Liz (Mundy) Swords of Decatur, Illinois, has been selected as Richland Community College's Distinguished Alumnus for 2008. Liz obtained her Associate of Science Degree from Richland in 1985. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Millikin University and received the John and Eula Leighty Award for outstanding research in the field of biology. Liz will soon graduate with high honors with her MA in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois in Springfield. Liz is also the recipient of many honors and awards that include the Research Achievement Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Research and Development from A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. Liz also has contributed to two peer-reviewed publications.
Currently, Liz is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Research Department at Decatur Memorial Hospital. At DMH, Liz coordinates special projects related to cancer clinical trials. She tackles challenges like how to enlist minorities in clinical trials for cancer treatment and prevention. She has a special interest in recruiting Amish women to participate in breast cancer trials as well as emphasizing the importance of mammograms to the underserved African American population.
Liz also has oversight of a grant that focuses on educating community leaders and healthcare professionals about cancer clinical trials and how that relates to advancements in medicine.