As Justine Deluce-Wiley began experiencing the early symptoms of perimenopause, she discovered how difficult it could be to find clear information and meaningful support.
“I was navigating perimenopause with inconsistent information and limited evidence-based options,” says Justine. “I saw firsthand how unclear the path to care could be.”
At a Sinai Health event, Dr. Wendy Wolfman, Director of the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health, spoke about the critical gaps in care for mature women and Sinai Health’s efforts to close them. Listening to her, Justine realized she wasn’t alone; countless women were navigating the same uncertainty.
“That evening, I met Dr. Wolfman, who spoke about how decades of underfunding and underrepresentation in research have left mature women largely overlooked in medicine,” says Justine. “Her message was eye-opening and deeply motivating. I was genuinely shocked to learn how little investment had been made in addressing women’s health beyond their reproductive years.”
After meeting Dr. Wolfman and witnessing Mount Sinai Hospital’s commitment to changing the landscape of women’s health, Justine knew she wanted to do more. It inspired her to join Sinai Health Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2024 and make a gift to support the Centre.
“For me, supporting this work is about ensuring women are seen, heard and better served — now and for generations to come,” says Justine. “The Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health is addressing a gap in research that will improve both care and understanding for women.”
In 2022, Sinai Health launched a campaign to establish a world-class centre dedicated to improving care for women across their lifespan. The first phase, under Maxine Granovsky Gluskin’s leadership, raised more than $50 million to establish the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health.
Justine is honoured to chair the second phase of the campaign, which is focused on women’s health research and the still unanswered questions surrounding women's health. Joining her are cabinet members Andy Pringle, Brigette Chang, Catherine Murray, Ian Robertson, Janet Bomza, Janice O’Born and Victoria Webster.
“Maxine’s vision and tenacity have inspired all of us who are privileged to build on her work,” says Justine. “The next phase of the campaign is dedicated to raising funds that will drive research and shape the future of care for women, in mid-life and beyond.”
Already, Justine has seen how people are speaking out about mature women’s health. In September, Sinai Health launched The Cold Plunge Challenge, which brought together the community to cold plunge in support of the Centre. More than 100 fundraisers signed up within the first month. On October 17, the second annual Cause for the ‘Pause event raised $410,000 to support the Centre.
“There is a palpable shift happening. Women’s health, particularly mature women’s health, is being prioritized, researched and funded in ways we’ve never seen before,” says Justine. “It’s an incredibly empowering time — there’s energy, attention and commitment across institutions and communities to do better, and Sinai Health is leading the way."
Reflecting on how confusing it once was to find clear guidance for her perimenopause symptoms, Justine is now heartened by how much progress has been made.
“I’m inspired by the collective momentum — doctors, researchers, donors, advocates and patients all working together with purpose,” she says. “It feels as though we’ve moved beyond recognizing the problem — we’re finally doing something to solve it.”
Get involved today. Join Justine in transforming the future of mature women’s health.
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