MAY 2006-

Athena Institute for Women’s Wellness is pleased to announce the award of a $25,000 research grant to the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, at Indiana University Medical School.

This research grant was awarded in keeping with the mission of Athena Institute to improve women’s healthcare, and will be used for research on post-hysterectomy complaints of sexual deficits.

Julia Heiman, Ph.D. is Director of Kinsey and will be the lead investigator of the study. Dr. Heiman has designed her study and protocol, “A Methodological Study of Hysterectomy and Sexual Functioning” to address hysterectomy outcome and changes in sexual functioning in women aged 40 to 60.

Winnifred B. Cutler, President and Founder of Athena Institute for Women's Wellness, comments:

“ Athena Institute's Research Advisory group and I are enthusiastic about awarding this research grant. We have great respect and appreciation for Dr. Heiman and her work. By sponsoring independent research of exceptional scholars in their fields, we further our own mission to promote, disseminate and present evidence-based research to women and the biomedical community. Thus helping them to make informed judgments in consultation with their physicians. I believe Dr.Heiman will make a real difference in, and impact on, women's health with this important investigation and its results."

This research grant to Kinsey Institute and Dr. Heiman is the second award from Athena Institute for the independent study of women after hysterectomy and sexual health. Dr. Cindy Meston of the University of Texas – Austin, completed and published her findings from the first funded study in 2000 and has also worked with Dr. Heiman on previous research.

In addition to her position as Director at Kinsey, Dr. Heiman is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University.