LANSING, MI – Stella Cash, a legendary community leader and supporter of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, has been awarded the health system’s first-ever Presidential Award for Selfless Service for her commitment to making a lasting and positive impression on the Mid-Michigan region.

                Cash was surprised by the award at the recent Hats in the Garden fundraising event sponsored by Women Working Wonders (W3), a UM Health-Sparrow Foundation committee of which she has been leader for years. The event was held at her Bath Township home.

                Cash’s volunteer involvement is too long to list but includes serving on the foundation’s board of directors and numerous community organizations. She is known for her vast social network and her fundraising skills, along with her incredible empathy for those in need. She is often joined by her husband, Dr. Jerry Cash, MSU professor emeritus and community advocate.

                A native of Arkansas, Cash retired from Michigan State University in 2010 after a 35-year career that included being director of dietetics in the department of food science and interim vice president of alumni engagement. She later became vice president of development and strategic partnerships for Sparrow and then returned to MSU as senior advisor to the president and provost for international engagement.

                “As we look at W3’s history, the common thread is one woman who has been there from the beginning, leading the charge for W3 and always upholding its mission,” said Margaret Dimond, regional president of University of Michigan Health, which includes UM Health-Sparrow and UM Health-West. “Stella’s commitment is to always say ‘yes,’ and to continuously expand her circle and bring more people, more funding and more awareness to the needs of our community.”

                Cash said she was “shocked” by the award.

                “There are just so many people in our community who give so much. To be recognized in this way is an honor beyond belief,” she said.

                 W3 is comprised of more than 35 professional women from the Greater Lansing area. Since its beginning in 2002, W3 has raised more than $5 million to support women’s health, through signature fundraisers such as Hats in the Garden.

                 To learn more about ways you can support W3’s mission, click HERE.