Stepping Up – Andrea Orane

A listing on a volunteer recruiting web site for someone to run the PCOSA's Awareness Auction last year was a "superb match" for Andrea Orane, who, in spite of her years in the public health arena was unaware of PCOS. "Coordinating the Auction was a win-win in that I gained skills in non-profit auctions while raising awareness of an important women's public health issue."

An education in Public Health, with an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, has led Andrea to focus on health care for the homeless, adolescent AIDS/HIV, breast and cervical cancer and special populations such as refugees and immigrants. For her Masters in Public Health from Yale School of Medicine, Andrea wrote her thesis on the birth outcomes of homeless pregnant women in New York City.

In addition to working full time in marina management, Andrea is a dedicated volunteer. Shortly, she will assume the Presidency of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate, in addition to her ongoing work reviewing grant proposals and making site visits to potential grantee partners for The Women's Fund of Miami Dade County which supports programs to improve the lives of women and girls.

Her caring also extends to animals in the Miami Beach area where she helps feed and care for pelicans and other injured seabirds through the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station.

Andrea looks forward to serving as the PCOS Awareness Auction Manager again this year. She explains, "I am passionate about women's public health issues because there are disparities in our health care system. There are obstacles to women, especially economically deprived women, and their families receiving full and complete medical care."

To donate to the PCOSA Auction to be held this September, contact pcosa.auction@gmail.com.