VCU recognizes recipients of professional achievement awards in science, dentistry and medicine

By Malorie Burkett

The Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine (WISDM) Professional Achievement Award has been presented to two Virginia Commonwealth University faculty members for their special contributions, dedication, leadership, mentorship and accomplishments in the schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

The honorees, who were recognized during the 16th Annual Pathways to Leadership conference on VCU’s MCV campus, include Ellen Brock, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine, and Bridget Ellen Byrne, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor in the School of Dentistry.

A recipient of the School of Medicine award, Brock is the section head in general obstetrics and gynecology. She recently created a year-long instructional simulation training course for residents, teaching them minimally invasive surgery — primarily laparoscopic surgery.

Brock also has just been named the first medical director of the Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety for the VCU School of Medicine.

“I’m honored to be the recipient of this year’s School of Medicine Professional Achievement Award, and anytime something like this happens, I always think of so many people who belong on the stage with me,” Brock said as she accepted her award and acknowledged the many contributions of her colleagues, friends and family that have helped her throughout her career.

Byrne received the School of Dentistry award. Since graduating from the VCU School of Dentistry in 1983, she has taken on numerous teaching and administrative responsibilities at VCU serving as a teacher, interim department chair and assistant dean.  

“When someone believes in you and supports you, it empowers you as a leader,” said Byrne. “If you have a chance to help someone you believe in, help them find that niche and help them blossom.”

Byrne also has represented the faculty of the VCU School of Dentistry on the Council of Faculties in the American Dental Education Association.  She is one three VCU dental faculty members leading the school’s efforts to enhance its curriculum in critical thinking, active learning and self-assessment, in concert with the ADEA’s Commission on Change and Innovation.

This year’s conference theme “Every Day, A New Discovery: Discover Resources for You,” featured workshop topics such as managing emotions, translational research, mentoring, exercise and healthy living, financial planning and eldercare and caring for family members.

Tours were an added feature this year and included the Massey Cancer Center’s healing garden, the new critical care hospital, still under construction, and the School of Nursing clinical simulation lab.

PonJola Coney, M.D., senior associate dean for faculty affairs and professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine, presented the conference’s keynote address, in which she shared her perspective on the ideal nature and values of leadership and how individuals can learn to advance their leadership skills.

“I was impressed with the diversity of WISDM conference attendees -- the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy, the VCU Health System and the Veterans Hospital were represented,” said Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., associate professor of hematology/oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center and president of WISDM.

“The mark of success was the volume and length of lunchtime conversations.  It was hard to break up the group to proceed to the next events. Everyone was enjoying the time to network and reconnect or maybe make new connections,” she said.

In addition to honoring the Professional Achievement Award recipients, the VCU School of Medicine recognized 50 women faculty members with full professor status.

“The diversity was also demonstrated by the 50 full professors,” Hackney said. “They represented women who have made strides in leadership, research and clinical care.  They are examples to all men and women in the medical professions of excellence.”

The WISDM Professional Achievement Award is presented annually by the Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine Faculty Organization, VCU School of Medicine, MCV Campus.

The award was established in 1993 to acknowledge the special contributions and accomplishments of women faculty in the School of Medicine and to recognize those women who have served as strong role models and mentors for the professional development of women faculty.

The WISDM faculty organization solicits nominations annually. For more information, visit http://www.womeninmedicine.vcu.edu/APAA.html.

The Pathways to Leadership conference is designed to promote professional development through enhancement of leadership skills. Community practitioners, academic faculty, administrators and other health care professionals, as well as medical, dental, and graduate students, post docs, residents and community leaders take part in the annual event. This year's Conference sponsors are the VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the VCU Health System.