Center Cited as Ambassador for Change

"Tulane and Xavier universities should be proud of the fact that their efforts in women's health have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," says physician and center director Jeannette Magnus. "The award was given for past achievements, but in our post-Katrina environment we have to be true ambassadors for change as we rebuild, renew and reclaim our future."

The center is one of 14 centers nationally to receive the designation in recognition for their work in community outreach and health education, clinical services, research, professional education and leadership development.

Tulane health educator Antor Ola explains, "Although we promote the advancement of women's health through five cores, these cores do not work in isolation. That's why we are more comfortable describing our work as multi- and interdisciplinary, with a strong leadership and mentoring system, which is captured in our vision, goals and objectives."

Ola says that the vision of the center is mental and physical well-being for all women across the lifespan. To that end, the center's staff facilitates access to healthcare services, fosters an interdisciplinary research agenda, promotes a women's health curriculum in conjunction with training and leadership of women, and advances the knowledge of women's health issues in the community. As an official Ambassador for Change, the center also will focus on evaluating community health education programs and developing leadership programs for the women and girls of New Orleans.

The center's offerings change with the times. In post-Katrina New Orleans, it began offering stress management education through the Stress and Depression Awareness in Louisiana's Hurricane Affected Areas (STAND) program, in collaboration with the Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Program at the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

"We really view ourselves as playing an ambassadorial role in women's health through local, regional, national and international partnerships," says Ola. On Nov. 16, the center held a gala event to recognize the work of women in the community. More than 100 women, including health professionals, legislators, citizen advocates and neighborhood leaders, were invited to a dinner at the Windsor Court Hotel to celebrate the work women have done over the past year to rebuild New Orleans.