VCU news

By Joe Kuttenkuler

The YWCA of Greater Richmond has announced the winners of its annual Outstanding Women Awards for 2004 and five out of the nine honorees have ties to Virginia Commonwealth University. The winners were introduced during a press conference held Feb. 11 at the YWCA.

The Outstanding Women Awards recognize achievement in the categories of art, business, communications, education, health and science, human relations, government and politics, law, religion and volunteerism. Winners must be nominated and are chosen based on their impact on the community, leadership skills, and commitment to equality and racial harmony.

Ellen Shaw de Paredes, M.D., director of breast imaging at the VCU Medical Center, received her award in the Health and Science category. She coordinates all breast imaging and biopsy services at VCU, in addition to her teaching and research responsibilities.

Paredes has published a number of scientific papers and a textbook that serves as a resource for physicians and residents. She is fluent in Spanish, which has benefited many of her patients, and helped establish mammography services in Buckingham County, as part of the university's outreach efforts to rural and underserved areas.

Collaboration between Paredes and the American Cancer Society resulted in the General Assembly approving a bill requiring insurance companies to pay for yearly mammograms in Virginia.

Paredes was nominated by past OWA winner and former director of VCU's Women's Healthcare at Stony Point, Judy Collins, who wrote, " Ellen's personal and professional commitment to early diagnosis of breast cancer and innovative research in diagnosis have made an invaluable contribution to our community and beyond."

Cathy Howard, Ph.D., is director of the Office of Community Programs at VCU and an associate professor in the Department of Psychology. Described as a "visionary in community building pursuits and an inspiration to those that work with her," Howard won her award in the Human Relations category.

In her dual roles, she provides learning and scholarship opportunities for students and faculty through various community-based programs including the Community Service Associates Program, America reads, and the Carver-VCU Partnership - a university-community effort that strives to create a safe, nurturing environment for the people who live and work in the area. The Carver project has received two major grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and has been recognized as a national model.

As a developmental psychologist, Howard served as the primary investigator of a five-year, federally funded study to establish an after-school program for middle school students in Richmond's public housing communities - an experience that fueled her desire to stay actively involved with creating mentoring opportunities for youth.

As Executive Director of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at VCU, Carmen Foster promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in academic institutions, other public, private and non-profit organizations, as well as directing the daily operations of the Institute.

With degrees from VCU, Clarion University and Harvard, Foster's leadership abilities quickly vaulted her to director of the Master's Program in Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government where she managed student services and curriculum coordination for 450 U.S. and international graduate students. She also was selected as a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow which enabled her to study leadership, spirituality and healing for women.

Most recently she served as Executive Director of the master's program at the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies.

Foster's award was given in the Education category.

Janett Forte, coordinates the newly designated National Center of Excellence in Women's Health at VCU - one of 19 models for nation in providing comprehensive, integrated heath care for women.

She received her award in the Government and Politics category.

A licensed clinical social worker, Forte has worked as a crisis counselor and a clinician. She pioneered the Domestic Violence Resource Center in Chesterfield County and established a model governmental response to victims of domestic violence by blending police coordination, specialized prosecution and victim advocacy services. Additionally, Forte worked with Chesterfield to develop a Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.

She is currently the Board President for Virginians Against Domestic Violence and is a member of Attorney General Jerry Kilgore's Advisory Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

She serves as a consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and has provided nationwide training on police responses to violence against women.

Marilyn Tavenner is Group President of Outpatient Services at HCA and a graduate of VCU's School of Nursing. A former staff nurse, Tavenner now oversees all outpatient operations for HCA including ambulatory and diagnostic centers and is the only female division president among HCA's 11 divisions. During her career, she has supported many clinical initiatives that ultimately have led to more efficient patient care including a system for digitally storing and displaying radiology images.

Tavenner received her award in the Business category.

The year's winners were chosen from about 60 nominees. More than 200 local women have been honored since the awards began in 1980.

The awards will be formally presented at a luncheon on April 30 at the Richmond Marriott.