CEO Blog

GSA’s Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) 2022 is taking place from April 17 to 23. The Society, along with partner organizations, needs your help to raise awareness about the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.

Check out GSA’s CIAW Week Toolkit for resources on how to get involved and spread the word. CIAW is observed every year by businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world.

Researchers have until April 15 to apply for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Butler-Williams Scholars Program, and if you’re eligible, I encourage you to apply for this training program taking place virtually this summer! Or if you’re a mentor to someone who qualifies, please share this opportunity. As GSA has long provided a home for junior scholars through our Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization, we proudly welcome Butler-Williams participants into the fold.

GSA’s vice president of policy and professional affairs, Patricia “Trish” D’Antonio, was part of a select panel of experts convened recently by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to discuss increasing routine vaccinations. Among her many responsibilities, Trish serves as co-chair of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), which works to strengthen and enhance access to and increase utilization of vaccines among adults. Participation in coalitions like AVAC is one of many ways that GSA is able to amplify its advocacy efforts.

GSA invites you to join with us and many others nationwide as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. It was on March 22, 1972, that President Richard Nixon signed into law the measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for older adults aged 60 and above.

This legislation has helped to fund community-based programs — like Meals on Wheels — and has been responsible for the only federal program designed specifically to meet both the nutritional and social needs of older adults. Thank you to all of our members who have contributed to the success of this important work.

As part of Women’s History Month, we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. This year, the Smithsonian is recognizing women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers by displaying 120 life-size orange statues of female scientists around the National Mall here in Washington, DC.

I’ve seen this impressive outdoor exhibit several times and it made me think of the enormous contributions of women scholars in the field of gerontology. According to our latest demographic information, women comprise 71 percent of GSA’s membership, meaning so much of what our Society accomplishes can be attributed to their vision and leadership.