Most recently, I attended the Snowmass Institute’s “Achieving Success in Women’s Health” Conference. Celebrating its 25th year, this is an annual conference that highlights the latest innovative strategies for establishing or maintaining Women’s Health focused programs within healthcare facilities. A common theme this year was the focus on establishing Women’s Wellness and Breast Health Programs. One session I attended was titled “Extend Your Reach: The Business of Capturing Well Women” presented by Debora Soholt, RN, MS,Director Women’s Health Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.  This presentation highlighted the importance of establishing preventative services as a cornerstone of a reformed healthcare system. Given that women over 40 are expected to grow 40 percent over the next 15 years (faster than any other female segment) this provides an even greater motivation to create and market these programs. Ms. Soholt has found that these programs are not only in great demand within a large service area beyond the hospital campus, they have also been very profitable. Such programs have included Midlife Women’s Health Program focused on hormone balance, the “Planet Heart” Cardiac Health Program and the“ Think Pink” Breast Health Program.  Another presentation of note was “Future Directions in Breast Health: Planning your Next Move” by Lillie Shockney, RN,BS, MAS, Administrative Director, Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, Baltimore Maryland.  This presentation focused on what standards establish clinical quality and service excellence in a breast care center. Keys to success of a program include easy access, rapid results from tests, rapid appointments and coordination that looks seamless to the patient such as implementation of a navigation program.  Consider what level of care you will provide. Will you be screening and evaluation program or will you expand your services to include treatment as well?  Other useful resources that were highlighted in additional presentations include the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (http://www.accreditedbreastcenters.org/about/about.html) and also The National Consortium of Breast Centers.  Both of these organizations establish program structure and standards for breast health programs.    If you are considering establishing a women’s focused program or are looking to strengthen an existing one, this is a conference to consider keeping on your calendar annually. The organization also publishes a quarterly newsletter known as the Ireland Report  http://www.snowinst.com/hat that keeps its attendees up to date between conferences. For more information go to http://www.snowinst.com/.