About Us

The PHreedom Foundation for Pelvic Health is a 501(c)(3) organization started from a personal experience Ann Margaret Howard, CEO of IT Broadcasting had after a hysterectomy. Despite having amazing care and an uncomplicated procedure, she was unaware that half of her pelvic floor needed retraining to function properly, resulting in a painful injury to her pudendal nerve. 

Her experience during the next three months with Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation enlightened her to the lack of education, research and early access to pelvic floor physical therapy that exists. In reaching out to medical professionals, friends and colleagues, she quickly found she was not alone! 

The pelvic floor is instrumental in bowel, bladder, & sexual function

Hysterectomies are very common - 1 of 3 women in the United States has had one by age 60 (CDC)

1 in 4 women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime

1 in 4 adults meet the criteria for functional bowel disorders 

(Palsson et al, 2020)

1 in 4 women over the age of 18 reported at least one episode of urinary incontinence (UI), while UI was present in 43% of people (men and women) over the age of 65 (CDC, 2014)

Estimates of pelvic organ prolapse range between 1-65% of the population (Brown, H.W., et al 2022). 20% of women undergo surgery for POP or UI (Dieter, et al, 2015)

4 Pillars of Work

Awareness, Education, Research & Action in Healthcare

Global Purpose

• Public Advocacy and Awareness for Pelvic Health Literacy
• Break Down Barriers by Fostering and Encouraging Open Conversation on Bowel, Bladder and Sexual Function, Conditions and Treatments
• Comprehensive Pelvic Health Research; and Improved Access to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Domestic Purpose 

• Public, Patient and Practitioner Education
• Advocate for Early Access to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
• A Robust Comprehensive Research Program
• Improving Healthcare Outcomes and Quality of Life for both Women and Men by Advancing Pelvic Health

Inaugural Board Members

Ann Margaret Howard, Founder & President

Dr. Lora Mize, Chief Education Officer

Linda Boles, VP of Growth, Healthcare

Pete Schoemann Esq. Secretary, Treasurer

Executives

Dr. Cecilia Deidan, Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Mary Austin, Director of Research