Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: November 4, 2003
Contact: Nancy Libby Fisher, MMHS, Coordinator, 
Office of Women’s Health
401-222-7621

Office of Women’s Health Advisory Committee To Hold Statewide Health Empowerment Meeting

The Office of Women’s Health Advisory Committee invites the public to attend the Women’s Health Empowerment meeting:

Date: Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 p.m.,

Location: Conference Room C, RI Department of Administration,

One Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island,

Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the RI Department of Health, established the Office of Women’s Health in 2002, to provide leadership for setting statewide priorities and to advise the Department on policies and programs that effect the health of women in Rhode Island.

"We rely on the Advisory Committee to be our ears to the community, to uncover where there are needs and gaps," said Dr. Nolan. "Then we can work together to improve the health of Rhode Island women."

Sharon Marable, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Office of Women’s Health stated, "We need agencies that serve women to partner with us in an effort to identify the disparities in women’s health. This meeting will help us accomplish that goal."

The Advisory Committee uses an approach that acknowledges the role of gender, literacy and income in health. As a result, the Advisory Committee members represent a wide range of ages, racial and ethnic groups, abilities, geographic areas and professions. Subcommittees focus on assessment, legislative issues and public forums. The Advisory Committee wants community participation in the meetings and other activities.

"In order to do our work and to be effective, we need to listen," noted Joyce Dolbec, MA, Advisory Committee Chairperson. "We need to hear from the community about the problems and needs of Rhode Island women. The purpose of the meeting is to begin the process which will change women’s health care in our state."

For more information about this meeting, joining a subcommittee or for directions to the meeting site, please call 401-222-1171. If you need communication assistance, or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the Office of Women’s Health at least 5 business days prior to the event.