News & Events
Embracing the Journey: State Society on Aging 51st Annual Conference
The State Society on Aging of New York (SSA) held its 51st Annual Conference, “Aging: Embracing the Journey, Shaping the Future,” from September 30th to October 1st, 2024, at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. The conference began with remarks from SSA President, Dr. Danielle Gagne, who underscored the importance of addressing the ever-changing landscape of aging and the crucial role conference attendees have in shaping the future of aging services. She urged attendees to embrace this journey with empathy, innovation, and resolve, using research, innovative programming, and continued advocacy to create a better and more sustainable future for older adults.
Dr. Gagne acknowledged that this year’s conference would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our SSA Conference Committee, co-chaired by christian gonzález-rivera and Janna Heyman. The robust program brought attention to the issues older adults currently face, including services and resources for older adults from underrepresented populations, the importance of providing community supports for caregivers of older adults, and championing policies that promote aging services. These discussions are especially urgent as we navigate in a time where caregiving roles are still being defined and our understanding of them is being shaped by the communities we serve.
A Powerful Town Hall Discussion
The Town Hall Discussion on “The Older Americans Act of 1967” brought attention to its upcoming reauthorization in 2026 and the importance of supporting its continued growth in assisting older adults. SSA was fortunate to have Beth Finkel from AARP open the session with a compelling reminder that we, as a collective, have the power to advocate and support the future of aging services. Moderated with skillful precision by SSA Board Member James O’Neal, the esteemed panelists—Ravi Reddy from Senator Kristen Gillibrand’s office, Robert Blancato of the Elder Justice Coalition, and Greg Olsen from the New York State Office for Aging—weighed the challenges ahead and urged a strengths-based approach of knowing we can help influence positive change.
Conference Highlights and Personal Reflections
This year’s conference offered many highlights by conference participants. From the Kermit Schooler Symposium, where conference goers learned about the innovative Alzheimer’s care programs at NYU Langone, to the Walter M. Beattie Jr. Symposium’s focus on the UN’s International Day of Older Adults, each one brought distinct perspectives for practitioners to take into account and apply the work.
At the Past Presidents’ Symposium and Luncheon, we were fortunate to have Dr. Rachel Bedard, a physician at Woodhull Hospital, share her experiences caring for older adults who are incarcerated. The discussion, conducted by by christian gonzález-rivera, enhanced our understanding of issues and approaches for caring for this vulnerable population.
Celebrating Excellence
We were also privileged to acknowledge the contributions of incredible colleagues within the field of aging. Helen Evans, Associate Director, Ardent Solutions received the President’s Award for her sustained focus on improving rural community health through education and collaboration. Dr. Patricia Kolb, Professor of Social Work at Lehman College, CUNY, received the Walter M. Beattie Award for her many contributions to the area of gerontological social work, and Dr. Jackie Berman, past SSA President and current board member, as the Advocate for Older Adults. We also celebrated our SSA Student Award winners—Lucy Hogan from Ithaca College, Yanjun Dong from the University at Albany, SUNY, and Carla McNulty from Pace University. Their passion, dedication, and current work inspires hope for the future of our field.
Looking Ahead
Our Annual SSA Membership Meeting commenced at the end of the conference. We were thrilled to announce new Board Member and tireless supporter of healthy aging initiatives. We are also excited to share that Colette Phipps will serve as the 2025 SSA President for the coming year.
SSA also confirmed the dates for next year’s conference—October 6th to 7th, 2025 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs. We look forward to continuing to shape a future that engages and supports older adults in meaningful ways.
2024 SSA President Danielle Gagne & 2025 SSA President Colette Phipps