Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation

Pelvic organ prolapse, or POP, is a common condition that affects up to 50 percent of women. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become too weak to support the pelvic organs, allowing the bladder, uterus, or rectum to shift out of their normal position. This weakening often occurs with age or after vaginal childbirth, and these childbirth‑related changes remain the leading cause of POP. Yet despite how widespread the condition is, there is still much we do not understand about why pelvic floor muscles weaken and how to prevent or treat this process more effectively. With support from a WHAM Edge Award, Magee‑Womens investigator Dr. Amanda Artsen and Dr. Amrita Sahu from the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh are working to change this. Their research will explore whether childbirth‑related injuries impair the cells’ ability to repair themselves and maintain energy, which may weaken pelvic floor muscles over time. They will also test a new vaginal hydrogel treatment that could help restore the health and function of these cells. Millions of women live with POP. They deserve research and innovation that leads to better treatments and better outcomes. If you agree, reshare to help raise awareness. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Vote for abdOguide in the ACC InVenture Prize Competition! This week, six Pitt Bioengineering undergrads are headed to Notre Dame to pitch abdOguide, a groundbreaking fertility device designed to expand access to reproductive care. Insights from MWRI investigator Dr. Breonna Slocum played a key role in the development of this innovation. Support the team: Text “Pitt” to 415‑965‑7445 to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Tune in: Watch the finals on PBS this Friday at 7 p.m. EST. Learn more: bit.ly/4rYAPOn #WomensHealth #MageeWomens #MWRI

“They told me it might be in my head. It was in my whole body.” Her pain started at 12. She passed out in school. Missed class. Was told it was normal. For decades, she lived with worsening symptoms. Birth control was adjusted. ER visits led to misdiagnoses. At times, she was made to feel like the pain wasn’t real. At 42, she finally learned the truth: endometriosis had spread throughout her entire body. Endometriosis is not just “bad cramps.” It is a complex, inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs. Delayed diagnosis and medical dismissal can have life-altering consequences. No one should have to fight to be believed while fighting a disease. 👉 Learn more about endometriosis research and how you can support women’s health at MageeWomens.org. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

What if the key to Pittsburgh’s economic future is something we’ve overlooked for decades? Women are driving our region’s success across healthcare, higher education, life sciences, manufacturing, and tech — yet they spend more of their lives in poor health than men. That gap isn’t just a health issue. It’s a workforce issue, a productivity issue, and a massive economic opportunity. Magee-Womens Research Institute is leading the charge to change that — right here in Pittsburgh — proving that when we invest in women’s health research, we invest in stronger companies, stronger communities, and a stronger regional economy. Read the full story: bit.ly/4szNSHj #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

She had $1 million in NIH funding and a dream to forge something entirely new: a research program dedicated to women’s health. As CEO of UPMC Magee‑Womens Hospital, Irma Goertzen recruited Dr. Jim Roberts to lead four basic scientists focused on women’s health issues. With its founding in 1992, Magee‑Womens Research Institute became the nation’s first freestanding research institute specifically dedicated to the health of women across the lifespan. Since then, it has grown into the largest. In a UPMC press release following her retirement in 2004, Irma reflected on her legacy: “I am pleased that we have been able to do so much… The opportunity to make Magee the focal point for positive change in women's and infants' health was strongly supported by the hospital board, the medical staff, and an outstanding administrative team. I feel honored to have had the opportunities I did here at Magee and in Pittsburgh.” Her bold vision continues to shape the future of women’s health research. Follow to keep the #WomensHistoryMonth celebration going. #WomensHealth #MWRI #MageeWomens

Congratulations to Dr. Pamela Moalli, Dr. Steven Abramowitch, and the Translational Research Laboratories in Urogynecology Team on receiving the 2026 ASME Edward Good Interdisciplinary Team Science Award in Bioengineering. This national honor recognizes their groundbreaking work uniting biomechanics, computation, and clinical translation to improve outcomes for women with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Their research is advancing safer, more effective surgical solutions and impacting the lives of millions of women worldwide. Learn more: bit.ly/3P2LjOX #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

What if female fertility didn’t decline with age? The naked mole-rat — a small rodent that lives underground in East Africa — can remain fertile for its entire life. A new chapter co-authored by Magee-Womens investigator, Dr. Miguel Brieño-Enríquez, underscores the naked mole-rat’s potential to advance research in several fields such as aging, reproductive biology, and the evolution of complex social systems. The full chapter, The Everlasting Ovary: Decoding the Mechanisms of Lifelong Oogenesis in the Naked Mole-Rat, is featured in the Evo-Devo: In Search of New Model Species. Read more here: bit.ly/4un4Idu #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Female athletes experience significantly higher rates of concussion than male athletes in sports played under the same rules. Recent research shows that in soccer and basketball, concussion incidence is almost twice as high in female athletes. In one large analysis, females had a rate ratio of 1.76 in soccer and 1.99 in basketball compared with males, a statistically significant difference. This disparity raises important questions. Why are female athletes at higher risk, even when playing the same sport under identical rules? Current research points to several possibilities, including differences in neck strength, hormonal influences, and the long‑standing gaps in how sports injuries are studied and monitored in women. At Magee‑Womens Research Institute, we believe that understanding these differences is essential for creating safer training environments, improving diagnostic tools, and developing evidence‑based injury protocols that reflect the realities of female athletes. If you agree that women deserve research that protects their health and advances their performance, reshare this. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Buy a milkshake, make a difference! On Sunday, March 22, MilkShake Factory is celebrating Pittsburgh Penguins Her Hockey Day and International Women’s History Month by donating 20% of all sales at all 11 Greater Pittsburgh locations to support Magee‑Womens Research Institute & Foundation. Enjoy a Rusty shake or any of your favorite treats — every purchase counts and helps advance groundbreaking women’s health research. Mention “Her Hockey Day” at checkout. #MWRI #MageeWomens #WomensHealth

Endometriosis is real, painful, and far too often dismissed. Celebrities like Tia Mowry, Halsey, and Lili Reinhart have stepped forward to share their stories—and they’re not alone. An estimated 10–11% of U.S. women of reproductive age are affected. Researchers at Magee-Womens Research Institute are working to transform care for those living with endometriosis. Learn more about the work happening right now: 🔗 bit.ly/4t8JXkD #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

There’s still time to join us for Her Hockey Day — but not for long! Tickets close at 1:00 PM on March 22. When you purchase through this special link, $10 supports women’s health research at Magee-Womens Research Institute. We’re grateful for @WomenWhoRockHQ and @penguins, who help turn game day into meaningful impact for women and families. 🏒 Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes 📍 PPG Paints Arena 📅 March 22 | 3:00 PM 🎟️ Secure your tickets before they’re gone: bit.ly/4aJNBd1

She studied these cases for years, but she never expected to live one. When UPMC Children’s Dr. Kelly Harris looked at her twins’ ultrasound, she immediately knew something wasn’t right. Suddenly, the fear, uncertainty, and questions she had heard from so many families were her own. Her personal journey through her son’s rare heart condition is reshaping how she supports parents facing the unknown, and reminding all of us how deeply human medicine truly is. Read the full story: bit.ly/4dxSpoC #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Her pain started at 12. She was told it was normal. Told to push through. Told she was fine. At 42, she learned the truth: endometriosis had spread throughout her body. Endometriosis is not “just bad cramps.” It’s a full-body disease. And too many patients, especially Black women, are dismissed for years before getting answers. Belief shouldn’t be the hardest part of getting care. MageeWomens.org #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Congratulations are in order! 🎉 We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, recipient of the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Top Physicians Under 40 Award and the Penn State Eberly College of Science Alumni of the Year Award. These honors recognize her outstanding leadership, dedication to patient care, and commitment to advancing women’s health through research and clinical excellence. Dr. Fitzgerald’s work exemplifies the impact physician-scientists can have on improving health outcomes and shaping the future of medicine. 👏 Join us in congratulating Dr. Fitzgerald on this well-deserved recognition. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

💜 What an incredible way to celebrate International Women’s Day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Moving HER Forward: A Community Run — your energy, strength, and support made it a powerful morning of movement and connection. From the 5K and 10K routes to the conversations at our Magee-Womens activation, this community showed up in a big way for women’s health. A special thank you to our partners at @p3rmovesPGH for helping bring this event to life — and to every runner, walker, volunteer, and supporter who came out to move HER forward. Missed the chance to sign up on site? There’s still time to make your miles matter with Team Magee at the 2026 @DICKS Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and support life-changing research for women and infants. Sign up today 👉 bit.ly/4nfCGwA #IWD2026 #MovingHerForward #TeamMagee #RunForHer

Gynecologic surgery faces a crossroads. A Viewpoint piece published in JAMA and co-authored by Magee-Womens investigator @jjfitzgeraldMD suggests a new paradigm in medical training to create a separate gynecologic surgery residency. Read more here: bit.ly/4cFwiwi #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

We were thrilled to welcome Young Women in Bio for a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Magee‑Womens Research Institute. Their curiosity, passion, and excitement for science made the day unforgettable. YWIB gives young women today the inspiration and support they need to become tomorrow’s leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The tour provided hands-on experiences in the lab as well as panel discussion focused on STEM career pathways. Thanks to the members of The WIB-Pittsburgh chapter for organizing this event. Learn more: community.womeninbio.org/clubs/view/wib… #MageeWomens #WomensHealth #MWRI

How can you support the Pittsburgh Penguins AND women's health? We've got you covered. Join us for Her Hockey Day on Sunday, March 22 at PPG Paints Arena and $10 from every ticket purchased through our special link supports Magee-Womens Research Institute ! 🏒💜 ✨ Plus, the first 500 fans who purchase through this offer will receive an exclusive Her Hockey Day Hockey Shirt. 🎟️ Get your tickets today: bit.ly/4aJNBd1 Special shout-outs to our partners, Pittsburgh Penguins , Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation , and Women Who Rock for making Her Hockey Day a reality! #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

There is currently no known cure for endometriosis. Existing treatments focus on managing symptoms, not eliminating the condition itself. For millions of women and people with endometriosis, this often means years of pain, delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and the constant challenge of navigating a condition that is still widely misunderstood. At Magee‑Womens Research Institute, our scientists are working to change that. Research is underway to better understand how endometriosis develops, why it progresses differently from person to person, and what new therapies could finally move us toward lasting, targeted treatments. Women deserve answers, not decades of uncertainty. They deserve research that reflects their experiences and a future where endometriosis can be treated more effectively than it is today. If you agree, reshare. Awareness is the first step toward progress. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth

Join us in congratulating MWRI investigator Dr. Ashley Murillo, for her recognition by Modern Healthcare as a 2026 Leading Women Rising Star! This achievement highlights Dr. Murillo’s exceptional leadership, innovative research, and commitment to advancing the future of healthcare. Her work continues to drive meaningful impact, and we’re proud to have her as part of our MWRI community. #MageeWomens #MWRI #WomensHealth