New London ― Cadets, civilians and military members sat attentively listening to speakers of a health symposium in the Alumni Center Friday at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The symposium, held in honor of Women’s History Month, was put on by the local chapter for the Women’s Leadership Initiative, an official affinity group in the Coast Guard that seeks to increase the retention and success of women in the service.

Lieutenant Shirley Pilkey, the co-chair of the chapter, said it aimed to give listeners a taste of different topics the chapter might dive into deeper at other events this year.

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz provided opening remarks, and two separate panels were held on women’s mental and reproductive health.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dana Thomas, the director of Health, Safety and Work Life for the U.S. Coast Guard. Thomas provided a passionate and motivational speech about not being afraid to seek help.

She said she hoped those listening to her talk understood the importance of evaluating their own thoughts and not falling into a cycle of putting themselves down.

Since starting her position in 2019, Thomas said she has increased the number of mental health professionals across the Coast Guard from nine to 45. She said five new behavioral health nurses were starting this year.

At the end of her talk, Thomas spoke of her frustrations on reproductive issues such as the overturning of Roe vs. Wade and its effect on different states. She added that there are tight laws that prevent the military from using federal dollars to pay for abortions unless the pregnancy is a risk to the mother.

But she said that doesn’t include employees that have had to carry a baby with no chance at surviving.

Charlene Criss, a physician assistant at the academy, spoke during the reproductive health panel. She said she commonly sees cases of iron deficiency in women at the academy with longer, more frequent periods. She said the deficiency becomes all the more apparent by the physical demands of training.

Criss said the academy has a clinic outpatient department with primary care providers and clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. She said over the last year and a half, the academy has worked to enhance its care and created a strong collaborative team.

j.vazquez@theday.com