Margaret Bridwell

Dr Margaret "Maggi" Wiedorn Bridwell, 88, passed away peacefully in her Brighton Gardens of Columbia home on September 18, 2011. Maggi was born in Manhattan, Kansas on September 5, 1923 and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University and her medical degree from Louisiana State University in 1946. Dr. Bridwell was an obstetrics and gynecology physician by training. She married Lowell K Bridwell and together with their children, were among the early settlers in the new community of Columbia, MD in 1969. After a number of years in private practice, Dr. Bridwell joined the University of Maryland-College Park University Health Center as a staff physician in 1970. By 1975, she was Director of the University Health Center, a position she held for 28 years until she retired in the summer of 2003. She was awarded the President's Medal for distinguished service to the University in 1993. While at the University, Maggi was active in the President's Commission on Women's Issues and, at the urging of the student body and with the support of Planned Parenthood volunteers, is credited with establishing a Women's Health Clinic on campus. Upon her retirement, the Women's Health Clinic was renamed the Maggi Bridwell Center for Women's Health. Maggi was a tremendous advocate for health promotion in the campus setting, taking a lead role in sexual health education, HIV prevention, pregnancy prevention, and alcohol and other drug abuse. She served as President of the American College Health Association (ACHA) from 1985 to 1987, was a Fellow of ACHA, and received the Ruth Boyton Award for Distinguished Service to ACHA (1988), the Edward Hitchcock Award for Outstanding Contributions in College Health (2000), and the ACHA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She was also a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of The BACCHUS Network and a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Maggi established a legacy of innovation and commitment to students that will continue to influence college health in the years to come. Maggi's tireless involvement in the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) as Member and President of the Board of Directors, ACHA liaison, Trainer, and prolific Surveyor has increased the credibility of college health services across the country. Student Health Centers at countless schools both large and small have relied upon her encouragement and expertise to make AAAHC accreditation a reality. After her "retirement" Maggi continued her work as a AAAHC surveyor and a consultant for ACHA until 2010. When not working she indulged her passion for travel with numerous trips across the globe. A lifelong learner, Maggi participated in Eco-Tourism before others had a name for it. An incredible multi-tasker, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and balls of yarn regularly accompanied Maggi to meetings and conferences both on campus and across the country. She was renowned for her gifts of needle work and knitting. Maggi was a generous philanthropist and an enthusiastic patron of the arts. Maggi is survived by her two children: Lowell Clayton Bridwell and wife Sandy of Round Rock, Texas and Susan Margarite Bridwell of Baltimore as well as grandchildren: Jennifer Kent and Bradley Kent. She was preceded in death by her husband Lowell K. Bridwell. Arrangements are private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The American College Health Foundation www.acha.org/achf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.acha.org/achf, Planned Parenthood Federation of American, or your local Planned Parenthood Clinic www.plannedparenthood.orgArrangements are private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The American College Health Foundation www.acha.org/achf, Planned Parenthood Federation of American, or your local Planned Parenthood Clinic www.plannedparenthood.org

Arrangements under the direction of Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., Columbia, MD.