The Women鈥檚 Health Multidisciplinary Consortium (WHMC) is a growing initiative dedicated to enhancing women鈥檚 health research and care through collaborative efforts between trainees and faculty members. Founded in 2020 by graduate students Cherise Glodowski, PhD, MPhil, MD candidate, and Alina Hamilton, PhD, MS, the WHMC has become a central hub for connecting clinicians and researchers with a shared interest in improving women鈥檚 health.
The WHMC’s mission centers on fostering a trainee-focused, unified community that spans disciplines to advance women鈥檚 health research and to foster new training and collaborations. The organization was conceived with the goal of bridging the gap between diverse areas of research, training, and clinical care. With support from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, as well as the Center for Women鈥檚 Health Research at 黑料网, the WHMC has grown significantly over the years, becoming a vital resource for trainees and faculty alike. It offers a platform for developing community partnerships, hosting educational seminars, and creating robust training programs for graduate and medical students.
Current Initiatives and Projects
The WHMC’s initiatives are designed to create awareness of the diverse research occurring at 黑料网 related to women鈥檚 health while also facilitating collaboration and training opportunities across disciplines. Some of the primary initiatives currently being undertaken by the WHMC include:
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WHMC Hot Topic Seminar Series: This monthly seminar series brings together a diverse audience, including basic science and clinical faculty, graduate and medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates. The seminars are curated by the WHMC Hot Topic Committee and provide opportunities for attendees to engage with cutting-edge research on women鈥檚 health.
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Journal Club Trainee Cohort: Aimed at fostering a community of trainees interested in women鈥檚 health research, the Journal Club allows participants to network, engage with faculty, and get involved in WHMC leadership while contributing to educational initiatives.
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Women鈥檚 Health Scholarly Concentration Program (WH-SCP): Launched in Fall 2024, the WH-SCP offers training for 黑料网 medical students interested in women鈥檚 health. The inaugural cohort of 12 students is supported by faculty co-directors Drs. Marcella Willis-Gray and Asha Talati, as well as a dedicated group of student leaders.
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Graduate Certificate Program in Women鈥檚 Health and Sex Differences Research (WHSDR): This new program, set to launch in Fall 2025, will offer PhD students a multidisciplinary education focused on women鈥檚 health and sex-specific research. Graduates will gain the knowledge and mentorship needed to tackle advanced research questions in this crucial field.
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Community Engagement: The WHMC fosters community engagement through joint events, workshops, and informational sessions. Additionally, the WHMC Community Engagement team curates a monthly Women鈥檚 Health Newsletter featuring research updates, job opportunities, and interviews with WHMC members.
The WHMC Leadership and Core Committee
The WHMC鈥檚 growth from a small planning committee to a robust, 35-member Core Committee reflects its success in creating a collaborative and dynamic environment. The leadership of the WHMC is currently shared by co-chairs Cherise Glodowski, Sean Connelly, Elizabeth Thomas, and Kylie Hutchison, with faculty advisor Dr. Melinda Yates providing invaluable guidance.
The WHMC Core Committee is organized into six teams that lead key initiatives:
- Hot Topic Seminar Team: Led by Elizabeth Thomas
- Journal Club Team: Co-led by Maggie DeMonia and Sophia I. Malave
- Community Engagement Team: Co-led by Kate Aberman, Sarah Rebbeor, and Kylie Hutchison
- Women鈥檚 Health Scholarly Concentration Program Team: Co-led by Chase Binion, Sean Connelly, Cherise Glodowski, and Mia Wiegmann
- Graduate Trainee Program Development Team: Led by Kylie Hutchison
- Fundraising Team: Led by Clare Stull
The WHMC has continued to attract passionate and committed individuals who are dedicated to advancing women鈥檚 health. As it evolves, the consortium鈥檚 leadership remains focused on fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment for all members.
Quotes and Acknowledgments
Dr. Glodowski, co-founder and co-chair of the WHMC, shared her reflections on the consortium鈥檚 growth and its impact on the field of women鈥檚 health research:
鈥淢y dream is to build a thriving community of researchers and clinicians who share a common goal of improving the health of women. Women鈥檚 health research at 黑料网 is superb and multi-faceted but is often siloed. I feel strongly about creating a tether-point to connect the research and clinical work in this multidisciplinary field, especially for early-career trainees. We are stronger when we hear fresh perspectives and tackle big problems together. I am floored by how much the consortium has grown in the last 5 years, and am deeply proud of working with such a passionate team who roll up their sleeves and make this whole initiative possible.鈥�
Dr. Glodowski also expressed her deep gratitude for the support and mentorship the WHMC has received since its founding. She acknowledged Dr. Russell Broaddus for his unwavering support and championing of the WHMC, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for聽 housing the initiative, and the late Dr. Wendy Brewster for her leadership and encouragement to develop the WHMC. She also recognized Dr. Jessica Bowser and Dr. Melinda Yates, the consortium鈥檚 faculty advisors, for their guidance, as well as her brilliant co-founder, Dr. Alina Hamilton, for her vision and partnership in bringing the WHMC to life.
The Women鈥檚 Health Multidisciplinary Consortium continues to grow and evolve, creating a dynamic and supportive environment for trainees and faculty dedicated to advancing women鈥檚 health research and care. The WHMC is paving the way for groundbreaking collaborations and initiatives that will shape the future of women鈥檚 health care and research. With a growing community of passionate individuals, the consortium is poised to continue making a significant impact for years to come.
For more information, including access to the WHMC鈥檚 monthly newsletter, announcements, and details on upcoming events, visit WHMC at 黑料网.