Sonia Marcello
The Edward Henderson Student Award is presented to an exceptional student pursuing a career in geriatrics. Sonia Marcello, a second-year medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine, was honored this year for her extensive work across geriatrics education, research, and local community service. In her first year as a medical student, Ms. Marcello directed community outreach efforts for her school’s AGS Student Chapter, coordinating fundraisers for the Hospice of Southern Maine and organizing a coat drive for older adults. As part of UNE’s Learning by Living program, Ms. Marcello completed a two-week immersive experience living the life of an older resident complete with a diagnosis and standard procedures of care with older adults in a nursing home. She also completed a 48-hour hospice home immersion focused on providing patient and post-mortem care as well as family support. A Certified Nursing Assistant at age 19, Ms. Marcello came to medical school with a wealth of experience caring for older adults but she considers the immersion projects life-changing in a way that will impact her interactions with older adults and caregivers moving forward: “My career goal has always been to work with older adults and their care partners, but only now do I understand that neither age nor stage of life or health dictate who people are.”
Past Recipients of the Edward Henderson Student Award
2017 Thom Ringer, JD
2016 Marielle Bolano, BS
2015 Meng Ni, PhD
2014 Ravi B Parikh
2013 Jason Liebowitz
2012 Vivien Sun
2011 Mark Fitzgerald, BS
2010 Carolyn P. Horney, MS-IV
2009 Elizabeth Kwo, BA
2008 Shayna Rich
2007 Andrew D. McWilliams, MPH, MS-III
2006 Juliesa Pavon, MS-3
2005 Christopher Allen Jones, MS
2004 Thomasina Lynn Bailey
2003 Kathleen Tschantz Unroe
2002 Katherine S. Garman
2001 Joy E. Cuezze
2000 Amit A. Shah
1999 Lillian Chiang
1999 Sonja L. Talvi
1998 Alayne Kulvicki
1998 James L. Rudolf
1997 Tim R. Willingham, BS
1996 Pamela Kirschner
1995 Janelle Marie Nantkes
1995 Laura Bodin