Catherine Ortega presented the WFA award to Sylvia Rodriguez, Lisa Abadeer presented the award to Courtney Alexander, Lynette Daws presented the award to Lora Talley Watts, Cathy Robichaux presented the award to Kristin Lane Hall, and Alice Gong presented the award to Megan Kielt Kressin (not pictured)
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The Women’s Faculty Association (WFA) recently presented its 2005 Leadership Awards to outstanding graduating students from each of the five schools. Each student was chosen for her leadership skills, outstanding academic record, and professional, service and teaching activities.

The recipients of the awards are:

Dr. Courtney Alexander, Dental School, WFA leadership awardee

Courtney Alexander has been a student leader in many different capacities at this university. She is currently the Senior Class Social Chairperson and served as the Junior Class Representative to the Faculty-Student Relations Committee, Freshman Class Secretary and Freshman Class Representative to the Texas Association of Women Dentists, and editor of the local chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). On the state level she was the student delegate to the Texas Dental Association House of Delegates for two years and nationally, she is the current ASDA National Vice-President. Courtney also has an impressive community service record which reflects her interest in educational and humanitarian goals. In addition, she has done summer research for three years and has published a paper and abstract. She plans to work in private practice for one year and then apply for a pediatric dental residency.

Dr. Megan Kielt Kressin, School of Medicine, WFA leadership awardee

Megan Kielt Kressin spent much of her time during medical school leading and participating at many different levels in the professional medicine community. For example, she was a member on the medical student standing committee on long range planning for the American Medical Association. She also served as the medical student section representative to the Women Physicians Congress Governing Council and the Committee on Community Service and Advocacy for the American Medical Association. With the Texas Medical Association (TMA), she has been the medical student delegate to the Council on Medical Education, the chair of the Medical Student Section, and the chapter president. In addition, for the Bexar County Medical Society she served on the Women in Medicine committee and as a delegate to TMA. At the university level she has served as a peer advisor to incoming medical students. She participated in the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation process and served on the Challenge Committee for Microbiology. In addition she has maintained an excellent academic standing in her medical studies. In her personal statement, Megan writes, “There is no easy recipe for how to balance your life as a physician, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and any number of other roles we take on. Each of these roles, however, augments who we are as human beings, and gives us the chance to be better at all of the other roles.”

Dr. Lora Talley Watts, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, WFA leadership awardee

Lora Talley Watts completed her Ph.D. in pharmacology and has an exemplary record of productivity and leadership. Lora has amassed an impressive curriculum vitae including several peered reviewed manuscripts, national and state awards and notably, independent funding from the National Institutes of Health. In addition, she has been an active mentor for summer research students and has helped to highlight the attributes of graduate school to undergraduate scholars by presenting seminars at various graduate school expos. These accomplishments make Lora a truly outstanding example of a highly successful graduate student and leader.

Kristin Lane Hall, B.S.N., G.N., School of Nursing, WFA leadership awardee

Kristin Lane Hall was nominated for the award because she has been very active in the nursing school and in community affairs. She served as secretary and class liaison for the recently graduated seniors. She coordinated several fundraising projects including one for tsunami relief and another to raise funds for one of the senior class graduating events called "Pie Noon," which was a great success. It consisted of students placing money in various jars designated with several faculty names, and resulted in a pie-throwing contest. Her success and dedication to her school makes her a great recipient of this award.

Sylvia Rodriguez, M.S., School of Allied Health Sciences, WFA leadership awardee

Sylvia Rodriguez is a recent graduate from the Physical Therapy Masters Program and graduated with the highest GPA in her class, a great accomplishment in the rigorous program. She is from Laredo, Texas and has worked as an inspector for the U.S. Dept of Agriculture. She has published an investigation completed prior to her enrollment at the Health Science Center. Sylvia is a creative, mature, responsible young woman who is respected by faculty and peers. She has been a leader among the students and was elected class Vice-President. Sylvia is a quiet leader that believes in example as an effective form of leadership and persuasion.