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UTPB’s second student to go to medical school, Anne Acreman, M.D., was named Distinguished Alumna by a vote of registered alumni, according to Lanita Akins, history lecturer and chair of the committee. The committee chose Dr. Acreman because of the tremendous efforts she has made to give back to her community, her profession, and to society in general.

This Odessan stayed in her hometown, attended Odessa College and what was then an upper-division institution, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, in the mid-1970s. After being named UTPB’s Outstanding Graduate in Life Science and earning a B.S. Degree in 1977, Dr. Acreman attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

She attributes her early success to “the pioneer spirit of several founding faculty. In particular, Dr. Ed Kurtz seemed to take a special interest in me and all of the other students. I don’t remember a class larger than 25-30, and when it came time for medical school applications, those letters of reference were personal and heartfelt,” Dr. Acreman recalled.

After earning her M.D., she further distinguished herself as the first female Chief Resident of a 60-person family practice residency program at John Peter Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth. Since becoming board certified in 1985, she has practiced in Odessa and recently moved into her new office at the ORMC Complete Care Center at 7101 Eastridge Road.

Professionally, Dr. Acreman has given back to her community. In addition to teaching her specialty at Texas Tech’s Regional Academic Health Science Center here, she has helped other UTPB students achieve the same dream by helping them prepare for their futures and serving on the Health Professions Advisory Committee and the Development Board. Her peers have honored her by electing her twice as the only female Chief of Staff at Odessa Regional Hospital.

Her volunteer work on the boards of the Red Cross, United Way, American Heart Association, Samaritan Counseling Center, and Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale helped her become a 2000 Woman of Distinction from Permian Basin Girl Scout Council. Last year, she won a Heritage of Odessa Community Statesman Award for Service in a Profession, and now, she’s the 10^th Distinguished Alumnus of her alma mater.

Dr. Acreman was honored at an April 24 reception at the home of Larry Lee, and was the keynote speaker at an alumni-sponsored luncheon for graduating students held at the Elegante Hotel on April 25. The topic of her address was on her deep interest to pursue a career in medicine and how UTPB helped her achieve her dreams of becoming a physician.

The Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee was comprised of Ms. Akins, Alumni President Josh Crawford, Pinkie Roden Chair Dr. Leslie Toombs alumna Karen Hildebrand, Assistant to the UTPB president Carla Nelson, UTPB Development Officer Stacey Fuqua, IRD Telecommunication Specialist D.Ellen Reedy, and alumni Joe Pisklak. For current information regarding the UTPB Alumni Association, logon to www.utpb.edu and click on the Alumni link.