Michael W. Varner & Kathleen B. Digre
For the first time in its history, the 2012 Rosenblatt Prize has been awarded to a husband and wife team whose teaching, research and administration, both at the Health Sciences Center and beyond, have been exceptional. Married in 1975, Kathleen Digre, M.D., professor of neurology and ophthalmology, and Michael Varner, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology, give credit to each other for their collective success. "We have a wonderful synergistic relationship-neither of us could have accomplished as much as we have without supporting each other," they explain.
MICHAEL W. VARNER, M.D. Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Michael Varner received an M.D. from the University of Minnesota, did his specialty and sub-specialty training at the University of Iowa, and joined the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1987, where he serves as the Vice-Chair for Research. He is an internationally recognized expert in maternal fetal medicine clinical research and since arriving in Utah has facilitated NIH-funded clinical research through major hospitals and local practices along the Wasatch front. "Utah really is a unique place for conducting clinical research. Women and families here have been remarkably willing to participate in studies aimed at improving family health. Hospitals and health care providers have been great to work with as well. Over the years we've made some real improvements in preventing preterm birth, decreasing cerebral palsy rates and reducing unnecessary interventions.'"
Varner holds an H. A. and Edna Benning Endowed Presidential Chair and also serves as the Director of the Program in Personalized Health Care and the Associate Director for Women's Health for the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences. He serves as well as the Co-Director of the Clinical Genetics Institute for Intermountain Healthcare.
KATHLEEN B. DIGRE, M.D. Professor of Neurology, Ophthalmology Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Anesthesia
Kathleen Digre is a world-renowned ophthalmologist and neurologist. Through her efforts, the U is one of a few institutions in the world with certified fellowship-training programs in neuro-ophthalmology, a medical sub-specialty focusing on brain problems that affect vision.
She was the first woman president of the North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, past councilor for the American Neurological Association and currently sits on the board of directors for the American Headache Society. She is the recipient of the Utah Library Association Special Service to Libraries Award, Gender Equity Award, Linda Amos Award, the Martha Hughes Cannon Award and the NANOS Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Digre was also a fellow at ELAM (Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine).
Digre received an M.D. from the University of Iowa and has been a member of the University of Utah faculty since 1987 with primary appointments in both neurology and ophthalmology, as well as adjunct appointments in obstetrics and gynecology as well as anesthesia. She is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles, two books and numerous invited lectures. She is also director of neuro-ophthalmology fellowship, the division of headache and neuro-ophthalmology and the Center of Excellence in Women’s Health at the U.