Katherine Freund of ITN America has been chosen by The Gerontological Society of America to receive its 2006 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging. This honor, given annually, recognizes instances of practice informed by research and analysis, research that directly improved policy or practice, and distinction in bridging the worlds of research and practice.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 16th-20th, 2006 in Dallas, TX. The actual conferral will occur on Saturday the 18th at 3:30 p.m. at the Adam's Mark Dallas Hotel. The meeting is organized to foster interdisciplinary interactions among clinical, administrative, and research professionals who specialize in the study of the aging process.
Freund is the president and executive director of ITN (Independent Transportation Net) America, an organization that helps people remain independent even if they need to stop driving. ITN uses automobiles and a combination of paid and volunteer drivers to provide door-to-door service to older persons. Freund first envisioned the idea for this model during her master's thesis work at the University of Southern Maine.
Appointed by President Bush to the Advisory Committee for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, Freund worked to integrate all mobility issues into one unified resolution. This consolidated mobility resolution was ranked third by delegates from across the country, placing even higher than those in support of Medicare and Social Security.
Individuals who are mid-career and actively engaged in the conception and development of innovative programs that demonstrate excellence in translating research into practical application or policy are eligible for this prize. The winner traditionally presents a lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting the following year. The award is made possible through a generous grant from The New York Community Trust's Maxwell A. Pollack fund.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1945, is the oldest and largest national multidisciplinary scientific organization devoted to the advancement of gerontological research. Its membership includes some 5,000+ researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals in the field of aging. The Society's principal missions are to promote research and education in aging and to encourage the dissemination of research results to other scientists, decision makers, and practitioners.