Foundation meets $1.5 million goal for new endowed chair.
June 6, 2005, ST. LOUIS - Until the 1980s, men were used almost exclusively as study subjects with the assumption that findings that were true for them applied to women as well. Although women's health issues still lag behind those of men in terms of research and treatment, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine hope to close the gap with the creation of a new endowed chair.
In April 2004, fund-raising efforts for the Ronald and Hanna Evens Chair in Women's Health began. And nearly one year later, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation has received $1.52 million in pledges and donations. The endowment will support a medical professional who will help improve the standards of women's care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital by conducting laboratory research and clinical studies to enhance patient care. A chair holder will be named at a later date.
"It is only through the generosity of our donors that the Foundation has reached the fund-raising goal," says Emma Lee Twitchell, senior development director, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation. "We are grateful to our board members and community friends for their commitment to advancing care and research of women. Although the original goal has been reached, donations are still welcome to fund this worthy cause."
Barnes-Jewish Hospital established the chair in honor of Ronald G. Evens, MD. Dr. Evens served as the hospital's president since 1999 until he retired April 30, 2005. He and his wife, Hanna, have devoted their lives to the health-care industry.
"My own personal interest in radiology, and my wife's status as a breast cancer survivor made me think of the many important women's issues currently not pursued in today's specialty- and organ-based medicine," says Dr. Evens. "So when Hanna and I were asked to be honored by a chair, we decided on women's health to recognize the importance of women in all aspects of health care."
The Evens Chair is one of 18 endowed chairs at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.