Drexel University College of Medicine - Woman One Award

Before becoming a consultant and medical advisor at Genetic Networks, Inc. in Westport, Connecticut, Jennifer Letitia attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she earned a bachelor of science in human biology, pre-med. Jennifer Letitia earned her MD from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, which has since merged with another medical school to become the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Drexel University College of Medicine offers a number of medical programs for students who desire a career in the medical field. Today, the Drexel University College of Medicine is recognized as a leading institution for training medical students. The college, also known for its diverse student body, supports women students via its Woman One Award.

Designed to encourage the education and training of women in the medical field, the Woman One Award helps to raise scholarships for minority women pursuing a medical career as well as women who want to work with disadvantaged communities. Woman One Awards have been as much as $80,000 over a four-year training program.

Continued Conservation with the Buzzards Bay Coalition

A medical advisor and consultant at Genetic Networks, Inc., in Westport, Connecticut, Jennifer Letitia, MD, has worked in medicine for over two decades. When not applying and/or developing her consulting skills, Dr. Jennifer Letitia enjoys being outdoors and supports multiple charities and foundations dedicated to preserving our natural resources, including the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Formed in 1987, the Buzzards Bay Coalition was inspired when residents began to notice that shellfish beds were closing because of bacterial contamination and toxic pollution was spreading. Today, the membership-supported coalition works on sea and land via advocacy, conservation efforts, education, and research.

The biggest threat to the bay, nitrogen pollution turns the water cloudy and kills fish and other aquatic organisms. In an effort to prevent this, regulations are being put on septic systems and wastewater treatment plants are being upgraded to remove up to 90 percent of nitrogen from the output. Additional threats include oil spills, toxic pollution, and bacterial contamination.

A 432-square-mile area of land drains directly into the bay. The coalition works to conserve the forests, streams, and wetlands, making sure to maintain a high quality of life.

Baywatchers Advance the Work of the Buzzards Bay Coalition

A graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jennifer Letitia worked as a reconstructive surgeon for several years before moving on to several business enterprises, including Epiphany Mindworks and Iomics Pathways Initiative, LLC. Currently, she works as a consultant and medical advisor at Genetic Networks, Inc., in Westport, Connecticut. In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Jennifer Letitia supports the Buzzards Bay Coalition. 

For more than three decades, the Buzzards Bay Coalition has overseen various programs and activities to protect and improve the health of Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts. One of the organization's oldest programs is Baywatchers, which uses citizen scientists to monitor the health of the bay. 

Founded in 1992, Baywatchers has leveraged the work of over 1,000 volunteers to ensure that Buzzards Bay, as well as its coves, harbors, and rivers, remain healthy for years to come. Data collected through the program over the past 25 years has been critical to the mission of the coalition. 

In addition to monitoring the water weekly throughout the summer, Baywatchers serve as representatives for the coalition and help raise awareness about the importance of protecting clean water. To learn more about the program, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org.