嘿嘿视频

Professor Leigh Ann Simmons Wins 1st Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

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Leigh Ann Simmons, 嘿嘿视频 faculty, speaking at podium
Human ecology professor Leigh Ann Simmons addresses Wisdom of Women symposium after winning the inaugural Women & Philantrhopy Impact Award Sunday (Oct. 16). (Jos茅 Luis Villegas)

Quick Summary

  • Cited as a leader and mentor, and advocate for health equity
  • 鈥淯plifting women everywhere, inspiring the next generation鈥
  • Her $25,000 prize will help cover students鈥 health care costs

Leigh Ann Simmons, professor and chair of the Department of Human Ecology, has won the inaugural at the University of California, Davis, in recognition of her work in mentorship and leadership, and efforts on behalf of women鈥檚 health.

Simmons accepted the award onstage Sunday (Oct. 16) in front of more than 1,700 people who packed Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. The presentation was part of a Wisdom of Women symposium featuring bestselling author Glennon Doyle and distinguished 嘿嘿视频 alumnae Tani Cantil-Sakauye 鈥80, J.D. 鈥84, Diane Bryant 鈥85 and Adriana Gascoigne 鈥00.

Three female panelists, seated, onstage at 嘿嘿视频
Alumnae panelists, from left: Adriana Gascoigne 鈥00, Tani Cantil-Sakauye 鈥80, J.D. 鈥84, and Diane Bryant 鈥85. (Jos茅 Luis Villegas)

鈥淲e are thrilled to present Professor Simmons with the inaugural Impact Award,鈥 said LeShelle May, a member of the Women & Philanthropy Advisory Council. 鈥淗er contributions in her research and as a campus leader embody everything this award celebrates: uplifting women everywhere and inspiring the next generation of leaders locally and globally.鈥

established the award to recognize a 嘿嘿视频 faculty or staff member for contributions to the advancement of women, along with being an exemplary leader and having a significant impact on local and global university communities. It comes with a donor-funded $25,000 prize to direct to the 嘿嘿视频 fund of the winner鈥檚 choice.

鈥楶henomenal honor鈥

Simmons has served as chair of human ecology since 2019, helping to unify the department鈥檚 three subunits in a more equitable and transparent structure that provides faculty 鈥 particularly junior faculty and faculty of color 鈥 with opportunities to thrive.

鈥淲inning the Impact Award is a phenomenal honor and it鈥檚 an amazing recognition of the work that I do that happens behind the scenes,鈥 she said. 鈥淎s the inaugural awardee, I hope to lay a foundation for others to aspire to these kinds of roles that are so important to elevate girls and women throughout the generations.鈥

Simmons, who holds a Ph.D. in child and family development, is the faculty director of the , which focuses its research on promoting health equity by reducing disparities in chronic diseases among vulnerable and medically underserved populations. She is the co-director of the , which aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their infants.

Two women, seated, onstage, in conversation
Glennon Doyle, left, in conversation with Pamela Wu, director of communications and media relations, 嘿嘿视频 Health. (Jos茅 Luis Villegas)

鈥淗ealth is the foundation of everything we do in life,鈥 Simmons said. 鈥淲hen people do not have good mental or physical health, they鈥檙e not able to achieve their highest potential, and that can create disparities across generations. It鈥檚 really important we ensure that everyone has access to good health, and the goal of our lab is to make that possible for everyone.鈥

Continuing impact

Simmons has directed the award鈥檚 $25,000 to the Health Equity Fund at Student Health and Counseling Services.

The fund helps offset out-of-pocket medical expenses for students, assisting with costs such as transportation and medicine, and providing access to mental health care and learning disability assessments.

鈥淭he Health Equity Fund does great work helping students cover care that they might not otherwise be able to pay for,鈥 Simmons said.

鈥淚 see my gift as a way to support students to be the best scholars they can be because they are their healthiest selves.鈥

The cause connects closely to her professional research on health access and equity. 鈥淏eing unable to pay is one of the biggest barriers to why people don鈥檛 get the care that they need,鈥 she said.

Empowering women

A key part of the Impact Award is recognizing leaders who help elevate others around them. Beyond her own accomplishments, Simmons serves as a mentor to many students, staff and faculty.

鈥淧rofessor Simmons ensures her work and relationships are meaningful and contribute to positive outcomes that reduce barriers and promote health equity among the most vulnerable communities,鈥 said Jasmine Cuellar, community education specialist in the HEAL Lab.

鈥淎s a Latina first-generation Master of Public Health recent graduate, I am so grateful to have Dr. Simmons鈥 guidance,鈥 Cuellar said. 鈥淪he has been a great mentor and supporter by encouraging me to grow as a leader.鈥

Simmons makes a point to support her mentees in and beyond the lab, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to succeed and grow in their fields.

Paige Smith 鈥17, assistant clinical researcher in the lab, said: 鈥淚 am constantly learning by her example as an exceptional leader who effortlessly advocates for, uplifts and amplifies those around her, especially those of historically underrepresented communities.鈥


Cl茅mentine Sicard is a communications specialist in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

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