Joan C. Hendricks, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine, and three other Penn alumnae have been named 2011 Women of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Hendricks, who in 1979 and 1980 earned her VMD and PhD from Penn Vet respectively, joins fellow Penn grads Lisa Nutter GFA’92; Marilyn Kutler C’71, L’74; and Patricia Woody ChE’82 on the list of honorees from the Philadelphia region.

According to the Business Journal, a panel of 12 independent judges selected 26 women from more than 300 nominations, based on their accomplishments, community involvement and professional successes.

In 2006, Hendricks became the 12th dean of Penn Vet and the third female dean of a veterinary school in the United States. She is responsible for the academic and faculty affairs, administration and strategic planning for the School and its two teaching hospitals—the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital for small animals in Philadelphia and the George D. Widener Hospital for large animals in Kennett Square on the New Bolton Center campus. Before becoming dean, Hendricks served as a faculty member at Penn Vet for more than 20 years.

Lisa Nutter is the president of Philadelphia Academies, Inc., an organization that has developed a national model for career academies offering public school students academic courses that are integrated with career training. She is also the wife of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter W’79.

Marilyn Kutler is a partner at the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, and former city solicitor for the City of Philadelphia.

Patricia Woody is the head of machinery research and engineering for the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station, responsible for the supervision of more than 1,300 employees and the management of about $1 billion in funding.