Medical alumni director receives highest staff honor

For more than 15 years, Cynthia Hayes has worked tirelessly to serve the alumni and students of Tulane University School of Medicine. On behalf of her commitment and dedication to the university, Hayes received the 2013 Yvette Milner Jones Award, the highest honor the university gives to a staff member.

The award, which goes to an outstanding Tulane staff member or administrator, is named in honor of Jones, executive vice president for university relations and development.

Through her work as the director of medical alumni relations and constituency programs, Hayes acts as a liaison between the medical school alumni and the university. Her knowledge of Tulane, commitment to its mission and positive attitude have been an invaluable resource during the school's most difficult times, says Dave Kinahan, vice president for development for the School of Medicine.

Hayes lost her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but that didn't stop her from coming to the aid of the institution she loves. She worked with medical students who were displaced by the storm and took on additional duties to aid in other areas. Members of the Tulane Medical Alumni Association credit her with resurrecting a successful and well-executed alumni group, post-storm.

In addition to her work with alumni, Hayes is an advocate for medical students. In 2010, students honored Hayes with a “mom” award for providing support to first- and second-year medical students. Her door is open to all students should they need anything during their time at Tulane.

“Cynthia represents Tulane medical school at the highest level of commitment and dedication. Her sincerity and genuine concern for the alumni and students, coupled with her New Orleans charm, have always been an inspiration,” writes Dr. Gary Marchower, who received his undergraduate degree from Tulane in 1959 and his medical degree in 1962, and his wife, Bette, in one of several nomination letters the selection committee received.