Franklin Women secures game-changing grant to empower women in health and medical research

Medical: The pioneering professional community dedicated to empowering women in the health and medical research field, Franklin Women, has made a significant stride forward by securing a 2-year grant from NSW Health, propelling them into a new era of growth and impact.

Dr Melina Georgousakis, the visionary founder of Franklin Women, established the organisation in 2014 during her own research career. Fuelled by the disheartening departure of numerous highly skilled women from the workforce, she resolved to create an inclusive community for women pursuing careers in healthcare and medical research. Reflecting on the journey, Dr Georgousakis expressed her gratitude for the individuals and organisations that recognised the value of Franklin Women’s work and supported their mission to reach new heights.

“I wanted to create an organisation that connects, invests in, and advocates for women pursuing careers across healthcare, and health and medical research, to retain their expertise in the sector,” Dr Georgousakis said.

Leading figures within the medical research community laud Franklin Women for their tangible contributions to women’s professional journeys. A/Prof Jodie Ingles, a respected laboratory head at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and genetic counsellor, emphasised the organisation’s profound impact on gender bias conversations and its unwavering support for women in various roles. Having personally experienced the transformative mentoring program offered by Franklin Women, A/Prof Ingles credited it for equipping her with the tools and confidence to make critical career decisions.

“I’m now in the position to be able to recommend Franklin Women’s initiatives to my own team members and students to support the next generation of women leaders in our sector,” she stated.

One of Franklin Women’s flagship offerings is their cross-organisation mentoring program, which has positively impacted over 200 mid-career women – a critical stage often marred by stagnation and setbacks.

Professor Bruce Neal, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, has personally experienced the program as both a mentor and an advocate. He praised the program’s ability to enlighten men about the challenges faced by women in science and acknowledged Franklin Women’s pivotal role in enhancing gender equity within his organisation.

Dr Antonio Penna, Executive Director at the Office for Health and Medical Research, emphasised that addressing barriers to women’s participation and career progression remains a key priority for NSW Health. By recognising the effectiveness of their initiatives, NSW Health’s funding not only supports Franklin Women’s continued success but also demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to building a robust and innovative health and medical research ecosystem in the state.

Dr Teresa Anderson, Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District eagerly anticipates the broader support Franklin Women can now extend to high-potential women in their respective fields. For Dr Anderson, the partnership with Franklin Women has been instrumental in their ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive health and medical research sector, enabling women to thrive.

Looking ahead, Franklin Women is resolute in their commitment to long-term community support. With the influx of funding, they will focus on expanding their skilled team and implementing a sustainable operational model. Franklin Women envisions a future where women in the health and medical research sector have the unwavering support they need to excel, solidifying their position as trailblazers and changemakers within the industry.

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