ONTARIO — Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Duana Patton was named 2017 Practitioner of the Year by the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE) at the 41st Annual OAGE conference on April 24.
According to OAGE, the award for Practitioner of the Year “recognizes individuals and organizations that either have improved services to older adults through research and evaluation or have developed noteworthy partnerships with institutions of higher learning for the betterment of Ohio’s elders.”
Patton has worked in the aging network for more than 20 years and has served as the Agency’s CEO since 2005. She was honored to receive this recognition and values the opportunity to do the work she loves.
“I am so humbled and grateful to all who allow me to engage every day in my passion and fulfill my purpose,” said Patton. “I am blessed to work in the field of aging with some of the most brilliant and dedicated professionals and students in Ohio.”
Patton was recognized for her collaboration with local community leaders at the Ohio State University at Mansfield, Richland County Children Services and North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. to design Engaging Elders: Connecting Children, Campus and Community, a conference that focused on Ohio seniors remaining a vital population, life-long learners, and caregivers for their families. She was also recognized for her efforts in bringing service coordination programming to local senior housing.
“Duana Patton has been a driving force in substantially improving the quality of life and health for seniors, disabled individuals, caregivers and care providers,” said nominator Diane Ramey. “She is an inspiring mentor and leader who encourages those she works with and for [to] push for ongoing improvements and excellence.”
The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc., located at 2131 Park Avenue West in Ontario, provides leadership, collaboration, coordination and services to older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers and resource networks that support individual choice, independence and dignity.
