My Experience Volunteering with the Women's Health Research Institute 

This summer, I was fortunate enough to volunteer with the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI), as part of my leadership in action project (LiA). During my time here my work was focused around the Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia (HER-BC) project. This project afforded me the opportunity to work closely alongside an established team of professionals and contribute positively to the field of Women's health. 

Before joining the WHRI as a volunteer, I had developed a passion for Women’s health, with a particular interest in midlife and menopause, from my summer 1 research project. Women’s health, in particular, has long been severely underrepresented in medical research, which can lead to significant gaps in the understanding and treatment of conditions that disproportionately or uniquely affect women, such as menopause. The mission of the WHRI is to improve the health of women through innovative research which deeply resonated with me. The organisation not only conducts cutting-edge research but also aims to make this knowledge accessible to the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Knowledge translation and integration of their research into the healthcare system is a key aspect of the WHRI. 

As part of my volunteer position I was afforded the opportunity to conduct an in-depth literature review titled, ‘An investigation into the therapeutic interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, for menopause related health issues’. I also assisted in conducting multiple interviews with women assessing their experiences of accessing healthcare services and treatments for perimenopause and menopause related health issues in British Columbia. Following the interviews I then did in depth transcript checks of all of the documents which helped me to become intimately familiar with the data. 

Although this project is not yet in the knowledge translation stages, the team has a range of events planned for the coming months in order to share their research findings with the public and help inform public health policy in years to come. Being part of this project's development has been immensely beneficial for me going forward in this field as it has helped me to gain a more in depth understanding of how you both conduct research and subsequently apply it following the findings. This will undoubtedly help me to become a future leader in the field of women’s healthcare and research.  

Since the WHRI collaborates with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, I was fortunate to live on campus throughout my project. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people in my free time and exploring Vancouver on the weekends. This opportunity made my transition much smoother, and I gained valuable insights from the diverse individuals I encountered during my stay, not to mention friends for life.

To conclude, my experience volunteering with the WHRI has been deeply rewarding. The opportunity to contribute to the HER-BC project, working alongside skilled professionals, and gaining hands-on experience in the field of women's health has further strengthened my commitment to advancing research in this area. In conducting a literature review and engaging with women’s lived experiences through interviews, I have gained invaluable insights into both the research process and its potential to shape public health policy. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of women’s health issues, particularly around midlife and menopause, but has also inspired me to continue pursuing change in this underrepresented field. I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve gained in future endeavours, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare outcomes for women.