Below The Belt (2023)

This is a FREE Community Screening. RSVP is required.

Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women, impacting the quality of life of millions around the world. These women go an average of seven years between symptom development and receiving a diagnosis, and one of the most important causes of the delayed diagnosis is dismissal of symptoms by patients, their family members, or their treating physicians.

Raising community awareness is crucial to enhance the care of women suffering from this disease. Without community awareness, advocating for a woman with endometriosis to seek specialized care is almost impossible.

Join the Women’s Institute at Tampa General Hospital at the historic Tampa Theatre as we honor Endometriosis Awareness Month with a FREE community screening of the documentary Below the Belt, featuring the inspiring stories of four patients advocating from themselves as they have been diagnosed with endometriosis. This event aims to honor and recognize the inspiring stories of patients searching for answers to endometriosis symptoms and exposes widespread problems in our healthcare systems.

After the film, a panel discussion will focus on raising community awareness of the disease, its symptoms, the lifelong struggle for patients, and the possible treatment modalities to improve the quality of life of the patients.

Panelists include:

Emad Mikhail, MD, FACOG, FACS (Moderator)

• Associate Professor & Chief Division of Gynecologic Subspecialties
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• University of South Florida/Morsani College of Medicine
• Director of Inpatient Gynecology and Center of excellence for Minimal Invasive Gynecology
• Tampa General Hospital

Diana Encalada-Soto, MD, FACOG

• Assistant Professor Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Division of Gynecologic Subspecialties – Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• University of South Florida/Morsani College of Medicine
• Tampa General Hospital

 Lauri Silver Hochberg, MD, FACOG

• Associate Professor Division Director of Gynecologic Imaging
• University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine
• Department of OB/GYN

Patient Ambassadors Elisa Santora, Amanda Enright and Deborah Onetti