IWA: Saluting An Extraordinary Woman | Classic Chicago Magazine

By Judy Carmack Bross

^{Alice Chow, Dr. Sandi Lam, Dr. Elysa Widjaja}

“Dr. Sandi Lam shares many characteristics with IWA members. She’s dedicated to education and mentorship, and through her work both in the U.S. and abroad, she addresses socio-economic issues, and leadership development in our globally interconnected world.”– Cheryl Merchant, Chair for the 2024 IWA Woman Extraordinary Award luncheon.

^{Susan Grosch, Ethel Gofen, Dr. Sandi Lam, Sonya Doumanian, Greta Harley Doumanian}

Count on The International Women Associates (IWA) annual awards luncheon to spotlight woman with powerful global accomplishment and provide a day of bliss beyond borders.

The non-profit cultural and educational organization headquartered in Chicago presented its annual Woman Extraordinaire Award to Dr. Sandi Lam, division chief, Pediatric Neurosurgery at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital whose dedication has taken her around the world to serve others. More than 150 members and guests attended the inspiring luncheon at the Ivy Room and further supported IWA with several raffles.

The event’s Vice-chair Yoko Mosher, told guests: “Since 1996 the International Women Associates has presented the Woman Extraordinaire Award annually to a woman with ties to Chicago whose international humanitarian efforts advance the welfare of women and children and inspire constructive action by others.”

^{Jenny Schade announced the event raffle, raising funds to support IWA in the provision of educational enrichment programs in Chicago Public Schools and in giving scholarships to college students studying abroad.}

^{Eva Ayala, Pat Cahalan, Dr. Sandi Lam, Denise Allen, Velda Davino.}

Dr. Lam was selected by IWA for the impact she has had on the lives of countless children and their families both in the U.S. and abroad. Her primary focus is pediatric epilepsy and cerebrovascular surgery, with expertise in surgical innovation, neuroendoscopy and minimally invasive techniques.

^{Dr. Sandi Lam, Division Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, described her work building pediatric neurosurgery collaborations around the world.}

Dr. Lam described building pediatric neurosurgery collaborations in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, and Asia. She addressed various socioeconomic issues – disparities in medical delivery, policy research, leadership development – and their interplay in today’s globally interconnected world. Dr. Lam has been a powerful force in building sustainable pediatric neurosurgery collaborations

^{Lindsey Arenberg, Dr. Sandi Lam, Sharon Campbell, John Campbell}

^{Judy Mischel and Gabriela Martin}

^{Nila Bayvas, Ria Rorich, Gay-Young Cho}

^{The Woman Extraordinaire Committee: Standing L-R: Barbara Champion, Jill Brennan, Jenny Schade, Nila Bayvas, Dell Harmsen, Vi Nelson, Sharon Campbell, Alice Chow. Seated L-R: Vice-Chair Yoko Kusama, President Ying Hirsh, Chair Cheryl Merchant}

IWA President Ying Hirsh thanked attendees and the Committee members for their dedication to the organization and its ongoing efforts to connect diverse international women in the Chicago area. A Chicago-based nonprofit cultural and educational organization, IWA unites diverse international members dedicated to global understanding through cross-cultural exchange, philanthropy, community service, and friendship.

^{Eva Ayala, Pat Cahalan, Dr. Sandi Lam, Denise Allen, Velda Davino}