Implementing a new model of integrated women's health in academic health centers: lessons learned from the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health.
The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health Program (CoE) represents a new model for women's health in academic health centers that unites women's health research, teaching, clinical care, public education and outreach, and career advancement for women in the health sciences. Lessons learned from the first 3 years of implementation indicate that this type of model requires a transformation from the traditionally fragmented set of activities in academic health centers to an integrated system united around the goal of advancing women's health. The transformation requires institutional commitment, dedicated players, and an ability to build on existing resources and bring added value to the institution. Challenges and strategies to link women's health activities and increase collaboration are also discussed.
Gwinner
V M
VM
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA.
Strauss
J F
JF
Milliken
N
N
Donoghue
G D
GD
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002322:Career Mobility; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017146:Models, Organizational; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*