Harris receives 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award

Shannon Harris, '95 zoology, of St. Paul, Minn., received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) in late 2023. Harris was recognized for the award at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors and Awards Ceremony on Nov. 2.
As an undergraduate at Iowa State, Shannon Harris, MD, began her studies in chemical engineering but quickly realized that she was more drawn to the life sciences. Scientific research did not seem to be a good fit, which then pushed her to explore a career in applied science. Harris has a medical degree from the University of Iowa (a hard adjustment from Cyclone Country!) and completed her residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Harris is now a general obstetrician and gynecologist in private practice in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. She has been a physician at Oakdale Ob/Gyn for 20 years and sees both pregnant and non-pregnant patients in the office, operating room, and labor and delivery.
Harris’ clinics are in the Minnesota cities of Blaine, Plymouth and Maple Grove, and she performs surgery and deliveries at Maple Grove Hospital. She has particular interest in minimally invasive surgery, office procedures, high risk obstetrics and management of gynecologic problems like abnormal bleeding. Harris works in collaboration with advanced practitioners including certified nurse midwives, physician associates (PA) and nurse practitioners and has been a clinical educator for PAs and medical students.
Harris is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.
The LAS Honors and Awards Ceremony to recognize distinguished alumni article focuses on all LAS recipients.