The Gerontological Society of America has chosen Meridean L. Maas of the University of Iowa as the recipient of the 2006 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Award. This distinguished honor, presented by GSA's Clinical Medicine section in collaboration with the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, is given to a member of the Society in recognition of outstanding and sustained contribution to geriatric nursing research.
The award presentation will take place at GSA's 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 16th-20th, 2006 in Dallas, TX. The actual conferral will occur on Saturday the 18th at 6:15 p.m. at the Adam's Mark Dallas Hotel. The meeting is organized to foster interdisciplinary interactions among clinical, administrative, and research professionals who specialize in the study of the aging process.
Maas is most known in gerontology circles for her work on the care of persons with Alzheimer's Disease in nursing homes. Through her efforts she has significantly influenced the development of resident-centered environments for persons with cognitive impairment.
Maas joined the academic world after an established career in nursing administration and practice in long-term care. After she began publishing in 1962, she has authored or co-authored 11 books, 47 chapters, and 11 monographs and proceedings. She was also integral in the establishment of HomeSafe, a nurse case management service for elders living in their own homes to forestall institutionalization.
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.