"Living Strong, Living Long," is the theme of this year's UCSF Women's Health 2020, a daylong conference offering workshops and self-care sessions to empower women of every age.

The ninth annual event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 on the UCSF main campus on Parnassus Avenue. Registration is $50 with discounts for seniors, students and those who register early.

This is a yearly opportunity to learn the latest information from the nation's leading women's health professionals. Topics include hormones and mood; complementary medicine; physical fitness at all stages of life, and breast cancer prevention.

"Knowledge is power," says State Senator Jackie Speier. "The UCSF Women's Health 2020 Conference offers women in the Bay Area the power to take charge of their health care at a time when research on women's health is expanding our knowledge at a laser rate. Attending this conference is a must for any woman who cares about health and longevity."

Keynote speaker will be chief of the California Office of Women's Health Elizabeth Saviano, RNP, JD, Chief of the California Office of Women's Health.

A distinguished leader in the field of women's health and well-being, Saviano has orchestrated reform on issues such as access to health care, children's health insurance, welfare reform, reproductive rights and contraception coverage, and community clinic funding.

As the Chief of the California Office of Women's Health, Saviano holds the highest position in the state, overseeing women's health research policies, guidelines and recommendations. Saviano has served as an attorney, specializing in health policy consulting and government relations and is the former director of Health Policy of the California Primary Care Association.

She is a nationally certified women's health nurse practitioner, and has been licensed as a registered nurse in California since 1977. Saviano earned a master's of science degree from UCSF and a juris doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco.

Participants at the conference will be able to:

· Broaden their vision of health to include prevention, complementary medicine, fiscal fitness, career choices and political action

· Join dynamic group sessions pertaining to women's health issues throughout the life span

· Jump start their personal wellness with visits to interactive self-care rooms including bone density screening, blood pressure tests, and massage therapy and

· Consult with community agencies on issues such as preventing violence against women and elder care.

A new topic at the conference this year is a talk on bioterrorism. For more information or to register, call 510 843-8048 or visit online.