Spotlights
Dr. Janet Pregler grew up as the daughter of an ophthalmologist and registered nurse in Topeka, Kansas. She observed how optometrists from various parts of the state referred challenging cases and surgeries to her parents’ practice. She witnessed firsthand their dedication to accommodating every patient, including those who lacked the means to find lodging in Topeka, often allowing them to stay overnight in their office. Holidays were particularly special, as their home would be filled with homemade gifts from grateful patients.
From a young age, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but she envisioned a different path than her parents. During her time in medical school, she became aware of the resurgence of primary care as an academic field and noticed the lack of attention given to women’s health issues in medical research. Driven by this realization, her ultimate goal was to practice holistic care tailored specifically for women.
Upon assuming the role of director at the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Center, Dr. Pregler was determined to make a significant impact on women’s health in the broader community of Los Angeles County. However, she initially struggled to find effective ways to achieve this goal. Her appointment by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the Women’s Health Policy Council provided her with the guidance she needed. Under the mentorship of Ellen Eidem, the Director of the LA County Office of Women’s Health, she learned to leverage the resources of the university to address community needs effectively.
At a critical LA County Women’s Health Summit in 1999, environmental toxins and LGBTQ+ women’s health emerged as top priorities identified by Los Angeles community experts. Collaborating with Julie Friedman, MPH, Director of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Center’s Education and Research programs, they focused their efforts on these pressing issues, along with the intersection between health and financial literacy.
Julie Friedman’s mentorship played a crucial role in nurturing future women’s health leaders, supported by generous donors providing mentorship opportunities to students across the LA region. Their collaboration with the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute enabled them to fund pilot research addressing a range of health disparities, exemplified by a recent project at Olive View UCLA Medical Center published in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Pregler finds great fulfillment in meeting and learning from community experts, scientists, and students, which has been a highlight of her career!
