2008 ATHENA Award Recipient
Dr. Ruth Lawrence

image of 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. 


2008 ATHENA Award Finalists

Mimi Bacilek
SuccessBuilders LLC

Iris Banister
Wilson Commencement Park

Dawn Borgeest
United Way of Rochester

Maggie Bringewatt
Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd

Alfreda Brown
Rochester Institute of Technology

Lisa Brubaker
Preferred Care/MVP Health Care

Ann Burr
Frontier Communications

Suzanne Nasipak Chapman
First Niagara Risk Management, Inc.

Tamara Denysenko
Ukrainian Federal Credit Union

Hilda Rosario Escher
Ibero American Action League

Sandra L. Frankel
Town of Brighton

Sheila Gaddis
Volunteer Legal Services Project (VLSP) & Hiscock & Barclay, LLP

Lori B. Green
Nixon Peabody LLP

Cynthia Herriot
Rochester Police Department

Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D.
University of Rochester Medical Center

Laura Saxby Lynch
Paychex, Inc.

Rita D. Metras
RDM Associates

Elizabeth Mullin-DiProsa
St. Ann’s Community

Lori Van Dusen
Citigroup/Smith Barney

Sophie Vandebroek
Xerox Innovation Group, Xerox Corporation

Christine Wagner, SSJ, PhD
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center

 

The ATHENA Award®

The Athena Award, an international program with over 3000 recipients, was founded in 1982 to recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding and professional business women. The program was introduced to Rochester in 1987 by Women's Council of The Rochester Business Alliance, Inc. The ATHENA Award recognizes women of achievement in our community for their professional excellence and community service, and for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Women's Council believes that by recognizing women of achievement, doors stay open for all women. And opportunities for them continue to grow.

This program is a celebration of excellence and a recognition of the leadership roles that women have in their workplace and in the community. As such, there are no winners or losers in the ATHENA program. Every woman offers unique value to the business world, to the community and to other women.


ATHENA Leadership Model

The ATHENA Leadership Model is a philosophy of leadership based on women's unique ways of knowing and leading. The model was developed by the ATHENA Foundation in collaboration with national authorities on women and leadership, and was funded with a grant from the WK. Cell Foundation. The Leadership model gives identity, credibility, visibility and coherence to the ATHENA philosophy and its perspectives on leadership. It is intentionally future oriented and evolving and affirms the way that women have led and continue to lead in the 21st century.

Elements of the model, and how they are defined, include:

Fierce Advocacy - tempered by profound respect and compassion for others.

Celebration and Joy - a sense of the vitality, the robustness, and the limitless possibilities of life

Relationships - the recognition that leadership is practiced in a complex, interconnected world

Courageous Acts - initiative, courage, and passionate commitment

Giving Back - leaving a different kind of legacy

Collaboration - to achieve a common goal

Authentic Self - inner clarity honed through reflection, meditation, restfulness, and introspection

Learning - the continual process of developing skills and competencies that build on their prior experience.

 

To learn more about ATHENA sponsorship opportunities, table, and ticket purchasing, contact Susan George, RBA Liaison, (585) 256-4612 or susan.george@rballiance.com.


 



 

 
 
     


2008 ATHENA Award Recipient
Dr. Ruth Lawrence

image of 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. 




 

The ATHENA Award®

The Athena Award, an international program with over 3000 recipients, was founded in 1982 to recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding and professional business women. The program was introduced to Rochester in 1987 by Women's Council of The Rochester Business Alliance, Inc. The ATHENA Award recognizes women of achievement in our community for their professional excellence and community service, and for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Women's Council believes that by recognizing women of achievement, doors stay open for all women. And opportunities for them continue to grow.

This program is a celebration of excellence and a recognition of the leadership roles that women have in their workplace and in the community. As such, there are no winners or losers in the ATHENA program. Every woman offers unique value to the business world, to the community and to other women.


ATHENA Leadership Model

The ATHENA Leadership Model is a philosophy of leadership based on women's unique ways of knowing and leading. The model was developed by the ATHENA Foundation in collaboration with national authorities on women and leadership, and was funded with a grant from the WK. Cell Foundation. The Leadership model gives identity, credibility, visibility and coherence to the ATHENA philosophy and its perspectives on leadership. It is intentionally future oriented and evolving and affirms the way that women have led and continue to lead in the 21st century.

Elements of the model, and how they are defined, include:

Fierce Advocacy - tempered by profound respect and compassion for others.

Celebration and Joy - a sense of the vitality, the robustness, and the limitless possibilities of life

Relationships - the recognition that leadership is practiced in a complex, interconnected world

Courageous Acts - initiative, courage, and passionate commitment

Giving Back - leaving a different kind of legacy

Collaboration - to achieve a common goal

Authentic Self - inner clarity honed through reflection, meditation, restfulness, and introspection

Learning - the continual process of developing skills and competencies that build on their prior experience.

 

To learn more about ATHENA sponsorship opportunities, table, and ticket purchasing, contact Susan George, RBA Liaison, (585) 256-4612 or susan.george@rballiance.com.