Senior Champions Dinner

LHAS Sponsor for Senior Champions Dinner

Left to right: (L to R) Lorraine Tolliver, Kevin Carter, LHAS Vice President Jackie Dixon,
LHAS Member Jennifer Arnette, Madison Arnette, Elaine Jenkins, and Sandra Lewis.

LHAS was delighted to be one of the lead sponsors for the Third Annual Celebrating Senior Champions Benefit Dinner and Auction on Thursday, December 3, 2011at the Circuit Center and Ballroom (IBEW). Jackie Dixon, LHAS Vice President of Community Relations helped celebrate the individuals and groups that contributed their time and energy to improve the quality of life for seniors.

In partnership with the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the Division of Geriatric Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, the event recognized the amazing people who have made a significant difference in the promoting healthy aging, healthy living and healthy communities for older people in Western Pennsylvania. The individuals honored are:

Grand Champion, Individual Winner is Stephanie Studenski, MD, for her multidisciplinary work with seniors. Dr Studenski is a professor of medicine, nursing, public health and allied sciences and is also involved in balance and mobility research. She was appointed to the prestigious Advisory Council of the National Institute on Aging and currently leads one of the 12 NIA-funded Claude Pepper Centers of Excellence in Aging Research.

Grand Champion, Group Winner is Mildred Morrison for her work as the administrator of the Allegheny County Agency on Aging. Ms Morrison is a graduate of Chatham University and holds a master's degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University. The Area Agency on Aging administers community-based services for more than 280,000 persons age 60 and older throughout Allegheny County, participates in community planning about aging concerns, and is an advocate for mature adults.

Caregiver Champions Winners are Ellen Parkes and James Collie for their extraordinary efforts to care for a frail loved one. Ellen and Jim were fulltime caregivers for their homebound spouses and then provided daily support when their spouses required skilled care at Canterbury Place. Ellen and Jim met, shared their stories and offered each other emotional support through difficult times. After nearly a decade as dedicated caregivers and the loss of their spouses, the two were married in November 2010, vowing to take care of each other in sickness and health.

Good Neighbor Winner is Margaret McCoy, one of the four founders of Sherwood Oaks, a UPMC Senior Living Community. Mrs. McCoy and the other founders believed there was a growing need for independent care for people in the later years of their lives. Presenting their case at local events, churches and meetings, Margaret McCoy, Martha Leonard, Sally Dewees and Jean Locke helped open Shervood Oaks on September 1, 1982.

Larry Richert of KDKA was the delightful emcee for the evening with lively entertainment provided by Winnie Flynn & Company.

"It's wonderful to celebrate such an amazing group of people. These Champions' contributions are an inspiration for all of us. I'm truly grateful for their work and dedication," stated Jackie Dixon. "LHAS is proud to support these Champions!"

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