Keeping the Women we Love Healthy

Thinzar Helmi Lwin This year, our 20th anniversary celebration year, also includes celebrating the success of our scholars.   If our work empowers one individual to work towards women's health research, then we are just a step closer to ensuring women's well being and family health.    "The Howell research scholarship fueled my interest in science and cancer biology.  It led me to great mentors who guided me into the medical field during my time at UCSD.  I have since finished medical school in New York and am now a surgical resident training at Mt Sinai Beth Israel in NY. I am very appreciative of the Howell Foundation for giving me the opportunity to get started in biomedical research which helped me to get where I am today!"   T he Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is committed to keeping the women we love healthy, advancing women’s health through research and educating women to be catalysts for improving family health in t...

It was 20 years ago when Soroptimist International of La Jolla helped establish the Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research to honor a remarkable woman who’s work denoted love, passion for women’s health and compassion. Today, after 20 years, the inspiration brought about by Dr. Howell has allowed the Foundation to award over 200 scholarships to aspiring researchers and doctors, to hold over 80 educational events and to fund 3 grants addressing the health of underserved women in our community. Please Join us in celebrating the next 20 years of Women’s Health Research at our Featured Luncheon:  “One World, One Health” With Stanley Maloy, Ph.D.  Professor Dean, College of Sciences Associate Director, Center for Microbial Sciences        San Diego State University                                           ...

Women’s health is not a feminist issue… it’s a gender one. We ARE different.  Could it be that feminist phenomena and the breaking of several glass ceilings have led to the perception that men and women are equal?  We ARE, but we are also different; which is NOT the same.  We are not just small men. Women’s health is not a perception.  We live under a hormonal dictatorship.  We go through hell and back EVERY MONTH, except of course when we are pregnant, which is a whole new topic of conversation.  And then there is menopause…   as if having our periods wasn’t enough, at the end of our menstrual cycle’s life, we sweat like there is no tomorrow.   It’s like the devil saying “this one got away… let us remind her of what the underworld is all about.” Now on the subject of pregnancy – yet another hormonal nightmare:  we see our figures transform from somewhat decent to bumps and dents all over our bodies!  Yet after our ‘joys’ are b...

We believe that women's health starts with research and ends with education. Our own Carole Banka has her 'cheerleading' hat on promoting the relevance of women's health in our community.  "If we can touch the life of ONE woman in our community, then it'll be ONE woman that will advocate for her own health", she comments.   "We need to address gender differences, even if it is one woman at a time". The presentations she gives go beyond the obvious differences between men and women and delve into subjects such as the relationship between obesity, stress, depression, heart disease and hormones.   In the past two months, she has been invited to speak at two organizations that are making a difference in women's lives in our community:  The National CHEERS Foundation, and Las Damas de Fairbanks. The secret to her success as a key note speaker lies in her humor:  "It is said that a man's testosterone level increases as he approache...

“The experience that stands out most to me was the opportunity to attend a Howell luncheon and meet Dr. Howell and the other members of the Foundation. The experience was so inspirational and it meant so much to be able to share that opportunity with my mentor, Dr. Doran. It was truly an honor to be in the presence of so many proponents of women’s health.” – Erin Fletcher (San Diego State University, 2013 Scholar) This year marks the 15th anniversary of a partnership that was only logical:  two great organizations aligned to advance women’s health research through education, and provide opportunities for students who otherwise would not have access to careers in the biomedical research field.  “CSUPERB believes that the best way to engage, recruit and retain students in life science careers is to provide access to and opportunities in real-world biotechnology research settings. We know that these experiences are particularly effective at engaging and retaining stude...

This just in from the Daily Mail:  "World's first 'medicinal' chocolate: Scientists have developed a bar so healthy it could be taken as medicine." Oh sweet heaven! As widely known, cacao contains antioxidants that might lower the risk of several diseases.  The research trend of super-foods has shed light on the new medicinal benefits that have been attributed to cocoa. The most recognized? Slowing the aging process, regulating vascular changes that lead to heart disease and minimizing the risk of developing cancer.  And then there is a myriad of side benefits: Improves our mood  Used as an aphrodisiac  Balances Hormonal Mood Swings  Creates loads of energy and combats fatigue Improves skin texture Lowers our blood pressure naturally  Improves cognitive function and prevents Alzheimer’s Reduces insulin resistance and sensitivity Improves our kidney functions, promotes better digestion and stimulates our bowel  But these health b...

About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:  The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is committed to keeping the women we love healthy, advancing women’s health through research and educating women to be catalysts for improving family health in the community. The organization does so by funding scholarships to students researching issues affecting women’s health; providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, and researchers to convey timely information on topics relevant to women’s health and the health of their families through its Lecture and Evening Series, and by funding research initiatives that improve the health of under-served women and increase awareness and advocacy in the community.                                                                  ### Summary ...