Osher Center recognized with two awards at the UC Foundation Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Awards

Sian Cotton, PhD, Turner Farm Endowed Chair, professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine, and Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC was selected by the UC Foundation for the 2022 Staff Award of Merit. This award is given to an individual who embraces the spirit of George Rieveschl. Cotton is recognized for her exemplary leadership and passion of elevating integrative health in the greater Cincinnati region and beyond since founding the center in 2013. In 2021, the Center was designated as one of 11 elite international members of The Osher Collaborative with a transformational investment of $5.5M in endowments and operational funding from The Bernard Osher Foundation.

During her remarks, Cotton recognized the Cincinnati community for helping move the center toward reaching its goals.

The Osher Center’s Community Advisory Council also received the Group Philanthropy Award during the George Rieveschl Recognition Dinner on October 6, 2022. The Group Philanthropy Award highlights a group that has been highly engaged in philanthropic activities at UC Health or UC and has made a significant positive impact. The advisory council is chaired by Carrie Hayden, a true champion for integrative health and wellness in Cincinnati. This volunteer council works tirelessly to bring awareness and access to integrative health clinical services and wellness education. The council’s efforts increased the Center’s reach and helped elevate the Center’s positive reputation. Since its inception in 2018, advisory council members have been generous with not only their talents and expertise, but personal philanthropy to drive the growth of the Center.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Osher Center Community Advisory Council brought together over 275 participants for a Healthy Food, Healthy Minds Farm-to-Table Dinner virtual event that raised over $70,000 to support integrative health clinical services for under-resourced patients and health and wellness community education programs. The program committee had to quickly pivot this event from in-person to a one-of-a-kind virtual dinner and presentation that included delivery of a healthy meal for attendees.

The advisory council’s diverse expertise includes clinical leaders in medicine and nursing, integrative medicine and education, lawyers, as well as business and community leaders whose strategic insights, generous philanthropy, and advocacy have made a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the Cincinnati community.