Rheuban receives Zintl Award

Dr. Karen Rheuban

With a touch of her fingertips, Dr. Karen Rheuban, medical director of the Office of Telemedicine, saves lives. This year, the Women’s Center will present its annual Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award to Rheuban for her efforts to develop what she calls the “electronic clinic” that has helped people in need around the state and brought people face to face around the world.

A reception to celebrate her achievements will be held on Sept. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library.

The Office of Telemedicine, which Rheuban worked to establish in the mid 1990s, brings together a consortium of physicians from about 30 different specialties who consult on and diagnose cases around the state via computer networking. Rheuban, who also is associate dean for Continuing Medical Education, has expanded the large, accredited program’s educational services with videoconferencing formats, computer-assisted instructional materials and Web-based online continuing education activities.

Rheuban is the eighth recipient of the Zintl Award, created by the Women’s Center to honor the late writer and journalist, Elizabeth Zintl, who served as chief of staff to U.Va. President John T. Casteen III until her death in 1997. The prize, supported by a gift from the late David A. Harrison III, honors U.Va. women who demonstrate the high degree of professionalism, creativity and commitment that mirror Zintl’s contributions to the University.