Center of Excellence in Women’s Health
Ana E. Núñez, M.D.
Director, Women’s Health Education Program
Phone: (215) 991-8450 Winnie Jones
Fax: (215) 843-0253
E-mail: anunez@drexelmed.edu

Clinical Services Contact:
Katherine Sherif, MD
(215) 842-7007

In 1996, Drexel University's Institute for Women's Health was selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as one of six Vanguard National Centers of Excellence (CoE) in Women's Health. This designation builds on our 150 year institutional commitment to women. The mission of this CoE project is to create a new model of healthcare systems to improve the health status of women. As part of this mission, CoEs seek to promote awareness of, and attention to, women's health issues across a broad spectrum of activity.

The primary clinical center for the Drexel CoE is located at the Centers for Women's Health @ MCP. This multidisciplinary Center provides comprehensive care across the lifespan and includes a Center for Women's Health and Wellness, a Center for Pelvic Floor Disorders and a Breast Center. Faculty of the Center participate in research, student teaching, CME conferences and community outreach.

The research program builds on the expertise of faculty to expand the institution's focus on interdisciplinary women's health research. Research interest groups are active in the areas of breast cancer and domestic violence, and four mini-challenge grants in the fields of sex and gender science have been awarded. There is an ongoing project to introduce medical students to the rewards and challenges of research in women. The Annual Helen I. Moorehead, M.D. Women's Health Research Day was initiated in 2001.

The professional education program strives to integrate women's health into both the problem-based and traditional lecture-based medical school curricula, as well as into the clerkships and residency programs. The 4th year Women's Health Pathway students rotate through the Clinical Centers and also spend time with community agencies active in women's healthcare.

The leadership program, building on the national recognition of our ELAM program and our National Center of Leadership, uses web-based strategies to complement the educational and mentoring strategies for developing women leaders that are ongoing.

Multifaceted outreach and consumer education programs have been developed, including participation in community activist groups, domestic violence initiatives and ethnic health organizations; education of consumers on nutrition; health screenings; and training providers to deliver culturally competent services to women with HIV/AIDS.