Today we face a critical and vast knowledge gap in the areas of health, wellness, and disease progression for women, because, historically, women's health was considered synonymous with reproductive health with little consideration given to the full arc of a woman's life - at all ages and stages.
Friends of Prentice is committed to closing that gap. Our organization works in partnership with Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital to fund innovative and leading-edge research and clinical initiatives that benefit the lives of women and infants in our community and across the globe.
On behalf of Friends of Prentice, welcome. My story with Friends of Prentice began thirteen years ago to express my appreciation for what the Prentice nurses and doctors did for my twin boys who passed away in the NICU. Being a part of an organization dedicated to funding innovative research that benefits the lives of women and infants was critical to how I was going to honor my sons. Since joining this board, I have continued to be inspired by FOP’s mission – to fund leading edge research and clinical initiatives that benefit the lives of women across the full arc of her life in our community and across the globe.
As we look ahead to the future of women’s health, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. The opportunities to advance the healthcare provided to women remain virtually limitless, while funding for this critical research is not. If you share our enthusiasm for funding the future of women’s health, I encourage you to join us! Learn more about our work, consider volunteering your time and talents and pledge your support by making a donation.
Friends of Prentice has raised over $25M since its inception in 1985 and awarded grants to more than 80 researchers and clinical programs. Many of these FOP grant recipients have gone on to expand their work with later stage funding from prestigious organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
We fund researchers and clinicians who are turning science into solutions. We are inspired by the deeply-moving, personal stories of women whose lives have been changed by the Prentice community.
Friends of Prentice grant recipients are on the front lines of medical advancements, developing compelling data and accelerating research breakthroughs in areas that span the full spectrum of a woman's life.
Behind every innovative idea and medical breakthrough are people: investigators and collaborators working tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the future for countless women and infants.
Your donations help Friends of Prentice fund new, highly-inventive ideas and research that meet a clear need in advancing women's health.
In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we are deeply moved to spotlight our Board President, Alex Jacobson, who courageously shared her story on ABC 7 Chicago this morning. Alex opened up about the loss of her twin sons, and how she found purpose through Friends of Prentice, honoring their memory by dedicating 15 years of service to advancing women’s health and supporting families through every chapter of care. Her story is a powerful reminder of why our mission matters, ensuring that every woman and family receives the compassionate, research-driven care they deserve.
Alex, thank you for your courage, leadership, and heart. You inspire all of us at Friends of Prentice every single day. Watch the full segment here to hear Alex’s inspiring story, and consider making a donation to help us continue funding the research and programs that bring healing, hope, and better outcomes for women and families everywhere. Join us today with a donation here: https://bit.ly/friendsofprenti...
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Possibly the most encouraging words at a time when medical research is facing significant funding cuts come from Friends of Prentice championing that we can make a difference now. Its Executive Director Kristen Field told us: “we are meeting this moment with unwavering dedication to advancing women’s health research.”
“By backing three new groundbreaking projects in addition to the continued impact of our long-term commitments, we are proving that innovation and perseverance can thrive together. Our work is possible because of the incredible generosity of our donors and the commitment of our board — together, we are creating the kind of lasting change that women deserve,” Field said.
Hearing her words of encouragement, we wanted to hear more of these research grants for women’s health and Friends of Prentice’s impact.
“Since our founding in 1985, Friends of Prentice has been a force for good in women’s health. While we are a partner of Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital, we are a separate non-profit and have worked tirelessly to raise more than $25 million to fund leading-edge research, education, and clinical care. Our supported areas are diverse, including gynecologic oncology, reproductive aging, fertility preservation, menopause, mental health, and disparities in access to care. We are a leader in supporting women’s health initiatives in Chicago, and our mission has always been to close the women’s health gap and ensure better care for generations to come,” Field told us.
CCM: What are examples of how you are funding women’s health?
KF: Friends of Prentice is stepping up to fill the void in women’s health funding. Our recently announced 2025 grants are a testament to our commitment to innovation and long-term impact. This year, we are awarding funds for three new research projects focused on assisted reproductive technology, overactive bladder, and barriers to contraceptive access. This fresh investment is paired with the culmination of a five-year, $250,000 grant to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network, a long-term initiative that has helped shape care for women and families nationwide. This dual approach allows us to fuel groundbreaking new ideas while sustaining projects that have already proven their ability to create lasting change.
CCM: Why is innovative research crucial right now?
KF: Federal funding cuts have created a challenging environment for many physician-researchers. As many of our grant recipients have shared, our organization is one of their only sources of funding for vital work at this time. This year, we received an unprecedented number of grant applications, a direct result of these funding cuts. Our goal is to propel pioneering research forward without interruption, specifically by supporting early-career scientists whose groundbreaking ideas need seed funding to move forward; high-potential research projects that might otherwise go unfunded.Ongoing research breakthroughs that span the full spectrum of a woman’s life.
CCM: How did you become involved with Friends of Prentice?
KF: I am a Chicago native, with a family deeply rooted in medicine and a career spanning non-profit and public service. I became Friends of Prentice’s first Executive Director in 2019, when a fellow board member connected me with the opportunity. Six years later, it has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to lead this organization, especially as we face daily challenges in women’s healthcare. I am inspired by our incredible board and their overwhelming generosity and dedication to closing the women’s health gap. It is a true pleasure to be the spark needed for these early-stage research studies that change lives.
CCM: Please share a story where the grants have made a great difference.
KF: The impact of our work is deeply personal. I am a patient of one of our grant recipients who works on ovarian aging and is solely funded by Friends of Prentice. As a reproductive endocrinologist specializing in ovarian aging research, she is helping me on my personal IVF journey. It has been fascinating to see the science play out in my own life—from labs and ultrasounds to the egg retrieval and testing. I have also seen her work with other colleagues and friends and witness the babies she has helped bring into the world. Her work is contributing to the larger study of reproductive longevity. My story is just one of many, as other board members have also received care at Prentice for issues ranging from cancer to endometriosis and NICU stays. The list goes on, and each story is a testament to the life-changing research we support.
CCM: Looking ahead, what does the future look like for funding women’s healthcare.
KF: What keeps me up at night are the continued attacks on women’s healthcare and the recent drastic cuts in federal funding. These challenges have prompted many to ask how we can meet this moment. My greatest hope comes from the community we have built at Friends of Prentice. We are a vital hub for those dedicated to addressing the urgent needs arising from these funding challenges. As we learned at a recent lecture series, private donors may be the sole source of grant funding for many physician-researchers for the foreseeable future. This gives me hope because I believe we will all meet this unprecedented moment with compassion and generosity. When you step away from the screen and see the people in our community, you realize the difference we are making, and that even small levels of support can get us there.
To learn more about how you can support this vital mission visit friendsofprentice.org.
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