October 19, 2009

Drexel University College of Medicine’s Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership® has named Eliana Papadakis the 2010 Woman One Award recipient in tribute to her contributions to education, youth and community. Presentation of the Woman One Award will be on Monday, April 19 at Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Hotel, located at 210 West Rittenhouse Square. The program begins at 5:30 p.m.

Papadakis is the widow of Dr. Constantine Papadakis, past president of Drexel University. As first lady, Papadakis made vital contributions to Drexel fundraising, alumni and student relations, public relations and events. She traveled extensively on Drexel business, and she and Dr. Papadakis hosted more than 1,500 Drexel stakeholders each year at the Drexel president’s residence, The Orchards.

A tireless volunteer in community service, Papadakis served on the boards of the Philadelphia Foundation, which manages $200 million in assets entrusted for philanthropic purposes; Carelift International, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving global health; and the American Red Cross, Southern Pennsylvania Chapter. She was also a member of the Divas Committee of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, which raises funds through educational and social activities.

The Woman One Award is presented annually to a woman of extraordinary leadership by the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel University College of Medicine. Co-chairing the event is the institute’s director, Lynn Yeakel, and the 2009 winner, Jane Pepper. Heading the Friends of Eliana Committee are Manny Stamatakis and Madame Justice Sandra Schultz Newman.

“Our 2010 selection of Eliana Papadakis as Woman One is a wonderful continuation of a tradition of choosing women who have distinguished themselves with their commitment to humanity,” said Yeakel. “She is an example-setter to be admired.”

Funds raised by the event support medical school scholarships for talented minority women who plan to become physicians in medically underserved communities. This year’s scholarship recipients are Donyell Doram and Carla Zeballos, Drexel University College of Medicine class of 2013.

Donyell Doram is a biotechnology and biochemistry graduate of Rutgers University. She has a passion for community service and has volunteered with outreach programs to encourage high school girls to pursue careers in science, engineering and math. Carla Zeballos is a graduate the University of Virginia, where she was an active student leader. She has volunteered as a mentor and Spanish language interpreter in her home country of Bolivia, and is involved in the Latino Medical Students Association at Drexel University College of Medicine. She plans to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology.

Past Woman One award recipients have included Estelle Richman (2003); Leslie Anne Miller (2004); Dawn Staley (2005); Suzanne Roberts (2006); Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD (2007); and Stephanie Naidoff (2008), in addition to Pepper (2009).