Sister Alice Potts, our beloved staff chaplain, has been honored by the Society of Surgical Oncology. At its 60th annual conference in Washington, D.C., the society presented her with its James Ewing Layman's Award, given annually to a non-physician who has made a significant contribution to the prevention of cancer and to improving the care of cancer patients.

Sister Alice, who has belonged to the Sisters of Providence order for 64 years and ministers to patients, plans to retire on May 31, 2007, after 30 years of service. She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor's degree in education. She received a master's degree from Marygrove College.

Sister Alice worked as a teacher and principal for 25 years before receiving training in clinical pastoral education at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston. She later joined the chaplaincy staff at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, where she has focused on care of patients in the intensive care units, as well as facilitating patient and caregiver support groups.