The University of Georgia (UGA) and Boehringer Ingelheim have received the Golden Helix Phoenix Award for their Sustainable Development Experience (SDX) program. The award, presented by Georgia Life Sciences and sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, recognizes collaborations between industry and academia that drive discovery, commercialization, and community impact.
Allison Chesnutt, senior director for business engagement at UGA, commented on the recognition: “It is such an honor for this program and this partnership to be recognized with the Phoenix Award. Boehringer Ingelheim has always been a tremendous partner to us here at the university, and this program is only the beginning of how industry partnerships can benefit both the university and surrounding communities.”
The SDX program brings together Boehringer employees and UGA academics in a certificate initiative designed to promote improved business practices. The Terry College of Business’ Executive Education program coordinated efforts among various partners to develop the curriculum. The training focuses on three pillars: More Green (environmental impact), More Health (human and animal health), and More Potential (economic sustainability in resource-limited communities).
Faculty from five UGA schools — Odum School of Ecology, School of Public and International Affairs, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Terry College of Business — participate in delivering sessions nationwide to Boehringer employees.
Rachael Widener, director of alliance and contract management at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “The collaboration needed to not only create the SDX program, but also to implement it has been incredible to witness. It helped that we already had such a strong partnership with UGA and that the university’s Executive Education program was so passionate about supporting sustainability in business practices.”
The three pillars structure different aspects of sustainability training. “More Green” addresses environmental impacts affecting industry success; “More Health” aligns with Boehringer’s mission regarding well-being; “More Potential” aims to reach 50 million people in resource-limited areas through sustainable solutions.
Michael Murphy, director of sustainable development at Boehringer Ingelheim, stated: “The SDX program is really a convergence of these pillars, of industry and academia and of people and environment. With this program and the partnership with UGA, it is possible to strategize and implement tactics to make industry more sustainable — both environmentally and economically — for their communities and their workforces.”
The Golden Helix Awards highlight significant contributions within Georgia’s life sciences sector. The Phoenix Award was presented jointly to Boehringer Ingelheim and UGA’s SDX Program during an event held on August 26.
