Alzheimer's Advocate Wins 2003 Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award

Alzheimer's Association
Thursday, 10 July 2003

Debra Cherry recognized with caregiving's most prestigious honor

A nationally known innovator in the battle against Alzheimer's disease is the winner of the 2003 Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award.

Debra Cherry, Ph.D., associate executive director of the Alzheimer's Association's Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Chapter, received the caregiving field's highest honor from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on July 8 in Washington, D.C.

"We are pleased to present this award to a national expert in caregiving for those with cognitive impairments," said Mrs. Carter, president of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development (RCI) board of directors. "Debra Cherry's work in helping Alzheimer's patients and those who care for them has offered tremendous hope to individuals who have the challenge of caring for a loved one, often under difficult and deteriorating circumstances."

"I am grateful to organizations like the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development and the Alzheimer's Association for being advocates for caregivers who, despite their losses, struggle to cope and maintain a meaningful life for a loved one," Dr. Cherry said. "Working with caregivers has been an honor and a privilege."

"Dr. Cherry's work is spurred by her vision of a coalition of physicians, health care organizations and providers designing systems and tools to help the millions of individuals and their families living with Alzheimer's disease and the health care professionals who provide them with information, care and support," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association headquartered in Chicago.

"She led the team that developed comprehensive physician guidelines for dementia care, including early diagnosis, care management and caregiver support, that now serve as benchmarks for good dementia care," he said. "The guidelines launched last year in California are now used nationwide in partnership with Kaiser-Permanente Health System."

"Dr. Cherry has worked at a local level to build partnerships with families, community leaders and organizations to develop innovative programs that have improved the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers," said Ronda Talley, Ph.D., RCI executive director.

A nationally recognized leader addressing ethnic and racial diversity in caregiving, Dr. Cherry played a major role in developing the "Tool Kit for Ethnic Diversity for Alzheimer's Disease" disseminated through the Alzheimer's Association and the American Society on Aging. Dr. Cherry led a team designing educational materials and programs the Alzheimer's Association offers families to help them in establishing partnerships with their physicians and other health care providers who provide information, care and support.

Dr. Cherry is the 11th recipient of the caregiving award given annually since 1993 through the RCI. The RCI was established in honor of Rosalynn Carter in 1987, on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University, in Americus, Ga. Through research, education and training, RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. Dr. Cherry received a cash award of $2,500 and a statue crafted by Frank Eliscu who also designed the Heisman Trophy and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. Through a national network of advocates and chapters, it advances research, improves services and care, creates awareness of Alzheimer's disease and mobilizes support. The largest private funder of Alzheimer research in the United States, the association has committed $136 million toward research into the disease. For information about Alzheimer's disease, call 800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org