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01/11/10

WOMEN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION AWARDED GRANT FROM HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY
Funding To Support Health Education Programs for Underserved Women

Chicago, IL (January 11, 2010) – Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) has been awarded a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. The grant will fund WHF’s initiative, “Talking the Taboo, Reaching the Underserved in Northern Lake County,” a series of community health workshops for women to be held this Spring along with separate pelvic health focused seminars for local healthcare providers

The workshop series will help further WHF’s mission to improve pelvic health  for all women through educating women and their health care providers on the significance and treatment options of women’s pelvic disorders..

“We’re thrilled to be able to continue our mission to de-stigmatize the pelvic health issues that often go unaddressed by patients and doctors,” says Missy Lavender, WHF’s Executive Director and Founder. “While all women are in need of education; special efforts will be made to reach low income, uninsured and underinsured women who are particularly vulnerable. These educational workshops and provider seminars will attempt to improve access to information, education and care for women who typically postpone seeking treatment for these important conditions.  It’s vital these women find appropriate care as research shows these pelvic disorders can increase one’s risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and other debilitating conditions like obesity and depression.”

Consumer workshops will touch upon pelvic anatomy, lifestyle challenges to the region (pregnancy/menopause), common disorders and treatment options (both behavioral and medical).  Workshops for healthcare providers will cover screenings and treating pelvic disorders, as well as tips on talking to patients about common pelvic health misperceptions and stigmatized conditions like urinary incontinence.

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County is dedicated to improving access to health services for underserved Lake County, Illinois residents. The organization is particularly interested in increasing capacity of effective organizations like WHF.

The consumer health workshops are scheduled for March, and the provider workshops are scheduled for May. Specific dates will be released upon finalization. For more information, call WHF at (773) 305–8200.

 

01/01/10

Cities for our 2010 Sex, Chocolate, and Your Pelvic Floor event have been announced! Contact Molly Parlier if you'd like to attend, sponsor, or volunteer!

  • Chicago, IL - March 4th at Catalyst Ranch
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • Philadelphia, PA

12/15/09

Help Us Meet our 2009 Fundraising Goal! Click here to read a personal appeal from Missy Lavender, WHF's Founder and Executive Director.

12/03/09

Women’s Health Foundation Wins 2009 Innovation Award

Chicago Women’s Health Non-Profit Awarded 2 Year, In-Depth Consultancy from Partnership in Philanthropy Provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) proudly announces receiving the inaugural Power of Partnering Innovation Award, as part of the November 2009 Power of Partnering Conference sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s Alliance Development & Philanthropy. WHF was the sole recipient thanks to their ground-breaking wellness programs in women’s health.

Since 2004, WHF has created unique, community-based, fitness and educational programs for all women combining a specialized fitness program with an educational component involving bladder and pelvic anatomy, nutrition and lifestyle tips to prevent manage or alleviate bladder symptoms. Total Control®, WHF’s primary program, is a full body wellness and educational program shown in research to improve both symptoms of bladder control and quality of life.  Additionally, the Foundation recently created a chair-based version of the exercise program designed for seniors, called Total Control Platinum™.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) Director of Research and Development  Jennifer Hebert-Beirne, Ph.D, (left), accepts the 2009 Innovation Award from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Executive Director of Alliance Development Lori Ryan, (center), and Rhonda Crichlow, Executive Director of Philanthropy and Alliance Development (right)


The 2009 Power of Partnering Innovation Award provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is part of an effort to help non-profit organizations navigate the current financial climate.  As part of the award, Women’s Health Foundation receives two-years, 165 hours hands-on consultancy arrangement with Partnership in Philanthropy focused on skill building and mentoring and designed to promote sustainability and effectiveness in the field of healthcare and advocacy. 

“This award recognizes the strides WHF has made to bring innovation to the world of women’s pelvic health.  We are honored to receive this inaugural innovation award and appreciative of the opportunity it provides to help us grow and sustain our efforts as a non-profit leader, “said Missy Lavender, Executive Director and Founder.