Keeping the Women we Love Healthy

Scientists to present emerging research in Metastatic Breast Cancer  Howell Foundation to be a part of the panel of judges for research proposals at the event   The Doris A. Howell Foundation will be participating in the Komen Foundation’s conference ‘Concept to Cure: The Process from Research to Market and Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer’. The event will focus on the latest advances in metastatic breast cancer treatments, clinical trials, patient support and national issues for metastatic/stage IV breast cancer (MBC). The conference will host approximately 150 participants – including patients, families, supporters and the medical community, according to the organization’s information. As a part of the program, one of the break-out sessions will include ‘research pitches’ to a panel of judges from scientists regarding their latest work in metastatic breast cancer for a chance to win a $1,000 award provided by the Howell Foundation.  Dr. Carole ...

Pictured above (from left to right): past Board members Dr. Beatrice Rose, Gladys Kohn, Cher Connor and Jean McGrath; along with Kathleen Franklin and Carole Banka, Howell Foundation Vice Chair and Chair respectively.   The Howell Foundation Legacy Council held its inaugural meeting this month to discuss the ways in which it will work towards recording the history of the Doris A. Howell Foundation.  This group of exceptional community leaders is interested in inspiring, motivating and guiding the current Board on its mission to ‘Keep the Women we Love Healthy’. "We want to be deserving of your donations, and the history behind the Doris A. Howell Foundation plays a significant role when discussing the quality of the programs presented to the community," mentions Carolyn Northrup, Communications Chair.  The Howell Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary last year --20 years of empowering women to become health advocates for their own health and those of their f...

Pictured above:  Sima Chokr (Biology, California State University, Long Beach),  Karl Liboro (Biology, California State University, Los Angeles),  Brandon Strong (Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) & Alan Tran (Biological Sciences, San José State University).   Photo courtesy of John Zimmermann. Howell-CSUPERB Students Present their Fields of Research during Foundation’s first Luncheon of the Year. Scholars to Start their Research in Women’s Health in Spring & Summer 2016 CSUPERB and the Doris A. Howell Foundation:  Proud of our Scholars!  Twelve CSU biology students will now have a unique opportunity to conduct research in women's health.  Receiving a total of 28 applications, the Howell Foundation, partnering with the CSUPERB program, chose students from 9 CSU campuses to receive scholarships worth $42,000.  The scholarship awards were announced in January, and each scho...

As this year's International Women's Day comes around, we would like to thank all the men and women that make our work at the Doris A. Howell Foundation possible. It is our belief that by engaging scientists in all activities incidental to women's health research we empower women to be catalysts not only for their health, but for their family's health.  By awarding scholarships to undergraduate students, grants to graduate and post-graduate scientists in relevant women's health research, and by creating a forum where the latest updates on women's health are presented and discussed, we ensure that women's health is on the forefront of medical minds today. But why women's health research ? We have found that women are still underrepresented in clinical trials -- even after the 1993 NIH Revitalization Act that mandates the inclusion of women in pre-clinical studies.  Today, a "one size fits all" approach doesn't necessarily apply when ...

2015 was a very busy -- and successful-- year!  Read about the impact the Doris A. Howell Foundation had in our community. Oh yea...  and 2016, get ready, here we come!  We kick off the year with the lecture "Understanding the genome 10,000 experiments at a time: applying genomic approaches to understand autoimmune disease in women" with Sonia Sharma, Ph.D. Why should you attend?  Did you know that:      ·         Taken together, autoimmune diseases strike women three times more than men? Some diseases have an even higher incidence in women! ·         Autoimmune diseases have been cited in the top ten leading causes of all deaths among U.S. women age 65 and younger?    ·         Autoimmune diseases represent the fourth largest cause of disability among women in the United States?  When you have a minute, read about the topic and regist...

"I am passionate about empowering women in their paths towards healthy living and doing so, through valid and credible research and resources."  Abigail D’Agostino is a medical professional with over 13 years of wide ranging experience in the healthcare industry and has demonstrated proven success with increasing levels of professional responsibility. Ms. D’Agostino obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse license and Public Health Nursing certificate in 2002 and sought medical-surgical and critical care clinical experience for several years where she won an award for clinical excellence and obtained her critical care certification.  Ms. D’Agostino further advanced her education and earned her Master’s in Business Administration and then became certified in Plant-Based Nutrition. Ms. D’Agostino is the Director of Patient Care Services for LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care and is an Associate Consultant with Weatherbee Resources, In...

For those of us who attended the Howell Evening Series Hormones and Happiness you might remember Dr. Banka mentioning Dr. Cuddy and her study about hormones and power, and how power and falling in love are intrinsically related. Form Ted Talks, "Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success". You asked, we listened.  Amy Cuddy on hormones and power.  Enjoy!                                                                        ### About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:  The Doris A. Howell Foundation f...

“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...

Have you ever wondered… Which hormones make you feel powerful and confident? Which ones help you cope with stress? The role hormones play when you fall in love? How hormones make you happy –or not? The Doris A. Howell Foundation will be holding its FREE Evening Series Event with the presentation "Hormones and Happiness" by Dr. Carole Banka.   Come and find out how our hormones are interconnected and the potential they have for making us happy or totally miserable! Registration is now open at  www.howellfoundation.org .  Registration is required, so make sure you reserve your space early, as seating gets filled up quick! When:   OCTOBER 15, 2015              6:00—7:30 PM              Share Your Happiness!              5:00-6:00pm – Registration and  hors d’oevres (cash bar)               6:00-...