Local Community Engagement

“Thank you for creating a space for young women to take on Leadership roles and discuss issues relevant to their lives.”

–Participant,
GirlFest 2007

Our local programs appeal to women and girls of all ages with diverse interests, and are made possible through partnerships with our Partners. Programs include:

Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day
Kids at UCSF Day: Promoting Equity for Girls and Boys
Mind Over Bladder
Women's Equality Day
Women's Health Today
World Breastfeeding Week
Young Women's Health Conference
UCSF Mount Zion Healthy Living Series

Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day

Each year we participate in Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day), a nationally recognized awareness-raising day that takes place annually on the second Wednesday of October. Sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, HCADV Day aims to reach members of the healthcare community and educate them about the critical importance of assessing for domestic violence, as well as the long term health implications of domestic violence and lifetime exposure to violence. Read more at The Family Violence Prevention Fund.

Kids at UCSF Day: Promoting Equity for Girls and Boys

KidsDay Continuing the yearly tradition of FUN in women’s health, the Center of Excellence shows young girls what its like to work in our center. Each year in April a group of 10-15 girls explores the exam rooms of our Women’s Health Clinics and tours the Reproductive Health Center where they learn how to use selected medical equipment and play the part in scrubs, masks and gloves. Later in the day, participants make get-well-cards for patients at Art for Recovery, and then take part in a youth-friendly nutrition lesson at our Women’s Health Resource Center with tips about what it takes to grow up healthy and strong. Read more about the program.

Mind Over Bladder

Mind Over Bladder is a workshop for anyone who is concerned or wants to learn more about urinary incontinence (the involuntary loss of urine) and problems of pelvic support (prolapse) as well as recommended treatments. Over thirteen million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence, 85% of whom are women. Presenters are faculty members from the UCSF Women's Continence Center. This program is presented by the UCSF Women's Continence Center and the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health.

Women's Equality Day

Each year the Center of Excellence celebrates Women's Equality Day, August 26th and recognizes the work of the National Women's History Project. Celebrations have included a women's quiz, screenings of Iron Jawed Angels or Votes for Women, and distribution of voter registration information.

Women's Health Today

Women's Health Today lectures, co-sponsored with the Center for Gender Equity, are free lunchtime lectures on contemporary, relevant women's health topics. The seminars take place at various locations at UCSF and can be attended in-person, streamed live on-line, or viewed on UCTV. Additionally, the presentations are archived on-line and can be viewed approximately three months after each event.

World Breastfeeding Week

Annually the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’ s Health joins 120 countries around the globe to recognize World Breastfeeding Week, which advocates for protection and support of the right to breastfeed. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a child’s life can possibly offer protection from, for example, ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.

The Young Women's Health Conference

The Young Women's Health Conference (YWHC) began as a partnership between California State Senator Jackie Speier (now US Representative, D-CA, 12th District) and Dr. Nancy Milliken, Director of the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. The YWHC was the first conference of its kind designed for young women, by young women.

This partnership was developed to address health needs of young women. As the two partnering organizations began to meet and discuss topics that could be covered at the YWHC, it became clear that young women today face serious challenges. Far too many young women are victims of domestic violence, are infected with sexually transmitted infections, and suffer from low self-esteem or depression. The YWHC focuses on empowering and inspiring young women with resources and knowledge so they have the information and support to combat many of these issues. Our latest Young Women's Health Leadership Summit was held on March 25, 2009.

UCSF Mount Zion Healthy Living Series

Learn healthy ways to manage pain and improve health. We offer free noontime lectures to inspire you and provide you with practical, easy ways to be proactive with your health in your daily life. This is a collaboration with the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. This lecture series is made possible with generous support from the Mount Zion Health Fund.

Women's Health Shortcuts