New York (April 15, 2025) — In a significant recognition of her tireless efforts to improve healthcare for aging populations, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has been named the recipient of the David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). This prestigious award honors individuals who have demonstrated a profound commitment to the advancement of geriatrics and the enhancement of care for older adults. Schakowsky’s legislative and advocacy work reflects a deep understanding of the unique challenges in geriatrics education, workforce development, and healthcare policy.
The American Geriatrics Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults, highlights Schakowsky’s leadership as instrumental in the expansion and support of programs critical to the geriatrics workforce. According to AGS President Dr. Mark A. Supiano, Schakowsky’s championing of initiatives like the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and the Geriatrics Academic Career Award (GACA) embodies the core values and community service ethos of Dr. David H. Solomon, a pioneer in geriatric medicine. These programs focus on comprehensive education and training, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals skilled in geriatric care.
With the aging of the American population, there is an urgent demand for healthcare professionals equipped with geriatrics knowledge to manage complex age-related conditions such as frailty, dementia, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. Congresswoman Schakowsky recognizes this necessity and has consistently advocated for policies that ensure the healthcare system can meet these evolving needs. Her legislative initiatives emphasize not only expanding the workforce but also improving the quality and accessibility of geriatrics education, which translates into better patient outcomes for older adults.
During the 115th Congress (2017–2018), Schakowsky introduced the Geriatrics Workforce and Caregiver Enhancement Act (H.R. 3713) to reauthorize vital workforce training programs. This act aimed to bolster educational infrastructure and support healthcare providers and caregivers who deliver specialized care to older adults. Subsequently, in the 116th Congress, she introduced the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 2781). This latter legislation gained further prominence when it was integrated into the 2020 COVID-19 stimulus package, extending authorization for critical geriatrics programs through 2025.
The inclusion of the EMPOWER for Health Act in pandemic relief legislation underscores the intersection of geriatrics workforce issues with broader public health emergencies. Older adults have experienced disproportionate impacts from COVID-19, particularly in long-term care settings, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in geriatrics care. Schakowsky’s efforts helped ensure sustained funding and programmatic support for geriatrics education initiatives at a time when the demand for specialized geriatric care surged dramatically, highlighting both the resilience and adaptability of healthcare education frameworks.
The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and the Geriatrics Academic Career Award represent cornerstone initiatives supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These programs foster interdisciplinary training and clinical innovation, aiming to prepare a healthcare workforce capable of addressing the multifaceted needs of aging populations. By sustaining these programs, Congresswoman Schakowsky has fortified the foundation of geriatrics education, enabling better integration of geriatric competencies across various healthcare environments.
Congresswoman Schakowsky’s commitment to older adults extends beyond legislative frameworks; her personal dedication to aging issues is reflected in her career trajectory and advocacy history. She previously served as Executive Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens, where she championed seniors’ rights and access to healthcare and social services. Currently, she co-chairs the Democratic Task Force on Aging and Families, using this platform to advocate for equitable policies that address social determinants of health and systemic barriers affecting seniors nationwide.
In accepting the David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award, Schakowsky expressed profound gratitude and reaffirmed her dedication to advancing the healthcare needs of older Americans. She emphasized the importance of enabling seniors to retire with dignity and assured continued efforts to expand access to high-quality care. Her statement encapsulated a broader vision of healthcare as a right for all ages and underscored the pivotal role of advocacy in shaping effective, empathetic health policy.
AGS CEO Nancy Lundebjerg praised Congresswoman Schakowsky’s advocacy as transformative, noting its impact on millions of older adults and caregivers. This testimonial serves as a testament to how policy leaders and geriatrics professionals can synergize efforts to translate complex medical and social needs into actionable programs. The ability to influence congressional support for geriatrics workforce development conveys the critical importance of political engagement in healthcare reform.
The David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award, named after a trailblazing geriatrician and educator, has been bestowed annually since 2002 to individuals exemplifying excellence in community service and advancement of geriatrics knowledge. Dr. Solomon, whose career established foundational research and educational models in geriatric care, remains an enduring inspiration for healthcare professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for older patients.
This year’s AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, held May 8–10 in Chicago with a pre-conference day on May 7, provides a platform to honor Schakowsky and other leaders advancing geriatrics across diverse disciplines. The gathering of healthcare practitioners, educators, researchers, and policymakers underscores the interdisciplinary nature of geriatrics, encompassing medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and public health. The Meeting serves as a vital conduit for disseminating cutting-edge research and innovative clinical approaches aimed at enhancing geriatric care delivery systems.
The award presentation will take place during the Public Policy plenary session on May 9, illustrating the essential link between health policy advocacy and clinical science in geriatrics. This integration highlights the growing acknowledgment that sustainable improvements in care for older adults require informed policy frameworks to support workforce capacity, research funding, and equitable access to services.
Ultimately, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s recognition by the American Geriatrics Society symbolizes the critical importance of legislative leadership in shaping a healthcare system responsive to the needs of an aging society. By bridging the realms of medicine, policy, and community service, her work ensures that geriatrics education and workforce development remain priorities on the national agenda, fostering innovation and compassion in care for older generations.
Subject of Research: Geriatrics workforce development and healthcare policy for older adults
Article Title: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Honored for Pioneering Advocacy in Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement
News Publication Date: April 15, 2025
Web References: https://www.americangeriatrics.org/media-center/news/AmericanGeriatrics.org, https://meeting.americangeriatrics.org/
Keywords: Geriatrics, Public health, Health care policy, Older adults
