The Wayne State University chapter of the Michigan ACE Network and the President's Commission on the Status of Women recently honored two Wayne State University administrators for their long and impressive work to support, promote and develop leadership abilities of their female colleagues.

Gloria Kuhn, D.O., Ph.D., professor of Emergency Medicine for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, was awarded the 2016 MI-ACE Network Women of Distinction Award. She was selected based on her exemplary accomplishments as a physician, educator and researcher, and for her positive impact on women in emergency medicine, particularly junior female faculty.

"I was thrilled to be nominated for this award -- actually winning it was the frosting on my cake," said Dr. Kuhn, a resident of Farmington Hills and vice chair of Academics in the Department of Emergency Medicine. "It is particularly gratifying to me to support women in medicine and science because they have so much potential and dedication. For a number of reasons, this potential is often not reached, and even when it is, may not be recognized and rewarded. Much has been done to rectify these problems, but more remains."

The MI-ACE Wayne State chapter Women of Distinction award is awarded annually to a Wayne State employee who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to women and issues of diversity. "Commitment" is defined broadly to encompass all areas of university life and levels of employment, from administrative positions of leadership through service as faculty or staff on campus and in the community.

In nominating Dr. Kuhn, Brian O'Neil, M.D., the Dayanandan Endowed Chair and Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor of WSU Emergency Medicine, wrote: "She has been a major force for recognition and resolution of the specific challenges women face in emergency medicine and medicine in general. Dr. Kuhn's philosophy is that for women to make an impact in medicine, it requires them to be intimately involved at all levels — research, leadership and education. She has been a mentor to countless women and has used her large professional network to connect junior faculty to regional and national service."

The organizations presented the first Outstanding Achievement Award to former WSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Margaret Winters, in recognition of her support of women in higher education as both a campus leader and mentor during her 14-year career at Wayne State.

"I am honored to receive the COSW/Wayne State ACE chapter Outstanding Achievement Award," Winters said. "It means a great deal to me, precisely because it was awarded by the great group of women I have been working with during my years at Wayne State. I am grateful to them for it."

Winters, a Grosse Pointe resident, was nominated by Associate General Counsel Linda Galante. "I have seen her repeatedly promote and demonstrate inclusiveness in all aspects of academia at Wayne State, both with regard to women and minorities," Galante said. "The fact that Wayne State currently has — under Margaret's tenure — six highly qualified female academics as deans, three of whom also are minorities, is a true testament to her passion for supporting females and minorities in academia."

The awards were presented at a June 3 luncheon at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center on Wayne State's campus. The COSW/MI-ACE Network Outstanding Achievement Award is in its inaugural year, and recognizes a woman who has shown exceptional leadership in regard to women's issues.

In conjunction with the Office of Women in Higher Education of the American Council on Education, the Michigan ACE Network is committed to identifying, developing the leadership of, advancing and supporting the retention of women in higher education.

The Wayne State University President's Commission on the Status of Women, founded in 1971 by the president of WSU, advises the Office of the President and the larger campus community on issues facing women students, staff, faculty and alumni, including gender equity and equality, social justice and intersectionality. The commission advocates for women through programming, university service, outreach, research and policy recommendations.