Professional Bio
Ruth A. Lawrence, MD, FAAP, FAACT
Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence, MD, is a graduate of Antioch College and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, is a pediatrician, clinical toxicologist, and neonatologist. She is Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Ruth A.
Lawernce Poison and Drug Information Center and of the Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center.
She became the Director of the Poison Center at the University of Rochester in 1958 following its founding as the second center in the country in 1954 at the request of the New York State Health Department. Dr. Charles Lobeck was the first director. It was the first center to answer calls from the public.
In the 1960's, with Dr. Robert J. Haggerty, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and former Director of the Boston Poison Center, she wrote on the management of household poisonings. Plants and herbs are Dr. Lawrence's special interest in toxicology as well as questions of medications during pregnancy and lactation.
Dr. Lawrence has served on a number of American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) committees including the original committee to establish certifying guidelines for centers. She served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology for three terms and was Chair of the Committee on Fellowship during that time.
When the New York State Department of Health established its consulting committee for poison services, she served as its first chair. She has been a member of the New York State Association of Poison Centers since its founding and has served as its President twice.
Dr. Lawrence received the Life Time Achievement Award from the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology in September 2002.
Patient Care Bio
Dr. Lawrence's major medical practice focuses on Neonatology and Clinical Toxicology.
| Distinguished Alumni Award | University of Rochester School of Medicine |
2010 - Present |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Recipient, Anthony L. Jordan Recognition | Anthony L. Jordan Health Center |
2010 - Present |
| Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Rochester School of Medicine |
2010 |
| Doctor of Divinity (Honorary) | St. Bernard's Scool of Theology and Ministry |
2009 - Present |
| Recipient, Dr. Richard Bayley Award | Richmond Univesity Medical Center |
2009 - Present |
| Recipient, Martha May Eliott Award | American Public Health Association |
2009 - Present |
| Athena Award | Women's Council of the Rochester Business Council |
2008 - Present |
| Health Leadership Award |
2007 - Present |
| Life Time Achievement Award (1st) | Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine |
2006 - Present |
| Perinatal Award | Perinatal Network of Monro County. community Champion |
2006 - Present |
| Life Time Achievement Award, Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley |
2005 |
| Honor, Finger Lakes Regional Poison & Drug Information Center renamed to Ruth A. Lawrence Poison and Drug Information Center |
2004 |
| Who's Who in Medicine and Health Care, 5th Edition |
2004 - 2005 |
| Recipient, The 2003 Healthy Children Lifetime Achievement Award |
2003 |
| Fellow, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine |
2003 |
| Recipient, Leading Breastfeeding National Advocacy Award, Leading Lady |
2003 |
| Life-time Achievement Award, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology |
2002 |
| Member, Honorary Committee, Promoting the Best from the Beginning chaired by Mrs. Laura Bush, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies |
2002 |
| Recipient, Great Minds of the 21st Century |
2002 |
| Recipient, America's Top Pediatricians, Consumers' Research Council of America |
2002 - 2003 |
| Recipient, Edward Mott Moore Award, Monroe County Medical Society |
2001 |
| Recipient, The Healthy Start Rochester Community Consortium, Community Unity for Healthier Babies Recognition Award for Commitme | Recipient, The Healthy Start Rochester Community Consortium, Com |
2001 |
| Recipient, Best Doctors List |
2001 - 2002 |
| Recipient, Healthy Children 2000 Lifetime Achievement Award |
1999 |
| Recipient, Association of American Medical Colleges Humanism in Medicine Award |
1999 |
| Recipient, Second Annual Susan B. Anthony University Center Lifetime Achievement Award |
1998 |
| Recipient, The Jordan Health Center Special Recognition Award |
1998 |
| Recipient, Special Recognition Award from Best Start and USDA, presented at the launching of USDA Breastfeeding Campaign | Washington, D.C. |
1997 |
| Recipient, Civic Health Care Award of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce |
1996 |
| Recipient, Faculty Service Award, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry |
1996 |
| Committee on the Status of Women, for outstanding leadership, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence | Commendation: University of Rochester |
1995 |
| Recipient, La Leche League International Award of Achievement |
1995 |
| Recipient: The AACT Recognition Award, The AAPCC Lifetime Achievement Award, The NYSAPCC Recognition Service Award | Presented by AACT, AAPCC, and NYSAPCC |
1995 |
| Recipient, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Award for leaders in the community who have made a significant impact on the quality of life |
1993 |
| Recipient, George Washington Goler Award presented by the Board of the New York State Public Health Association, Genesee Region |
1992 |
| Recipient, Citation for Outstanding Service, 75th Anniversary of the Health Association |
1992 |
| Honorary Member, Department of Pediatrics, The Genesee Hospital |
1991 - Present |
| Recipient, Albert David Kaiser Medal presented by the Rochester Academy of Medicine |
1991 |
| Rochester Diocesan Award for Women - St. Bernard's Institute |
1989 |
| Career Achievement Award - Girl Scouts of the Genesee Valley |
1987 |
| Citation for Civic Contribution - Rochester Safety Council |
1984 |
| William Keeler Award for Safety - Rochester Safety Council |
1982 |
| Honorary Fellowship in American Academy of Clinical Toxicology |
1980 - Present |
| Gold Medal Award: University of Rochester Alumni Association Citation |
1979 |
| Academy of Medicine Citation for Service to the Community |
1979 |
| Hettie Shumway Award for Community Service |
1979 |
| Who's Who in America, + Subsequent Editions |
1979 - Present |
| Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Pediatrics |
1977 - 1978 |
| Faculty Service Award, Department of Pediatrics |
1977 - 1978 |
| Outstanding Contribution - World's Who's Who of Women |
1973 |
| Who's Who in the East + Subsequent Edition |
1972 - Present |
| Who's Who in Women, 1st Edition + Subsequent Editions |
1970 - Present |
| Woman of the Year, Girl Scouts of Monroe County |
1968 |
| Honorary Fellowship in American School Health Association |
1960 |
| Alpha Omega Alpha |
1949 |
| Secretary to Zeta Chapter AOA |
1949 |
| Research Fellowship - Jackson Memorial Research Labs Cancer and Genetics |
1945 |
| Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship |
1941 - 1949 |
