Incoming President's Letter
Bethany Ashby

Dear NASPOG Members,

I am delighted to write my first newsletter column as your President! My initial NASPOG meeting was in 2014 in Colombus and as an early career psychologist, I was looking for a professional home, a society where my interests in women’s health aligned with the mission and values of a professional organization. I began my career working with adolescent girls, then perinatal adolescents, and then all birthing people and NASPOG was the only society I found that utilized a lifespan approach in understanding women’s health and well-being. At the time, I had few colleagues who had specialized in women’s mental health and NASPOG’s atmosphere of warmth and collaboration, combined with cutting-edge scientific education and presentations, created opportunities for connection with experts in the field – which is not always the case for early career faculty in professional societies. Through NASPOG, I have developed lasting professional collaborations and mentorship relationships that have been invaluable to my career. I hope that you have had similar experiences as a NASPOG member!

As president, I am committed to supporting and advancing NASPOG’s mission to promote the study and clinical application of the neurobiological and psychosocial aspects of women’s health and well-being across the lifespan. I have two additional goals for my presidency:

• 1.       to expand and promote the multidisciplinary membership of NASPOG, such that psychologists, psychiatrists, ob/gyns, midwives, master’s level mental health clinicians, and other health professionals, including learners, are active and engaged in the mission of our organization.
• 2.       to continue NASPOG’s work in advocacy, equity, and justice on behalf of women at all stages of life.

As part of our advocacy and equity work, NASPOG will hold a 2025 virtual speaker series. Ellie M. Proussaloglou, MD will kick off our series on January 23 at 6:30PM EST! Please join us as Dr. Proussaloglou presents on the mental and sexual health of patients during and after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment . Can’t make it on the 23^rd? We will be uploading Dr. Proussaloglou’s excellent presentation to our NASPOG new YouTube channel.

If you have ideas for our speaker series or would like to get more involved in NASPOG, please consider joining a task force or committee. We value your input and perspective! You can email me directly at bethany.ashby@cuanschutz.edu or reach out to info@naspog.org.

Finally, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as your NASPOG president.  I look forward to working with the NASPOG board and with each of you over the next 2 years.

Bethany Ashby