The Office of Women’s Health announces Vivian Brown, Ph.D as this year’s winner of the prestigious Helen Rodriquez-Trias Award. The award was presented to her at the Women’s Health Council meeting on May 27^th.

“Dr. Brown embodies the lifetime achievement award of a tireless advocate for women’s health,” said David Maxwell-Jolly, Director of the California Department of Health Care Services. “She is a leader and pioneer in services specifically designed to meet the needs of women.”

Ms. Brown is the founder of “Protoypes,” Centers for Innovation in Health, Mental Health and Social Services in Culver City. In her career spanning 45 years, she has been instrumental in creating innovative interventions for women, developing integrated services in mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and trauma that focused on domestic violence. She continues to exert influence through her consulting and advisory board roles.

Her approach to integration of services that service women with multi-diagnoses was inspired by the women she served. As a licensed Clinical Psychologist she understood the impact that mental health and substance abuse had on overall health and how closely linked they were. Her past work experience designing and implementing substance abuse, mental health, rape and child abuse prevention models of care influenced her work and research.

Helen Rodriquez-Trias was a nationally recognized health care leader and a founding member of the Office of Women’s Health Women’s Health Council. She was a pioneer in women’s health who was a strong, effective force in the fight for women’s and children’s health care, health care rights and reproductive freedom.  She challenged racial and gender inequities in health care and was actively involved with the growing problem of HIV/AIDS infection among women and children. 

This award continues to raise awareness of health issues facing women today.  Each May, as part of the Women’s Health Month Health Education campaign the Women’s Health Council hosts the award presentation to honor those who are true leaders and pioneers in women’s health.

OWH encourages organizations and providers throughout the state to become involved in raising awareness about women’s health in California.  Additional information about Women’s Health Month is available on the Office of Women’s Health Websites www.dhcs.ca.gov/OWH or www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/OWH or by phoning (916) 440-7626.