UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kimberly Van Haitsma, professor of nursing, received the 2024 Behavioral and Social Sciences Section Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award; and Ashley Kuzmik, postdoctoral fellow, was recognized with the 2024 Health Sciences Research Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) on Nov. 14 during its annual meeting in Seattle, WA.
Van Haitsma was recognized with the prestigious career award honoring her more than 30 years of contributions in creating and advancing preference-based, person-centered care that has become central to research, practice, policy and education to advance older adults’ quality of life and well-being. At Penn State, she also serves as associate director of research for the Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE) and director of the Program for Person-Centered Living Systems of Care.
“Kimberly's scholarly impact is far-reaching,” said Marie Boltz, Elouise Ross Eberly and Robert Eberly Endowed Professor and interim associate dean for research and innovation. “She has made stellar contributions in person-centered care through her research, teaching, and service to the academic and broader national and international community. We at the Nese College of Nursing and CGNE are so fortunate to continue to collaborate with and learn from her.”
GSA is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. GSA’s principal mission — and that of its 5,500 members — is to promote the study of aging and disseminate information to scientists, decision makers, and the public. To further fulfill its mission, GSA annually assembles more than 4,000 professionals from around the world during its scientific meeting, which features over 500 sessions.
Ashley Kuzmik, nursing postdoctoral fellow, was recognized as well during the GSA scientific meeting with the 2024 Health Sciences Research Award. Kuzmik served as CGNE’s postdoctoral scholar for two years prior to her current Penn State position. Later this year she will move into a newly created role as associate director for Health Services Research at the national Alzheimer’s Association headquarters in Chicago.
More than 20 college faculty, scholars and graduate students participated at the GSA meeting through presentations and poster sessions. Notably, David M. Almeida, professor of human development and family studies in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development, also was honored during the Behavioral and Social Sciences Section recognition event with a GSA Distinguished Mentor Award.
Founded in 1945, GSA advances innovation in aging — both domestically and internationally with members from more than 50 countries. Additionally, GSA publishes the field’s preeminent peer-reviewed journals. Learn more about the association at geron.org.
Penn State’s CGNE was established in 2007 as one of nine legacy centers in the U.S. originally funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation and now supported by an endowment. As an interdisciplinary community of leaders and scholars with expertise in aging, geriatrics and gerontology, CGNE believes every older adult deserves the highest quality of evidence-based care and well-being that respects their individual goals and preferences. Learn more about the center.