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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Todd Kluss |
GSA President Calls for Increased Aging Advocacy at Federal Level
Citing the growing number of older Americans, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) President Donald Ingram, PhD, told attendees today at the organization’s 64th Annual Scientific Meeting that they are the ideal candidates to inform the nation’s decision makers about the needs of the aging population.
He noted that since one in five people in the U.S. will be age 65 or older by 2030, gerontologists must work with Congress to prepare for this demographic shift.
“It’s up to us to promote healthy aging, and also to advocate for the resources we need to do this,” Ingram said. “The research, education, and practice insights that GSA members pursue daily will be more critical than ever — to ensure workable solutions are developed to overcome these challenges, and to ensure older adults continue to live happy, healthy, and productive lives as they age. The more voices that speak out in support of aging research, education, and training, the more chance that elected officials will view it as a vital part of our nation’s future.”
He also said that since the country currently is giving a large amount of attention to government spending, senators and representatives will be reviewing budget proposals closely to look for items that can be trimmed or cut altogether.
“I hope GSA members look forward to continuing their role as aging advocates. We are the field of aging. Even as GSA does its part to advance innovation in aging, we as individuals have to speak up to safeguard support for the work that we do," Ingram said.
GSA’s meeting — the country’s largest interdisciplinary conference in the field of aging — is taking place at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel from November 18 to 22. An estimated 3,700 professionals from over 30 countries are expected to attend and the program schedule contains more than 500 scientific sessions featuring research presented for the first time.
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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,400+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational branch, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.
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Mildred M. Seltzer Distinguished Service Recognition
Presented to C. Joanne Grabinski, PhD, Eastern Michigan University, and Mary Alice Wolf, PhD, Saint Joseph University.
This award honors colleagues who are near retirement or recently retired. Recipients are individuals who have been actively involved in AGHE through service on committees, as elected officers, and/or have provided leadership in one of AGHE’s grant-funded projects.
Administrative Leadership Award
Presented to Tammy M. Bray, PhD, Oregon State University
This award honors administrators on AGHE member campuses who have made exceptional efforts in support of gerontology or geriatrics education.
David A. Peterson Gerontology & Geriatrics Education Best Paper of the Volume Award
Presented to Nina M. Silverstein, PhD, University of Massachusetts Boston; Elizabeth Johns, MS, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Judith A. Griffin, MA, MS, University of Massachusetts Boston, for the article “Students Explore Livable Communities.” Honorable mention is given to Emily J. Robbins, MS, Miami University; Jennifer M. Kinney, PhD, Miami University; and Cary S. Kart, PhD, Miami University, for the article “Promoting Active Engagement in Health Research: Lessons Learned from an Undergraduate Gerontology Capstone Course.”
The purpose of this award is to recognize excellence in scholarship in academic gerontology in AGHE’s official journal, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education.
Graduate Student Paper Award
Presented to Deborah Gray, MBA, University of Massachusetts Boston, for the paper “Weight and Wealth: The Relationship between Obesity and Net Worth for Pre-Retirement Age Men and Women.”
This award acknowledges excellence in scholarly work conducted by an AGHE Annual Meeting student attendee.
Book Award for Best Children’s Literature on Aging
Presented to Caitlin Dale Nicholson and Leona Morinn-Nelson for “Niwechihaw/I help” in the primary reader (pre-K to 2nd grade) category, and Ann Grifalconi and Jerry Pickney for “Ain’t Nobody A Stranger to Me” in the elementary reader (3rd to 5th grade) category.
This award recognizes portrayals of meaningful aging in children’s literature.