News+Events
At Women’s Health Foundation we’re never sitting still. See where we are, what we’re doing and who’s talking about us. Check this page frequently to learn about upcoming and past events, news, programs and more. Check us out a twitter, facebook, and you tube!
06/19/10
Women’s Health Foundation Announces Receipt of Grant for Pelvic Health Research in Adolescents
Chicago Women’s Health Non-Profit to Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Regarding Bladder and Pelvic Health among Urban Adolescent Females
Chicago, IL (June 18, 2010) -- Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) proudly announces that Jeni Hebert-Beirne, PhD, MPH, WHF Director of Research has been awarded a Pfizer Investigator-Initiated Research (IIR) grant expanding WHF’s recently launched Adolescent Initiative. The study’s goals are to discern baseline knowledge and perceptions on pelvic health and to improve adolescent females’ knowledge, awareness and behavior with respect to basic bladder and pelvic health through an adaptive educational curriculum.
Since 2004, WHF has created unique, community-based, wellness and educational programs for all women combining a specialized wellness program with an educational component involving bladder and pelvic anatomy, nutrition and lifestyle tips to prevent manage or alleviate bladder symptoms. Recently, WHF expanded their traditional programs and services to adolescents by launching a pilot program at a high school on Chicago’s west side testing a curriculum assessing and intervening on the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge regarding menstruation, bathroom behaviors, sexual health issues as well as pelvic health.
“Arming young girls with pelvic health education, we aim to equip teen girls with the knowledge to take care of their health. Adolescence is a time to encourage health behaviors associated with optimal long term health. Since the risk of pelvic dysfunction increases with age, adolescence is the ideal life stage to educate and shape current and future health behaviors.” said Missy Lavender, Founder, Executive Director of Women’s Health Foundation.
Through this initiative, WHF will teach basic pelvic health education - anatomy, hygiene, the basics on pelvic function and disorders to teen girls as well as behavioral guidelines to pregnant and parenting teens.
06/09/10
3RD ANNUAL “BELOW THE BELT” FUNDRAISER A Knockout Success!
We are so pleased to announce our Below the Belt fundraiser was a knockout success – hitting an all time fundraising high of over $200,000!!! Thanks to your generosity and support, we will be able to continue our vital programs and services to help women in need. Thank you for believing in Women’s Health Foundation.
Jewel performed to a packed house and what a breathtaking performer: funny, personal, and that voice! Photos are up at http://www.fivelakearts.com/2010/womenshealth with more pics to be added soon. Also, we have photos up on our facebook page - tag yourself and show your friends how close you were to Jewel!
Additionally, we’re thrilled to offer one more exciting opportunity to support our organization. Back by popular demand is the Men’s Classic Cocktail Party (that’s right, no women allowed) on Friday, September 24th hosted at the home of Below the Belt committee members Jeff and Karen Parkhill. Registering is easy, visit www.totalcontrolprogram.com/silentauction to sign up. Space is limited and these spots fill up fast, so don’t wait.
We are so grateful for your participation in a memorable night and your continued support. Reflecting on the event, we were all so overwhelmed by how far WHF has come in just 6 years. We have indeed outgrown our space for this event and are so excited to welcome new supporters to our small, unique world of pelvic health and wellness.
03/31/10
SINGER-SONGWRITER JEWEL TO HEADLINE WOMEN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION’S 3RD ANNUAL “BELOW THE BELT” FUNDRAISER
Photo courtesy of www.jeweljk.com
Join Women's Health Foundation June 4th, 2010 for the first summer party of the season, the annual benefit for Women's Health Foundation with a special live acoustic performance by acclaimed Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Jewel. Below the Belt includes a silent auction featuring priceless vacation packages, premium sports tickets, and more; music and dancing; summer cocktails, incredible food - including a dessert extravaganza!
Go to www.belowthebeltgala.org for more information and to purchase tickets online.
02/08/10
WOMEN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION REVAMPED COMMUNITY BLOG IS uP!
We are so pleased to unveil our fancy new blog! Join our online community and help us empower women with knowledge about their bodies. If you'd like to be a guest blogger, email Molly at molly@womenshealthfoundation.org.
Find our new blog at http://womenshealthfoundation.org/blog/
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.
