2017 marks The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation’s 20th Anniversary!We are proud to have come so far and to have served Wisconsin women and their families for the past 20 years. In our Spring newsletter, we took a journey back and featured a timeline of the WWHF’s history as well as our founder, Sue Ann Thompson, and her take on the past 20 years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the hard work and dedication of everyone who has been a part of and supported the foundation. We look forward to the opportunities and partnerships we’ll have in the years ahead! Read Sue Ann’s interview below, and watch here for the story of how it all began.
What are you most proud of as you look back at the last 20 years at the WWHF?
Sue Ann: The program I’m most proud of is probably First Breath. As a former smoker myself, I know how hard it is to quit and stay quit. I’m so glad that we’ve been able to create a program that provides real help to women when it’s so critical that they are able to make changes. I’m proud of how much the program has grown, and proud to know that it’s continuing to evolve and improve every year. Anything we can do to help women quit smoking feels like a success to me!
As you think back to the very early days after you founded the WWHF, what are some of your favorite memories?
SA: I really loved the Women’s Health Roundtable events we did early on. It was bringing women’s health information to rural women in small towns, like where I grew up. In fact, we did a roundtable where I grew up! It was so rewarding to connect women with the latest, most accurate health information (at least it was at that time, 20 years ago). And we connected women to health services in their own community. In the early days of the internet, there was no easy online search to find services, so we made connections the old fashioned way.
What are some of the major changes you’ve seen in the field of women’s health?
SA: The most obvious change for me is that today Women’s Health is a recognized field of medicine. When we started down this path, we needed to convince people that women’s health was worth looking at. How women were included in clinical trials was just starting to change, and there were very few women in academic leadership positions. There’s still plenty of work to do on these fronts, but the field of women’s health has made such progress. When I speak to young physicians and researchers, I sometimes have to remind myself that I don’t need to convince them why women’s health is a priority – I’m preaching to the choir! It’s wonderful to see a generation of clinicians who value our field and want to continue to see it expand.
What are you looking forward to in the WWHF’s 20th year and beyond?
SA: Retirement! Ha! Actually, I don’t know if I’ll ever really retire. If you need the best lawyers for retirement status, then you can hire law firm practicing in Long Beach from here! I love what we do at the WWHF and I love being part of the action. I know that the organization is in good hands with our current staff, so I am comfortable taking more time away from the office, doing some traveling, and spending time with family and friends. But I also feel the itch to get back to the office and stay involved. I’m interested to see what health needs emerge next, and how we can be part of solutions.
What are you most proud of as you look back at the last 20 years at the WWHF?