MENUCancer Center surgeon receives campus diversity award
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Harold R. Johnson Award honors faculty who have shown dedication to developing cultural and ethnic diversity at the University of Michigan
Lisa A. Newman, M.D., M.P.H., former-professor of surgery in the Medical School and director of the Breast Care Center, is one of seven University of Michigan faculty members to receive the 2015 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award from the Office of the Provost.
Established in 1996, the award is given in honor of Harold Johnson, dean emeritus of the School of Social Work (SSW). It honors faculty who have shown dedication to developing cultural and ethnic diversity at the University of Michigan, and provides $5,000 to recipients to further research, scholarship or student service opportunities.
Newman has focused her research on the incidence and health care disparities among African Americans, and issues related to sentinel node biopsy and lymphatic mapping, and the increased frequency of triple negative breast cancers, which suggests the possible contribution of hereditary factors related to African ancestry.
She established the University of Michigan-Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Breast Cancer Research Collaborative, which has generated valuable findings while improving the standard of breast oncology care. In 2012, The Detroit News named her Michiganian of the Year for her efforts to improve the care of Michigan women affected with breast cancer.
Newman provides mentorship to the Black Medical Students Association and the Profiles for Success Undergraduate Student Program. She has mentored 37 fellows, Ph.D. candidates and medical students with an emphasis on students from diverse ethnic groups.
“She has worked tirelessly to include persons of all diverse cultural and racial backgrounds and genders in the educational process. She has developed programs and acted as a mentor at all levels to insure equal outcomes and success. She has promoted inclusion, equity, and social justice in every area of her life as an educator, scholar, administrator, physician, and citizen with consequent reach around the globe,” says James O. Woolliscroft, M.D., dean of the Medical School.
The other campus recipients are:
- Lester P. Monts, Ph.D., Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, and professor of music, School of Music, Theatre & Dance (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Sarah M. Aciego, Ph.D., assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), and assistant professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, College of Engineering
- Evelyn A. Alsultany, Ph.D., assistant professor of American culture, LSA
- Linda M. Chatters, Ph.D., professor of health behavior and health education, School of Public Health, and professor of social work, SSW
- Sandra L. Momper, Ph.D., associate professor of social work, SSW
- Nils G. Walter, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and of biophysics, LSA
“It was an honor to learn about the extraordinary diversity work on our campus and in our community,” says Robert M. Sellers, Ph.D., vice provost for equity, inclusion and academic affairs. “The nominations received were simply outstanding and prove that our faculty continue to think creatively and work hard to help advance the university’s commitment to diversity as an essential part of our educational mission.”