UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE) at Penn State College Nursing held its eighth annual CGNE Alumni and Friends Spring Brunch on April 8, after the previous year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Although the event is usually held in-person at the Nittany Lion Inn, participants joined virtually this year and the event was made possible through the support of two sustaining partners and 12 brunch sponsors.

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary on Aging Kathy Greenlee presented the keynote address, titled “National Perspectives on Health & Aging." Greenlee's remarks focused on how COVID-19 has cast a spotlight on the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness, long-standing challenges in nursing home care, the consequences of a historically underfunded public health system, and next steps.

Greenlee’s presentation was sponsored with funding from the Ann M. and Leon T. Kolanowski Endowment Fund for Geriatric Nursing in the Penn State College of Nursing.

Aside from providing this educational opportunity, the CGNE Spring Brunch serves as a celebration of the center’s accomplishments by sharing highlights of education, research, translation of best practices and service activities including various contributions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this segment, the center awarded four individuals and one healthcare organization for their commitment to the advancement of gerontological nursing practice and research.

The Community Champion Award recognizes community individuals and organizations who have contributed substantively to the advancement of the well-being of older adults and who are known for championing the cause of Penn State nursing excellence in the care of older adults.

The Student Champion Award recognizes students who are affiliated with the center, have a high level of participation with our center throughout their educational program, have a doctoral research or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project that involves gerontology, has demonstrated passion and commitment for working with older adults, has a dissertation or final project that aligns with the center's vision, and seeks to improve the lives of older adults in positive and person-centered ways.

The awards included:

• 2021 CGNE Community Champion winners: Carol Irvine and Abramson Senior Care
• 2021 CGNE Community Champion winners: Roman Jones, Susan Maynard, and Emily Bratlee-Whitaker

To view the Zoom recording of the event, click here.

About the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

The vision of the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is for every older adult to experience the highest quality of care and well-being supported by evidence-based practices that respect their individual goals and preferences. The center accomplishes this through innovative education, rigorous scientific research, community and clinical partnerships, and various efforts to translate best-practice evidence into the continuum of care for older adults.