View Larger Image About 220 pre-teen and teen girls and their mothers, fathers and caregivers attended the inaugural Girlology, organized by the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Aug. 7.
About 220 pre-teen and teen girls and their mothers, fathers and caregivers attended the inaugural Girlology, organized by the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Aug. 7.

First UAMS Girlology® Event Helps Prepare Teens and Pre-Teens for Puberty

By Linda Haymes

| About 220 pre-teen and teen girls and their mothers, fathers or caregivers attended the inaugural Girlology®, organized by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Held Aug. 7, the gathering offered empowerment through information and the chance to open or strengthen lines of communication.

The girls aged 8 to 14, and their accompanying adult, gathered in the 12th floor Fred W. Smith auditorium of the Jack Stephens Spine Institute at the for the 2½-hour event, which focused on preparing for and dealing with puberty.

Nine third and four-year medical students volunteered at the inaugural Girlology held recently at UAMS.

Nine third and four-year medical students volunteered at the inaugural Girlology® held recently at UAMS.

“The goal of the event was to have physicians provide medically accurate information, create a shared experience and to keep the lines of communication open in the future,” said presenter Nirvana Manning, M.D., chair and associate professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the UAMS College of Medicine.

Also presenting were Laura Hollenbach, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UAMS College of Medicine, and Kathryn Stambough, M.D., assistant professor in the department’s Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology who sees patients at Arkansas Children’s.

During the program, discussion topics included hormonal changes, breast development and bra shopping, hair growth and options for removal if desired. Menstruation and the proper way to use a tampon or sanitary napkin was also addressed along with a presentation about anatomy, boys, nutrition and friends.

Nine third- and four-year medical students, all from the obstetrics interest group, volunteered at the event. Other attendees included faculty from several areas of UAMS, including obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, research and radiology.

Throughout the event, there was also a lot of time for questions, and the girls all left with a book about puberty.

The gathering also included some raffle prizes and a selfie station.

Kathryn Stambough, M.D., Nirvana Manning, M.D., and Laura Hollenbach, M.D., spoke at the recent Girlology event for pre-teen and teen girls at UAMS.

Kathryn Stambough, M.D., Nirvana Manning, M.D., and Laura Hollenbach, M.D., spoke at the recent Girlology® event for pre-teen and teen girls at UAMS.

“My favorite part was seeing all those amazing young girls come and leave more empowered to make better choices about their health,” Manning said. “And the parents left feeling more comfortable having these conversations. This is how we go forward; we keep talking.”

Manning said she hopes that the event, jointly sponsored with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, will be held at least twice a year on the UAMS campus.

“There was so much interaction with the crowd,” Manning said. “This may be one of my most favorite things I’ve done in my career.”

“The medical students who worked with us were amazing and so helpful,” said Manning. “We could not have done it without them.”

The event was underwritten by a Chancellor’s Circle Grant that Manning’s department received last year.