Dr. Stanescu Wins a 2023 WIMS Torchbearer Award

Claudia Stanescu, PhD, associate department head and associate professor of physiology, has been recognized as a 2023 WIMS Torchbearer by Women in Medicine and Science. The awards are given out as the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion celebrates Women in Medicine Month, which occurs every September.

The Torchbearer award encourages inclusivity, empowers female professionals, and ensures a brighter, more diverse future for healthcare. Women in Medicine Month celebrates the accomplishments of women and highlights their instrumental role in creating the medical landscape. It is a time to recognize exceptional achievements, celebrate perseverance and amplify voices.

Dr. Stanescu directs the Physiology and Medical Sciences program, one of the most popular undergraduate degree programs at the University of Arizona. The program has graduated 2,316 students in the seven years since she took the role, with many graduates moving on to medical schools. Dr. Stanescu oversees 22 physiology undergraduate courses taken by over 5,500 students from 11 colleges each year, and she has directed the Musculoskeletal Block at the College of Medicine – Tucson for five years.