Woman One

WOMAN ONE Award Ceremony
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Monday, April 27, 2009
5:30 Program
Followed by an elegant reception

Photos from the 2008 WOMAN ONE Award Ceremony

Woman One 2008

Back row, left to right, all WOMAN ONE Scholars at Drexel University College of Medicine: Gisela Vargas, Janielle Hyde, Veronica Ramirez, Emilia Cuneo, Edwina Coleman, Keri Fugarolas, Annette Lopez, LaToia Marks, Sharron Manuel, Michelle Ballentyne. Seated, David L. Cohen, Comcast executive; Juliet Goodfriend, president of the Bryn Mawr Film Institute; and Stephanie Naidoff, winner of the WOMAN ONE 2008 Award for outstanding leadership. Standing, D. Walter Cohen, D.D.S., chancellor-emeritus, Drexel College of Medicine; Constantine Papadakis, Ph.D., president, Drexel University; Lynn Yeakel, director of the sponsoring Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership; and Richard Homan, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine.

Director Lynn Yeakel Greets Woman One Scholars

Lynn H. Yeakel, director of the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership greets the ten WOMAN ONE scholars along with Stephanie Naidoff and Constantine N. Papadakis Ph.D., president of Drexel University.

View invitation from 2008

WOMAN ONE is a year-round program that provides multi-year scholarships to talented underrepresented minority women studying medicine, with preference given to those who are committed to serving disadvantaged communities. The WOMAN ONE Award is presented annually to the woman who, by the influence of her actions and the excellence of her example, inspires women of all ages to reach for the highest standards of health and human behavior. Stephanie Naidoff is WOMAN ONE 2008!

Please scroll down for further information about our scholars and WOMAN ONE honorees.

WOMAN ONE Scholarship Recipients

	Sharrón Manuel (M.D./Ph.D. program): Multi-degree medical student, volunteer in fight against AIDS, plans career as obstetrician/ gynecologist for underinsured patients.		Annette Lopez (’08): A pioneer WOMAN ONE Scholar. Born in Puerto Rico. Dean’s List graduate of West Chester University. Will devote her physician skills to community needs.
	Keri Kuniko Nakao (’09): Southern California beginnings, North Carolina degree. Fluent in Spanish, will become bilingual physician working in Latino Community.		Veronica Ramirez (’09): Following through on childhood commitment to be a doctor. A Fresno state graduate. Active in community service, will work with underserved population.
	Emilia Cuneo (’09): Graduate of the University of Minnesota, will specialize in women’s health. Is fulfilling pledge made as 10 year old “to become a doctor.”		LaToia Marks (’08): After graduation will return to native Houston to practice as pediatrician, and encourage the young to serve in health science fields.
	Michelle Ballentyne (’10): Native of Jamaica, science graduate of Temple. Worked fulltime to support herself through college, still volunteered to help elderly and disabled.		Edwina Coleman (’10): From a small town in Florida to Drexel College of Medicine via bachelor and master degrees in science. Inspired by a compassionate doctor, she plans to be one.
	Gisela Vargas (’11): A Johns Hopkins University graduate with leadership commendations in biomedical engineering. Goal is to become a cardiologist, serve the Latino community.		Janielle Hyde (’11): Her Howard University education included hospital emergency room volunteerism, sharpening her devotion to acquiring both humanitarian and professional skills.

Each scholar receives a four-year $60,000 scholarship to Drexel University College of Medicine. One of the WOMAN ONE Scholars is fully supported by the Sunshine Lady Foundation and another by the Suzanne F. Roberts Cultural Development Fund. The Institute has raised funds in excess of $1,000,000 since the inception of the WOMAN ONE Award.

The continued success of the WOMAN ONE Program depends on the ongoing generous financial support from donors who want to make a difference by helping these talented future physicians reach their goals of serving hundreds of thousands of people in need.

WOMAN ONE Honorees and Award Ceremony Highlights: 2003 - 2007
and 2008 Announcement!

2003 - Estelle Richman, dynamic public service leader with a lasting influence on the health and welfare of Pennsylvanians. Special guest: Dr. Vivian Pinn of National Institutes of Health. First year attendees included Philadelphia Mayor Street and many area business and civic leader. Program accompanied by symposium: "A Conversation about Women's Health."	2006 - Suzanne Roberts, actor, TV personality, whose communication leadership improved quality of life for thousands of senior citizens. Her foundation funded a full four year WOMAN ONE scholarship. Ceremony moved to the Rittenhouse Hotel. U.S. Judge Midge Rendell sang, Governor Rendell attended. Dr. Doris Bartuska did a tap dance.
2004 - Leslie Anne Miller, brilliant attorney, civic leader, social action advocate. In addition to the WOMAN ONE scholarship focus, eight one-time grants of $10,000 each were presented to women medical students by Astra-Zeneca. Miller would later become WOMAN ONE co-chair.	2007 - Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shaper of health policy, innovator in philanthropy. Attracted foundation leaders from as far as Alaska, and women leaders in healthcare participating in the Institute's Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine program. Drexel President Papadakis announced a new home for the Institute to be built on the medical school campus.
2005 - Dawn Staley, three-time Olympic Gold Medal Champion, collegiate basketball coach, and creator of a foundation providing after-school guidance for young girls. WOMAN ONE base of support widened notably. Post-award reception featured a mini-basketball court at the Doubletree Hotel. Support received from Women's National Basketball Association.	2008 - Stephanie Naidoff, public servant, health care expert, cultural leader, and community champion devoted to improving the lives of women and families throughout the region. Her career is marked by exceptional achievements as a corporate lawyer and business leader. Her track record is based upon a strong set of analytical and strategic skills honed in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.