The award presentation will take place at GSA's 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 18th-22nd, 2005 in Orlando, FL. The actual conferral will occur on Saturday the 19th at 5:15 p.m. at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort. The meeting is organized to foster interdisciplinary interactions among clinical, administrative, and research professionals who specialize in the study of the aging process.
Brown Wilson's career spans a broad range of academic and professional activities in aging and long-term care, including teaching, research, program design, and implementation. Her work encompasses service at the community, state, national, and international levels. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to bridging the gap between research and practice, with emphasis on practical applications and mentorship opportunities. Since 2000 she has been president of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation in Portland, Oregon.
Her Oregon-based assisted living companies have provided development and management services to over 200 projects in 17 states with more than 7,000 residents, many of which serve specialized populations, including Native Americans, Spanish speakers, African Americans, the deaf, the mentally ill, and urban low-income individuals.
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 for this prize. The winner traditionally presents a lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting the following year. The award is made possible through a generous grant from The New York Community Trust's Maxwell A. Pollack fund.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1945, is the oldest and largest national multidisciplinary scientific organization devoted to the advancement of gerontological research. Its membership includes some 5,000+ researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals in the field of aging. The Society's principal missions are to promote research and education in aging and to encourage the dissemination of research results to other scientists, decision makers, and practitioners.