The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation has selected six health professionals, three from the metro Milwaukee area, to receive its Champion in Women’s Health Award. The winners will be honored at a reception on Saturday, May 7 at the Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St., Madison.
“We received more than 23 nominations from all over the state,” said Sue Ann Thompson, president of the Women’s Health Foundation. “After the difficult task of narrowing them down, we chose six individuals who are instrumental in raising awareness of women’s health issues, expanding the base of knowledge about women’s health through their work, and impacting the quality of health care that Wisconsin women receive.”
The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation created the Champion in Women’s Health Awards to honor individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in women’s health. Winners were nominated by their peers. Dr. Alonzo Walker, director of Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Program and chief of division of general surgery at The Medical College of Wisconsin was selected for excellence in the area of cancer. Dr. Carol Meils, retired former chief of cardiovascular services at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints in Racine was selected for excellence in the area of cardiovascular disease. Mary Lou Ballweg, founder and president of Endometriosis Association in Milwaukee was selected for excellence in General Women’s health. Dr. Ellen Schumann, pediatric hospitalist at Marshfield Clinic was selected for excellence in general women’s health. Susan Conlin Opheim, Co-chair, Prevent Suicide Wisconsin was selected for excellence in the area of mental health, and Mary Starmann-Harrison, president and chief executive officer of SSM Health Care of Wisconsin will be awarded the lifetime achievement award for excellence in general women’s health.
