Known as the “Mother of Hospice” in our community, our founder, Dr. Doris  Howell, M.D. was a graduate of McGill University. A Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, and an internationally renowned leader in pediatrics and hospice care, she was a faculty member at Harvard and Duke Schools of Medicine, Chair of the Dept. of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and on the faculty of UCSD Medical School where she chaired the Dept. of Community and Family Medicine. Serving on the San Diego Hospice Board of Directors since its inception, she was a driving force for San Diego Hospice, a model of care that is recognized throughout the nation. She was elected Director Emerita in 1989.

During her career, Dr. Howell recognized the critical need to improve women’s health care and research, not only for the sake of women, but also for the sake of their family and loved ones. Women are the protectors and gatekeepers of their family’s health. The promotion of family health begins with the knowledge base of the women who are responsible for safeguarding the health of the family. Hence, the more research accomplished in women’s and family health, the greater the benefit to the community at large.

In 1995, Soroptimist International of La Jolla helped establish the Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research” to recognize Dr. Doris A. Howell’s efforts to better the lives of women in the community. The premise under which the Foundation was created still remains: to get students excited about a career in research. By awarding grants to students who were involved with scientific mentors, there was a guarantee that women’s health issues would be addressed at the most basic level: research.