Memories of
Dr. MaryFran Sowers
Memories from Michele Cote posted on October 12, 2011
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Sowers as a GSI in 2002. For the next decade she remained an engaged and trusted mentor. Not many people are comfortable giving you the honest truth...she was. She will be greatly missed.
Memories from Whitney Woodhull posted on October 12, 2011
I had the opportunity to be one of Dr. Sowers' advisees last year. She was truly an inspiring professor, mentor and woman. During our meetings she would go far beyond what was required of an advisor, and make sure I was doing well in all areas of my career. She truly cared about her students and helping them find a meaningful career.
Memories from Eileen Rillamas-Sun (PhD mentee, graduated 2010) posted on October 11, 2011
My first encounter with Dr. MaryFran Sowers was back in 1997, when I was an MPH student and she taught Epid 601. Little did I know then how much she'd impact my career! When I decided years later to pursue my doctorate, she was the only faculty willing to meet with me and she saw my potential when few did. Without question, her belief in me then is the reason I am the epidemiologist I am today. Her dedication to sound research and women's health was and always will be an inspiration. I feel blessed and grateful to have had the opportunity to know her and work with her. She will truly be missed.
Memories from Sarah Lyon-Callo posted on October 4, 2011
Dr. MaryFran Sowers was a wonderful mentor for me. Although she was not my advisor, she was a welcome source of guidance and discussion on standards in appliced epidemiology in public health. She had a rare ability to be kind and frank in her discussions with public health professionals and students. As her GSI, she taught me a lot about seeing the best in people and their intentions. The world is a smaller place without MaryFran Sowers but she has provided me and many others a model of creative and rigorous public health scholarship and leadership to which to aspire.
Memories from Flojaune Griffin posted on October 4, 2011
I worked with Dr. Sowers over the course of six years as an MPH and PhD advisee. During this time I came to know her very well. We always had very candid conversations about race, many of which turned into important research topics--not the least of which became my dissertation! I was always awed by her "can-do" spirit, her willingness to provide hands-on guidance and advising, and her tremendous intellectual talent. She made great contributions to women's health and epidemiology and is sorely missed.
Memories from Laura Harrington posted on October 4, 2011
I am exceptionally lucky to have worked with Dr. MaryFran Sowers during my time at the University of Michigan. As my advisor, supervisor, teacher, and mentor, Dr. Sowers taught me what an outstanding epidemiologist looks like. I sincerely thank her for her confidence in me and her willingness to teach me so much about science, research, and life. She will not be forgotten.
Memories from Lynea Bach posted on September 30, 2011
When I first met Dr. Sowers five years ago I was a sophomore in college and was just starting to work as a research assistant. I remember walking into her Liberty Street office on my first day and being greeted by her friendly smile as I passed by her office to get to my work station. Her natural warmth and positive energy helped to create the nicest work environment I have ever been in.
As students, Dr. Sowers always encouraged us in our studies and made us feel that we added value to the projects. I remember she once took the time to talk to me about my plans after graduation and after listening to my interests, encouraged me to apply to an epidemiology program. I took her advice, and I’m now enjoying my second year as a Masters student in epidemiology. I often think of Dr. Sowers and what I learned while working in her department. Dr. Sowers was an inspiring woman and I will always remember her work ethic, kindness, and love for women’s health research.
Memories from Vivian Hannosh posted on September 28, 2011
I wouldn't be an epidemiologist today had it not been for Dr. Sowers' guidance, encouragement and faith in my abilities. She cared about her students and wanted them to learn and find their own passion for research. I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to learn from one of the best. She will be missed but never forgotten, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything.
Memories from Mitra Daneshvar posted on September 28, 2011
When I went in for an interview as a student employee for Dr. Sowers, I had no idea how monumental my experience in her Center would be in molding me into who I am today. As a 19-year old engineering student, I had never thought of following a career in public health, however, after four-years of working for Dr. Sowers and having the opportunity to be part of her ground breaking research in women’s health, my interest in public health grew.
Now as I am finishing up the first month of my MPH program in epidemiology, I am thankful for the opportunity to have met, learned and worked for someone as smart, passionate and insightful as Dr. Sowers. She was an amazing women and I was fortunate enough to know her, learn from her, and have her as a mentor. Words cannot fully express how thankful I am to you, Dr. Sowers.
Memories from Steven Lu posted on September 27, 2011
It is to Dr. Sowers who I owe the desire to pursue a degree in public health. Without her wisdom and guidance I would not have had the experiences in school as I did. Without witnessing her passion for the work she did I would not have developed a heart for mine. She was a kind, always cheerful, and gentle spirit. Thank you Dr. Sowers for being a great mentor. I will miss you.
Memories from Jessica Jurek posted on September 27, 2011
Dr. Mary Fran Sowers was a remarkable woman, who gave countless hours of her time, energy, and passion, to doing research on women’s health. I did research with her for two years in my undergraduate career, and was motivated day in and day out by her dedication and inability to stop working. I was utterly intimidated by her after our first meeting and in knowing the degree of respect her employees had for her authority, I knew she wasn't someone to mess with. This misconception was shattered as time went on, and I realized her intention were to help all of us grow in our own strengths. She always knew to push the hardest when I had no idea what I was doing. From that, I learned a very powerful lesson that she directly modeled: perseverance.
Memories from Sarah Lewis posted on September 27, 2011
Dr. Sowers was the type of person I strive to be; encouraging, passionate, and direct. Her dedication to her work and students was unprecedented. She was my adviser (academic and personal), employer, and teacher. Her expectations were high, and she pushed me to be and perform at my best. I cherish our many discussions about life, and will always carry those lessons with me. I thank her for helping me be the person I am today and the person I will be in the future.
Memories from Margaret Helmuth (Yancey) posted on September 27, 2011
I worked for MaryFran Sowers for three years while I was in college. It was obvious to everyone around her that she loved the work she was doing. She made it hard not to get caught up in her energy and excitement for the projects she was working on.
MaryFran had a way of looking out for her students. It always amazed me that she would take the time out of her busy schedule to get to know me and to personally find me projects that she knew would interest me and that fit into the degree that I was pursuing. She had a way of seeing the whole picture, and always seemed to know what was best for you, even if you didn't think so at the time. I look back now at all of the experiences that I had as a student in her office and I can see that she was shaping me to become the person I am today. And even though she is no longer with us, she will live on in all of the students that she taught and encouraged. I am proud to be one of those students.
Memories from Megha Shah Ravanam posted on September 23, 2011
Dr. Sowers was a warm and inspiring person who encouraged us to learn, experience, and grow far beyond our expectations. She taught me to have confidence in what I knew, and to strive to master that which I did not know. Thank you, Dr. Sowers, for helping me become who I am today.
Memories from Shaneta Cotton posted on September 23, 2011
Dr. Sowers was a woman of great strengths. I met Dr.Sowers at the airport where I was working and based off of our conversation she hired me as one of her student workers. Years later she gave me a position. Dr. Sowers knew nothing about me except what I had told her that day at the airport. She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself and she was able to bring that out. I am forever grateful to her for allowing me to be a part of something that meant so much to her. I will never forget the first person that gave me a chance to be a part something great. Dr. Sowers was a model of excellence. I will miss our time together and her most encouraging straight forward opinions. A true leader Dr. Sowers was and a true leader she will be remembered. From the bottom of my heart Thank You for Everything.
Memories from Lillian Madrigal posted on September 23, 2011
Dr. Sowers was such a great person to work for. She was always so good to the student employees. She always took the time to teach us about the research and gave us opportuntities gain new skills. Dr. Sowers was invested in us and our education. I would not be where I am today without her kindness and her amazing work. Thank you for everything Dr. Sowers! Thank you for all the opportuntities you gave me. I will never forget you or what you did for me. I will miss seeing you sitting in your comfy office chair, smiling as you do the work you love.