The Pamela Kathleen Edwards Award recognizes UHS staff and programs for outstanding quality improvement efforts, in honor of a remarkable woman committed to excellence.
At 14, grieving the death of her mother and with her father away at sea, Pamela convinced London's Hammersmith Hospital to give her a job in the facility's morgue. Possessed of uncommon drive, resilience and bravery, she earned a nursing degree, working throughout World War II under conditions that led the hospital to recognize her for "Courage in the Line of Duty."
After immigrating to the United States, Pamela balanced the demands of a young family with an academically rigorous schedule, graduating cum laude from the University of Massachusetts and Smith College. She became a respected and popular member of the UMass Amherst English department, earning a coveted Distinguished Teacher Award in 1974.
Her intellect, integrity and generous spirit guide and inspire all at UHS in our ongoing quest to enhance the lives of those we serve.
Pamela Kathleen Edwards Award Recipients
2023-2024
Sasha Rivera
Innovating the overall UHS communications and engagement infrastructure resulting in an informed patient population, removal of barriers to access, and timely response to patient feedback
2022-2023
Cynthia McGoldrick
Expanding coverage to MassHealth recipients, spearheading organizational assessments with campus partners, and solidifying our reputation for excellence among the campus community
2021-2022
Jill Schroeder
Developing and maintaining the UHS Credentialing and Privileging Program
2018-2019
Eric Dorsett, Duane Martel, Melissa Wildman, Paul LeBoeuf, Ken Bach, Tina Lequin, and Ed Stowell
Noteworthy contributions to the cleanliness and quality of facilities for UHS patients and staff
2017-2018
Michele Wojtowicz, M.S., and Cynthia Fonseca, R.N.
New student immunization compliance improvement project
2016-2017
Ilana Schmitt, M.D., M.P.H., and Cindy Hildebrand, R.N.
Services, outreach and leadership as founding members of UHS' Transgender Care Clinical Team
2015-2016
Ann Becker, R.N., D.N.P.
Sexually transmitted infection screening and outreach to the campus community
2014-2015
Medicat Users' Group
Implementation of University Health Services' new electronic medical records system
2013-2014
Patricia Donahue-Leitch, F.N.P.
International travel risk management project to support health and safety for students and faculty
2012-2013
Robin Walsh, R.N., B.S.N.
Study identifying service improvements to reduce missed appointments
2011-2012
Connie Schwaiger, D.N.P., F.N.P.
Cervical cancer screening project
2010-2011
Richard Rubin, M.D., Suzan Smith, M.D., and Rochelle Weber, M.D.
Pneumococcal vaccine administration study
University Health Services Laboratory
Achievement of a rare perfect score in a reaccreditation survey