It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Block 224 gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Woodruff, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Working for Always Best Care was a blast! The schedule coordinator is only a phone”
“Always Best Care (ABC) is the best health care place to work at! It was”
“I was looking for 24 hr home care for my mother who was living alone”
“Always best care is a great company to work with! Holly is great at getting”
“Excellent company and employees. They always go above and beyond to make sure clients and”
“The company is amazing, in my whole heartedly honest opinion. I've been working there for”
“Always Best Care really lives up to its name! Bruce and Holly were incredible and”
“When my father fell and broke his arm, we needed help quickly as my mother”
“So I have known Bruce Meyer for quite some time now. He came at a”
“I’ve work for this company for about a month now. We are a family with”
“My wife is a recent former client of Always Best Care. The only reason we”
“I was recently in a motor vehicle accident and found myself needing 24 hour care.”
“Always Best Care has always been close to home, so to speak, and this was”
“Caring, compassionate and thorough. Professional and they listen to best meet your needs.”
“Wonderful caring people who go out of their way to ensure your loved ones are”
“What a journey we experienced with Always Best Care! They were with us every step”
“Bruce and his team at Always Best Care have been a tremendous help to many”
“I have been a client of Always Best Care (ABC) in Greenville, SC for nearly”
“Staff is well screened and trained. Company is very professional and caring, they will find”
“When our mother needed in home care we researched other options before selecting Always Best”
“Bruce and his special team were with us every step of the way. A very”
“excellent owner and management staff. great caregivers. responsible, dedicated, trustworthy, dependable.”
“Always Best Care are the absolute BEST home care agency I have EVER worked for”
“We have been with ABC for about six months and could not be more pleased.”
“I have only been working for Always Best Care for about two months. And it”
“Working for Always Best Care was a blast! The schedule coordinator is only a phone call day or night. The learning environment is wonderful I never felt stupid asking questions. This is the best care company anyone could work for! It’s great to know that the company has your back. 10/10 recommend!”
“Always Best Care (ABC) is the best health care place to work at! It was never just a job for me, it was so much more than that! You become so close to each other like family! The employees work as a team which makes it so much enjoyable! Thank you for all you’ve done for me ABC!!!”
“I was looking for 24 hr home care for my mother who was living alone after my Dad's passing. My mother also had Dementia. ABC was recommended by her PCP. I was immediately impressed with my 1st meeting with their Senior Program Coordinator. She took detailed notes about the daily routine. My mind was set at ease when she explained their COVID protocols which included wiping down surfaces, mask requirements and unannounced periodic supervisor check-ins on caregivers. Daily each caregiver maintained meticulous documentation on my mother's daily routines - when she got up - what she ate. They also handled mail sorting and other sensitive confidential information. I was particularly impressed with the professional and caring demeanor of the caregivers. Shift changes overlapped allowing caregivers time to share pertinent information and there was often training from senior caregivers to junior team members about handling transfers and safety. ABC is a first class well run home care providing company.”
“Always best care is a great company to work with! Holly is great at getting back to you and changing hours for the caregivers as needed, Bruce constantly is checking in to make sure the family has a support they need, and the caregivers go over and beyond!”
“Excellent company and employees. They always go above and beyond to make sure clients and coworkers needs are met.I have worked for this company for 23 years and I recommend this company for anyone looking for extra help for their loved ones.”
“The company is amazing, in my whole heartedly honest opinion. I've been working there for over a year and the office has always been there when I needed them. Bruce Meyer and Holly Jones are top notch in the office and work to help us caregivers/CNA's as well as our clients.”
“Always Best Care really lives up to its name! Bruce and Holly were incredible and gave consistent and professional care for our family member and went above and beyond on many occasions. I would recommend them heartily!!”
“When my father fell and broke his arm, we needed help quickly as my mother has Alzheimers. We meet with Bruce on Monday and by Wednesday, we had caregivers in the home 7/24. I've been a recruiter for 22 years and I know that finding good people is hard work. ABC has some fantastic employees and they have been a welcome addition to the home during this transition to Assisted Living. Bruce and his team answered our call day and night and responded quickly and professionally. There are always bumps when you are starting a new project, but it's how you handle them that is important. I have the utmost respect for Bruce and his team and I recommend them if you need care for a family member.”
“So I have known Bruce Meyer for quite some time now. He came at a time where I was struggling to find a job. God sure does work in amazing ways. He was the reason I said yes to the job. It wasn’t just another interview where they just hired anybody. It was a place where I could feel comfortable and not nervous and leave the “interview” knowing I had found a wonderful place to work for. I’ll never forget that day when I agreed to take it because of the words he spoke to me. He said “God is calling you to walk through the doors. “ That alone will tell you how wonderful he is and the care that he gives to those he believes is a good fit for the job. I have been working for Always Best Care since September of 2020. Ever since I started I knew I was in the right hands with the best company I could have ever asked for. They go above and beyond to give exceptional care/ support to the clients, families, and staff.I have heard nothing but positive feedback from anyone I come In contact to that receive their services. I am truly blessed to call this not only my job but my family.”
“I’ve work for this company for about a month now. We are a family with our client’s as our main priority!! The name doesn’t lie we Always give the Best Care, you won’t regret your decision with ABC.”
“My wife is a recent former client of Always Best Care. The only reason we are no longer using their services is she was approved for Medicaid. Bruce was great during his initial visit to find out my wife's needs. They were able to provide an aide very quickly. Cortney, the supervisor nurse, is awesome and went above and beyond. When an aide couldn't make it, they had someone else ready. All of the aides have been fantastic and will be missed.”
“I was recently in a motor vehicle accident and found myself needing 24 hour care. Always best care provided services for me for about 2 months. I feel like all the caretakers we’re capable and caring they certainly were a great help to me from cooking, to light cleaning, walking my dog, and helping with various needs I had. I would definitely recommend ABC for caretaking services!”
“Always Best Care has always been close to home, so to speak, and this was no different! Bruce & the team helped us out so much! They cared for my loved one just as if she was their own. And they even help with the transitions in life for when the need may arise. They are like family. If you ever have concerns, voice them, because they are willing to go the extra mile for you! ????”
“Caring, compassionate and thorough. Professional and they listen to best meet your needs.”
“Wonderful caring people who go out of their way to ensure your loved ones are treated right and cared for - would highly recommend!!”
“What a journey we experienced with Always Best Care! They were with us every step of the way. Professional, loving, and truly part of the family! We are forever grateful to their special team!”
“Bruce and his team at Always Best Care have been a tremendous help to many of my clients over the years. They provide services to seniors with the utmost in care and professionalism. I highly recommend Always Best Care!”
“I have been a client of Always Best Care (ABC) in Greenville, SC for nearly 5 months. The responsiveness and value added provided by their service has been outstanding, always going the extra mile in terms of advice on how to deal with the complexities of medicare, and health insurance for the elderly, and in particular the difficulties of handling dementia in the case of a loved one. The ownership and staff provide great individualized attention to the specific needs of every single client. They will search for the right caregiver to provide the required level of care for you and your loved ones. I wholeheartedly endorse them. I would rate my experience with them a perfect 10.”
“Staff is well screened and trained. Company is very professional and caring, they will find the right fit to meet your needs.”
“When our mother needed in home care we researched other options before selecting Always Best Care. Bruce Meyer and his team of caregivers gave us the level of care and attention we were looking for. The ladies who attended to our mom were always on time and were always extremely loving and gentle. Our mom looked forward to the daily visits. We choose a non-fri schd of 8am - 12pm. When she later moved to more 24 hr nursing home requirements, her caregivers continued to stay in touch and became part of our extended family. Always Best Care will Always be our first option! Thanks again to this wonderful team.”
“Bruce and his special team were with us every step of the way. A very difficult journey and they carried us through it!”
“excellent owner and management staff. great caregivers. responsible, dedicated, trustworthy, dependable.”
“Always Best Care are the absolute BEST home care agency I have EVER worked for ! They truly appreciate and care about there caregivers and clients ! Bruce , Ashley and Jessica are truly one of a kind and I couldn’t have asked for a better home care agency to work for ! I 100% recommend them to care for your loved ones !”
“We have been with ABC for about six months and could not be more pleased. Ashley and Jessica make every effort to be sure our needs are meet. Bruce and Helen have been invaluable in helping with our long term care insurance. Our caregiver , Cat Sellers , has been a godsend. She has become a member of our family. She has a unique ablity to be both personal and professional. We look forward to her cheerful spirit each day. Thank you , ABC. Rev. and Mrs. Todd Walter.”
“I have only been working for Always Best Care for about two months. And it has been such a great experience. I been in healthcare for ten years. Have worked in nursing homes, assisted living, and home health. But this is by far the best company yet. They are truly some loving, gentle, and caring people to work for. Bruce, Jessica, and Ashley are awesome. I love that they don't mind getting in there and getting their hands dirty. But most of all, if I had a loved one that needed care, I would most definatley use Always Best Care. Why? Because I know they would be well taken care of. They show love for their workers. We are family at Always Best Care.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting McKinney Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Claudio's Bistro or visit Nicholls Crook House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Woodruff, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Woodruff, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Woodruff, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Teresa K. Woodruff joined an elite group of Americans who have received two national medals of honor when President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science on Jan. 3.Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented Woodruff with the medal at a ceremony at the ...
Teresa K. Woodruff joined an elite group of Americans who have received two national medals of honor when President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science on Jan. 3.
Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented Woodruff with the medal at a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on the same date.
Established in 1959 by the U.S. Congress and administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation, the National Medal of Science is the highest recognition the nation can bestow on scientists and engineers. A statement from the White House said that “those who earn these awards embody the promise of America by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. These trailblazers have harnessed the power of science and technology to tackle challenging problems and deliver innovative solutions for Americans and for communities around the world.”
The first person from Michigan State University to receive the National Medal of Science, Woodruff has made significant global contributions in scientific research, improvements to the scientific process and broadening of research teams. Woodruff, who also received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2011, is an MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at MSU College of Human Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at MSU’s College of Engineering. She was named provost of MSU in August 2020 and served as the university’s interim president from 2022-2024.
Woodruff’s scientific work is focused on the female reproductive system. She has made breakthroughs in molecular science, reproductive medicine and cancer research. Three independent discoveries from her lab have been cited as “Discoveries of the Year” by Discover magazine and one by the Chinese Academy of Medicine. She has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles, including interim president at Michigan State University.
“Teresa Woodruff is an outstanding scientist, leader and humanitarian,” said MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. “Her oncofertility research has given thousands of patients and their families hope for a better future. Along the way, she has mentored hundreds of students at every level and at every opportunity. And of course, Spartans around the world appreciated her service as interim president of MSU. I have been honored to follow in her footsteps.”
Woodruff created an entirely new field of science — oncofertility — that combines oncology and reproductive health. And she has rallied to include more women in the scientific process, leading to awards for mentorship. She is now one of the world’s leading fertility experts.
“I’m humbled to receive this award,” Woodruff said. “I have had the honor and pleasure to work with so many students and collaborators throughout my career. My fundamental belief is science should help tomorrow’s patients be treated better than today’s. This means we need to take our discoveries and turn them toward patient needs. And that includes broadening the pipeline of researchers in the field, advancing our discoveries from the bench to the bedside, and expanding the corridors of communication between physician groups and others who are in health care.”
Woodruff started her lab in 1995 at Northwestern University where she completed graduate studies. In 2002, she was named associate director for basic research of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. One patient stands out in her mind, an adolescent boy with cancer who was brought in by his mother because she wanted to bank his sperm.
“That was really interesting because no one was talking about how to support cancer patients’ fertility,” Woodruff said. “I wondered what we were doing for young women who had cancer and was told that it was more important for the girls and young women to focus on their cancer care. That was a light bulb moment for me. I thought that all young cancer patients should have a future of fertility because we treat them with hope for their survival.”
Woodruff went on to apply her discoveries in reproductive science to the newly termed field of “oncofertility.” This work has helped thousands of people around the world maintain and protect their fertility. She also established the Oncofertility Consortium, an international interdisciplinary initiative of roughly 1,400 members that supports the reproductive future of young cancer survivors.
“I can’t get away from the reproductive problems and fundamental questions that remain,” Woodruff said. “Reproductive science is an understudied field, so you must be somewhat fearless and willing to take bold steps to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Additional discoveries by Woodruff and her collaborator, MSU Research Foundation Professor Thomas O’Halloran, include the “zinc spark,” which is a key indicator of successful human egg fertilization and possible embryo quality. This research enabled a new understanding of the earliest stages of human development and could lead to improved techniques for in vitro fertilization. It was named No. 47 in the Top 100 Discoveries of 2016 by Discover magazine.
Woodruff also has worked to ensure that scientists consider sex as a biological factor in research and clinical trials and led the charge to mandate the inclusion of females in National Institutes of Health, or NIH, research protocols.
“While I was working at a biotech firm after graduate school, I was surprised to learn that the first studies for a new heart attack and stroke treatment included data on thousands of men but not a single woman, even though biological sex can determine the outcome with many pharmaceuticals,” Woodruff said. “I worked to get the NIH to include women in all research studies, and that’s how we do things today.”
She has trained 37 postdocs, 28 graduate students, 14 master’s students, 30 undergraduate students, 32 research technicians and more than 200 summer students over the course of her career. Those students have gone on to influence others, and Woodruff says she even has a fourth generation “great grand student.” Her protégées are now leading faculty at Baylor, Northwestern University, Rutgers and others.
“My students have driven me from one problem set to the next,” she said. “I think it’s knowing what question to ask that captures the imagination of a new student who wants to study something that nobody else knows. Science reveals itself in iterative ways and there is no right or wrong to the outcomes of a well-designed experiment. I am deeply appreciative of my students and collaborators. This award also recognizes their work and dedication to the scientific process and reproductive health of the population.”
At Michigan State University, Woodruff continues to look for new ways to address the questions that are still out there and is active in her lab and the classroom.
“Dr. Woodruff is a brilliant, groundbreaking, ceiling-busting scientist whose work has advanced knowledge and enabled new fertility-saving opportunities for women and girls,” said Aron Sousa, dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine. “Her dedication and success as a teacher and mentor have catalyzed her work as a scientist. She leads students and colleagues into a prismatic panoply of talent and discovery. And she leads with integrity — always encouraging those around her to look up and ahead with curiosity and optimism. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
Woodruff holds 19 U.S. patents and has one pending. She is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Inventors, the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship.
“This is an incredible honor for an extraordinary and deserving scientist,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the MSU College of Engineering. “Dr. Woodruff is an exceptional collaborator and mentor who boldly pursues scientific discovery with a multidisciplinary approach that cuts across traditional boundaries of engineering, biology and medicine. She translates findings into practical applications that improve human health and benefit society.”
She earned a doctorate in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology from Northwestern University and holds a bachelor of science in zoology and chemistry from Olivet Nazarene University. Woodruff holds honorary degrees from Bates College and the University of Birmingham’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences in the UK. Before joining MSU in 2020, she served as dean and associate provost for graduate education in the Graduate School at Northwestern University.
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