United Way of Washtenaw County Announces Dr. Lori Pierce as 2019 Woman of the Year.

  

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to the United Way of Washtenaw County, the University of Michigan Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs has been selected by the United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) Women United group as the 2019 Woman of the Year. Dr. Pierce will be honored at the UWWC’s Power of the Purse event on March 14, 2019, at The Kensington Hotel on State Street.

“Dr. Pierce exemplifies what the Power of the Purse initiative is about: women taking action to address community issues,” said Pam Smith, President of the United Way of Washtenaw County, and member of the Power of the Purse committee. “We are thrilled to honor her achievements and leadership at our event," according United Way.

Dr. Pierce was chosen by the Power of the Purse committee for her exemplary leadership role in the community and her accomplishments in Radiation Oncology and women’s health issues.

“I am so humbled to have been chosen to receive this honor. It has been a privilege for me to care for women with breast cancer and I have based many of my research goals on the needs and concerns expressed by my patients. It is an honor to work side by side with these women and their families to try to improve their lives and the lives of others diagnosed with cancer.”, shared Dr. Pierce." This according to the UWWC media release.

Currently, Dr. Pierce is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.  She was previously a Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and in 1992, joined the faculty at the University of Michigan where she has focused her career primarily on the treatment of breast cancer. She has also served in multiple administrative positions including Residency Director and Clinical Director in the Department of Radiation Oncology.  In August 2005, Dr. Pierce was appointed by the University of Michigan Board of Regents to be Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs of the university, a position she still serves, according to the UWWC press release.

With over 160 manuscripts and book chapters published, Dr. Pierce has received numerous teaching awards. Locally, she has been an active volunteer/supporter of Food Gatherers, served as a United Way Campaign Co-Chair with her husband, Tony Denton, and is a member of the UWWC Tocqueville Society, according United Way of Washtenaw County.

The UWWC established the Woman of the Year honor in 2009.  Previous recipients include Cecilia Fileti, Cynthia Wilbanks, Verna McDaniel, Beth Fitzsimmons, Martha Darling, Pat Warner, Denise Rabidoux, and Lucy Ann Lance.  The 2019 Event Chair is Stacy Fuqua, according to a UWWC press release.

ABOUT WOMEN UNITED

Women United is a United Way national network of some 55,000 members in 137 U.S. communities and the most successful philanthropic effort of its kind. Previously known as Women’s Leadership Council, the committee has raised nearly $330,000 locally, in Washtenaw County, to support women’s financial stability programs.  

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY

According to the UWWC release, "As part of our 96-year history, the United Way of Washtenaw County brings people, organizations and resources together to create a thriving community for everyone. Our focus areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability provide the building blocks to strengthen the community and create opportunities for individuals and families. Our Volunteer Center provides an easy online way for people to connect with nonprofits in the community and our 2-1-1 helpline refers more than 8,000 people annually to critically needed services. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit uwgive.org."