


our reason
Accelerating Women's Health with Research

To make a long-term positive impact on women's health

our scholars
Inspiring Careers in Women's Health Research

Latest Events & Outreach
Early access to cutting edge research for self-advocacy

Making our community healthy through research

women's health research
Give Now to move forward and Keep the women we love healthy
Women’s health starts with research. Health prevention strategies, illness diagnosis and treatment, and drug development efforts rely on gender-inclusive research results. Historically, women have been either underrepresented, or excluded in medical research efforts. This may lead to adverse health outcomes for women.
The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is dedicated to making a long-term positive impact on women’s health. We seek to accelerate women’s health research by implementing three key programs aimed at advancing women’s health:
- Our Lecture Series Program provides early, first hand access to cutting-edge research where medical experts, scientists, doctors, and researchers convey timely, reliable information on topics relevant to women’s health. By presenting the latest research in women’s health, we advocate for women in our community to make an informed decision about their health.
- Our Scholarship Program funds women-specific seed research grants to undergraduate and graduate individuals conducting critical research that may affect women’s health. By funding women-specific research, we hope to inspire students to follow a career that addresses women’s health.
- Our Community Engagement Initiative awards pilot research grants to scientists working with community–based organizations to develop and evaluate programs that address the most pressing health issues affecting underrepresented women in our community. Research results serve as the foundation in the application process of additional women-focused research funding.
Since its founding in 1995, the Howell Foundation has awarded more than 270 scholarships and produced over 100 women’s health presentations. In 2013, it expanded its service to include community- based research grants with an emphasis on women in under-served communities. By focusing on women-specific issues, we help Keep the Women We Love Healthy.

“How many of you have wives; how many of you have daughters; how many of you have sisters? And I know you all have mothers…
What do you do to help them stay healthy?“
Dr. Doris A. Howell
Read about how your donations accelerated women’s health research in our 2021 Annual Review.
We are celebrating the Howell Scholars creating an impact in women’s health today! Check out the summer edition of the “Keeping the Women we Love Healthy” newsletter.
Howell Scholarship Program

We inspire and fund undergraduate and graduate researchers to pursue scientific innovation for the next-generation pool of physicians and scientists who will accelerate solutions to women’s health issues.
Outreach and Events

We promote health education by presenting cutting-edge research that encourages self-advocacy for the long term health and well-being of women, their families and the community in which they live.
Community Engagement Initiative

We award pilot research grants to scientists working with community organizations to develop and evaluate programs designed to address the most pressing health issues affecting underrepresented women in our community.
Give Now to Move Forward
Help us accelerate research in women's health for generations to come.
We serve to bring awareness to gender disparities in medical research that lead to proper diagnosis and treatment for women in our community.
Your investment supports an emerging scientist and contributes to a lifetime of furthering women’s health, family health and the health of our community with education. Today’s Howell Scholar raises the importance of science dedicated to women’s health. With your support, today’s Howell Scholar will have the the tools to discover the next scientific breakthrough in women’s health research.
I want to donate to move women’s health forward.
What Donors are Saying:
We have entered a new era in Women’s Health and “tomorrow’s breakthrough” depends on what we do today to make a difference in the future of health care. It’s an honor to be part of this incredible group of people who believe in women’s health causes.
Although women live longer than men, they bear a greater burden of diseases & disability. I’m privileged to serve on the Howell Foundation Board of Directors to help this exceptional organization promote women’s health research through its student & community engagement research awards.”
For me, the Howell Foundation is about Education. Research. Next Generation. I learn so much about women’s health from the top physician researchers and scientists in San Diego. Knowing that my contribution is going toward women’s health research scholarships is rewarding.
Your Donations at Work!
How you’ve helped move women’s health research forward



Howell Happenings
Keeping the Women we Love Healthy Blog
Meet the UCSD Scholars Accelerating Women’s Health Research
Howell Foundation Announces New Appointments to its Executive Leadership Team
The Howell Foundation is #breakingthebias in research. Because women’s health starts with research.
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Contact Details
If you are interested in working with us then please drop us a line, we would love to hear from you.