Dr. Joycelyn Elders is renowned for breaking barriers and sparking essential conversations throughout her remarkable career, bringing unprecedented visibility to issues ranging from adolescent health and reproductive rights to substance use prevention and health education. Over the course of decades of clinical practice and research, she has published over a hundred papers, many of which focus on juvenile diabetes and sexual health. TIME Magazine named her “1994 Woman of the Year” and “One of the 100 Most Influential Women of the 20th Century.” With the 2025 Alma Dea Morani MD Renaissance Woman Award, we celebrate the groundbreaking courage and steadfast dedication of Dr. Joycelyn Elders. Rising above the barriers of her time, Dr. Elders transformed challenges into a platform for advocacy, championing those whose voices were too often ignored. Her fearless leadership in Arkansas and Washington not only redefined the possibilities for change but also shifted the national conversation, boldly challenging outdated norms to advance health and equity for all. The Foundation will present the Alma Dea Morani, MD Renaissance Woman Award to Dr. Elders this fall at a free virtual event on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:00 pm ET. (fb)

"I think what makes me most proud of being a woman in medicine is that I’m showing those coming after me that it is possible to achieve what I have achieved and more." - Dr. Ayisha Livingstone (fb)