Concord resident Alan Woodward (below) said emergency medicine was a new specialty when he completed his residency in it in North Carolina in 1981. Nearly three decades later, he has been named a hero of emergency medicine by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The campaign, which is part of the organization's 40th anniversary, recognizes emergency physicians who have made significant contributions to emergency medicine, their communities, and their patients. A nationally recognized healthcare reform and patient-care advocate, Woodward has received numerous awards during his 29-year career.
Woodward is the former chief of emergency services and past president of the medical staff at Emerson Hospital in Concord, where he has practiced since 1989. He is past president of the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians and Massachusetts Medical Society, and sits on numerous healthcare-related boards and local and state committees.
"It's nice to be recognized and appreciated," Woodward said, "especially with a national award."
THE GREAT ESCAPE: Born and raised in Liberia, Dorothy Johnson (below) worked in her homeland as a program officer for the United Nations Population Fund. She married and had three boys. And then the Liberian Civil War began in 1989.
Johnson, who lives with her family in Dracut, has written a historical and personal account of the years before their emigration to the United States about 10 years ago. The book is divided into three parts: details of corruption and nepotism that culminated in the civil war; her diary entries during the conflict; and socioeconomic repercussions on Liberia and its people - victims and perpetrators.
"I want to share my story so others who may still be suffering from the trauma of that time will seek help," said Johnson, recalling how rebels repeatedly raided their home, interrogated and threatened them with weapons, and otherwise terrorized her family and others. By identifying the causes that led to the Liberian Civil War, she hopes that future conflicts can be resolved before they escalate.
"It has been my experience that good leadership should be devoid of ethnicity and gender issues, and instead based on a high level of education, competence, and experience," added Johnson, a teaching assistant at St. Ann's Home and School in Methuen. Given this country's current political discourse, she added, "it's a good time for me to share this message."
Johnson will read from her book, "The Great Escape: Background & Memoirs of the Liberian Civil War," at 6:30 tonight at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St. in Lowell. For more information, call 978-70-4120.
SWEET SUCCESS: Five years ago, Susan Callahan of Westford asked her daughter's classmate to help her design a website to promote her cookie business, Goodies. So when Callahan recently decided to update the site with additional photographs and graphics, she turned once again to Westford Academy.
Computer science teacher Anjli Trehan of Carlisle recently used the opportunity for real-life experience as a project for her 22 students studying webpage design.
"I was really in a bind because my budget is so limited, but the kids did a fabulous job," said Callahan, whose website traffic soared after her Chocolate Peanut Butter Munchie cookie was featured on the "Rachael Ray Show" on Nov. 21. "These students are such a valuable resource, right here in our community. They and their teachers don't get enough credit."
Callahan said she was "truly impressed" with the submissions from all the students, but ultimately chose the design by freshman Stephanie Sullivan of Westford because "it seemed to best capture what I'm trying to achieve." Sullivan's design is expected to go live at goodieshomemade.com by Valentine's Day, according to Callahan. Sophomore Kate Oram of Westford won second place. Both students were awarded gift certificates to Goodies and a local restaurant.
Since Callahan wanted to keep the existing logo and whimsical appearance of the website, Sullivan said she focused on the layout of the new photographs and making the cookies "stand out a little more so people would buy them."
"It was a good surprise," Sullivan said after learning her design had been selected. "Students aren't asked to help a real company too often."
People items may be submitted to Cindy Cantrell at cantrell@globe.com.
