Transform Illinois | iBIO

WIB – Chicago 3.8 Initiative Receiving Applications for 2021 Cohort

Jed Weiner — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 13:31:23 +0000

Submission deadline is January 25, 2021

By Jed Weiner
iBIO News Contributor
White Oak Communications

Twenty-first century leaders recognize that diversity of thought results in better business outcomes. In a perfect world, that fact would lead to more diversity in c-suites and board rooms. Unfortunately, unconscious and conscious biases are deeply engrained. The Women in BIO – Chicago 3.8 Initiative (named after International Women’s Day, March 8) is designed to contribute to greater equity and better business outcomes by diversifying startup board rooms.

The 3.8 Initiative enables mid-career women to access the opportunities and benefits that startup board service can lend, while also combatting the perception that qualified women do not exist for those roles. According to Maryam Saleh, 3.8 Initiative co-founder and executive director of the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, “This program was built to improve gender diversity at the leadership level for all companies, but more intentionally to connect and bring more women’s perspectives to the startup community. We launched in Chicago where few women currently occupy seats on local healthcare startup boards – our goal is to build a hands-on approach to diversifying the startup board composition.”

During last year’s inaugural, 10-month program, the 3.8 Initiative prepared 10 women for startup board service, built bridges between the talented mid-career women and startups looking for advisors or independent board members, and created a safe space for the first cohort to connect and build their networks. “We are providing one-on-one mentorship, executive coaching, startup board resume consultations and exposure to our strong network of innovation executives, supporters, startups, accelerators, incubators and industry leaders,” said 3.8 Initiative Co-founder Dimitra Georganopoulou.

Personal Perspectives from the Cohort

Earlier this month, iBIO interviewed three members of the 2020 cohort to obtain participants’ views of the 3.8 Initiative. Below are some of their observations, edited for space considerations.

What motivated you to join the first 3.8 Initiative cohort?

Tina Esposito, Chief Health Information Officer, Advocate Aurora Health:The ability to talk with and learn from true subject matter experts was an incredible opportunity. I recognized and appreciated that the program was designed to do something meaningful around gender gaps and other diversity issues. I couldn’t walk away from that.

Beata Dowling, VP Financial Planning and Analysis, Horizon Therapeutics: As a business leader, you’ll never know everything. I’ve always been a proponent of my own development, always curious to learn and grow. I have encouraged my teams to include learning and development to further their knowledge and experience. For me, this has allowed me to take on new roles and expand into new areas.

Lilli Zakarija, President & CEO, EdgeOne Medical: I had already spent a lot of time mentoring startups on strategy and product development, so learning how to prepare to be on a board would enable me to contribute to a startup in a more meaningful and sustained way.

What aspects of the 3.8 Initiative did you find to be the most gratifying or enlightening?

Ms. Zakarija: The program highlighted the importance of finding a personal passion and connecting an opportunity to serve on a board with that passion. Passion is critical to a successful tenure on a board. Getting to know a group of very accomplished businesswomen in the Chicago area was also quite gratifying.

Ms. Dowling: We had the opportunity to hear directly from functional experts, such as attorneys, scientists and CEOs. They all gave honest and transparent guidance, as well as sharing their career progression and experiences as a board member. In addition, this has been a great experience to meet fantastic female leaders who are pursuing this new opportunity.

Ms. Esposito: I learned about areas that I didn’t have experience with, so to get time with experts in these topics was wonderful, as was the ability to talk through the lessons with my cohort peers and to learn from each other.

What would you say to someone who is considering apply for the 2021 cohort?

Ms. Dowling: It’s a great program. You need to want to do it, make time for it and be committed to it. If being on a startup board is important to you, this is a way to explore it in a very professional matter.

Ms. Zakarija: If you feel you’ve come to a point in your career where you’ve mastered functional areas and you want to share your expertise for a higher purpose, this program is for you. If you want another opportunity to challenge yourself, to expand network, and to contribute by sitting on a startup board, submit your application.

Ms. Esposito: You’d want to be at point in your career to appreciate where board members can be effective by providing strategic counsel and oversight, rather than tactical recommendations. Make sure you have the time to invest so you can learn. If you’re ready, do it, don’t wait!

At the conclusion of her interview, Tina expressed deep appreciation for the 3.8 Initiative co-founders addressing the diversity gap on startup boards. She felt humbled by their investing their personal time to create a program for the betterment of others.

iBIO shares Tina’s gratitude and embraces the vision articulated by 3.8 Co-founder Holly Copeland, Horizon’s senior director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability & Impact: “Our hope is that in five or 10 years, we can all look back at this time with a lot of pride, knowing that programs like 3.8 helped to drive systemic change; that the presence of more women in board rooms has led to better business decisions, more economic empowerment, and a shifting perception across communities of how and where women can show up and express agency.”

For more information about the program and to apply for the 2021 cohort before the January 25th deadline, visit https://www.womeninbio.org/page/chicago38.

What you need to know: Illinois Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

John Conrad — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:43:11 +0000

Building on guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Governor JB Pritzker announced guidelines for the next stage of COVID-19 vaccine distribution across Illinois – Phase 1B.

Phase 1B will begin when Phase 1A is substantially complete. It will include all Illinois residents aged 65 and older and “frontline essential workers,” as outlined by ACIP:

first responders (e.g., firefighters and police officers)
corrections officers
food and agricultural workers
U.S. Postal Service workers
manufacturing workers
grocery store workers
public transit workers
and those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) as well as child care workers

All in all, Phase 1B totals approximately 1.3 million people who qualify as “frontline essential workers” and 1.9 million adults age 65 and over, totaling 3.2 million eligible Illinoisans.

As the state enters Phase 1B, the government will be utilizing every available resource at the state’s disposal to ensure that as many Illinoisans as possible can receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.

Large manufacturers interested in self-administring the vaccine to their 1B eligible employees should register with the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange. More information can be found on the IDPH website: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/icare

AbbVie Announces Partners in $50 Million Program to Promote Health and Education Equity in Underserved Black Communities

John Conrad — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 13:32:01 +0000

AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, is investing $50 million in a five-year program to support underserved Black communities across the United States. AbbVie will collaborate with six nonprofit partners, including Direct Relief, University of Chicago Medicine’s Urban Health Initiative, National Urban League, Year Up, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Providence St. Mel School, to support health and education opportunity in underserved Black communities.

“The private sector has a responsibility to help address racial inequity issues plaguing our nation,” said Richard A. Gonzalez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AbbVie. “We believe investing in this important work – in partnership with national and local nonprofits – will create immediate opportunities and advance meaningful and lasting change.”

Supporting health and educational equity, as well as advancing opportunity, have been an integral part of AbbVie’s ongoing philanthropic commitment. Since the company was formed in 2013, AbbVie has donated more than $120 million to diverse underserved communities, and in June of this year, the company announced an additional donation of $5 million to NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Equal Justice Initiative.

“We asked partners with deep community roots where they saw the greatest needs, and we heard that reducing health disparities and providing educational and workforce-related opportunities for underserved Black communities were urgent yet ongoing needs,” said Karen Hale, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at AbbVie, who spearheaded AbbVie’s initiative. “While we know that change cannot happen overnight, we hope our commitments will help improve opportunity today while supporting important work to address long-term, systemic issues of racism.”

AbbVie’s 5-year, $50 million Program to Address Racial Inequities

1. Promote Health Equity for Black Americans and Other Historically Underserved Populations:

$8 Million to University of Chicago Medicine’s Urban Health Initiative to empower Chicago’s South Side community—made up of 77 percent Black residents— to advance health equity. AbbVie’s support will enable local teams of community health workers to promote access to care and resources proven to measurably reduce health disparities.
$10 Million to Direct Relief to support the improvement of health care services at free and charitable clinics and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). AbbVie’s support will launch the “Fund for Health Equity,” which will improve care across the country in underserved Black communities.

2. Foster Workforce Development Opportunities for Black Americans

$10 Million to UNCF Healthcare Diversity Workforce Program, as seed funding to reduce barriers to advancement in health professions and increase the number of Black professionals in a wide variety of health care careers. Scholarship, academic and career development support will be provided to students who are interested in a career in health care, but who might otherwise not have an opportunity to go beyond high school.
$10 Million to Year Up to support its training and internship program for more than 600 young adults (ages 18-26). AbbVie’s support will enable technical skills training that is relevant and aligned with industry demand.

3. Expand Educational Opportunities for Historically Underserved Youth and Young Adults

$1.5 Million to Providence St. Mel School (PSM) to fund scholarships for high school students living in Chicago’s Southwest side based on financial need and academic potential. This independent, predominantly Black high school has had a 100 percent college acceptance rate since 1978.
$7 Million to National Urban League’s Project Ready Mentor, to lead a mentorship program for Black Americans and other historically underserved youth (ages 11-18). AbbVie’s funding will provide mentorship in three new cities and expand existing programs in 11 cities to improve post-secondary success.

4. Encouraging Employees to Support Justice Reform Organizations with a 3:1 match.

$3.5 Million in Reserve: As part of today’s announcement, AbbVie is expanding its employee matching program to $3-to-$1 for donations to civil rights nonprofits fostering racial equity.

Partner Perspectives

University of Chicago’s Urban Health Initiative – “With AbbVie’s support, we are able to greatly expand the University of Chicago Medicine’s community health initiatives and partnerships for the Black residents of Chicago’s South Side communities, who experience disproportionately high rates of chronic health conditions, violence, and unemployment stemming from generations of structural inequality,” said Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, Dean and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of ChicagoMedicine. “These community-based programs are vital resources that help increase access to care, reduce health disparities, and improve the well-being of people living in our surrounding neighborhoods.”

Direct Relief – “AbbVie’s extraordinary philanthropic commitment announced today has helped catalyze Direct Relief’s launch of a Fund for Health Equity, which will provide financial support to expand access and strengthen health services in Black communities at federally qualified and other locally run efforts that serve in those communities,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President and CEO. “These locally run organizations understand better than anyone both the challenges that exist and what works, and despite that for more than 50 years they have demonstrated unmatched commitment and provably effective results, private philanthropic support has been very limited. Direct Relief is deeply thankful for AbbVie recognizing and taking such a strong leadership step that will allow these organizations to do more of what they do best and help redress chronic disparities in health that the Covid pandemic has tragically highlighted and made worse.”

National Urban League – “We are proud to partner with AbbVie in our ongoing effort to help Black and other historically underserved youth achieve post-secondary academic success through our signature Education & Youth Development program, Project Ready Mentor,” said National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial. “AbbVie funding leverages public mentoring investments and allows us to continue to surround young people with a range of supports, services, and opportunities to help them develop into well rounded, productive, and responsible adults. Racial equity and change requires commitment and partners who understand that supporting mentor-mentee activities, having a clear emphasis on leadership and service, and a commitment to post-secondary success changes the trajectory of students and their entire families.”

UNCF – “Thank you AbbVie for this generous investment in better futures for HBCU students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “As UNCF enters its 76th year, our mission is critical now, more than ever. We are in midst of both a health pandemic and a racial justice pandemic, and this partnership will help overcome obstacles for so many students who would otherwise face major hardships pursuing their dreams in the health care fields.”

Providence St. Mel – “We all have the responsibility to ensure a quality education for our children for now and the future,” said Paul J. Adams III, Executive Chairman and Founder of Providence St. Mel. “No longer can this nation afford to rhetorically engage without results. The world will not survive with the inequality that exists! Our children in marginal communities must not only be given a chance but guaranteed a competitive education!”

Year Up – “AbbVie’s investment in our program will ensure hundreds of Black young adults receive the support, training and resources to secure meaningful careers in a variety of industries,” said Gerald Chertavian, Year Up Founder and CEO. “By connecting even more young people of color with livable wage jobs, we will continue working to close the Opportunity Divide and build a more inclusive, equitable economy.”

About AbbVie

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women’s health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

SOURCE AbbVie

Contact(s)

Media
MK Steel
202-383-9623
mk.steel@abbvie.com or
Investors
Liz Shea
847-935-2211
liz.shea@abbvie.com

Horizon Therapeutics plc Provides $1 Million in Scholarships to Help Economically Disadvantaged Students and Students of Color Further Their Liberal Arts and Health Professions Education

John Conrad — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 13:33:04 +0000

Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today announced that it has provided $500,000 in scholarships to Lake Forest College and created a $500,000 Horizon Therapeutics Endowed Scholarship Fund at Howard University. The scholarships at both institutions will be awarded to economically disadvantaged students and students of color.

“Equity in education is a significant global issue and we feel it is important for companies and individuals who have the resources to help remove obstacles that exist for marginalized populations,” said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. “Financial support is an important step, but in order to make an ongoing impact, it is also our responsibility to provide mentoring, internship and post-graduate employment opportunities. We look forward to developing long-term partnerships with Lake Forest College, Rosalind Franklin University and Howard University and building a global network of Horizon Scholars.”

At Lake Forest College, two Horizon Scholars will receive four-year, full-ride scholarships to join the Health Professions Program (HPP), which Lake Forest has developed in partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. The HPP prepares students for cutting-edge careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and the entire range of health professions. Lake Forest faculty members and admission counselors will select the first two Horizon Scholars, who will matriculate in the fall of 2021 as members of the Class of 2025. Selection will be limited to economically disadvantaged first-year students, with preference given to students of color from Lake County or greater Chicago.

“Thanks to Horizon’s generosity, two fortunate students will be able to further their education in the College’s Health Professions Program, as well as take advantage of opportunities provided by our partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science,” said Stephen Schutt, president, Lake Forest College. “We have a longstanding commitment to educating students of color and first-generation students, and we are now ranked second in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for our success in this regard. The new Horizon Scholars initiative is a wonderful development for our students and the College.”

The Horizon Therapeutics Endowed Scholarship Fund at Howard University will enable talented young women and men of color in the Chicagoland region to obtain a degree of their choice. Preference will be given to high school students graduating from Horizon’s partner school, Perspectives Math and Science Academy located in the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago.

“We are pleased to partner with Horizon Therapeutics on a new endowment that will support Horizon Scholars at Howard,” said David P. Bennett, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations. “We believe that student success requires multifaceted support, including access to mentors and internships, which will equip them for future employment. Horizon understands and is committed to providing that support.”

Horizon Scholars at Lake Forest College and Howard University will join the network of 15 existing Horizon Scholars majoring in public health or bioinformatics at the Asian University for Women.

About Lake Forest College

Founded in 1857, Lake Forest College is a selective residential, national liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College has 1,550 students representing nearly every state and 85 countries. Lake Foresthas a long tradition of academic excellence and is known for its innovative curriculum and focus on career preparation. For more information, visit lakeforest.edu.

About Rosalind Franklin University

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is committed to serving humanity through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. Founded in Chicago in 1912, RFU embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, the university encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more at www.rosalindfranklin.edu.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

About Horizon

Horizon is focused on researching, developing and commercializing medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare and rheumatic diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: we apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, please visit www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201203005569/en/

U.S. Media Contact:
Geoff Curtis
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer
media@horizontherapeutics.com

Ireland Media Contact:
Gordon MRM
Ray Gordon
ray@gordonmrm.ie