St. Johnsbury, VT – April 21,2025 – The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, NVRH and ACE Fitness are collaborating to bring a series on menopause to the Northeast Kingdom in May. The free health information series will discuss the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes associated with menopause, and how they affect women and their families.
On Tuesday, May 6 at 6 pm at the Athenaeum, three expert panelists will explore a range of topics. Dr. Jennifer Wetherald, OB/GYN and Midwifery at NVRH, will discuss how menopause affects the body. Katherine Harris, MSW, LICSW, PMH-C, Behavioral Health Specialist at NVRH, will discuss menopause and emotions, and offer tips to lift the spirits.
Kelly Largay, MN NUTR, Hormone Specialist and Founder of Ace Nutrition, is the third panelist. “I’m excited to shed light on why weight loss — and even maintaining your weight — can feel like an uphill battle during this phase of life. I’ll be sharing realistic, science-backed strategies around nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle that can help women feel stronger, more energized, and in control of their health during this transition,” said Largay.
“I think for a long time menopause has been in the shadows. Many suffered in silence as the topic felt heavy or not appropriate in some way. Yet it’s a real part of aging, and the symptoms and challenges that come with it deserve to be illuminated and discussed. This is especially important in our rural areas as our populations continue to age,” said Jill Kimball, director of Communication at NVRH and moderator of the panel.
“What’s great about this event is that by collaborating with our local partners – the Athenaeum, NVRH and ACE Fitness – we can offer a welcoming space to cover the physical, emotional and hormonal impacts of menopause,” said Kimball.
The conversation will continue with the Menopause Café on Tuesday, May 13 at 6 pm at the Athenaeum. The Café community discussion format found great success in 2023 and 2024 with Death Café discussions at the Athenaeum in collaboration with NVRH.
The events are free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.