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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2011 |
For additional information contact:
Barbara Woolley
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
(202) 547-7424/(202) 547-3540
bdw@nahc.org
Gordon James
Gordon C. James Public Relations
(602) 274-1988/(602) 690-7551
gjames@gcjpr.com |
Val Halamandaris is honored with Claude Pepper Award at 2011 Aging in America Conference
WASHINGTON D.C. (April 29, 2011) – Val Halamandaris was presented
with the Claude Pepper Award for excellence in community-based long-term
care by the National Council on Aging at the 2011 Aging in America
Conference.
This award is named in honor of the late Claude Pepper – universally
recognized “as the voice of senior citizens” throughout
his five decades of service in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. It
is awarded annually and past recipients have included a mix of elected
officials and private sector individuals.
In 1984, Congressman Pepper described Halamandaris in the Congressional
Record “as a champion of home care as an alternative to unnecessary
and premature institutionalization.”
Congressman Pepper commended Halamandaris for his work, saying
he “has demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to betterment
of our country, he has done much to restore confidence in our government
and to earn the respect of this Congress and of the people of the
United States.”
Under Chair Pepper, Halamandaris worked to preserve and extend
Social Security, establish a program to help stop abuses in the
sale of health insurance in supplementation to Medicare, and remove
impediments restricting use of the Medicare and Medicaid home care
benefit.
Halamandaris started the National Association for Home Care & Hospice
in 1982 with the mission of bringing health care back home where
it belongs. NAHC is in its 30 th year and is the largest and most
respected professional association representing the interests of
Americans who need home care and hospice.
“I am honored to receive this award, especially since I
have a history with and great respect for Senator Pepper and
know the love, dedication and commitment he had in promoting
the dignity of our aging population,” said Halamandaris.
“NCOA is excited to be a part of this great event, and honored
to have such influential award winners in the field of aging for
2011,” said Jim Firman, president and CEO of NCOA. “These
community leaders have worked with NCOA to truly improve the lives
of millions of older adults, and we thank them for their contributions.”
About NAHC
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is
a nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 33,000
home care and hospice organizations. NAHC also advocates for
the more than two million nurses, therapists, aides and other
caregivers employed by such organizations to provide in-home services
to some 10 million Americans each year who are infirm, chronically
ill, disabled and dying. Along with its advocacy, NAHC provides
information to help its members provide the highest quality of
care and is committed to excellence in every respect. To learn more
about NAHC visit www.nahc.org.
About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy
organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice
for older Americans—especially those who are vulnerable and
disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them.
It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government
to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older
adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country
to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live
independently, and remain active in their communities . |
