October 2025 — Michael Annichine, CEO of Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, sat down with Invest: to discuss how federal funding cuts are impacting medical research. “Women’s health has long been underfunded and under-researched. We are already working to catch up, so any cuts to research funding directly hinder our ability to advance discoveries and improve care for women and their families,” Annichine said, noting broader trends in the field, the importance of partnerships, and the key challenges facing women’s health research.

Over the past year, what changes have most impacted Magee-Womens, and how do these reflect broader trends in women’s health and medical research?

Women’s health research has always been underfunded, and federal funding cuts over this past year only deepen the gap. Our scientists are working to catch up in areas like maternal health, menopause, and conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic floor disorders—fields that have historically received little attention. Now, with reduced federal support, promising studies are being slowed or put on hold, and the areas that were under-resourced before are even more so today. This limits our ability to move discoveries forward, train the next generation of scientists, and ultimately improve care for women and their families. Without a better understanding of sex-specific medicine, there will be inefficiencies in our care delivery system.

What recent breakthroughs or clinical advancements led by Magee-Womens do you believe will have a lasting impact on women’s health outcomes, from cancer to fertility?

At Magee-Womens, we’re leading research that has the potential to transform women’s health outcomes across a lifetime. One example is a breast cancer vaccine currently in clinical trials, which could fundamentally change how women prevent and manage this disease. Our fertility program is restoring hope for young people who lose their ability to conceive after childhood cancer treatments, giving them the chance to build families of their own. We’re also advancing HIV prevention strategies tailored to women, addressing a critical global health challenge. Each of these breakthroughs represents a meaningful step toward dramatically improving women’s lives and reflects the clinical impact we’re committed to achieving.

How does being embedded within the UPMC system enhance Magee‑Womens’ ability to deliver innovative, coordinated care across Western Pennsylvania?

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading institutions for women’s health. Being embedded within UPMC’s integrated delivery system multiplies the impact of Magee-Womens Research Institute’s excellence. Access to UPMC’s telemedicine infrastructure, genetic counseling networks, and cancer center collaborations means research findings can be translated into patient care more quickly and across a broader footprint. Participation in a 40-hospital health care system gives Magee-Womens access to a larger and more diverse patient population, both locally and globally, which enriches clinical studies, accelerates enrollment in trials, and enables us to validate findings in varied populations.

As a result, we can move promising innovations from the lab or clinic to widespread implementation more efficiently. Where many research centers might be limited by geography, resources, or patient numbers, Magee’s affiliation with UPMC ensures that breakthroughs — whether in fertility preservation, oncology, or maternal health — can make a real difference, sooner, for women across Western Pennsylvania and beyond.

How do initiatives like “Women Who Rock” support your research and clinical programs, and how important are they in engaging the Greater Pittsburgh community?

Initiatives like Women Who Rock are vital because they fuel both our research and our reach. The dollars raised allow us to invest in early-stage projects that may not yet qualify for large-scale federal funding. These are often the bold, high-risk ideas that, with the right support, can lead to transformative breakthroughs in women’s health down the road.

Equally important, Women Who Rock amplifies awareness. It gives us a platform to share our mission with the community while also extending our voice to women and families around the globe. By connecting people through music and advocacy, we’re able to show that the work being done here in Pittsburgh has a worldwide impact—and that it’s women’s futures everywhere that will be shaped by this research.

How does the organization approach partnerships, from corporate to research and nonprofit, and what examples can you share of fruitful collaborations in Pittsburgh?

Partnerships are at the heart of our mission — whether with corporations, research institutions, or nonprofits — because advancing women’s health requires collaboration across sectors and geographies. Here in Pittsburgh, as well as nationally and internationally, we’ve built alliances that allow us to expand the reach and impact of our work.

On the research side, our international collaborations connect scientists and clinicians across the globe, ensuring discoveries in areas like women’s cancers, fertility, and heart disease translate into better patient outcomes worldwide. Locally, we’ve partnered with industries outside of medicine whose leadership and workforce care deeply about women’s health. For example, Realogy, with a workforce that is 73% women, has mobilized its branch offices to raise funds for women’s health research. 84 Lumber, an industry leader in building supplies, has provided funding for mammograms for at-risk patients.

These collaborations are powerful because they align mission with community impact. When local and international partners invest in women’s health, they are not only supporting research but also improving the health and futures of women in the communities where they live and work.

Given workforce conditions, including recent organizing efforts among Magee-Womens nurses, how is the organization responding to challenges around staffing and retention?

Workforce challenges, including staffing and retention, are a reality we expect to navigate for years to come. With fewer nurses and physicians entering the field than those retiring, we are actively working to mentor and encourage young people to pursue careers in healthcare, particularly through our high school and college internship programs. At the same time, we are focused on creating a more efficient delivery system that allows us to do more with the resources we have. Research plays a key role in these efforts.

What major trends are you observing in women’s health, and how is Magee positioning itself at the forefront of these developments?

You can’t talk about trends in healthcare without talking about the impact of AI. At Magee, AI is transforming the way we conduct research and deliver clinical care, from cancer treatment to infectious disease management. By incorporating AI across our programs, we’re positioning ourselves at the forefront of innovation — using technology to accelerate discoveries, improve outcomes, and provide more precise, personalized care for women.

How do you balance global research ambitions with localized impact, especially within the Pittsburgh region’s healthcare and economic ecosystem?

Balancing global research ambitions with local impact means keeping one eye on the world and one on our Pittsburgh community. Our ultimate goal is the same in both arenas: to improve and simplify people’s lives. Research and discoveries made here at Magee are quickly translated into clinical practice and shared through publications so that communities worldwide can benefit, while simultaneously strengthening healthcare and advancing outcomes right here in Pittsburgh.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing women’s health research today, and where do you see opportunities for Magee-Womens to lead?

Despite growing awareness, many women-specific conditions remain significantly underfunded in research. The health of our society depends on ensuring women are healthy, not just during reproductive years, but across their lifespans. At Magee, we define women’s health broadly — encompassing conditions that affect women exclusively, differently, or disproportionately compared to men, such as endometriosis, ovarian cancer, heart disease, concussions, and Alzheimer’s. By reframing women’s health beyond reproductive biology, we see an opportunity to lead research that addresses these critical gaps and improves outcomes for women at every stage of life.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for Magee-Womens over the next two to three years, both in terms of research and community health?

Over the next two to three years, our top priorities at Magee-Womens are twofold. First, we aim to enhance and expand our research across all areas of women’s health, solidifying our position as a leader in the field. Second, we are focused on improving community health outcomes by connecting hospital-based interventions with strategies that extend into the community. By integrating these approaches, we can create more effective, comprehensive care and drive lasting improvements in how healthcare is delivered for the women and families we serve.

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