Beckwith started in pre-med but switched to law at the suggestion of her father.

On Monday, Beckwith will become the chief judge of the Southern District of Ohio, the first woman to hold that position.

Born on a military base in Norfolk, Va., where her father, Charles L. Shank, was serving in the Navy, she grew up wanting to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, Reed A. Shank, who was the team doctor for the Cincinnati Reds, the Bengals and the University of Cincinnati.

Judge Sandra Beckwith will become the first woman to be chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Enquirer file

Beckwith is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati Law School.

After practicing law with her father, Beckwith was appointed a Hamilton County municipal judge and later became the first woman to be elected to that position. She also served on the Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division.

In 1989, she became the first woman elected a Hamilton County commissioner. In 1992, she became the first female judge for the U.S. Southern District of Ohio.

She succeeds Judge James Graham.

Doctor honored

Dr. Marguerite Blythe, medical director of Mercy Hospital Western Hills Senior Behavioral Health Center, has been honored as the 2004 Physician of the Year by the center.

The honor was presented at a reception Sept 22. The award recognizes physicians who demonstrate excellence in direct patient care. Blythe's co-workers, hospital and medical staff chose her for the honor.

She is a member of the hospital's medical executive committee. Blythe received a bachelor of arts in biology from Columbia University in 1971, a master of arts in science from Columbia in 1973, a bachelor of science in nursing from Cornell University in 1978 and a doctorate in medicine from the University of Cincinnati in 1985.

Mercy Hospital Western Hills has provided medical-surgical hospital services and health care for the Western Hills community for 30 years.

The hospital is part of Mercy Health Partners, a health-care network for five community-care and long-term facilities.

Vigil supports mentally ill

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Hamilton and Clermont counties and Northern Kentucky will kick off Mental Illness Awareness Week with a candlelight vigil at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the Ohio end of the Purple People Bridge at Sawyer Point.

The vigil is a chance for people to walk in solidarity and to help break down barriers to treatment and help eliminate the stigma that affects those with mental disorders, said Rosalyn Dadas, executive director of the local affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Hope 4 Hydes helps family

The close-knit community of Madeira is organizing a fund-raiser to help a family in financial distress because of illnesses.

The benefit, called Hope 4 Hydes, is for Everett and Hollie Hyde and their four children - Dosh, 11; Annika, 8; McKeel, 6; and Cass, 3.

Everett Hyde, a research chemist at Procter & Gamble Co., was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 and is taking chemotherapy. His treatments are no longer covered by insurance.

"Cancer and ensuing treatments have changed Everett," said friend and neighborDebbie Graeter. "His endurance is limited; he tires easily and is unable to work."

Because he is the primary breadwinner, she said, "the financial situation is dire. They are fantastic neighbors and friends and we are all moved by their plight because it could easily happen to any one of us."

Cass has been diagnosed with hypotonic cerebral palsy, a debilitating disease that prevents normal motor skill development. The youngster requires round-the-clock care and a respirator at night.

The Hope 4 Hydes committee is trying to raise $20,000 for the Hydes through the fund-raiser. The committee has set a walk, skate, bike or run from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct 24 at Lunken Airport Spirit of '76 Shelter and Reeves Golf Course. A $15 registration includes food, beverages, entertainment and children's activities.

Pledges of $5, $10 and $20 cash or checks payable to Hope 4 Hydes Fund are accepted. Money may be turned in on Oct 24 or mailed to Hope 4 Hydes, 6201 Kenwood Hills Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45227.

"The Hydes continue to maintain a loving and healthy household despite the burden of having to pay doctors for treatments not covered by insurance," said committee member Janet Wirostek. "Everett has run the entire course of chemotherapy covered by conventional insurance. That is where we step in."

For more information, call (513) 561-5199 or (513) 791-5070.