American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging's
2009 Lifetime of Caring Gala Slated for January 28

Event to Benefit Foundation and its Work and
Honor Dr. Robert Butler, Evercare, and AstraZeneca

Robert Butler, MD to receive the
9th Annual Lifetime of Caring award

The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's 9^th annual Lifetime of Caring Gala will honor National Institute on Aging founding director and International Longevity Center President and CEO, Robert Butler, MD. The Gala, slated for January 28 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, will recognize others whose work has contributed to the health and well-being of older people, and celebrate the accomplishments of the FHA. The nonprofit organization advocates on behalf of older adults and their special healthcare needs; supports elder health research; and provides public education programs for older people and their caregivers.

Hosted by Hugh Downs, former anchor of 20/20 and past host of The Today Show and Concentration, among others, the Gala will be capped by a performance arranged by Bargemusic, the city's celebrated "floating concert hall." The FHA's 2008 Lifetime of Caring Award will go to Dr. Butler, who has dedicated his life's work to the health of the aging. Dr. Butler charted new territory through his roles as founding director of the NIA, and as founder of the nation's first department of geriatrics, at Mount Sinai School in New York City. He was the principal investigator of one of the first interdisciplinary, comprehensive, longitudinal studies of healthy, community-living older adults - a landmark study finding that many things attributed to old age are in fact a function of disease and socioeconomic and other factors. The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his landmark Why Survive? Being Old in America, he has also authored and coauthored more than 300 books, medical and scientific articles on aging and health. The Foundation's Lifetime of Caring Award recognizes significant contributions to the care and well-being of older adults, and individuals whose life and work are testimony to the potential for extraordinary creativity, accomplishment and validity throughout life.

For its leadership in geriatric healthcare and for its significant contributions to improving the health of older persons and enhancing their quality of life, the Foundation will also present Evercare with its 2009 Impact Award during the Gala. Evercare is one of the nation's largest care coordination programs, and is renowned for its emphasis on preventive care and a culture that values the care of older adults. Evercare's revolutionary Care Model, for example, provides highly individualized care for nursing home residents and community-dwelling older adults who have special needs as a result of chronic, advanced illness or disability. Evercare Chairman John Mach, MD, will accept the Impact Award, which recognizes organizations that have helped empower older adults and caregivers and support successful aging.

"We're so pleased to honor Evercare with this award, in recognition of their pioneering initiatives that ensure that older adults enjoy healthier lives," said FHA Executive Vice President Linda Hiddemen Barondess.

In recognition of AstraZeneca's commitment to the health and well-being of older adults, their families and the communities in which they live, the FHA will honor the pharmaceutical firm, under the stewardship of CEO Tony Zook, with its Discovery Award on January 28. One of the world's leading investors in biopharmaceutical research and development, AstraZeneca is involved in vital research concerning the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, diabetes, and other health conditions common among older adults.

Former Senator John Glenn and Annie Glenn, recipients of the FHA's 2007 Lifetime of Caring Award, will be Honorary Chairs for the 2008 Gala. The event will be capped by a performance arranged by Bargemusic, the city's celebrated "floating concert hall."

Co-Chairs for the 2008 FHA Gala are: David Y. Norton, Company Group Chairman, Johnson & Johnson; Simon Stevens, CEO, Ovations/UnitedHealth Group; Anwar Feroz, Director of Customer Development, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc.; and Michael E. Kafrissen, MD, MSPH, Chief Scientific Officer, Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.

In addition to former Senator John Glenn and Annie Glenn, past recipients of FHA awards include former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Sidney Katz, Maya Angelou, Ambassador Corinne "Lindy" Boggs, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Doris Roberts and Jane Freilicher.

Proceeds from the Gala will help support the important work of the FHA. As the population of older Americans continues to grow, this work becomes ever more critical.

The Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. on January 28. For ticket information, please visit www.healthinaging.org or contact Li Chia Ong at (212) 308-1414.