The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) -- the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging -- has chosen Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, PhD, FGSA, of the University of Washington as the 2018 recipient of the 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. 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. The award is made possible through a generous grant from The New York Community Trust's Maxwell A. Pollack Fund.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 14 to 18 in Boston, Massachusetts. This conference is organized to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, and practitioners who specialize in the study of the aging process. Visit http://www.geron.org/2018 for further details.
Fredriksen-Goldsen is a professor and director of the Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence at the University of Washington. She is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar addressing equity and the intersection of aging, health disparities, and well-being in marginalized communities.
With support from the National Institute on Aging, Fredriksen-Goldsen has served as the principal investigator of many landmark studies, including Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality and Gender Study (NHAS), the first longitudinal study of LGBTQ midlife and older adult health and aging to identify potentially modifiable factors that account for health trajectories over time in these communities. In addition, she recently received NIA funding to conduct Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action (IDEA), the first study of cognitive impairment in these communities.
Fredriksen-Goldsen is the author of three books and more than 100 publications in leading journals such as the American Journal for Public Health, The Gerontologist, and Social Work. She has received numerous awards for advancing aging and health research, practice, and education, including the University of Washington's campus-wide Distinguished Teaching Award. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and was named in the inaugural class as a top 50 Influencer in Aging by PBS's Next Avenue. Fredriksen-Goldsen is the founder of Generations with Pride and the GSA Rainbow Research Interest Group, and co-founder of Shanti/Seattle. She also is a GSA fellow, which represents the highest category of membership within the Society.
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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 5,500+ 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.