When pondering two of her biggest life decisions, Lindsey Edmondson didn't waste time and didn't look back. The first: She met husband Brad Edmondson in February 2003 when they were students at East Central Community College, went on a horseback-riding date in March, got engaged in May, and tied the knot in August.

Opportunity and serendipity have positioned Dr. Kaye Bender to become a national leader in improving the nation's public health programs.

“Sometimes you find yourself in wonderful circumstances, and you take a few risks, and doors open,” said Bender, president and chief executive officer of the Public Health Accreditation Board, the only and first nonprofit organization that accredits state, local, tribal and territorial health departments. 

It's just one lesson she shared with students and faculty Oct. 28 while accepting the honor of 2016 Distinguished Alumnus of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences.

“Dr. Bender has had an extraordinary career in various state and national leadership roles,” said Dr. Joey P. Granger, dean of the graduate school. “The goal of her speech was to demonstrate to our students how critical skills learned in our Ph.D. programs can be used in various career paths.”

The Medical Center is proud to acknowledge those employees who will celebrate service anniversaries this week.

A number of interesting events is scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.