Campus Connection

UWL professor recognized for promoting women’s health

A UW-La Crosse professor is among the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation’s five 2019 Champions in Women’s Health.

Keely Rees, who has taught in the university’s Health Education and Health Promotion Department since fall 2003, will receive the award at the Champions in Women’s Health Awards Ceremony & Reception April 27 in Madison. The honor is an opportunity to raise awareness about the work of health leaders in Wisconsin and recognizes those dedicated to improving the lives of the state’s women and their families.

Rees was surprised and honored to be among those recognized. “I feel very grateful to have worked in this state and community with so many strong women and young people working together,” she says.

Mental health conditions and chronic illnesses are at the forefront of women’s health issues in the Badger state, says Rees. Other pressing issues for women include violence, maternal health and access to reproductive health care.

Among her most recent analysis, Rees says she and a colleague are finishing research on menstrual cycles and young women's attitudes and health practices that support healthy menstruation norms.

“Most women have engrained norms and attitudes about menstruation as something negative,” explains Rees. “Our work really is about a paradigm shift regarding the physiological and psychological aspects in our culture around menstruation.”

Rees says, ironically, her other recent work in collaboration with the county and other colleagues has been with men and how they protect themselves and their partners regarding sexual health and using barrier methods. She has also been examining how women are engaged in public health advocacy locally and nationally, along with preparing women to effectively advocate policy work. 

“I am grateful to my students over the past decade as I learn so much from them, their stories and their energy.” — Keely Rees

Rees is quick to point out that her work is done with a lot of collaboration and support from other health advocates. “I am grateful to my students over the past decade as I learn so much from them, their stories and their energy,” she says. 

The classes Rees teaches include Women's Health; Grant Writing and Resource Management; Health Policy, Advocacy and Community Organization; and Motivational Interviewing. She has also co-supervised Eta Sigma Gamma, the local Beta Phi Chapter of the National Health Education Professional Organization at UWL, since 2003.

Nominations for the champions were received from throughout the state and reviewed by WWHF representatives, along with community members and local health representatives. Awardees are recognized for demonstrating dedication to women’s health through exemplary achievement in their specific area of expertise.

Other 2019 recipients included:

• Amanda Boreen, Breast Care Coordinator for Marshfield Clinic Health System, Weston

• Sarina Schrager, professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison

• Julie Schuller, president and CEO of Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Milwaukee

• Beth Sommerfeldt, retired registered nurse from UW Health Breast Center of Excellence, Madison

The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides health services and education for women and families.

Get more information on the 2019 Champions in Women’s Health.