UNF and community partners launch collaborative network to improve women’s health outcomes

The University of North Florida joined community healthcare, technology and higher education partners on Tuesday to celebrate the creation of the Women's Health Innovation Network (WHIN), a community network focused on leveraging technology and innovation to improve women's health outcomes. Participants included Mayor Donna Deegan, Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds, GuideWell/Florida Blue, Mayo Clinic in Florida and Jacksonville University.

WHIN is launching a first-of-its-kind "collaboratory" - a collaborative laboratory - that will include an incubator and accelerator for innovators creating products and services to help solve health issues that affect women solely, differently or disproportionately. These innovators will be guided by mentors in early-stage startup formation, and by experts in technology, medicine, health sciences and education in a dedicated, state-of-the-art space on the GuideWell/Florida Blue Deerwood campus.

"Research tells us that 93% of the most underfunded health conditions affect mainly women, and that closing the women's health gap could add $1 trillion to the global economy each year," said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. "Here in Jacksonville, we are fortunate to have some of the best healthcare institutions in the country with the talent and resources to create and grow startups. WHIN will foster the cutting-edge research discoveries, products, and services that improve the health of our community and contribute to our local economy at the same time."

"At GuideWell and Florida Blue, we believe innovation and collaboration are key to improving the health and well-being of our communities," said Pat Geraghty, president and CEO of GuideWell and Florida Blue. "As a health solutions company, we're committed to harnessing the power of innovation to drive meaningful change. The Women's Health Innovation Network represents a powerful opportunity to bring together diverse talents and expertise to tackle pressing health challenges facing women. We're proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing its transformative impact."

WHIN will guide cohorts of talented individuals from a cross-sector of the community through the phases of innovation, including ideation, problem-solving, entrepreneurial training, partnership development, startup funding and commercialization of products and services.

"As a leader in bringing together research, medicine and innovation, the University of North Florida is proud to be part of the Women's Health Innovation Network," said UNF President Moez Limayem. "Together, we will help create environments where women can prioritize their health, allowing them to flourish in every aspect of life."

In August, WHIN partnered with the Mayo Clinic in Florida and numerous other entities to submit a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation. If awarded, the grant would catalyze groundbreaking research and innovation, using a research model that incorporates space medicine and the power of microgravity as a tool to study accelerated cell growth, such as in cancer and aging. Incorporating sex as a biological variable in this research - taking into account the specific differences in women's bodies - will help drive transformative and equitable advancements in healthcare that will shape the future of all patient care.

In the coming months, WHIN will welcome its first aspiring innovators to its Deerwood campus:

• WHIN Huddles on November 7th and 14th will be dynamic, two-day sessions that leverage design-centered thinking to explore challenges and solutions in regenerative health;
• The collaboratory space on the GuideWell/Florida Blue Deerwood campus, building 300, will open in January 2025;
• The inaugural WHIN Startup Primer in February will be an intensive 12-week program designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the process of turning an idea into a successful business; and
• The Inaugural WHIN Accelerator Program cohort in April will be a 16-week program that connects early-stage women's health technology startups with the resources they need to succeed. Through specialized mentoring and business development, participants will refine their business models, optimize their operations and gain access to networks that can accelerate growth. Whether it's navigating the regulatory landscape or preparing for investment, the program is designed to help startups succeed faster and more effectively.

For more information about WHIN, to become a network member or supporter, or to apply to join the inaugural cohorts, please visit whin.live.