Assoc. Medical Education Prof. Marcia Childress has been named this year's recipient of the Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award.
Sponsored by the University's Women's Center, the award was created in honor of Elizabeth Zintl - President John, T. Casteen, III's 's late chief of staff - to recognize a female University community member for her high degree of service, professionalism and commitment to the University.
The award holds high importance for Childress, especially considering her personal connection to its namesake.
"I knew and worked with Elizabeth Zintl," Chilress said. "She was a special and spirited person. It's moving to be honored with the award that was created to honor her death."
Pediatrics Prof. Margaret Mohrmann commended Childress' devotion to the University community.
"She has, over the last 30 years, done so much for the University." Morhmann said. "She's also one of those folks who isn't particularly concerned with who gets the credit ... so I'm delighted to see her get some credit."
Mohrmann added that her colleague is an "enthusiastic, upbeat, optimistic [and] tireless worker."
Childress, who also currently serves as a humanities program director for the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities in the University's Medical School, said the Zintl award allows her the opportunity to look back on her career. She said she hopes to continue bridging gaps between the University's humanities and medical departments.
"I find most exciting the opportunity to bring the methods and resources of humanities into medicine," Childress said. "It is an enriching opportunity for doctors to reflect on who they are and what they do."
Outside of the classroom, Childress oversees students' independent research in humanities and directs a weekly forum called Medical Center Hour, which hosts interdisciplinary programs about medicine and society. The forum aims to "explore what common experiences medical and law students have" and bring mixed audiences together to hear each other, she said.
"She is a person of great principle and has done her part, not only in committees, but in building up the medical humanities program and making interdisciplinary initiatives across Grounds," Mohrmann said.
Childress first came to the University as an English graduate student and has remained involved at the University community ever since. Throughout the years, Childress has served on numerous committees, such as the Faculty Senate in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, Childress has served on the Zintl Award Selection committee itself in the past.
"It wasn't until the committee reviewed her vita in detail and read the extraordinarily powerful letters of nomination that we understood the depth as well as breadth of her influence," Women's Center Associate Director Ginger Moran stated in a University press release.
For her accomplishments, the Women's Center will honor Childress - who also recently received the 2009 David A. Harrison Distinguished Educator Award - at an Oct. 1 reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Harrison Institute.
Read More
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 6 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
President Ryan signs collective statement condemning Trump administration
By Cecilia Mould | YesterdayWhile the statement claims that signees are willing to enact reforms and cooperate with government supervision, it disagrees with the current administration’s decision to withdraw funding from institutions.
