title: Creating and sustaining a military women's Health Research Interest Group.
abstract: In 2008, four doctorate military nurse scientists representing the triservices (Army, Navy, and Air Force) identified a common interest in the health and care of all women in the armed forces. For 7 years, the team's shared vision to improve servicewomen's health inspired them to commit to a rigorous schedule of planning, developing, and implementing an innovative program that has the capability of advancing scientific knowledge and influencing health policy and practice through research. The ultimate goal of the Military Women's Health Research Interest Group (MWHRIG) is to support military clinicians and leaders in making evidence-based practice and policy decisions. They developed a 4-pronged approach to cultivate the science of military women's healthcare: evaluate the existing evidence, develop a research agenda that addresses gaps in knowledge, facilitate the collaboration of multidisciplinary research, and build the bench of future researchers. The MWHRIG has been a resource to key leaders; its value has been validated by multiservice and multidisciplinary consultations. However, the journey to goal attainment has only been achieved by the enduring commitment of these MWHRIG leaders and their passion to ensure the health and wellbeing of the many women who serve in the United States military. This article describes their journey of dedication.
authors.affiliation: USAF Acupuncture Center, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
authors.forename: Candy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trego
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rychnovsky
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foradori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development; D016387:Women's Health