From left: Alison Barkoff, Principal Deputy Administrator performing the duties of the ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging; Pam Curtis, USAging President; Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging President & CEO; Jennifer Beck, Bay Aging Director of Community Living Programs; Julie Northcott-Wilson, Bay Aging Statistician; Cathey Eades, Bay Aging Director of Care Transitions; Brianna Noel, Bay Aging Veteran Directed Care Enrollment Specialist; Tom Laba, President, Cumulus.care; Michael Eidsaune, CEO, Caregiving.com
From left: Michael Eidsaune, CEO, Caregiving.com; John Byer, CEO, Cumulus.care; Kathy Vesley, President & CEO, Bay Aging; Pam Curtis, President, USAging
July 11, 2024
TAMPA, FL – Bay Aging was honored to attend the USAging 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, “Answers on Aging,” in Tampa, Florida, from July 8-11. This prestigious event offers attendees the opportunity to learn about best practices and recognizes innovative programs that serve older adults at home and in the community.
Bay Aging earned two Innovations Awards and two Achievement Awards, emerging as one of the three highest-scoring winners for Aging Innovations. Bay Aging secured second place nationwide for the Community Care Innovation Collaborative, a shared learning space for leaders creating community care networks that connect people to health care and social supports. A public service of VAAACares®, Virginia’s Community Care Hub, the Collaborative launched in 2021 and serves over 300 members representing 166 organizations. The 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards are sponsored by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care.
“At USAging, we are thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards recipients. Their innovative programs and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older adults set a high standard for excellence in our field. These initiatives not only enhance the well-being of our aging population but also inspire others to strive for impactful and lasting change in their communities,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood.
Kathy Vesley, President & CEO of Bay Aging, was selected last year as USAging’s Excellence in Leadership Award recipient. Kathy’s dedication and visionary leadership have been pivotal in driving Bay Aging’s mission and expanding its impact in the community.
“We are incredibly honored to receive these awards,” said Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging President & CEO. “They reflect the hard work and commitment of our entire team to innovate and provide exceptional care and support to older adults. The Community Care Innovation Collaborative, which earned second place in the Innovation Award category, has been particularly transformative, creating vital connections between health care and social supports. Additionally, recognition for our Leadership Institute, Caregiver Support Program, and Healthy Harvest Program underscores our comprehensive approach to serving our community. These awards, coupled with the Excellence in Leadership Award, are a testament to Bay Aging’s ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of the communities we serve and our mission to provide programs and services that people of all ages need to live independently in their communities.”
Vesley presented two panels at the USAging Conference. On July 8, she spoke about technology solutions as part of a workshop about health and social care systems integration. On July 10, Vesley and William Massey, President & CEO of Peninsula Agency on Aging, Inc., co-presented a session titled “Community-Based Organization Partners: the Unsung Heroes of Community Care Hubs.”
USAging award winners are highlighted in the USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Showcase. To view the awards showcase, visit their website at www.usaging.org.