AgeOptions 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Over 200 people who have contributed to AgeOptions lasting impact on older adults in Cook County will gather for the two-part event- A morning Anniversary Summit & Recognition Luncheon and Evening Celebration. Attendees will include legislators, senior service providers, community leaders and valued partners.
Our speakers will include national, and state thought leaders - Robyn Golden, Associate Vice President of Social Work and Community Health, RUSH University Medical Center, Bill Benson, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Sandy Markwood, USAging CEO, Mary O’Donnell, RRF Foundation for Aging President, Illinois State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, Dr. Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, University of Chicago Associate Professor, Janine Hill, PhD, Soar Strategies President, Mary Killough, Illinois Department on Aging Director, Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune columnist and ABC7 Chicago political analyst, Courtney Hedderman, Senior Associate State Director, AARP, David Olsen, Director, State Affairs, Alzheimer’s Association, Amy Brennan, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition of Family Caregivers, and Donald M. Bell, Chairperson of the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ+ Aging.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration program will include:
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Honoring Legislators: Recognizing the invaluable support of legislators who have championed policies and initiatives benefiting older adults.
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Celebrating Dedicated Staff and Partners: Acknowledging the dedication and contributions of our exceptional staff and partners who have been instrumental in our success.
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Informative Sessions: Engaging sessions focusing on the importance of caregiver education and support, as well as Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) in aging services.
Our Speakers
Bill Benson, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Aging
Sandy Markwood, USAging CEO
Camille Y. Lilly, Illinois State Representative
Mary Killough, Illinois Department on Aging Director
Mary O’Donnell, RRF Foundation for Aging President
Robyn Golden, Associate VP of Social Work and Community Health, RUSH University Medical Center
Janine Hill, PhD, Soar Strategies President
Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH, University of Chicago Associate Professor
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune columnist and ABC7 Chicago political analyst
Courtney Hedderman, Senior Associate State Director, AARP
David Olsen, Director, State Affairs, Alzheimer’s Association
Amy Brennan, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition of Family Caregivers
Donald M. Bell, Chairperson of the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ+ Aging
Agenda
50th Anniversary Summit & Recognition Luncheon:
10 am - Registration and Continental Breakfast10:30 am - Welcome, Diane Slezak, AgeOptions President and CEO
10:40 am - Coming of Age: Social Determinants Matter, Robyn Golden, Vice President of Social Work and Community Health, RUSH University Medical Center
11:25 am - Q & A, Bill Benson, Health Benefits ABCs Managing Partner
12:10 pm - Recognition Luncheon- Honoring AgeOptions Staff and Funded Partners, Diane Slezak and Kim McCahill, AgeOptions Director, Planning, Program Design and Grants Management
1:20 pm - DEIB Done Right: A Model for Our Current Climate, Janine Hill, PhD, Soar Strategies President
2:00 pm - Community Care Hub Grant Announcement
2:10 pm - Fireside Chat, Sandy Markwood, USAging CEO, and Robert Mapes, AgeOptions Director of Program and Community Support
2:25 pm - Driving Change: Support for Caring and Caregiver Communities and Q&A, Sandy Markwood
3:15 pm - Break
3:30 pm - Aging in Place: Meeting Evolving Needs, Moderator: Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune columnist and ABC7 Chicago political analyst, Panelists: Courtney Hedderman, Senior Associate State Director, AARP, David Olsen, Director, State Affairs, Alzheimer’s Association, Amy Brennan, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition of Family Caregivers, and Donald M. Bell, Chairperson of the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ+ Aging.
4:30 pm - Networking
50th Cocktail Reception & Celebration:
5:00 pm - Cocktail Reception with Desserts
6:00 pm - Welcome, Diane Slezak
6:05pm - Welcome Video
6:15 pm - 50 Years Is Only the Beginning, Bill Benson
6:30 pm - Q & A Panel Moderated by Bill Benson and Sandy Markwood, Panelists: Mary O'Donnell, RRF Foundation for Aging President, Mary Killough, Illinois Department on Aging Director, Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH, University of Chicago Associate Professor, Illinois State Representative Camille Y. Lilly
7:15 pm - Champion Awards Presentation for Legislators: Former State Senator Ann Gillespie, State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, and State Senator Laura M. Murphy
7:45 pm - Program Concludes
