2008 ATHENA Award Recipient
Dr. Ruth Lawrence

The Women's Council of the Rochester Business Alliance presented its 2008 ATHENA Award to Dr. Ruth Lawrence.

Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Pediatrician and Neonatologist at the Golisano Childrens Hospital at Strong was announced the 2008 Athena Recipient on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the rochester riverside convention center in Rochester, NY.

Dr. Ruth Lawrence’s contributions to her life's work have been far reaching and extraordinary, bringing recognition not only to herself but to the greater Rochester region as a place where innovation and scientific advancement join to address community issues and solve problems.She has been the initiator as well as the recipient of numerous “firsts” and is recognized nationally and globally for her leadership, impact and contributions to her field.

Listed below are some of Dr. Lawrence’s contributions to the rochester community:

In 1980 Dr. Lawrence literally “wrote the book” on the science and medicine of breastfeeding that has become a gold standard for the scientific understanding of human lactation. now in its sixth edition, the book has also been translated into spanish and Japanese.

In the late 1960’s Dr. Lawrence led an effort to create the region’s first neonatal intensive care unit as well as the first pediatric intensive care unit, enabling the community to provide specialized care and facilities for some of the most vulnerable young citizens.  today, these facilities help to save the lives of more than 2,000 infants and children each year.

50 years ago, thanks to Dr. Lawrence’s leadership, Rochester established the second poison control center in the nation, which became the model for 64 centers nationwide and ultimately led to the region’s 911 system.

In another medical first, Dr. Lawrence was part of the first team to save the life of a premature baby by putting it on a ventilator.

In thecommunity, Dr. Lawrence has served on the boards of numerous health-related organizations including life-line and the health association.  in addition, she serves on the boards for Mercy high school and the girl scouts of monroe county.

Dr. Lawrence’s commitment to improving opportunities for women is evidenced by her groundbreaking work in the medical field, as well as her efforts as a role model and mentor to women students.  as the first woman in yale university’s residency program, and the only woman in a class of 100, she noted that “they had to have a tailor specially make my uniform”.  taking this personal experience to heart, she founded a program called “wisdom; women in science, dentristry and medicine” at the university of Rochester, to address women’s issues at the UR medical center.  among its accomplishments was a survey comparing academic rank and salaries of men and women at the medical center and influencing the establishment of a child care center on the campus.

A mother of nine, the 2008 athena recipient is truly a woman of great accomplishment in many dimensions.