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For Immediate Release
May 13, 2005

For Further Information:
Mary Anne Shannon
(212)308-1414 x 30

Orlando, FL - For her instrumental role in helping to establish the medical schools at the University of Florida and Florida State University, and her generous support of geriatrics research and training, the American Geriatrics Society presented Charlotte Maguire, MD, with its public service award today, at its annual meeting.

The award, the David H. Solomon Distinguished Public Service Award, goes to an individual or organization committed to community service and to improving the care of older adults.

An Orlando native, Dr. Maguire, 77, earned her medical degree in 1944, at the University of Arkansas. She was the only woman in her class and the first woman in Orlando to open a private practice in pediatrics. Her local paper heralded the event with the headline, "Orlando's first girl doctor returns."

In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Maguire held numerous leadership positions in state and national health organizations. She was a moving force in the creation of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. During the Nixon Administration, she was assistant secretary of health and scientific affairs in the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare -one of the highest-ranking women in the Federal government at the time.

Dr. Maguire played a key role in establishing and supporting both the University of Florida College of Medicine and Florida State University College of Medicine. Among other things, her generous donations to the FSU College of Medicine have funded scholarships, supported the medical library, and enabled the college to establish an endowed chair in geriatrics.

"We recognize Dr. Maguire for her instrumental role in establishing and supporting the University of Florida and Florida State University colleges of medicine," said David Reuben, MD, President of the American Geriatrics Society. "Among other things, her generous donations have enabled FSU's college of medicine to establish an endowed chair in geriatrics. We are honored to present this award to Dr. Maguire."

The Society's prestigious public service award is named for David H. Solomon, MD, a pioneer in geriatrics who created the division of geriatrics at UCLA. Dr. Solomon has worked tirelessly to introduce educational programs to familiarize health care professionals in all fields with the unique needs of older adults.

About AGS
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (http://www.americangeriatrics.org) is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research and public policy. With an active membership of over 6,700 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices in geriatric medicine. The American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, the premier scientific meeting for geriatrics health care providers, educators, and researchers, began May 11 and runs through May 15.