Linda Chaudron, professor of psychiatry, of obstetrics and gynecology, and of pediatrics and senior associate dean for diversity at the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, will receive this year’s Susan B. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award for her work as a champion of women in science and medicine.
“Linda’s tenacious spirit guides her to mentor younger scholars to be their best and accomplish their goals. She is always there to provide a listening ear and encouraging word,” said Catherine Cerulli, director of the Susan B. Anthony Center at the University of Rochester.
The award will be given on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Susan B. Anthony Legacy Dinner, a long-standing University tradition that celebrates Anthony’s campaign for equal rights and to win women admission to the University in 1900.
A graduate of the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Chaudron left the area to complete her residency and a fellowship in women’s health at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She returned to Rochester to join the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry. She has held many administrative leadership roles and most recently served as vice chair for clinical services in the Department of Psychiatry. She has earned national recognition for her clinical and research efforts to treat women with mental illnesses during pregnancy and postpartum. In 2011, Chaudron was appointed the school’s senior associate dean of diversity.
“Over the past 16 years, I have been fortunate to hold many different roles, including leading various educational, research, and clinical programs,” said Chaudron. “In my current role as senior associate dean for diversity, I have a wonderful opportunity to work across the institution to develop and collaborate on educational and career development programs that contribute to a diverse and inclusive community at the University of Rochester.”
Chaudron was recently elected to the board of directors of the Women Executives in Science and Healthcare, and was named a distinguished fellow in the American Psychiatric Association in 2009. Her research and clinical care have helped many patients who suffer from perinatal depression.
“She has contributed to changing the scientific conversation about perinatal depression among low-income women and helping individual women who are pregnant or postpartum and struggling with mental health needs,” said Cerulli.
Chaudron is the 14th woman to receive the Susan B. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award at the Susan B. Anthony Center’s annual dinner. Prior recipients include Nora Bredes, former New York legislator and past director of the Susan B. Anthony Center, and Esther Conwell ’45, winner of the 2010 National Medal of Science and research professor of chemistry.
“I am humbled by and in awe of the women who have preceded me as award winners and cannot express my gratitude to be listed among those accomplished women,” said Chaudron. “I am also very proud of our University in its commitment to honoring women and their accomplishments, but even more importantly, honoring women who nurture and mentor the next generation of women.”
Nine undergraduate students will also receive awards and scholarships at the event. The Susan B. Anthony Scholarship will be given to Oluwatobi (Tobi) Abubakare of Richmond Texas, a junior majoring in neuroscience; and Alycia Abbott of Pembroke, New Hampshire, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering. Katherine Wegman of Pittsford, New York, a senior majoring in anthropology and biology, will receive the Sue S. Stewart Leadership and Community Service Award. The Dean Ruth A. Merrill Award will be given to Charlisa Goodlet of Rochester, a sophomore majoring in political science and African-American studies.
The Susan B. Anthony Prize will be awarded to Lili Sarayrah of Knoxville, Tennessee, a senior majoring in violin performance and will be receiving an Arts Leadership Certificate at the University’s Eastman School of Music.
The Jane R. Plitt Award will be given to Alexandra Poindexter of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a senior majoring in political science. And this year’s Fannie Bigelow prizes will be given to Alysha Alani of Rochester, a senior majoring in anthropology and Spanish; Allison Eberhardt of Dumont, New Jersey, a senior majoring in molecular genetics and psychology; and Sade Richardson of Brooklyn, New York, a senior majoring in health, behavior, and society as well as digital media studies.
This year’s Legacy Dinner will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Staybridge Suites in Rochester and is cosponsored by the University of Rochester’s Women’s Club. The event includes a keynote address by Pam Sherman an attorney, actress and Gannett columnist. Tickets for the dinner are $45, or $25 for University students. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased by Monday, Feb. 2. For more information on seating and reservations, call 585. 275.8799 or visit www.rochester.edu/SBA/.
