The 28th Annual Gala for The Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine
Supporting Young Investigators: Essential to the Future of Medical Research
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- Cocktails at 7 PM Dinner at 8 PM
- Metropolitan Club at One East 60th Street New York City
The Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine was founded to educate the professional and lay public about the fact that biological sex impacts both normal human physiology and the way the same diseases are experienced differently by men and women. In the present climate of lethal cuts for health care on all levels, the work of the youngest and most vulnerable investigators in the research community is threatened. In the four major medical schools in our own geographic area, approximately 300 scholars have had their salaries and laboratory funding suspended; it is essential to help support the work of these young people so that American health will not suffer an irretrievable blow.
We are thrilled to welcome acclaimed actress Margaret Colin as our special guest and speaker at the Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine’s 28th Annual Gala.
With a distinguished career across stage and screen, Colin is known for standout performances in blockbuster films like Independence Day and Unfaithful, beloved television series including Gossip Girl and As the World Turns, and acclaimed Broadway productions such as Carousel. Beyond her artistic accomplishments, she is a passionate advocate for women’s health and social causes, bringing a powerful and inspiring voice to this year’s celebration.
Pictured left: Margaret Collins, Actress
The Women’s Health Initiative: A Stark Reminder of Vulnerability in Medical Research
While the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) ultimately survived an abrupt threat of termination — with funding restored within 24 hours — the mere fact that such a critical program could be so easily endangered reveals a deeper truth: women’s health research remains alarmingly vulnerable.
The near-collapse of the WHI highlights a broader issue in medical science. Despite decades of progress since women were meaningfully included in research studies in the early 1990s, dedicated studies on sex-based differences in health remain precariously underfunded and politically fragile. This incident serves as a wake-up call: protecting and advancing research into women’s health must remain a national priority, not an afterthought.
Why Studying Women’s Health is Critical for Medical Advancements
It has taken us decades to understand the importance of the impact of sex on normal human function and in the experience of the same diseases. Men and women have differences that are vitally important for us to understand if we are to offer humans optimal care.
How the Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine Is Leading the Way
Our Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine, now in its 27th year, has focused exclusively on supporting young investigators who make biological sex an important variable in their research protocols.
Our Response: Securing the Future of Gender-Specific Research
In response to the present crisis, we are dedicated to raising a $5 million fund. The income from this fund will ensure the support of two of the most talented young people whose careers have been devastated by the events of the past weeks.
In these challenging times, your support is urgently needed. Use the QR code or click on this link to make a gift today.
