Geriatrics scholar Marilyn Gugliucci receives national mentorship award

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), the educational branch of the Gerontological Society of America, has awarded Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., its 2012 Hiram J. Friedsam Mentorship Award.

Gugliucci is the director of geriatric education and research at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

This award, named for an outstanding mentor in gerontology, is given to an individual who has contributed to gerontological education through excellence in mentorship to students, faculty, and administrators.

Gugliucci was honored at AGHE's 38th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference, Feb 23-26 in Arlington, Va. This event provides a forum for professionals in the field of aging to present their work and share ideas about gerontological and geriatric education and training.

In introducing her, AGHE President Graham Rowles, Ph.D., explained: "When Marilyn has the bit within her teeth there is no stopping her.  With a work capacity and dedication that is remarkable, and a 'can do' mentality she has the ability to inspire others through the diligence and sheer volume of her work. "

Rowles added: "She has excelled in her work coordinating and mentoring medical resident's in creative programs like the Learning by Living Project that was reported in the New York Times.  She has a long track record of mentoring veterans for which she received the US Army Faculty Recognition Award in 2009.  There are literally dozens of students who she has mentored and assisted in obtaining awards and fellowships.  Finally, in many ways, Marilyn is a mentor to her colleagues.  I so very much appreciate the mentorship with which she provided me as I prepared to accept the presidency of AGHE and the counsel that she provided me on numerous occasions during this presidency."

The Gerontological Society of America is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. AGHE seeks to advance gerontology as a field of study at institutions of higher education through conferences, publications, technical assistance, research studies, and consultation with policy makers. It is the only institutional member organization dedicated to gerontology and geriatrics education worldwide.