Distinguished Ambassador in Aging Awards
Each year, since 2019, at the ALCA Annual Business Meeting, ALCA honors an individual or organization that, through their actions, research, or invention has raised national awareness of a critical issue or need in aging and supports the mission and vision of the Aging Life Care Association.
2024
Joseph E. Gaugler, Ph.D
"Given our conference theme is 'People, Passion, and Purpose', we are honored to recognize Dr. Gaugler's transformative work and his clear passion and purpose in crucial areas of aging," said Kate Granigan, President of the ALCA Board of Directors.
The 2024 Distinguished Ambassador in Aging (DAA) Award winner is Dr. Joseph E. Gaugler! Dr. Gaugler is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Twin Cities, as well as the Director of the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation. His research examines the sources and effectiveness of long-term care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other chronic conditions.
The Distinguished Ambassador in Aging (DAA) Award is given to an individual or organization that, through their actions, research, or invention, has raised national awareness of a critical issue or need in aging and supports the mission and vision of the Aging Life Care Association.
Dr. Gaugler provided the opening keynote address at the 40th Annual ALCA Conference in Minneapolis, MN.
PRESS RELEASE
2023
Louise Aronson, MD, MPH, MFA
The 2023 Distinguished Ambassador in Aging (DAA) Award winner is Louise Aronson, MD, MFA! Dr. Aronson is a leading geriatrician, writer, educator, and professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. Her book Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life was a 2020 Pulitzer Prize finalist and a New York Times bestseller.
Dr. Aronson accepted the DAA Award in-person at the 39th Annual ALCA Conference on April 20, 2023, where she also delivered a keynote address on “Aging, Ageism, & the Future of Elderhood”. Looking at how aging and old age have changed dramatically in recent decades, sometimes for the better, and sometimes not; examined how the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated not only the ageism built into key social structures but also the resilience of older people and the importance of social connections. She frequently challenges her audiences to consider how they conceptualize aging and examine opportunities for how we can all, as individuals and organizations, improve aging and older lives.
"I’m delighted to accept this award, which I view as validation that aging is not a disease but a decades-long life stage that comes with rewards and challenges,” said Aronson.
“Dr. Aronson is an inspirational voice and powerful advocate for integrative aging,” said Anne Sansevero, President of the Aging Life Care Association Board. “ALCA is honored to bestow the 2023 DAA Award on her as a leader at the forefront of a new era in how society views and supports aging. Her philosophy and practice in caring for patients supports excellence, collaboration, and has a positive impact on individuals and their families.”
PRESS RELEASE
2022
Marc E. Agronin, MD
Dr. Agronin is a board-certified adult and geriatric psychiatrist and the author of the acclaimed book How We Age: A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Growing Old (2011) and its sequel The End of Old Age: Living a Longer, More Purposeful Life (2018).
Dr. Agronin leads Miami Jewish Health’s MIND Institute and is a nationally sought speaker and author -- presenting to ALCA at our 2014 conference and in a special event webinar on the topic of "Increasing Impacts of Social Isolation Among Older Adults" during the pandemic. His work and approach to treating older adults with respect, empathy and dedication, while never losing sight of them as individuals, is at one with how we as Aging Life Care Professionals see our clients.
PRESS RELEASE
2021
Jay Newton-Small
Jay Newton-Small is CEO and co-founder of MemoryWell, a national network of more than 700 professional writers who craft the life stories and family histories of seniors to help improve their care and chronicle their unique stories. The mission of MemoryWell is “building empathy, one story at a time.” Her work with MemoryWell advances the importance of helping older adults’ quality-of-life experiences with stories that can be shared with family and care providers. Helping older age well and with dignity is one of the foundations of an Aging Life Care Association professional member. Read More...
2020
Marc Middleton
Middleton is the one of the leading voices in the growing movement that is Rebranding Aging®. He has created a multi-platform media brand to inspire, assist, and change the landscape of the 50+ population. ALCA is celebrating their own version of “bold” as we head in to the 35th Anniversary, a boldness never more evident during the COVID Pandemic. Read More..
2019
Greg O'Brien
O’Brien has written a book on the subject titled “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s,” which has received widespread acclaim, both for providing a roadmap of how to live with and fight the disease as well as an inspirational treatise on how to stay positive in the midst of what often seem like overwhelming challenges. Read More...
ALCA 2024 Annual Business Meeting Award Winners
Adele Elkind Award Winner
ALCA's most prestigious honor - the Adele Elkind Award - was presented to Liz Barlowe MA, CMC, Fellow of the Leadership Academy, and member of the Florida Chapter.
President's Award Winner
Kate Granigan MSW, LICSW, CASWCM, Fellow of the Leadership Academy, awarded each of the 2024 ALCA Chapter Presidents the President's Award for their innovative work in keeping ALCA members connected and engaged.
ALCA Excellence Award Winner
Brenda Shorkend MA, CMC, Fellow of the Leadership Academy
ALCA Rising Star Award Winner
Lindsay Kratzer MS, CDP, CMC
Outstanding Chapter Member Winners
Florida - Cindy Flowers, BA, MS, CMC
Mid-Atlantic -Heidi Garvis, BS, CMC
Midwest -Ruth Ann Force, MS, LSW, CMC
New England -Kathryn Thaisz, MA, CMC
New Jersey - Wendy Sabin, LCSW
New York - Lindsay Kratzer, MS, CDP, CMC
South Central - Lina Supnet-Zapata, MBA, TxCG, CMC
Southeast - Mary Winstead, MSW, LISWCP, CMC
Western Region - Nicole Amico Kane, MSW, LICSW, CMC
Outstanding Corporate Partner Award Winner
Dementia Society of America, accepted by Founder, Kevin Jameson
