Girl Scouts Name Nancy M. Bennett a ‘Woman of Distinction’

Nancy M. Bennett, M.D., M.S., professor of Medicine and of Community and Preventive Medicine, associate vice president at the University of Rochester Medical Center and director of the Center for Community Health, will be honored this week by the Girl Scouts of Western New York at its 2011 Women of Distinction Awards in the health care category.An event recognizing the awardees will be held Thursday evening at the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside. Actress America Ferrera, best known for her lead role in the television series Ugly Betty, will serve as keynote speaker.

Bennett and eight other local women will be honored at the dinner for their strength of character, commitment to community service, and dedication to mentoring girls and young women. The awards acknowledge each recipient’s accomplishments that make her an exceptional role model who inspires individuals to reach their full potential.

Over the course of her career, Bennett has provided support and mentoring for many young women who have gone on to careers in medicine and public health. She has served as an academic mentor for students pursuing work experience and careers in health care. The Center for Community Health supports a funded summer fellowship, the Andrus Fellowship, for medical and public health students interested in cardiovascular disease prevention.

The annual Women of Distinction is a fundraising event that provides support for Girl Scout programming. The Girl Scouts of Western New York’ Women of Distinction event provides support to its mission of developing leadership, decision-making skills, and commitment to community within today’s generation of girls. It serves more than 20,000 girls with 9,000 adult volunteers.