News Release

Mezey wins GSA's 2010 Donald P. Kent Award

Grant and Award Announcement

The Gerontological Society of America

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has chosen Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, of New York University as the 2010 recipient of the Donald P. Kent Award.

This distinguished honor is given annually to a GSA member who best exemplifies the highest standards for professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. It was established in 1973 in memory of Donald P. Kent, PhD, for his outstanding leadership in translating research findings into practical use.

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.

Mezey is a professor the director of the John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing within the College of Nursing at New York University.

She was one of the first researchers to address the lack of gerontological education in baccalaureate and advanced practice nursing programs. As a result, she was instrumental in developing defined geriatric competencies for nursing programs, specific geriatric curriculum, enhancing faculty knowledge in geriatrics, and creating evidence-based educational tools.

Mezey was also responsible for spearheading a collaboration with the American Organization of Nurse Executives and 55 specialty nursing organizations to enhance the geriatric competence of their members.

Over her career, Mezey has authored 11 books, several of which have been honored with the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award.

Mezey is a previous winner of GSA's Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award. She also is a GSA fellow, which represents the Society's highest class of membership.

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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.


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