(via the Chicago Tribune website)
Nalini Mahajan, director and webmaster of the Medical Library for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine, has been awarded the Winifred Sewell Prize for Innovation in Information Technologies. She received the award at the All Sciences and Engineering Awards Reception for the 2017 Special Library Association (SLA) in Phoenix. Mahajan serves as the chair of the executive board of the SLA Biomedical and Life Sciences Division (DBIO). “At Marianjoy, we have a community-wide digital inclusion initiative, linking libraries and communities, with library staff playing a lead role. I am pleased, honored and humbled to accept this award and to join past five recipients, whom I have long admired and respected,” said Mahajan.
Mahajan is only the sixth person to receive this honor in the DBIO since its inception. The award is bestowed to an individual who has been a leader and innovator in the sharing or structuring of biomedical and life sciences information with the use of advanced technology. Mahajan, who has managed the Marianjoy Medical Library for 30 years, was nominated by Angela Killian, vice president of operations at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
“Nalini is an expert leader in her field who develops close working relationships with those she serves,” says Killian. “She has collaborated with numerous key stakeholders to develop and procure grants that have funded visionary websites and specialty programs. The websites include Information Connections, for parents of children with developmental disabilities and chronic disease, and Disability and Rehabilitation, which provides access to high-quality, up-to-date information on disability and rehabilitation.”
Mahajan ensures these web resources and information are available and accessible to people everywhere, free of charge. In addition to maintaining the library, Mahajan is heavily involved in outreach. She frequently shares presentations at local and international conferences.”Having timely access to high-quality, critically important information at the point of need helps clinicians and consumers make informed healthcare decisions and can improve patient outcomes,” said Mahajan.
Killian believes Mahajan’s contributions have made a big difference for many people who have, or who care for people who have, a disability.”Nalini’s focus on developing and maintaining technology based-information that meet vital needs has made a lasting positive impact for many patients, parents, healthcare professionals and peers,” adds Killian. “She is an inspiration, as she generously shares her time and expertise with her peers and those she serves.”
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