The Society for Women's Health Research, in association with Pfizer Women's Health of Pfizer Inc, announced the recipients of the 2001 Pfizer/SWHR Scholars Grants for Faculty Development in Women's Health. This competitive program was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for physicians who wish to pursue original research in women's health at U.S. medical schools. The grants, $65,000 per year for three years, will begin July 1, 2001.

Biomedical research has uncovered evidence of biological differences between the sexes in virtually every organ and system of the body and has resulted in the creation of the field of scientific inquiry known as sex-based biology. ``The Scholars Grants program will support physician-scientists in their quest for a deeper understanding of the sex differences in the presentation, manifestation and treatment of diseases that affect women,'' said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, President & CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research.

2001 PFIZER/SWHR GRANTEES:

Reproductive Physiology:
SUSANNA J. PARK, MD
University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School
"Neuroendocrine Alterations in the Perimenopausal Woman"
Sponsor: Laura T. Goldsmith, PhD,UMD-New Jersey Medical School

Cardiovascular Disease:
AYAN R. PATEL, MD
New England Medical Center
"Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Function and Coronary Artery Disease in Women"
Sponsor: Richard H. Karas, MD, PhD,New England Medical Center

Mental Health:
JOHN M. HETTEMA, MD, PhD
Medical College of Virginia -- Virginia Commonwealth University
"Gender Differences in the Development of Major Depression and Anxiety Disorders: The Role of Comorbidity"
Sponsor: Kenneth Kundler, MD, Medical College of Virginia -- VCU

Applications are reviewed by an independent Academic Advisory Board. This year's Pfizer/SWHR Scholars Grants for Faculty Development in Women's Health Advisory Board consists of six eminent physicians. They are:

Nanette K. Wenger, MD (Chairperson), Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Florence P. Haseltine, PhD, MD, Past-President, Society for Women's Health Research, Senior Editor, Journal of Women's Health

Ellen Leibenluft, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Michael Mendelsohn, MD, Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Tufts University School of Medicine

Carol A. Tamminga, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Gerson Weiss, MD, Professor and Chairman, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, UMDNJ -- New Jersey Medical School

The Society for Women's Health Research is the nation's only not-for- profit organization whose sole mission is to improve the health of women through research. Founded in 1990, the Society brought to national attention the problem of the exclusion of women from major medical research studies and the resulting need for more information about conditions affecting women. The Society advocates increased funding for research on women's health, encourages the study of sex differences that may affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, and promotes the inclusion of women in medical research studies. Visit the Society's Web site at http://www.womens-health.org for more information.