President's Committee for Women in Health Sciences
Annual Report 2009
Dear Faculty in Health Sciences:
With the recent resignation of Dr. John Baldwin, the Committee awaits the next step in the evolution of the Health Sciences Center with a pledge to continue its mission to develop leadership, diversity, and academic potential for women of all health science disciplines.
Changes in Membership
We bid Dr. Penelope Coates a fond farewell as she heads to the warm and beautiful climes of southern California for her retirement. Penny has been with the HSC for thirty-one years and during that time has spent many hours mentoring and promoting students and women in the health sciences professions. Her dedication to the ongoing issue of on-campus childcare at TTUHSC is unparalleled. The Committee will continue to press forward with this matter, but we will surely miss Penny’s spirit and deep well of HSC information.
We have two new Committee members to introduce. Please welcome Dr. Janie Robles of the School of Pharmacy who was nominated by Dean Nelson to replace Dr. Cindy Raehl. Cindy sadly lost her husband this year and requested release from the Committee. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her. Another new member is Dr. Gail Cornwall of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences who was nominated by Dr. Reuss to become the GSBS representative as replacement for Dr. Coates. We look forward to working with Drs. Robles and Cornwall.
Another addition to the Committee is Dr. Kendra Rumbaugh of the SOM who is serving as junior faculty liaison between the American Women in Science group and the WIHS committee. Kendra will provide the Committee with important input from AWIS so we will be better informed of the needs and act upon the suggestions of the students and women who are members of AWIS. Welcome to Kendra!
Here listed are the members of the President’s Committee for Women in Health Sciences:
- Dr. Barbara Sawyer, Chair (SOAHS)
- Dr. Alyce Ashcraft (SON)
- Dr. Cornelia de Riese (SOM)
- Dr. Gail Cornwall (GSBS/SOM)*
- Dr. Janie Robles (SOP)*
- Dr. Kendra Rumbaugh, Liaison to AWIS*
*New member as of September 2009
Annual Meeting with the HSC President
Dr. Baldwin met with Committee chair Barbara Sawyer in March 2009 to reaffirm his commitment to the Committee. He strongly urged initiating a connection to the TTUHSC El Paso Schools. An update of the WIHS committee’s yearly activities was presented to him. We wish Dr. Baldwin all the best with his future endeavors.
Recruitment and Retention
- Resource Guide
The Committee published the first TTUHSC Women Faculty Resource Guide in Spring 2009. The Guide was developed to enhance the experiences of all HSC faculty by providing information regarding mentoring, goal-setting, research support, and other important general information. If you need a copy or several copies, please contact your School’s Committee representative! Keep it handy as it is a valuable resource. - Candidate Review for Faculty and Administrative Positions
A memo was sent to all Deans ensuring the participation of a School-specific Committee member during administrative and senior faculty searches. The Deans agreed to this request. Dr. Sawyer participated in two searches in 2009. - Childcare
Funding remains the critical component to developing an on-site childcare facility. It remains essential for the Committee to develop creative ideas on raising money for the annual subsidy required by a childcare facility. Grants and subsidy sources continue to be investigated.
Kendra Rumbaugh has become the new member of the TTU Family Care Committee composed of women representatives from TTU and TTUHSC whose goal is to continue to bring the critical necessity for on-campus childcare to the attention of Chancellor Kent Hance.
Plans for the Future
The Committee has exciting plans for the next year. We intend to create an annual “Women in Health Sciences Excellence Award” for a woman faculty member who meets specific criteria for excellence in research, teaching, or service. The Committee will also provide funding for a junior woman faculty member to attend a conference focusing on mentoring, leadership or development that is not School- or profession-specific. Finally, we intend to host the spring luncheon in April with research as the topic. MORE LATER!
Your input is invited and encouraged. Thank you all for your support!