Stories of Change

The evening of August 26, 2024, was a celebratory one as 45 guests gathered in the Anschutz Health and Sciences Building Fireplace Lounge for The Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Women’s Integrated Mental and Physical Health Research Celebration. The event marked an important milestone for women’s health, as the establishment of the chair – with Tracy Bale, PhD, as the inaugural chair holder – is poised to be a driving force in further understanding the crucial link between mental and physical health. 

“Men and women are very different in how they respond to medication, how they metabolize medication and their risk factors for different diseases across the lifespan,” said Dr. Bale. “When it comes to mental health, we need to understand the connections between the brain and the body.” 

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Vice Chancellor of Advancement Scott Arthur opened the evening’s program with a warm welcome. 

“In my role, I get to learn about some of the big ideas that are shaping medicine and healthcare today,” he said. “The research at the Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research is among some of the most important work taking place on this campus, thus marking us as a destination for innovation and top talent. These hallmarks of CU Anschutz are precisely what The Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Women’s Integrated Mental and Physical Health Research will support.”  

Chancellor Don Elliman then took to the podium for special remarks. 

“This is an exciting evening as we join together to celebrate all that The Anschutz Foundation, under Ted Harms’ and David Ryans’ direction, are making possible with the establishment of this endowed chair,” he said. “The Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research is one of the key landmarks in the four-campus CU System. It has grown to include more than 50 researchers who are making scientific breakthroughs that will improve health and quality of life for generations to come and is one of the go-to places in the country for leading-edge women’s health and sex difference research impacting people of all ages.” 

Chancellor Elliman then welcomed Dr. Judy Regensteiner, director and co-founder of the Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research and the Judith and Joseph Wagner Chair in Women’s Health Research, to discuss her vision for how the chair will impact the future of women’s health and the Center’s work. Dr. Tracy Bale and Ted Harms also shared brief remarks. 

The evening closed with a celebratory champagne toast and the presentation of honorary medallions by Chancellor Elliman.