Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital President Genie Aubel was announced tonight as the 2015 recipient of the Athena Award before a crowd of more than 500 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center.

She was among 16 area women who were nominated for the award.

The Athena Award, presented by the Regional Chamber and The Vindicator/vindy.com, is given annually to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen careers, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women. Since its inception in the Valley, no other program has generated as much anticipation, visibility and admiration as this nationally recognized event.

Aubel in 2006 became president of Mercy Health’s St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, which some refer to as a campus because of her efforts. Aubel, a Canfield resident, planned from the ground up the multi-phased evolution of the campus that includes the cancer center, emergency and diagnostic center, wellness center, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center and the addition last year of a $100 million second tower that houses maternity services.

The original $100 million, 132-bed hospital opened in 2007 and was the first new hospital in the Valley since 1958.

The campus now employs 800 workers and has annual gross revenues of $531 million. It has received the Healthgrades 2014 Outstanding Patient Experience award, Women’s Choice Award for Patient Experience and the Thomas Reuters Top 100 Community Hospitals in the U.S. award.

Aubel has a bachelor of arts degree in public administration at Miami University of Ohio and a master’s in hospital and health services administration from The Ohio State University.

Aubel also volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Boardman Civic Association and St. Charles School. She is a board member for the Orthopedic Surgery Center.

Also during the Athena dinner, three local students received scholarships.

Youngstown State University student Briana Scott received the Athena scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, while Poland Seminary High School senior Nicolette Kreatsoulas and Youngstown State University sophomore Megan Guliano both received Anthem scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each.

Scott, after graduating valedictorian from Jackson-Milton High School, went on to study accounting at YSU, where she has a 4.0 GPA. Her academic achievements include being named to the YSU President’s and Dean’s lists. She is a member of the college’s Honors Program, Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Beta Gamma Sigma. Scott is also involved in the Williamson College of Business Administration’s Leaders Program and Enactus.

Kreatsoulas plans to attend Youngstown State University to study biology or Spanish. With a 3.5 grade point average, she’s a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the school’s academic challenge team. Nicolette is also an Academic All-Ohio track and field athlete. She’s a state championship runner-up and school record-holder in the discus.

Guliano plans to work as a certified public accountant after graduation in 2017. She’s an active member of several campus organizations, including Beta Alpha Psi, Williamson College of Business Administration’s Business Leaders Program and Business Leaders Committee, and the Emerging Leaders Program.

During the Athena event, Beth E. Mooney, American Banker Magazine’s No. 1 female banker in each of the last two years, delivered the keynote address. Mooney is chairman and chief executive officer for KeyCorp. She was once recognized by Forbes magazine as one of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Business,” and by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 50 “Most Powerful Women in Business.”