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Ayash Distinguished ProfessorshipCHARLESTON DIVISION—Patricia Ayash left behinda lasting legacy of love, kindness and generosity. Hercontributions to the community and random acts ofkindness were far too many to name, but one cause thatwas near and dear to her heart was the wonderful work ofthe West Virginia University Physicians in Charleston.As a token of her gratitude and appreciation for Dr. GregRosencrance’s exemplary work, Patricia Ayash made agift of 500,000 to West Virginia University Physicians ofCharleston in his honor.The Patricia T. Ayash Distinguished Professorship inInternal Medicine is established to enable the Chairpersonof Internal Medicine, currently Dr. Rosencrance, toprovide additional time and resources to teach andmentor medical students, residents and junior faculty,and to enhance the educational, research and clinicalenvironment in the Department of Internal Medicine onthe Charleston Division campus.Patricia was a very private person, and only a handful ofpeople were close to her in her later years. Someone in thecommunity once asked if she was real because you couldsee evidence of her good deeds all around the community,but very few people ever saw her. As you can imagine,getting her to go to doctor appointments could provechallenging. Thankfully, Dr. Rosencrance was the oneand only doctor whom she trusted, and he was willing toaccommodate her.Aubrey Ayash, Dr. Greg Rosencrance, Suzette Raines“Gifts like this guarantee the strength and vitalityof our academic programs endure,” Dr. Rosencranceexplained. “Mrs. Ayash has provided us with one of themost valuable and esteemed gifts a school can receive:a distinguished professorship.”From humble beginnings, Patricia was born to herparents, the late Marvin Tully and the late MarjorieJohnson, in the back of a car in an area that is nowCoonskin Park. Patricia’s father worked as a glassblower and maintained a family farm. Patricia’s motherworked to help the family make ends meet, and laterin life she remarried. Patricia’s mother and step-fatherentered into the coal business; a company that laterPatricia herself ran for more than 20 years.Patricia grew up in South Charleston, WV whereshe attended South Charleston High School andexcelled as a majorette and basketball star. Earninga scholarship to the University of South Carolina,Patricia obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree inSociology. After college, Patricia married and hadthree sons, whom she raised in St. Albans, a place thatshe loved very much and called home until the time ofher passing in 2009.G e n e r o s i t y / 11

Mountaineer Moments at Children’s HospitalCHILDREN’S HOSPITAL—Patients at WVU Children’sHospital at Ruby Memorial Hospital are Mountaineers atheart. They are from every corner of West Virginia andbeyond and come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing iscertain – they love the Gold and Blue. The WVU AthleticDepartment and student athletes have been creatingMountaineer Moments at WVU Children’s Hospital forover 20 years. Their visits brighten the days of patients andcreate lifelong memories.Student athletes from football, basketball, lacrosse andsoccer have made it a priority to visit and play with thepatients at WVU Children’s Hospital. Their coachesunderstand the need for life perspective and want them tobe able to balance school, athletics and community service.WVU Football Coach Don Nehlen first brought his playersto visit with patients at WVU Children’s Hospital morethan 20 years ago. He wanted to do more and decided tofind a way for his team to support the hospital.The tradition of the annual Gold-Blue spring footballscrimmage benefitting the Child Life Program at WVUChildren’s Hospital was initiated as a result.WVU Student Athlete, J. T. Thomas, plays with a child.The 2011 scrimmage was held under the lights theevening of Friday, April 29 and raised 25,000 for thehospital. To date, the net proceeds from the Gold-Blue Gamehave raised more than 650,000 for WVU Children’sHospital.The Child Life Program works as part of the healthcareteam, making hospitalization a little easier for patients andtheir families by providing support, education, recreationand assistance.One of the main components of the Child Life Programis play, an important part of children’s lives. Duringtimes of stress, such as hospitalization, play can providesomething safe and familiar – an opportunity for childrento express fear, anxiety and misunderstandings about theirhospitalization.To encourage playtime for pediatric patients, WVUChildren’s Hospital has an activity center equippedwith toys, video games, an air hockey table and otherchild-friendly items. Sometimes you will also findMountaineer athletes playing among the children.G e n e r o s i t y / 13

Morrisons support Dental Faculty RetreatsMorrisons Support Dental Faculty RetreatsDENTISTRY—Thanks to retired faculty memberDon Morrison, DDS, and his wife Mary, thiswinter’s West Virginia University School ofDentistry faculty retreat in the Winter of 20102011 was a little more fulfilling.The Morrisons created the Dr. Don andMary Morrison School of Dentistry FacultyEnhancement Fund to provide support for mealand facility fees at future faculty retreats.After teaching and practicing periodontics atWVU from 1968 until his retirement in 1997, Dr.Morrison felt that faculty should be able to havethe kinds of enriching, interactive experiences thatWVU provides to students.“Retreats provide an opportunity for everyoneto hear the same information at the same time.This creates better coordination of clinical andeducational management within the school. Plus,retreats allow interaction between faculty thatMary and Don Morrison with Louise Veselickyis not possible in busy clinics and classrooms,”Morrison said. “Hopefully retired faculty and otherswill help enlarge the fund.”Louise Veselicky, DDS, interim dean (2007-2011)of the School of Dentistry, said, “This gift willallow for critical faculty gatherings through whichconsensus, educational opportunities, team buildingand communication can be enhanced – ultimatelyincreasing the quality of all of our programs at theSchool of Dentistry and beyond.”Archive photo:Senator Byrd playsthe fiddle.The Morrisons reside in Morgantown.Don Morrison is a graduate of Drake University,the University of Iowa and The Ohio StateUniversity. Mary Morrison is a graduate of DrakeUniversity and teaches cello and piano throughthe WVU Community Music Program. She is alsoon the music staff at Suncrest United MethodistChurch and directs the handbell choir.G e n e r o s i t y / 15

Robbins Public Health Distinguished ProfessorshipChancellor for Health Sciences Christopher C. Colenda,MD, MPH, said, “Our goal for the new School of PublicHealth is to eliminate the health disparities that exist in thestate. This generous gift from the Robbins will fund a keyposition in the new School, and will help the efforts of peopleacross West Virginia who are working to solve the state’shealth problems.”“WVU provided me the academic and personal supportthat gave me a foundation for competing around the worldand never once feeling outgunned educationally,” Robbinssaid. “The University has among the broadest charges in thecountry to provide academic, research and regional economicsupport and, still, has been able to give thousands, like me, afoundation for life.“We just want to be some small part of helping WVU achieveits goals and deserved recognition,” he said. “We wanted todo something transformational.”Stuart and Joyce RobbinsHe currently serves on the board of directors of LaBranche,formerly the leading specialist firm with the NYSE, and aschair of the board of directors of Open Exchange, a firmthat provides a qualified controlled compliant solution forArchive photo:business desktop video.Senator Byrd playsthe fiddle.Mrs. Robbins graduated with a BS in special educationfrom California University of Pennsylvania and receiveda masters in special education and rehabilitation from theUniversity of Pittsburgh. She taught in the Pittsburghschool system, including establishing the special educationprogram at Taylor Alderdice High School. She then earnedan MBA in accounting from PaceUniversity and achieved a CPA. HerTH EBYEDcareer included working with Coopers& Lybrand, one of the leadingaccounting firms, and was controllerof Data Switch, a New England basedprovider of specialty technology.ORTThe professorship, the first endowed position within the newSchool of Public Health, was matched on a dollar-for-dollarbasis by the West Virginia Research Trust Fund.Robbins is the former managing director of global equitiesfor DLJ, one of Wall Street’s leading investment banks.At DLJ he managed one of the investment industry’smost successful equities businesses. During his tenure, DLJEquities grew to more than 1,500 employees in 24 officesdoing business in all major money markets worldwideand became one of Wall Street’s most highly rankedorganizations. He was a member of DLJ’s board of directors,a member of the board of DLJ International (Equities) andchair of Autranet. Prior to managing the company’s equitiesbusiness, he was director of research. He was also a topranked research analyst, in the top three of the InstitutionalInvestor All Star rankings for 11 consecutive years.S UP PPUBLIC HEALTH—West Virginia University alumnusStuart M. Robbins, a retired financial industry executive,believes his alma mater is poised to make a great leap forwardand he and his wife Joyce want to help pave the way. That’swhy Robbins, a native of Parkersburg who went on to asuccessful Wall Street career with Donaldson, Lufkin &Jenrette, and his wife are giving 1 million to endow theStuart M. and Joyce N. Robbins Distinguished Professorshipin Epidemiology.G e n e r o s i t y / 17

WV United Health System Supports NursingChristopher Colenda with Tom JonesMatching dollars under the WV Research TrustFund create and support opportunities for jobgrowth and attract and retain the talent needed forthe state’s economic development.With this gift, the School ofTH EBYNursing has received 467,500EDfrom the Research Trust Fund.ORTThe West Virginia United Health SystemEvidence Based Nursing Practice ResearchEndowment will provide support to faculty andstudents in advanced nursing research, promotingbetter patient outcomes and high quality care.Faculty will work with nurse clinicians andstudents to determine best practices in a hospitalsetting. This fund will augment the WVUHospitals Evidence Based Research PracticeProfessorship in Nursing.S UP PNURSING—The West Virginia United HealthSystem has made a gift of 42,500 to supportresearch in the School of Nursing. This giftqualified for a dollar for dollar match from theWest Virginia Research Trust Fund, a fund createdby the state legislature to create incentive fordonors to support priority areas of study consistentwith WVU’s long range plan for research.G e n e r o s i t y / 19

Speedway Gives to Children’s HospitalCHILDREN’S HOSPITAL—Speedway gave 319,468 to West Virginia University Children’sHospital at Ruby Memorial Hospital through the2010 Children’s Miracle Network fundraisingcampaign.This represents a new record in giving for Speedwayemployees, customers and vendor partners.Additionally, 2010 marks the second consecutiveyear that Speedway has increased its fundraisingcontribution by more than 1 million as compared tothe previous year.There are 111 stores in West Virginia, Ohio andKentucky that raise money for WVU Children’sHospital. Store #9163 in Point Pleasant, WV, raisedthe most money in 2010 with 9,757. Since 2004,more than 1 million has been donated to WVUChildren’s Hospital.“We appreciate the generosity of Speedway employeesand customers for donating these funds to us,” CherylJones, RN, director of WVU Children’s Hospital,said. “With this money we will be able to continue toprovide high quality healthcare to children from allover the region.”For their part in the 2010 fundraising campaign, District 145built a 1.1 mile long “Chain of Love.” Pictured are RandyFlesh, Tammy Castle and Larry Beall representing Speedway;Stephanie Sams, Froggy 99; Lora Edgell, CMN Director WVUChildren’s Hospital; Rick Porter and Adam Bowen, Speedway.“We are committed to making a positive differencein the lives of our customers in the communities inwhich we operate,” Glenn Plumby, vice presidentof operations for Speedway, said. “This tremendousaccomplishment simply could not have happenedwithout the sincere care and enthusiasm ouremployees have for Children’s Miracle NetworkHospitals. Through their efforts, the generosity of ourcustomers is maximized; when they give nickels anddimes, it is clear that a little change can make a bigdifference.”When they give nickels and dimes,it is clear that a little change canmake a big difference.Speedway raises funds for Children’s Miracle NetworkHospitals in a variety of ways across its marketareas. Speedway has been a committed supporter ofChildren’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1991.G e n e r o s i t y / 21

Menighan Establishes APhA Leadership FundPHARMACY—Thomas Menighan, School of PharmacyClass of 1974, knows just how important it is to give ourstudents opportunities to develop their leadership skills.“The profession of pharmacy is poised to make significantnew contributions to health care in America,” Menighan,Executive Vice President and CEO of the AmericanPharmacists Association (APhA) said. “Our WVU gradsare among the best trained in the world, and they have anopportunity to impact patient care in collaborative waysas part of the health care team. But these new roles won’tbe handed to us. It will take leadership, compassion and awillingness to serve. Our WVU School of Pharmacy teachesthat!”Attending national meetings are a great way for studentsof pharmacy to learn more about their chosen profession.These meetings also offer the opportunity for students todevelop public speaking and presentation skills and tomeet practicing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientistsworking to advance the profession.“The impact that attending a national conference hason a student’s professional future can be significant,”Menighan said. “Students have the chance to attendsessions and presentations that enhance perspectivesand may inspire them in their career. Plus, they have theopportunity to speak with like-minded professionals anddevelop relationships with mentors who can guide themwell into the future.”Thomas MenighanThrough a generous gift from Mr. Menighan, the WestVirginia University School of Pharmacy has establisheda scholarship fund —The Thomas E. Menighan APhALeadership Fund for Pharmacy— designed to ensurethat resources are available to support the professionaldevelopment of student pharmacists by allowing themto attend American Pharmacists Association (APhA)educational workshops and conferences.Menighan is truly dedicated to making sure that our studentshave the chance to attend these professional developmentevents. “To put it in perspective, after I graduated fromthe School of Pharmacy, I got involved in my local, stateand national association while also pursuing additionaleducation. The perspectives I gained through involvementhelped me throughout my professional and business career.”Menighan said. “I want to promote our pharmacy students’involvement so they can benefit from varied perspectivesand in turn lead our profession to new heights.”The APhA is the nation’s largest association of pharmacists,with over 62,000 members including practicing pharmacists,pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists and othersworking to advance the profession. The APhA hosts annualand mid-year conferences in locations across the countryand encourages student participation through the APhAAcademy of Students of Pharmacy.G e n e r o s i t y / 23

Miller Family Nursing ScholarshipHeather MillerNURSING—Heather Nicole Miller was a seniornursing student at WVU in March, 2008, aboutto fulfill her dream to receive her Bachelorof Science in Nursing, when she died in anautomobile accident. Heather’s parents, Jody andGary, along with her sister, Sarah, her brothers,Nathan and Samuel, and other family membershave worked with many others in their homecommunity of Wheeling, West Virginia to createthe Heather Miller Memorial Golf Tournament.Their dedication and hard work in the past threeyears has raised thousands of dollars to fund collegescholarships for students graduating from WheelingPark High School.fully endowed so awards can be made immediatelyto scholarship recipients. The fourth annualHeather Miller Golf Tournament was held July 29,2010 at Oglebay Park in Wheeling.Now, the family has made the commitment tofund a full scholarship at the WVU School ofNursing. A gift of 25,000 will create an endowedscholarship, pledged from proceeds from thetournament. The Heather Miller MemorialScholarship will provide support to undergraduatenursing students. In addition, the family willprovide funds each year until the scholarship isThe Center for Organ Recovery and Education(CORE) has selected Heather’s picture to be partof a floragraph, a13x13 photo made from flowers,that will be part of the Donate Life float in theRose Parade. Heather’s family will attend theparade in Pasadena, CA on January 2, 2012.Heather was a promising student, outgoing, andan optimist. She had a passion to work in criticalcare and her ultimate goal was to become a nurseanesthetist, but her life tragically ended when shewas just 21 years old. Heather was an organ donor;the caring and compassion that led her to theprofession of nursing lives on through the selflessArchive photo:decision she made to help others by making Senatorthe Byrd playsthe fiddle.ultimate gift of life.G e n e r o s i t y / 25

Tom Jarrett Welcomes New DeanDENTISTRY—Dr. Thomas W. Jarrett, DDS, MS a 1975graduate of the WVU School of Dentistry, and his wife,Sally, have given 100,000 to create the Jarrett FamilyResearch Endowment for Dentistry to welcome David A.Felton, DDS, MS, as the new dean of the School. Thisgift will support orthodontic and dentistry research. Thecontribution has been matched by the West VirginiaResearch Trust Fund,

West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Development Report 2011. Faculty, students, and staff at the Health Sciences Center - including all of our schools and campuses, and all our WVU . Christopher Colenda On the cover: Natalie Gordon, Exercise Physiology honors graduate, May 2011 Convocation . contents 4 50 64 .