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Eliana Papadakis honored for service
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 10/30/09 Section: News
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"Our 2010 selection of Eliana Papadakis as WOMAN ONE is a wonderful continuation of a tradition of choosing women who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to humanity," Lynn Yeakel, director of the Institute, stated in the release."She is an example-setter to be admired."
Papadakis, widow of late Drexel President Constantine "Taki" Papadakis, was honored for her "contributions to education, youth and community," the release stated.
Maureen McVail, special events coordinator for the Institute, said the award aims to honor women for their community involvement and accomplishments.
"It's as simple as honoring a woman with exceptional leadership potential," McVail said. "I am personally amazed at what Eliana has done."
According to McVail, an Executive Committee nominates and selects the WOMAN ONE award recipient each year.
The award also helps raise scholarship funds for "women under-represented in medicine," with different corporations donating funds and becoming sponsors. To become a sponsor, corporations can donate anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 for scholarships.
"The funds raised to date are $1.5 million," McVail said. "The program's success has led to an increase in scholarships from $60,000 to $80,000 per student over four years."
Currently, the scholarships have no specific application. McVail said a selection committee chooses two students, who fit a certain criteria, from the admitted pool of medical students, to receive scholarships.
Donyell Doram, a first-year Drexel medical student, was one of the scholarship recipients this year.
Doram said she was "surprised and amazed" to be selected as a WOMAN ONE scholar and said Papadakis was a "great role model" for everyone.
"Eliana Papadakis has made major contributions to Drexel University and to Philadelphia through community service," Doram said. "She is a great role model of an active woman with extraordinary leadership."
Carla Zeballos was the other first-year medical student chosen to receive a WOMAN ONE scholarship. Zeballos said the scholarship greatly eased the financial burden on her and her family.
"I was very surprised yet I felt so grateful and blessed to have received the scholarship," Zeballos said. "This eased the economic stresses of medical school on my family and on my loans. Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for the Institute of Women's Health and Leadership."
The WOMAN ONE award will be presented to Papadakis at an event April 19, where the scholars will also be introduced.
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