A wide variety of healthcare speakers are headlining the second annual Flourish Women’s Expo put on by MedWest Health System on Saturday, May 19, at Harrah’s Cherokee Events Center.

The event is intended to support women’s mind, body and spirit, and attracted hundreds of participants last year. The vision of the event is for women to join a sisterhood, embracing health for themselves and their families.

“The ultimate purpose of the event is to let women know what’s available here in terms of healthcare and wellness,” said Jan Wilson, co-chairwoman of the event and wife of MedWest radiologist Dr. Al Wilson of Carolina West Radiology.

Country music superstar and American icon Naomi Judd will give the keynote speech. Judd will draw upon her experiences as a hepatitis C survivor and as a former registered nurse in her talk about the importance of women’s health and wellness.

Sessions being held include topics such as skin care, creativity and aging, weight management and better communication for better health. There are also sessions for teens scheduled, including tips on healthy dating and avoiding dating violence.

Also on tap is a “Meet the Doctors” mini-event to give participants the opportunity to meet local physicians in a non-clinical environment. About 20 physicians will participate in this one-hour session.

Flourish Women’s Expo attendees also will have the opportunity to participate in specific medical screenings. Last year, about 400 screenings were performed at the event.

Sponsors of the event are the Foundations of MedWest Health System, Haywood Regional Medical Center, MedWest-Harris and MedWest-Swain, Carolina West Radiology and 21st Century Oncology.

Tickets to the all-day event are $45 and can be purchased online by visiting the Flourish Women’s Expo section at www.MedWestHealth.com.