The School of Aging Studies announced its student and community awards on April 18, recognizing undergraduates Sophie Crant and Coral Morley as the first recipients of the Victor Molinari, PhD, Aging Studies Scholarship. Additionally, Tampa General Hospital was recognized as the Aging Studies Community Partner of the Year.
Michelle Pleasant (right), with Lindsay Peterson, receives Alumni of the Year Award.
Each year, the School of Aging Studies honors its scholarship recipients, along with the donors, instructors, and community partners who provide vital support to the program, including its health care administration bachelor鈥檚 degree and doctoral programs.
At the event, Adjunct Professor Kendra Ferraro, PhD, received the Kathryn Hyer Professional Mentorship Award and Michelle Pleasant, PhD, a graduate of the School of Aging Studies and adjunct professor, was named Alumni of the Year.
Sara Hackett, PhD, assistant professor of instruction, received the Sue V. Saxon Outstanding Teaching Award, and William E. Haley, PhD, professor of aging studies, received the Wiley P. Mangum Outstanding Service Award.
In addition to Crant and Morley, several students were recognized for their achievements. Undergraduates Michael Shaw and Delicia Kabamba received the Wiley P. Mangum Scholarship, and Kacie Paul received the Tollette Family Endowed Scholarship in Gerontology.
Deeya Patel (right), with Interim Director Debra Dobbs, receives the Dick Rotsell Endowed Scholarship Endowed Scholarship in Gerontology.
The School of Aging Studies awarded two scholarships to students aiming to become long-term care administrators. Danielle Johnson received the Kymberly Jane Harris Endowed Scholarship in Long-Term Care Administration and Deeya Patel received the Dick Rotsell Endowed Scholarship in Gerontology.
Several doctoral students also received awards. Natalia Babenko and Helena Polansky
were awarded the Wolowec Scholarship.
Sri Unni received the Harold L. Sheppard Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Gerontology,
and Laya Santana received the Kenneth E. and Peggy Sponagle Endowed Scholarship. Incoming
doctoral student Anna Robison received the Kathryn Hyer Endowed Scholarship in Public
Policy and Aging, while Charity Lewis and Rio Tate were awarded H. Edward and Mildred
E. Greely Endowed Fellowships.
Each year, the School of Aging Studies also honors leaders in the community who provide students with professional experience in the field. The school is deeply grateful for their support.
Sri Unni, doctoral student (center), with Lindsay Peterson and Interim Director Debra Dobbs, receives the Kenneth E. and Peggy Sponagle Endowed Scholarship.
The school recognized long-term care administrators including Cynthia Ayala of the Manor at Carpenters in Lakeland; David Fitts of Palm Garden Health and Rehabilitation in Largo; Tara Freibert of Tampa Lakes Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lutz; Zechariah Legendary of Fairway Oaks Center in Tampa; and Brian McCoy of Northdale Rehabilitation Center in Tampa.
Additional honorees included Peggy Duggan, Kristen Ramsay, and Asa Oxner of Tampa General Hospital; Reginald B. Riley and Kristen Hopper of Chapters Health System; Dennis Hoover of Seacoast at Uptown Oaks in Tampa; Mary Jo McKay of the Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services; Vivian Phillips, formerly of Concordia Village in Tampa; Eileen Poiley of the Byrd Alzheimer鈥檚 Center and Research Institute at USF; and Charlotte Purcell of the USF Hearing Clinic for their time and dedication to mentoring internship students.