VCU news

Joann N. Bodurtha, M.D., M.P.H., professor, departments of Human and Molecular Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Epidemiology and Community Health 

The Genetic Alliance will award Bodurtha its Art of Listening Award during its annual conference on July 12.

The Art of Listening Award honors a health professional who is a caring, receptive professional in the lives of individuals and families living with genetic conditions. The Genetic Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of more than 600 advocacy organizations that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone living with genetic conditions.

Throughout her career, Bodurtha has worked to form communities more welcoming to persons and families with disabilities. She graduated from Swarthmore College with a biology degree in 1974 and received her graduate degrees from Yale University in 1979. Bodurtha helped start the Masters in Genetic Counseling program at VCU in 1990 and the VaLEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) program in 1995.

Patricia W. Slattum, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics
Slattum, vice chair of graduate studies in the departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics, was selected  by the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics to receive its 2008 William B. Abrams Award in Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology. The annual award honors young investigators in the field of geriatric clinical pharmacology who are making outstanding contributions to the field. Slattum was recognized for her contributions in the field of geriatric clinical pharmacology due to her exceptional teaching, high level research and volunteer service within the geriatric community. 

Kimberly Taylor, Ph.D., Department of Gerontology
Taylor, assistant professor in the Department of Gerontology, was selected to participate in Oxford University’s International Forum for Aging Research. The forum will give Taylor the opportunity to present her research on global awareness of aging issues and to foster international research collaboratives. 

Ronald J. Hunt, D.D.S., School of Dentistry
Hunt, Harry Lyons professor and dean of the School of Dentistry, recently was installed as president-elect of the American Dental Education Association at the annual ADEA session in Texas. He is a member of the ADEA council of deans administrative board and the ADEA board of directors, serving as vice president for deans. Hunt will become ADEA president in March 2009 after serving one year as ADEA’s president-elect. Hunt has an accomplished history of active service within the dental education and practice communities.

Melanie Dempsey, Department of Radiation Therapy
Dempsey, program director in the Department of Radiation Therapy, was awarded the Elekta Radiation Therapy Educators Scholarship by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Education and Research Foundation. The program assists educator therapists who are pursuing higher education to enhance their position as a program director, faculty member, clinical coordinator or clinical instructor. The ASRT also awarded Ayana Peoples, a sophomore in the radiation sciences program, with the Royce Osborne Minority Student Scholarship.

Nelson Wikstrom, Ph.D., L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Nelson Wikstrom, professor of political science and public administration, is a contributing writer for “Urban and Regional Policies for Metropolitan Livability,” a new book that examines the importance of a regional approach in solving issues such as transportation, the environment, affordable housing, crime, employment, poverty and education. Wikstrom’s chapter is titled "Central City Policy Issues in a Regional Context.” “Urban and Regional Policies” was edited by David K. Hamilton and Patrica S. Atkins and was published in February 2008 by M. E. Sharpe Publishers.  

Capt. Carlton G. Edwards, VCU Police Department
Edwards, deputy chief of police and director of the VCUHS security department, is the recipient of the Outstanding Member Award presented by the Central Virginia chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). The award recognizes Edwards for his contribution to education and training programs for NOBLE members. This award is generally given to any member that promotes or exemplifies the goal, mission and objectives of the organization. NOBLE is a nonprofit public service organization that seeks to provide solutions to law enforcement issues and concerns.

Steven Danish, Ph.D., department of psychology
Danish, professor, director of VCU's Life Skills Center and director of the counseling psychology program, received one of two Distinguished Alumni Awards from the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association during a ceremony April 18 on the MSU campus.

Danish is a 1969 graduate of MSU's College of Education, earning his doctorate in counseling psychology. The award recognizes his educational accomplishments, including his commitment to the Life Skills Center, where he teaches graduate students how to develop, evaluate and implement programs that teach life skills to young people.

The award also honors Danish's compassion for those he works with, including the FREE 4 VETS program, which he founded and directs to grant free services to war veterans while also providing training to meet their needs.