Each year, leading advocates, policymakers, and champions in the aging community gather in Washington, DC, to celebrate our collective efforts to enhance healthy aging. As we approach our annual Heroes in Health Celebration on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, we’re highlighting the remarkable work of past award honorees in this blog series.
For over 30 years, our 2023 Perennial Award recipient, Edwin Walker JD, has been recognized as a dedicated civil servant, advocating for aging communities across the country. As the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging within the Administration for Community Living, Walker has devoted his career to developing long-term care programs and policies that empower older adults and their caregivers to age with dignity and independence. Last year, we honored him with our Perennial Hero Award for contributing to create positive societal change and serving as a role model for people of all ages.
We caught up with Edwin this summer to see how he’s doing and hear about his ongoing contributions to aging research:
What were your favorite moments from last year’s Heroes in Health ceremony?
I was impressed by seeing the range of individuals and organizations interested and dedicated to aging research and to expanding the field of aging for the future. Also, I enjoyed meeting young people – the next few generations of people — who have a passion for addressing the challenges of aging.
How did being honored as our 2023 Perennial Award recipient impact you and your work?
The Perennial Hero Award was such an honor, recognizing a career of work in the field of aging. It was awarded shortly before I ended my federal government career, but serves as an inspiration to me and to others to forge ahead and build a better future in aging research, policy, programs, opportunities and service.
What does it mean to be a Hero in Health?
It means that dedication and persistence, coupled with unparallelled passion to a mission, can produce outcomes of value and significance.
Tell us about the initiatives you’ve led since then?
While I have “rewired, not retired”, I have a continued interest – even an expanded interest — in promoting healthy aging on both the individual and systemic levels. I am broadening awareness of and generating greater recognition of the need to focus on the keys to healthy and successful aging.
How has the recognition boosted your passion?
I was extremely grateful and humbled to receive the award that recognized my life-long passion. Such recognition has encouraged me that pursuing this passion is the right thing to do and the right course for my life.
When you were a child, what did you imagine growing older would be like?
As a child, I had positive images of growing older because of the examples in my immediate community. We viewed older people as imparters of wisdom and providers of traditions and culture. I grew up with a very healthy respect for my elders.
What do you enjoy most about growing older now?
I enjoy the freedom to act and express myself in a manner without a large number of restrictions. I embrace fully growing older and I cherish the opportunities before me. However, I recognize that I have been blessed with the ability to seize those opportunities and not all older people can do that. For them, we must provide assistance and support and continue to develop and innovate ways to improve their lives.
Join us on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, DC as we celebrate “Hope, Resilience, and Healthy Aging,” at our annual Heroes in Health Celebration. Registration is now open to purchase tickets. Sponsorships are also available. To learn more about awards dinner, visit our event page.
Be sure to read more interviews from past honorees such as our 2023 Silver innovator Award recipient Dr. Henry Buchwald.
