West Health
For only the second time in its near 80-year history, the AGS awarded one of its highest honors typically reserved for individuals to West Health, a family of nonprofit organizations dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable older adults to successfully age in place.
West Health will receive the David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award for its visionary and trailblazing work to improve healthcare and increase its affordability for America’s aging population. The ceremony will be held during the AGS 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS21), May 13-15, 2021, in Chicago, Ill.
West Health, which includes the Gary and Mary West Foundation, West Health Institute, and West Health Policy Center, combines the power of philanthropy, research, policy and advocacy to fuel new models of older adult-specific care, improve health and social outcomes for older people, and reduce healthcare costs.
Since 2006, West Health, through the Gary and Mary West Foundation, has awarded more than $223 million to create or support programs and research focused on aging and lowering healthcare costs. The organization is a driving force behind California’s first Master Plan for Aging, which is expected to be completed later this year, and the growth of geriatric emergency departments and home-based care throughout the nation.
The visionary group also continues to shine a spotlight on the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and call for reforms that lower prescription drug prices, increase price transparency, and expand value-based care.
Established by the AGS in 2002, the David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award celebrates the legacy of David H. Solomon, MD, AGSF, a renowned geriatrician committed to community service and advancing knowledge about the care of older individuals.
Past Recipients of the David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award
2019 Arti Hurria, MD
2018 John R. Burton, MD, AGSF
George W. Drach, MD, AGSF
2017 Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, AGSF
2016 Thomas T. Yoshikawa, MD, AGSF
2015 Jennie Chin Hansen, RN, MSN, FAAN
2014 Corinne H. Rieder, EdD
2013 Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD
2011 Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI)
2010 Meghan Gerety, MD
2008 William D. Novelli
2007 Nora Gibson, MSW
2006 Donna I. Regenstreif, PhD
2005 Charlotte Maguire, MD
2004 Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
2003 The John A. Hartford Foundation
2002 Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev)