The Women Faculty Organization of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine presents the 8th annual Paula H. Stern Award for Outstanding Women in Science and Medicine to Debra E. Weese-Mayer, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Autonomic Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. 

A lead translational researcher at Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Dr. Weese-Mayer is recognized internationally for her clinical and research work in the emerging area of pediatric autonomic medicine. Her specific expertise is in respiratory and autonomic disorders of infancy, childhood, and adulthood, including rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation, Rett syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, and familial dysautonomia. Dr. Weese-Mayer is Professor of Pediatrics (Critical Care) at Feinberg School of Medicine and holds the Beatrice Cummings Mayer Professorship in Pediatric Autonomic Medicine. 

Established by the Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology in conjunction with the Women in Science and Medicine, and named for Paula H. Stern, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, the award honors Dr. Stern’s 50 years of scientific accomplishments and dedicated service to the medical school. The award is presented annually to a Feinberg School of Medicine female faculty member who has spent a significant portion of her career at Northwestern University; has exhibited successful basic, translational, or clinical research; has demonstrated strong leadership at a local, national, or international level in her field; and has an exemplary track record of inspiring and mentoring trainees and young investigators.