Society for Women’s Health Research Awards Fourth Annual Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women’s Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2009) — Dr. Kimberly Kenton, M.D., M.S., an associate professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Urology at Loyal University Chicago, has been awarded the fourth annual Society for Women’s Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women’s Health for her work in the field of sex differences research and women’s health. Kenton received $75,000 and a silk screen print by artist Mara Haseltine at the Society for Women's Health Research’s annual gala dinner on April 20.

The prize was established to recognize a women scientist or engineer for her contributions to women’s health and encourage women to work on issues uniquely related to women’s health. To be considered, each nominee must in mid career, have devoted a significant part of her work to women’s health, and served as a role model and mentor for both colleagues and students.

Kenton leads Loyola’s Laparoscopic and Robotic Reconstructive Surgery Program. She has instituted robotic surgery into her clinical practice and is actively creating a robotics curriculum from training residents and fellows in the performance of pelvic floor surgery, using the aide of the robotic minimally invasive surgical techniques. 

“It is remarkable to receive such a prestigious and generous award for doing something which I absolutely love and feel privileged to do caring for individual women with pelvic floor disorders and helping to improve the lives of many women through clinical research and education,” Kenton said upon receiving the award.

The pelvic floor refers to the muscles and tissues that keep all of the pelvic organs in place. According to the NICHD, one third of women in the United States will have a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime. Common pelvic floor disorders include urinary and anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Kenton is the principle investigator on a project funded by the National Institutes of Health studying neuromuscular function in the urethras of stress incontinent and continent women. Kenton is also the co-principle investigator in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network and a co-investigator in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Pelvic Floor Disorders Network.

“Although not life-threatening, pelvic floor disorders are life altering, forcing women to modify their activities and leaving older women homebound,” Kenton said. “Even more concerning, many women are embarrassed and hesitant to discuss their symptoms with health care provides…causing them to suffer in silence.”

Kenton is an active member in numerous professional organizations, including: the Society of Urodynamics and Female Urology; the American Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics; and the International Urogynecologic Society. She serves on the board of directors and chairs the education committee for American Urogynecologic Society and serves on the research committees for International Urogynecologic Association and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.  She is also a national board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 

The prize winner is annually selected by an award jury of science professionals chosen by the Society for Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C., based advocacy organization working to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy. The prize is supported by Medtronic, Inc., a world leader in medical technology providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Medtronic has committed to support the prize through 2013.

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Contact:
Karen Young
Society for Women’s Health Research
(202) 496-5001 
karen@womenshealthresearch.org