News Release

DOA Award Winners Announced

September 20, 2003

Three awards were presented at this year's NC Conference on Aging, held September 10-12 in Charlotte. Given by the Division of Aging in the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the awards are the Dr. Ewald W. Busse Award and the Ernest B. Messer Award along with the Maddox Award.

Dr. Margaret Noel from Asheville, N.C., received the Ewald W. Busse Award. Dr. Noel was recognized for her leadership and dedication in serving older adults with memory loss and their caregivers. Presenting the Award to Dr. Noel was Karen Gottovi, Director of the Division of Aging.

Dr. Noel is a geriatrician specializing in memory loss. She founded The Memory Assessment Clinic and Eldercare Resource Center (MACERC) in Asheville in 2000. MACERC is a non-profit practice that includes assessment and treatment of memory disorders as well as a strong system of support for the families and caregivers of its patients. MARCERC provides patients in Western North Carolina and their families an opportunity for local assessment and treatment of memory loss.

Haywood County, along with the Haywood County Council on Aging and Mountain Project, Inc., were presented the Ernest B. Messer Award. The award was given to Haywood County for the extensive collaboration between human service providers which has resulted in a broad array of community based services and programs for older adults. Accomplishments noted in the County include the development of a Family and Senior Resource Center, establishment of a Volunteer Center, expanding affordable housing for older adults, upgrading and expanding the public transportation system, developing a Senior Companion program, and initiating a CARING program which provides "one stop" information and assistance to older adults and their families.

The Messer Award was presented by Karen Gottovi, director of the Division of Aging to Jack Horton, Haywood County manager; Denise Mathis, director of the Haywood County Council on Aging; Wanda Brooks, director of the Senior Companion Program at Mountain Projects, Inc.; and Inez Angus, chair of the Haywood County Council on Aging.

The George L. Maddox Award was presented to May Marshbanks of Harnett County. Marshbanks, who is 86 years old has directed the Harnett County aging program for 32 years. This is a second career for Marshbanks, who retired as a principal from the Chapel Hill School System and moved back to her home county.

Drs. Maddox and Busse and Messer were three pioneers in the field of aging in North Carolina. Dr. Maddox currently directs Duke University's Long Term Care Resources Program.