Annual Reception

The UAB Center for Aging hosted its eighth annual "Celebration of Life" Reception on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at the Birmingham Botnical Gardens.

The reception highlights the tremendous value of the contributions of older adults to society as a whole, provides recognition for organizations involved in improving the health and well-being of older adults, and serves to thank those who have helped support research, education, and service programs of the Center for Aging.

The reception also provides an opportunity for members of the community to meet with physicians and researchers affiliated with the Center for Aging, and learn about their work.

Awards presented at the annual event are:

The McCallum Award was established and named for former UAB president and fo"rmer mayor of Vestavia Hills, Charles A. (Scotty) McCallum, Jr., DMD, MD, in 2003. It recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service on behalf of the UAB Center for Aging and its mission.

The 2009 McCallum Award recipient is Harry G. Vickers. Previous McCallum Awardees are:

• 2008: The Evelyn McKnight Brain Research Foundation; Jean B. Morris
• 2007: Robert G. Sherrill, Jr., MD, MA, FACPE
• 2006: Corrine H. Rieder, EdD; The John A. Hartford Foundation
• 2005: Thomas H. and Jarman F. Lowder Foundation
• 2004: Philip and Georgene Keirn; James Russell
• 2003: Charles A. McCallum, Jr., DMD, MD; Cameron M. Vowell, PhD

The Robert P. Bynum Award honors an adult who has continued to work to improve the health and well-being of older adults in the community long after retirement. The award. established in 2005, recognizes Robert Bynum's many years of service to older adults as Deputy Administrator of Social Security, as a member of the Alabama Commission on Aging, and as an employee and consultant for the Center for Aging.

The 2009 Robert P. Bynum Award recipients are Mr. Herman D. & Mrs. Emmie C. Bolden, Nelldeane Price, Elois Ramsey, and Gertrude "Trudy" Tharpe, EdD. Previous Robert P. Bynum Awardees are:

• 2008: Steffen Waendelin; Thomas A. S. Wilson, MD
• 2007: Hyman "Herc" Levine
• 2006: Colonel Stone Johnson
• 2005: Robert P. Bynum

The New Horizon Award recognizes not-for-profit organizations that have worked to enhance the health and well-being of older adults in the community. The award was started lin 2003 and was named for New Horizons at UAB, a self-governing organization of older adults who design a curriculum to meet the diverse interests of its members.

The 2009 New Horizon Award recipients are Sister Jane Bishop, OSB and the Community Of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Honor Flight Birmingham, and Jefferson County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels. Previous New Horizon Awardees are:

• 2008: Alzheimer's of Central Alabama; The Assistance League of Birmingham; Collat Jewish Family Services; Episcopal Place; Fairhaven Retirement Center; Hand-in-Paw; The Lakeshore Foundation; The Seasoned Performers; Senior Talk Line (Crisis Center); St. Martin's in the Pines
• 2007: The JOY Club at the Levite Jewish Community Center
• 2006: Alabama Retired State Employees' Association; Shepherd Center Southside
• 2005: New Horizons at UAB

The Grandparents of the Year award celebrates grandparents who have inspired young people to have a positive outlook on aging, to serve older adults, or to strengthen families.

The 2009 Grandparents of the Year are:

• Rev. R. A. "Jerry" Cherry
• Julia Cochran
• Edith Farmer
• Ella B. Gaines
• Weesa Matthews
• William Matthews
• Patricia Bolle Shepherd
• Phyllis Grusin Weinstein

Getting involved:

To attend the reception: Call (205) 934-9261

To sponsor the reception: Call (205) 975-5602

To nominate an individual or organization for the Bynum or New Horizons

Awards:
Contact Peter Bosworth at (205) 934-9261.

Key contact person:

Martha S. Frankel
Community Affairs Coordinator
(tel) (205) 934-0232

Leaders and key staff:

• Virginia Gilbert Loftin (Development Director)
• George Mickwee (Community Affairs Consultant)
• Freddie Thomas (Administrative Assistant)
• Peter Bosworth (Assistant to the Center for Aging Director)

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