Who We Are

History & Founders

More than 30 years ago Carol Lavin Bernick turned gratitude into groundbreaking change. Soon after bringing home her healthy newborn baby, a hard-won, happy conclusion to a long road traveled, Carol formed an idea that would unequivocally change the future of women's health. 

Determined to give back to the hospital that did so much for her, Carol founded Friends of Prentice. Patty Henderson, George McCarthy and Dr. Michael Socol were among the first to join the effort. Momentum quickly grew as men and women, young professionals and renowned doctors, and people of all ages and backgrounds came together to support what would become Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital.

Friends of Prentice is the result of Carol's inspired idea, the hard work and dedication of countless founding members, and decades of volunteerism and support provided by some of the best and brightest people in our community. As a testament to the ongoing strength of the FOP mission, three members of the original planning committee remain actively involved in the organization.

Since 1985, Friends of Prentice has made a tangible, measurable difference in women's healthcare. Our organization has worked diligently to make inroads in all areas of women's health, at all ages and stages. 

There are innumerable examples of how Friends of Prentice is breaking barriers by giving clinicians and researchers a chance to make lasting change. FOP seed money has helped put nationally-recognized practitioners like Dr. Teresa Woodruff on the map. Dr. Woodruff's work advancing sex and gender-based medicine is truly revolutionary. FOP also aided in advancing the issue of mental health and postpartum depression by awarding funding to Dr. Emily Miller for her life-saving COMPASS program. Our organization also recently fully-funded Dr. Craig Garfield and Young Lee PhD's NICU2HOME app, an important tool for parents of premature babies. To date, FOP has awarded grants to over 80 primary researchers and counting. 

Friends of Prentice board members, donors, grant recipients, and other key stakeholders share a passion for the advancement of women's healthcare – whether born out of personal experiences or a desire to make our community a stronger place. Together we are moving the needle in the right direction.

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