Christiana Care recognizes women’s health advocates with Spirit of Women Awards
Christiana Care Health System recognized three Delaware women for working to improve the health of women and their families in the surrounding community.
The women received Spirit of Women Awards at an event held on April 26 at the Christiana Hospital campus. The awards celebrate previously unrecognized women in our community, with winners selected based on actions they take to make our community a better place to live.
This was the third year Christiana Care has participated in the Spirit of Women Awards. This year’s winners enter into consideration for the Spirit of Women national awards on July 13 at the 2011 Spirit of Women National Executive Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. Christiana Care Health System has been a Spirit of Women member since 2008.
2011 Spirit of Women Awards recipients
Patricia M. Curtin, M.D., FACP, CMD was awarded the Health Care Hero Award. Dr. Curtin has been a guiding force for many initiatives at Christiana Care in the field of elder care. Her research and hands-on work with the elderly have improved the delivery of care at Christiana Care as well as in nursing homes and other senior centers in the community. She serves on the senior-service task force for the state of Delaware and is medical director of the Stonegates Retirement Community. Dr. Curtin has many other interests, including working with youth and women, serving as a leader for a range of clinical initiatives, and collaborating with community work projects. She traveled twice to Haiti as part of the Notre Dame Medical Group and recently returned from a third trip to help families with complex medical issues. Dr. Curtin is the recipient of the Women of Distinction award by the Girl Scouts of America for her work in geriatrics. She lectures throughout the community and to school groups on the importance of respecting the senior population.
Linda Bradford was awarded the Community Hero Award. Bradford has been involved in community health initiatives for more than 25 years. She has been active in overseas medical relief programs, traveling several times to Third World countries including Haiti, where she led a women and children’s camp. In her volunteer work with Delaware Hospice has found she provides front-line assistance as well as fundraising support for its programs. She has delivered medications to shut-ins and provided follow-up bereavement calls. She is chairperson for Family Fun Day at the New Castle County Festival of Trees, Delaware Hospice’s biggest fund-raising event.
Nadia Kiamilev was awarded the Young Person Role Model Award. Kiamilev is an honor student at Charter School of Wilmington and is active in both school and community events. Last year, she helped plan a summer relief program for fellow Charter School students in Jacmal, Haiti, as part of Charter School’s Haiti Family Initiative. She coordinated Charter School’s Black Out Dance for Haiti relief and organized a drive for school supplies and sports equipment for Haitian children. She also has coordinated Charter School’s annual blood drive and is responsible for matching student volunteers with community requests for services.