Welcome

Janet Michelmore AO 
Director, The Jean Hailes Foundation.

It is no wonder that The Jean Hailes Foundation has changed and grown since it began in 1991. It’s had to, just to keep up with the constantly evolving landscape of Australian women’s health. With women’s changing roles we want to be in the best possible shape – healthy, happy and full of vitality – in order to make the most out of life. Today, we are more proactive about our health care. We are demanding more from our health care professionals.

Since July last year, when the benchmark Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial in the US was halted prematurely, women are increasingly becoming more aware of their options and choices in healthcare and management.

In the past year science research has exploded with new studies, information and results that relate to women. For better or worse women’s health has taken a front seat in the health arena. How do we, as women, know what to believe and how do we make crucial decisions about our midlife health?

How do we become aware of the issues and decisions and our available options? And how do health providers ensure that there is a seamless delivery of accurate information to the community?

Maintaining quality of life as we age depends critically on disease prevention and early detection, especially in light of the rapid ageing of the Australian population.

We need to become clear about what is relevant to us as individuals, to take personal responsibility for our health care, to consider the context of any information and the media’s need to capture our interest with headlines.

We need confidence in order to question and become empowered enough to make informed decisions regarding our health. We need confidence in our health practitioners in order to build an open relationship where the health professional recognises a woman’s, possibly diverse, perspectives and backgrounds.

At Jean Hailes we are committed to looking after women as the sum total of their wellness and life experiences, not just the sum of their illnesses.

An exciting piece of news at Jean Hailes is the appointment of Professor Susan Davis to the Jean Hailes Chair of Women’s Health. This appointment will be within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University and will be based at The Jean Hailes Foundation.

The Chair of Women’s Health adds to the status of The Foundation, with recognition from the highest academic body in the community, of the contribution we make to the discipline of women’s health. It also reflects the highly significant value placed on the discipline of women’s health as a whole. Professor Davis will continue in her role as the Jean Hailes Director of Research and, most importantly, she will identify and act upon opportunities for advancing women’s health in Australia.

Congratulations also to Epidemiologist Dr Robin Bell, who has been appointed Deputy Director of Research at The Foundation.

I continue to be constantly amazed at the passion and dedication of everyone involved at Jean Hailes. It is not just individual staff, volunteers or colleagues, but the enthusiasm and fervour of the whole team, who make positive changes happen daily, that deserves praise. We are proud to work with organisations across Australia, as well as individuals who advise us on the development of our programs.

There is no doubt Jean Hailes is a richer place for everyone’s involvement and it is proof that together we can do it better.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe festive season.

Ways you can be a friend of Jean Hailes 

Giving A Gift for Life

One of the ways in which individuals can support The Jean Hailes healthier futures for women vision is through a bequest.

Over the last 10 years The Foundation has benefited from a number of legacies from generous benefactors. However, while The Jean Hailes Foundation is rich in the quality of its research, clinical service and community education, The Foundation continues to rely on philanthropic support, over and above Federal Government funding and fee for service.

Bequests can be large or small and do not need to be cash. Other options include shares, bonds, property or a percentage of an estate. However you might choose to remember Jean Hailes in your Will, a bequest can make a real difference and will contribute towards ensuring healthier futures for all women in Australia.

In planning for the future we ask you to consider something we all may take for granted – our health and the health of future generations of Australian women.

Fur further information on how you can make a bequest please contact Janet Michelmore on (03) 9562 6771.

Workplace Giving

A new way to give is through the Workplace Giving Program.

Workplace Giving is the process of making regular donations through your employer’s payroll system. As an employee, you can nominate an amount to from your salary each month – no matter how small.

Workplace Giving Programs are cost effective, easy to implement and are a wonderful innovation for charities, such as The Jean Hailes Foundation, as it allows forward planning for the use of funding in long term programs.

Employers may choose to match employee donations or donate a specified amount. Many employers are finding that productive community oriented partnerships are mutually beneficial to both business and charity, helping employers to boost morale.

To initiate a Workplace Giving Program please see your employer. Information is available from The Australian Charities Fund www.australiancharitiesfund.org.au.

Privacy Statement 

Due to recent changes in Australian privacy laws your permission is required for The Jean Hailes foundation to continue sending you information about our activities. You will continue to receive information unless you indicate otherwise. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, or would like to make changes or additions to your contact details, please contact us on 03 9562 6771 (1800 151 441 tollfree).

The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended that The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health professional. The Jean Hailes Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of information or advice) which is provided in this magazine or incorporated into it by reference. Information is provided on the basis that all persons reading the magazine undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. 

© The Jean Hailes Foundation. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under copyright legislation, no part may be reproduced or reused for any commercial purposes.

Note: This article is an archive. Whilst the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has made every effort to ensure this information was accurate at the time of publication, the article content has not been updated since the date listed below.

Page created November 05, 2003