Christina Manthos was an extraordinary young urologist whose life and career were sadly curtailed by breast cancer. The SWIU, as a means of perpetuating the flame of her inspiration and honoring her memory, has established an annual award to recognize those men or women who demonstrate extraordinary mentoring skills in supporting the career of a female urologist. The SWIU believes that a mentor is an important element in the life of each professional woman and wants to encourage and reward those who set a good example.

The Christina Manthos Mentoring Award was founded to honor the memory of an esteemed colleague. Christina Lean Manthos earned her medical degree from USUHS in 1990, receiving the Army Surgeon General's Award and the Janet M. Glasgow award from the American Medical Women's Association. After a Surgical internship at Fitzsimmons AMC, where she won Outstanding Intern of the Year, she was sent to Korea to serve as a clinic commander. Subsequently, she returned to Fitzsimmons AMC, where she completed her urology residency in 1996. She then served with distinction as the assistant chief of the urology service at the USAF Academy and Fort Carson until she lost her battle with breast cancer in 1999. Christina will be fondly remembered as a gifted urologic surgeon, dedicated officer and inspiring mentor.

To submit a nomination for the Christina Manthos Mentoring Award, please contact the SWIU at 847-517-7225 or e-mail info@swiu.org. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 25, 2010.