Age and Disability Odyssey
Awards
From the MN Dept. of Human
Services Continuing Care Administration
The 2005 Age & Disabilities
Odyssey awards have been announced, recognizing individuals and
organizations for being leaders and advocates in providing services
to older Minnesotans and people with disabilities.
The awards were presented at the Odyssey Conference, held at the
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. Sponsored by the Minnesota
Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging, the
conference drew more than 1,000 health and human service providers,
educators, planners and other professionals in the fields of aging
and services for persons with disabilities. Conference attendees
learned more about promising practices, state-of-the-art programs
and policy changes.
Six recipients were recognized in four categories: policy, innovation,
service and community. In addition, the first Lifetime Achievement
Award was presented.
The Minnesota Region 10 Quality Assurance Commission was recognized
with an Innovation Award for providing service innovations that enhance
the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. It
did so by developing a quality assurance and licensing process.
Alex Bartolic, of Hennepin County, received the Innovations Award
for her efforts to improve the lives of seniors in Hennepin County
through visionary leadership and advocacy of new service delivery
models.
John Tschida and Joel Ulland received the Policy Award on behalf
of the Minnesota Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities for their
demonstrated public policy leadership, advocacy and education, all
dedicated to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
Service Awards were presented to Linda Morrow, of Elder Circle,
for her dedication to keeping elders living at home by providing
quality services to family caregivers and to Mark Hughes for his
role as role model, creator and host of the television program, Disability
Viewpoints.
The Community Award
went to Rita Fox, of St. Elizabeth’s Medical
Center, Wabasha, for that organization’s role in advocating
for health care for seniors and for all citizens.
A special Lifetime Achievement
Award was presented posthumously to Sharon Zoesch, who served as
the ombudsman for aging Minnesotans for many years until her death
in 2005. On hand to accept the award were her husband, Terry, and
daughter, Greta.
