Photo: Dr. Amanda Shepherd-Littlejohn
The Women’s Health Innovation Summit was held last month in Sacramento, Calif., bringing together physicians, researchers, government officials and industry members who discussed women’s health today and tomorrow.
We spoke with Dr. Amanda Shepherd-Littlejohn, Sutter Medical Group gynecologic oncologist and section chief of gynecologic-oncology who participated in a panel discussion at the Summit on what it truly takes to move from innovation to impact.
Q: What tools and technologies do we see at Sutter that are making it easier for women to receive proactive, personalized care and for physicians to deliver that care?
A: With apps we offer like MyHealthOnline, patients can directly contact their care team, view their medical chart and find test results. We also recently launched Sutter Sync™, a digital program that allows patients to manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure, right from home. Soon patients with diabetes and high cholesterol may also use Sutter Sync.
To aid preventive and proactive care for illnesses like breast cancer, Sutter offers genetic testing, AI-powered, precise screening and cutting-edge, targeted treatments tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup.
Q: Care needs for women continue at all life stages. Why is this particularly important for women navigating stages like pregnancy and childbirth or perimenopauses and menopause, and what resources and programs is Sutter making available across its women’s health service line?
A: Sutter has been recognized nationally for its work to advance maternal health best practices. We continue to lead that work with a program designed to safely manage placental abnormalities in pregnancy. These abnormalities are usually diagnosed in the middle of the pregnancy and require a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team to monitor the condition throughout the rest of the pregnancy and strategically plan the delivery. Next year Sutter’s Women’s Health Service Line will launch a menopause program to identify and treat women struggling with perimenopause and menopause symptoms and medical conditions.
Q: Gynecologic cancers are becoming more treatable, yet more younger women are being diagnosed with cancer of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. What new treatments being tested in clinical trials at Sutter hold promise?
A: Early detection saves lives. Catching cancer sooner greatly lowers the risk of serious complications and improves survival. That’s why Sutter is committed to making screening and primary care accessible across California. We’ve expanded our physician network to reach communities that need us most and offer genetic testing for women at higher risk – helping detect cancers earlier, when they’re easier to treat.
We’re also advancing care through clinical trials testing new treatments for gynecologic cancers, including a precision medicine study for ovarian cancer to find treatments tailored to each woman. And we’re investing in cutting-edge technology, like AI-powered imaging and blood tests, to spot cancer even sooner.
Q: Overall, what does the future of women’s health look like to you, and what bold steps must we take to get there?
A: We must listen to women and continue to build women’s health programs that garner trust. Sutter is focused on upholding a consistent, visible commitment to innovative women’s health care that supports women across all stages of life. Through our Women’s Health Service Line, we have developed strong, supportive programs that meet women where they are in their health journey, right where they live.
