Alliance Celebrates 30th Anniversary Heroes in Health
Published October 5, 2023
The Alliance for Aging Research celebrated its 30th anniversary Heroes in Health event on September 26. The iconic Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C., was the beautiful backdrop to celebrate “Integrity, Collaboration, and Healthy Aging.”
More than 300 people attended the event which raised a record-setting $640,000 for the Alliance.
The festivities kicked off with the 2023 Conversation with CMS: “Coverage Affordability and Quality for the Ever-Expanding Beneficiaries in Medicare.” The discussion was moderated by Alliance Board Chair James G. “Jim” Scott, and featured panelists Doug Jacobs, M.D., Chief Transformation Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Amanda Bartelme, Executive Director of Policy, Eisai Inc.; Molly Burich, M.S., Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.; and Michael Ward, M.S., Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, Alliance for Aging Research. The panel discussed best practices and lessons learned to advance patient-centered care, with a focus on individuals living with dementia and the role of caregiving.
The second panel was a Conversation with the FDA: “Future of Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Clinical Trial Design in Age-Related Diseases.” The discussion was moderated by Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin, M.H.S., and featured panelists Hilary Marston, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Sean Curtis, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Merck Research Labs; Nadim Geloo, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Abbott Structural Heart at Abbott Laboratories; and Candace DeMatteis, J.D., M.P.H., Policy Director, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD). The discussion focused on how stakeholders are thinking about the present and future of expedited approval pathways.
Following a networking reception, dinner was served during the awards program in the grand ballroom.
During the awards program, the following individuals were recognized for their contributions to advance the science of human aging:
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) was recognized with the Claude Pepper Award for Advancing Healthy Aging. This award is presented each year to a Democratic member of Congress who is leading the way for policies encouraging medical research, innovation, and care to benefit Americans as they grow older.
Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) was recognized with the Distinguished Public Service Award. This award is presented each year to a Republican member of Congress who is leading the way for policies encouraging medical research, innovation, and care to benefit Americans as they grow older.
Henry Buchwald, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering and the Owen H. and Sarah Davidson Wangensteen Chair in Experimental Surgery Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, was recognized with the Silver Innovator Award. This award is presented to an individual who anticipates and embraces the evolution of high-quality research aligned with the needs of older patients.
Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, Chief Executive of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), was recognized with the Daniel Perry Founder’s Award. This award is presented to an individual or group who is helping to change the paradigm of how we view aging and well-being as we age.
Edwin L. Walker, J.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living, was recognized with the Perennial Hero Award. This award is presented each year to honor an older individual who is actively contributing to create positive societal change and serves as a role model for people of all ages.
Thank you again to our generous sponsors and supporters, our honorees, and our Conversation panelists and participants. We look forward to sharing details about the 2024 Heroes in Health Celebration soon! Be sure to check www.agingresearch.org and follow #HeroesInHealth on social media for updates. You can also watch a recording of the livestream on our YouTube channel.
