10/25/2016
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 25, 2016 – UPMC Senior Services will honor Neil Resnick, M.D., Thomas Detre Professor and chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology as its 2016 Grand Champion for demonstrating exceptional leadership in improving the lives of seniors in western Pennsylvania and nationally. It is the highest honor awarded by UPMC Senior Services.
“Dr. Resnick’s research has fundamentally changed the clinical care of older patients around the world. Through innovation and collaboration, he’s created specialized centers to evaluate the most difficult problems, trained others to do the same, and has investigated geriatric conditions that had fallen through the cracks,” said Deborah Brodine, president of UPMC Community Provider Services. “UPMC Senior Services is exceptionally proud to recognize him for such exemplary work on behalf of the seniors in western Pennsylvania.”
The awards will be presented tomorrow at the annual UPMC Senior Services “Celebrating Senior Champions” Dinner and Auction at the Omni William Penn hotel.
Dr. Resnick founded the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services at the University of Pittsburgh, which is now one of the country’s top-funded aging research programs. His research led to a discovery of a new cause of incontinence, a syndrome that leads to significant disability, and helped develop new approaches to its diagnosis and treatment. These approaches also led to federal guidelines that have since been adopted by many other countries.
Additionally, Dr. Resnick has made major research contributions to other geriatric conditions, including osteoporosis, falls and delirium. Lessons from his research also enabled him to develop geriatric modules for primary care providers and help national urological and gynecological organizations develop training programs in geriatrics.
“This award is such a wonderful testament to the importance of geriatric care, as well as to the research we need to offer still better care tomorrow,” said Dr. Resnick. “It's been an incredible privilege to have been able to do both and it is a real honor to receive this award."
The UPMC Senior Services also will honor Operation Safety Net as its 2016 Community Champion. James S. Withers, M.D., founder and CEO of Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, will accept the award on behalf of the organization. Operation Safety Net supports the homeless of Pittsburgh, a growing segment of which are seniors, by delivering health care, case management, housing follow up, and other vital health and human services.
Elaine H. Berkowitz, D.M.D., will receive the 2016 Caregiver Champion award. Dr. Berkowitz practices geriatric and special needs dentistry in private homes, nursing homes, personal care homes, rehabilitation hospitals and general hospitals, bringing essential oral care to the home-bound, including residents at UPMC Canterbury Place.
