April 2, 2012 | April 2, 2012 | Celebrating Women’s History Month, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recognized 23 women for their phenomenal contributions to the institution or in life or in overcoming adversities.

A panel discussion tackled the theme “Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued,” centering on the challenges in life that keep women “stuck” and possible ways for getting unstuck. The five-woman panel suggested finding a source of inner strength to learn to control the things that you can; acknowledging the things out of your control; and learning how to ask for support or help when you need it.

The March 29 event honored 23 women employees nominated by peers as UAMS Phenomenal Women. Before she and Jeanne Heard, M.D., UAMS chief academic officer, helped present certificates to the women, Jeanette Shorey, M.D., associate dean for continuing medical education and faculty affairs in the College of Medicine, noted that a theme of the national Women’s History Month being celebrated in March was “Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.” women in education.

While today women outnumber men in higher education, she said, it was only recently that gender gap was reversed. “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us and helped pave the way,” Shorey said.

The nomination criteria were a female employee who had made a significant contribution to UAMS, her family or community; had overcome significant adversity in life; and/or had demonstrated the UAMS values.

The 2012 UAMS Phenomenal Women included:

• Donna Baas, director of accreditation and regulatory compliance
• Sherie Brown, director of Campus Housekeeping
• Barbie Brunner, director of patient- and family-centered care
• Martha Chamness, instructional development specialist
• Rebecca Culver, R.N.
• Charlotte Dillon, clinical assistant professor, College of Nursing
• Debra H. Fiser, M.D., dean, College of Medicine
• Mary Helen Forrest, chief nursing officer for UAMS Medical Center
• Susan Garoutte, HR senior consultant, employee services
• Julia Goodwin, Ph.D., R.N., clinical assistant professor, College of Nursing
• Suzanne Holland, associate administrator for the Department of Internal Medicine
• Laura Hutchins, M.D., professor, College of Medicine, Hematology, Oncology
• Leoamie (Lee) Jefferson, educator coordinator, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
• Patricia J. Johnson, program manager, Center for Diversity Affairs
• Carolyn Marsh, administrator of KIDS FIRST
• Reola Moore, executive assistant
• Mary Nellums, interim director of Hospital Admissions
• Martha Phillips, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and public health, College of Public Health
• Marcia Rogers, cook, Food & Nutrition Services
• Janet Smith Rooker, clinical assistant professor, College of Nursing
• Ginny Smith, director of nursing for the Maternal/Infant Division
• M. Kate Stewart, M.D., associate professor, College of Public Health Health Policy & Management
• Dawn Wieda, HR senior consultant, benefits

A slide presentation featured excerpts from each nomination essay. “Each statement reflects the appreciation of the community for these women,” Shorey said.

The five women on the panel discussion shared personal experiences of when events in their life had left them “stuck.” Stuck might mean being caught in a cycle of sadness, anger, stress or other negative state.

“I think everyone has had that feeling,” said Gail Eisenhauer, M.D., director of the faculty wellness program in the College of Medicine and a board-certified psychiatrist. “Acknowledging that you’re stuck is the first step,” she said, then one must learn to reach out and seek advice or support.

Eisenhauer was joined on the panel by Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., a surgical oncologist and professor of surgery in the College of Medicine; SeRonna Rodgers, an advocate for people with disabilities from the Disability Rights Center of Arkansas; Wendy Ward, Ph.D., a child psychologist and associate professor of pediatrics in the College of Medicine; and Jenny Smith, director of congregational care at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock and a graduate of the UAMS clinical pastoral education program.

“I think stuck is being a position where you cannot change the outcome or that your actions will not affect the outcome,” Henry-Tillman said. She offered examples ranging from experiences on surgical cases, juggling family responsibilities or work stress.

Rodgers talked about her life after finding out on her birthday in 2005 that several family members – including her youngest son, mother, brother and sister-in-law – were killed in a head-on collision. She talked about a Cherokee legend shared with her where an older Cherokee is talking with his grandchild about two wolves fighting inside our heart: one representing all the bad thoughts and feelings; the other all the goodness. Asked which one wins, the grandfather replies “the one you feed.”

Rodgers said the story spoke to her and what she faced. She noted that it helped her get “unstuck.”

Having also lost a loved one, Smith talked about when she started to get up early in the morning and go for a walk. Those morning walks became important to her as “my time.”

“Doing that one little thing for myself helps me get unstuck and prepared for the day,” Smith said. She added that taking care of herself first was important to staying unstuck.

Ward said she once lost five friends and family members who died over the course of nine months. At the time, she often mentally pictured herself as a boxer who is just about to recover from the last punch when she gets rocked by another.

“When you’re stuck, you feel very out of control,” she said. “I know I could’ve just sat down and let the hits keep on coming.”

For her the key was looking to the sources of strength in her life: faith, friends and family. She also said she had to learn how to ask for the support she needed, something that can be tough to do.

Not everyone’s struggles will be the same, Eisenhauer said. It may not be the loss of a loved one, but some other type of struggle or stress, she said, but it is just as important to the person experiencing it.

Henry-Tillman said perspective helps, too. Learn to recognize when others are struggling so you can be a positive influence in their lives, she said. She also noted that there are people who have negative outlooks that can influence you so it’s important to “surround yourself with positive people.”

One source of support available to UAMS employees is the free Employee Assistance Program, which offers services that include short-term counseling, life skills training and life coaching. The program has locations around the state, click here for contact information.

The event was sponsored by the Center for Diversity Affairs, the Women’s Faculty Development Caucus, the Employee Assistance Program, and the Office of Human Resources. It was organized by the 2012 Women’s History/Phenomenal Event committee, which consisted of Pamela Anderson, Teletha Leonard, Montorie Maeweather, Margaret Morgan, Anna Olson, Michelle Phillips, Willa Sanders, Carmelita Smith, Leslie Taylor, Wendy Ward, Dawn Wieda and Odette Woods.