including stress fractures, tendon injuries, and pelvic floor dysfunction
check Apply principles of performance optimization tailored to female runners, incorporating strength training, recovery protocols, and mental health strategies
check Explore the realities and challenges of the female collegiate runner including the pressure to perform while maintaining physical and mental wellbeing

Fees

Cancellation Policy

Early Registration Fee - APPs, OTs, PTs, and Nurses

$75.00

Early Registration Fee - Athletes, Coaches, Residents/Fellows, and Students

$25.00

Early Registration Fee - ATs, OTAs, PTAs, EmergeOrtho Staff, and MAHEC Staff

$50.00

Early Registration Fee - Physicians

$100.00

Registration Fee - APPs, OTs, PTs, and Nurses

$90.00

Registration Fee - Athletes, Coaches, Residents/Fellows, and Students

$40.00

Registration Fee - ATs, OTAs, PTAs, EmergeOrtho Staff, and MAHEC Staff

$65.00

Registration Fee - Physicians

$115.00

Speakers

Annie Barnes, PT, DPT, OCS, PCES
Brennan P. Dagle, MD
Michele Hobson, PT, DPT
JJ Josilevich, DO, MSPH
Jess K. Knapp, DO, CAQSM
Jennifer Kurtz, Ph.D, CSCS, CISSN
Allison D. Lukacic, MPH, DO, CAQSM
Kendra Miller, MPH, RDN, CSSD
Rachael Paszko, PT, DPT, OCS, PRPC
Emily Sherrard, MD, CAQSM, DipIBLM
Dayton Steelman, LCMHC, LCAS, CEDS, Q

Additional Resources

Cancellation Policy

MAHEC has a pay-up-front policy for all CE programs. The only exceptions will be for pre-approved programs where an individual payment plan is appropriate. Registrations received without accompanying payment will not be processed and participants who have not paid the course fee will not be admitted into the program.

Unless otherwise noted in course materials, the following cancellation policy applies to all programs:

  • Cancellations must be in writing (fax, email, or mail).
  • Cancellations received more than two weeks prior to the event will receive 100% refund.
  • Cancellations received between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
  • No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
  • No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
  • Transfers/substitute(s) are welcome (please notify us in advance of the program).
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