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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Todd Kluss |
President’s Speech Puts Aging Concerns in National Spotlight
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — echoes President Barack Obama’s State of the Union call for investments in medical research, making it a national priority alongside defense, energy, and education.
“Our organization, like the president, urges Congress to protect job-creating investments in science and innovation,” said GSA Executive Director and CEO James Appleby, RPh, MPH. “We agree that federal budget sequestration would have a devastating impact in this arena — particularly for older adults, the fastest growing demographic segment of our population.”
The U.S. Administration on Aging forecasts that one in five Americans will be age 65 or older by 2030; currently, baby boomers are turning 65 at a rate of nearly 10,000 every day.
The president specifically highlighted how federal funding has advanced the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and fostered the discovery of drugs that can repair damaged organs. He also underscored the need for Medicare reform to secure adequate health care for both current and future generations of seniors.
“Furthermore, making higher education more affordable and accessible, which the president emphasized in his speech, will ensure that we have a workforce prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of an aging society,” Appleby said. “GSA encourages a continued national dialog that will steer us toward a healthy and financially secure future for all Americans as they age.”
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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), 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.
