Advancing Health and Humanity for Over 100 Years
Since 1917, the American Women’s Hospitals Service has been providing global aid to clinics and regions around the world both in the form of grant support as well as relief supplies.
Learn about the fascinating history of AWHS and the indefatigable spirit of the early AMWA women physicians who served in the war effort despite being rebuffed by the U.S. Government:
Our latest efforts have included:
- Supporting relief efforts for Ukraine ($7000), Pakistan flood victims ($10,000) and Global Cancer Care and Research Institute in Kenya ($2000), Yemen, Clinic Nepal, Gaza, and earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria
- $26,000+ to Afghanistan for food and medical aid and Aschiana Clinic
- $6000+ for reusable menstrual pad kits for girls in Suriname
- COVID-19: oxygen concentrators for India ($23,000), face masks to U.S. and overseas locations (Taiwan donation), face-shields (3-D printing with The Robonauts and University of Michigan Medical School), pulse oximeters and face masks for Parma, Italy, 80,000 face masks and shields to Navajo Nation (with Operation Pegasus and Tzu Chi Foundation)
We thank our members and donors for their generous support.
AWHS Grants
Clinic Grants
Are you working with a clinic serving underserved communities in the U.S. or abroad—particularly women and children? AWHS Clinic Grants award $2,000–$3,500 annually to support sustainable, community-centered clinics providing essential healthcare and education.
Grant details:
- $2,000–$3,500 awarded annually
- Supports independent clinics in the U.S. and internationally
- Emphasis on sustainability, community involvement, and impact
- Focus on women’s health, empowerment, and education
- Applications accepted through July each year
Community Project Grant
Do you have a community-based project that improves health access or advances equity for underserved populations—especially women? The AWHS Community Project Grant provides up to $500 to support initiatives in community engagement, education, service, advocacy, or health-related research.
Grant details:
- Up to $500 per project
- Supports community engagement, education, service, advocacy, or research
- Focus on underserved rural or urban communities
- Emphasis on women’s health, empowerment, and access to care
- Application deadlines: January 5, May 5, September 5
Overseas Travel Grant for Medical Students and Residents
Are you planning an overseas rotation or service experience supporting medically underserved communities—especially women and children? The AWHS Overseas Travel Grant offers up to $1,000 to help AMWA medical students and residents cover travel costs while gaining hands-on global health experience and serving vulnerable populations.
Grant details:
- Up to $1,000 per recipient
- Supports international rotations or service trips
- Focus on underserved communities, especially women and children
- Open to AMWA medical students and residents
- Application deadlines: January 5, May 5, September 5
AWHS History
Originally established in 1917 as AMWA’s War Service Committee, AWHS rose to the challenge when women physicians were not accepted by the U.S. Army. Undeterred, they organized hospital units staffed entirely by women physicians and volunteers to support overseas war relief efforts. The mission of AWHS was twofold: To relieve suffering through medical care and to advance women in the medical profession.
Much of this remarkable history was chronicled by Dr. Esther Pohl Lovejoy in her books Certain Samaritans and Women Physicians and Surgeons. The Legacy Center Archives at Drexel University College of Medicine serves as the official repository for AWHS documents and photographs.
AMWA has curated an online and traveling exhibition, Women Physicians in World War I, along with the short film At Home and Over There: American Women Physicians in World War I, which celebrate this inspiring legacy.
Explore More:
- View an AWHS report from 1917
- They Were There: American Women Physicians and the First World War (Article)
- American Women Physicians in World War I (Exhibition)
- At Home and Over There (Film)
- The American Women’s Hospitals at Home: Public Health in Depression-Era Appalachia (Pinterest)
For over a century, AWHS has continued this tradition of service, supporting medical programs and projects that improve health and advance equity — both in the U.S. and around the world.
AWHS Postcards
Read about some of our past efforts in the AWHS newsletter Postcards:
- AWHS 2020 – 2021 Postcards
- AWHS 2016 Summer Postcards
- AWHS 2015 Spring Postcards
- AWHS 2014 Winter Postcards