Description:
<jats:p>The concept of Women's Health has evolved over the past few years from a focus on disorders strictly related to female reproductive organs into a multidisciplinary construct that involves the overall well‐being of women. In the summer of 2007, the University of South Florida established an undergraduate research project on Women's Health, with a belief that a well‐planned educational activity involving both classroom instruction and direct participation of the learner in research activities can advance the cause of Women's Health, promote gender and cultural sensitivity, and emphasize the roles of sex, race, culture and class in creating health disparities in a given community. Faculty from the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Arts and Sciences and Honors were engaged to expose the students to diverse disciplines and approaches to the concept, and to provide them with a variety of research mentors and projects. In addition to the 6‐week intensive mentored research project, two parallel courses were offered to provide basic information on Women's Health and the fundamentals of research. Based on the positive results from this pilot project, we expect not only to continue the program, but extend its time frame, expand its content, and open its enrolment to a greater pool of students.</jats:p>