St. Luke’s Women’s Forum empowers important health conversations in the Treasure Valley

What started as a simple idea at a dinner table in Boise has evolved into an inspiring gathering where hundreds of women have found comfort in sharing their stories and discussing health concerns.

The Women’s Forum, hosted by the St. Luke’s Foundation, provides education on women’s health issues and creates a safe space for women to have open conversations with medical professionals.

“When women feel informed and supported, they’re better able to share that knowledge within their own circles, [ultimately] improving women’s health across the Treasure Valley,” said Sarah Wallick-Stearns, donor relations coordinator with St. Luke's Foundation.

The Foundation team at St. Luke’s manages logistics for the Women’s Forum, such as invitations, email communications, scheduling speakers and identifying future topics. Speakers include St. Luke’s leaders and caregivers who give an informative presentation followed by a Q&A session, resources and advice.

Wallick-Stearns said it can be a welcoming space to ask questions attendees might not feel comfortable bringing up with their primary care provider or even their family.

“It’s really special to be part of this event and surrounded by women who are so curious, engaged and committed to their own well-being and to each other’s,” she said.

Topics have covered specific, relevant topics related to women’s health. At the most recent meeting in November, OB-GYN physician at St. Luke’s Women’s Clinic Dr. Anne Feighner and St. Luke’s Behavioral Health psychiatrist Dr. Mary Lynn Young shared valuable information about menopause and its connection to mental well-being. 

“At our last Women’s Forum … one woman shared with me, ‘This is the most open dialogue I’ve ever had about this.’ That moment actually made me tear up because this is exactly why we do it,” Wallick-Stearns said.

From a simple idea to a signature event

The idea for the Women’s Forum stemmed from a dinner conversation nearly 20 years ago. In 2005, Ed Dahlberg, then-CEO of St. Luke’s, met with a group of St. Luke’s committee and board members and long-time supporters including Carolyn Terteling, Alice Hennessey, Kay Hardy and Sandy Dalton.

The women expressed a need for an exploratory group where they and others could openly talk and ask questions about health concerns. Many were making health care decisions for their families and wanted reliable information they could trust.

And the impact was immediate. Shortly after the first Forum in 2006, St. Luke’s accelerated its community response for mammograms, moving forward quickly with a plan to install the first full-field digital mammography system in the Treasure Valley.

The Forum also played a part in St. Luke’s efforts to improve the downtown campus and led to philanthropic support of the CAR-T cell therapy for St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, enabling St. Luke’s to raise $2.5 million to bring the program to Idaho in 2022.

Fast-forward to today, the group has met more than 60 times and is not slowing down.

What’s Next: Grow and evolve

Longtime St. Luke’s supporter Melissa Gilbert has been attending the Women’s Forum consistently since 2010. Gilbert took over as chair for the Women’s Forum in 2023, assisting with planning and hosts each of the meetings.

Since stepping into her leadership role, her main goal has been simple: expansion.

“One thing that always struck me after these meetings was a feeling of wanting to share this with more women,” Gilbert said. “After all, that was the main goal of this group: to take what we have learned from the meetings and spread the word in the community.”

Originally, the Women’s Forum started as a small group. Now, the triannual event is more inclusive, open to anyone in the community who is interested.

More recently, Boise State University faculty and staff working in health and research fields have started attending, expanding the Forum’s reach in the Treasure Valley.

The Women’s Forum is a win-win for attendees and St. Luke’s.

“Not only do we learn from the doctors and staff from St. Luke's, but they learn from (attendees) as well,” Gilbert said. “Many times, these meetings have been a place where we can open up and voice our concerns and ideas that, in turn, help St Luke's to better understand our needs so they can continue to offer (the community) the best in care.”

Gilbert, Wallick-Stearns and the St. Luke’s Foundation team are finalizing the 2026 lineup. Upcoming topics in the new year are expected to include GLP-1 medications, osteoporosis and bone health and exploring cardiac disease in women.

Discussions have also been held about streaming the events, too.

“As the size of our community grows, so does the interest in health care,” Gilbert said.

But more importantly, Gilbert wants everyone who attends to feel more confident about their decisions on health. She wants St. Luke’s to be seen as a trusted partner in health – one that is constantly evolving with the community’s needs and the ever-changing field of women’s health care.

“Our hope is that (attendees) are not only empowered to help themselves and their families, but also to share what they have learned with their friends and others in our community as well,” said Gilbert. “We all have to be advocates for our health.”

Interested in attending or learning more? Email the St. Luke’s Foundation at [email protected] to join the Women’s Forum email list.