Health Sciences Women's Faculty Association

University of Southern California

History and general information about the organization

As a voluntary organization of women who have faculty appointments in the Schools of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy, the parent organization was formed in 1981 to address specific concerns of women faculty members on the Health Sciences Campus. Since then, the HSWFA has maintained a variety of ongoing programs to promote the professional development of women faculty, post-doctoral fellows and residents. The HSWFA operates independent from but works in close cooperation with the Office for Women on the Health Science Campus, the Research Fund and the USC Feminist Council.

The HSWFA seeks to serve both the faculty and students of the USC Health Science Campus.

 One of the primary goals of the HSWFA is to promote collegial interactions among all members of the university community. HSWFA members are recognized leaders in the university community, serving on appointments and promotions committees, budget committees, Medical Faculty Assembly, University Senate, and more. In 1995, the HSWFA was awarded the prestigious Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award by the American Association of Medical Colleges, which was established to recognize outstanding contributions for the development of women leaders in academic medicine. Other accomplishments by the group include the development of the Survival Manual for New Faculty Members, which is currently distributed to all newly hired faculty members on the Health Sciences Campus. The HSWFA also successful campaigned for the establishment of the Child Care Center on the Health Sciences Campus for faculty, staff and students, which opened in 1991. It was also the desire of the HSWFA to create a collegial meeting space for faculty, staff and students that lead to the establishment of the Seaver Coffee House in 1994.

The HSWFA is also engaged in activities assisting women and children receiving care through the LAC+USC facilities.

Each year over 200 Christmas gift bags containing toiletry articles are prepared and given to the women at the L.A. Mission on skid row. Clothes and toys are collected for the children at Para Los Ninos. Additionally, funds are raised to "Jump-Start" a family from substandard housing (i.e., converted garage/overcrowded living space) into a safe apartment or small house. These families are chosen from the families enrolled in the premature babies program run by Dr. Karen Finello.