The Clara Bliss Hinds (CBH) Society, the George Washington University (GW) Women in Medicine and Sciences chapter of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, held its first Annual Event Celebrating Women in Leadership in June 2022.
“We are so thrilled to have had this opportunity to recognize the work and impact of the CBH Society,” said Lisa Schwartz, EdD ’10, associate professor of biomedical laboratory sciences at GW SMHS and chair of the CBH Executive Committee. “With more than 70 attendees from GW SMHS, the GW Medical Faculty Associates, Children’s National Hospital, and other affiliated sites, our event highlighted the leadership and mentorship that support women in medicine, the health sciences, and research.”
Among the highlights was the presentation of the inaugural CBH Mentorship Awards. The recipients – faculty nominated by their peers and mentees for exceptional mentorship of female students, residents, fellows, and faculty – included:
- Natalie Kirilichin, MD, MPH ’18, assistant professor of emergency medicine at GW SMHS, who received the Rising Star Award;
- Gaetano Lotrecchiano, PhD, associate professor of clinical research and leadership and of pediatrics at GW SMHS, who was awarded the Shining Brightly Award; and
- Lee Beers, MD, professor of pediatrics at GW SMHS, who was selected for the Luminary Award.
Following the awards presentation, a trio of panelists shared their leadership and mentorship experiences, including their professional paths and the value of supporting other women. The speakers were:
- Rita Manfredi-Shutler, MD, professor of emergency medicine at GW SMHS;
- Sally Moody, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at GW SMHS; and
- Joelle Simpson, MD ’05, MPH ’05, associate professor of pediatrics and of emergency medicine at GW SMHS.
The CBH Society was formed in 2019 as a recommendation of the Task Force on Women Faculty, created by then-Dean Jeffrey S. Akman, MD ’81, RESD ’85, interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at GW SMHS. The society’s mission focuses on facilitating career and leadership skill development, mentoring, and networking; enhancing the work environment; and promoting equity in promotion, tenure, and recognition for women at GW SMHS.
