The holidays are a time that we often find ourselves overwhelmed with all the commitments in our personal and professional lives. Events like the Athena Holiday Party allow us to hit “pause” and truly enjoy the special people in our lives and celebrate the season. It has become one of my favorite events of the year. The Hospitality Committee outdoes itself and my special thanks to Yvonne Fry, Jeanette Fenton and Linda D’Aquila. To Susan Casper, thank you for welcoming us into your home – it was the perfect backdrop for our gathering.

As we look toward the new year, I ask you to consider the following opportunities for further engagement with Athena – propose someone for membership in Athena, be active in a committee if you are not already and come to as many meetings and Bonus functions as possible. Our organization is comprised of accomplished women who don’t miss an opportunity to connect with each other.

One of our new members who many have already connected with is Dr. Catherine Lynch. Cathy is the Associate Vice President of Women’s Health for the five colleges of USF Health: the colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, and the school of Physical Therapy. She is also the Associate Dean of Faculty Development in the College of Medicine and full professor of General Obstetrics and Gynecology with an active practice. She has received many honors and awards and is well published in the area of women’s health. Cathy has also worked tirelessly to create opportunities for girls in public schools to be exposed to female leaders in the sciences. With her B.S. in Biology from Georgetown University and her Doctor of Medicine from USF, Dr. Cathy Lynch is also the First Lady of Tampa, wife of Mayor Bob Buckhorn.