The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has chosen Keith Whitfield, PhD, of Duke University as the 2010 recipient of the Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award.
This honor is given to individuals who have not only fostered excellence in the field, but have made a major impact by virtue of their mentoring, and whose inspiration is sought by students and colleagues. To be eligible, the mentor must have had influence on graduate, undergraduate, and professional students as evidenced by the number and accomplishments of these mentees. The winner's influence on the next generation of gerontologists also may be evident through training programs, written materials associated with pedagogy, research supervision, or clinical training. Membership in GSA's Behavioral and Social Sciences Section also is required.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 19 to 23, 2010, in New Orleans, LA. This conference is organized to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, and practitioners who specialize in the study of the aging process. Visit www.geron.org/2010 for further details.
Whitfield is a professor in the Department of Geriatrics and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, where he is the director of the Center on Biobehavioral and Social Aspects of Health Disparities.
He has mentored numerous colleagues in the fields of clinical psychology, geropsychology, nursing, public health, and human development and family studies.
One of Whitfield's most prominent achievements has been the development of a program of research focused on examining issues of health and cognitive aging in North Carolina's African-American community. His two longitudinal studies on aging — one comparing twins and the other profiling individuals — are among the first to study genes and environmental influences together as they interact to affect the health of minorities.
Whitfield currently is the chair of GSA's Behavioral and Social Sciences Section. He also is a GSA fellow, which represents the Society's highest class of membership.
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 5,200+ 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.