Anne Connolly ’80 Receives 2015 Alumna Achievement Award

Anne Connolly '80, left, poses with President Carol Ann
Mooney after receiving her award.June 8, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The Alumna Achievement Award, awarded annually by the Alumnae Association of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, honors an alumna of the Catholic women’s college who is outstanding in her personal and professional accomplishments and is a recognized leader in her field of endeavor. The honoree exemplifies the standards, ideals, and mission of the College in its commitment to the value of a Christian liberal arts education.

This year’s recipient is Dr. Anne Connolly ’80 of St. Louis, MO. Connolly is recognized for her research involving basic mechanisms of disease in children with neuromuscular disorders and in clinical trials devoted to their treatment. The award was announced Saturday, June 6, at the Reunion Banquet held on campus.

Connolly graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s College, receiving the Mother Rose Elizabeth Award for service and academic excellence in biology. In her senior year, she was the first president of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society at Saint Mary’s. She went on to earn her medical degree from Indiana University.

According to her award citation, Connolly completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital followed by fellowships in pediatric neurology and neuromuscular disorders at Washington University in St. Louis. She is currently a professor of pediatrics and neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Her job involves care of children and adults with neuromuscular disorders, research and teaching students and physicians at all levels of training.

Throughout her career, Connolly has been honored with professional awards including a listing in Best Doctors in America 2005–2015 and the Irwin Levy Prize for undergraduate teaching from Washington University. According to the award citation, she has published more than 75 academic articles and reviews in prestigious journals, is a regular editorial reviewer for a number of journals, and is an associate editor for Journal of Child Neurology.

Connolly’s career in medicine inspires both her colleagues and fellow Saint Mary’s alumnae. Classmate and nominator Mary Elizabeth Fitzsimons ’80 wrote, “At Saint Mary’s, Anne established herself as a disciplined student of the sciences, receiving the highest science award as a graduating senior. This thirst for academic excellence carried beyond The Avenue to medical school and professional practice. All along she inspires others [to excellence] through her teaching, medical counseling and practice, and through publishing vital research.”

Connolly is also committed to global health initiatives devoted to bringing subspecialist care and education to developing countries. She has volunteered in Ecuador and Honduras and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology’s Advisory Board for Ecuador. As a supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, she participated in a video campaign to demonstrate the need for support of this valuable organization. She has also served as the physician for the Missouri MDA camp for 25 years.

Also according to the citation, Connolly has been an active member of her children’s parochial school and church communities. She is the mother of four who has coached their sports teams, wholeheartedly supports their academic pursuits, and organizes inspiring family vacations all in the service of guiding her children to become active, loving, and happy adults.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. In the fall of 2015 Saint Mary’s College will begin to offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report.

Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579