Jennie Deese Recieves Prestigious Elsie Alvis Award at GGS Conference

Jennie Deese getting Elsie Alvis Award at GGS conference.

The Georgia Gerontology Society (GGS) held its annual conference in Athens at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education from September 19 – 21, 2011.  Jennie Deese received the respected Elsie Alvis for her service to the Georgia Gerontology Society and to gerontology in the state of Georgia.  The Elsie Alvis Award is presented to an “outstanding professional in gerontology with a minimum of 15 years of service.”  The Award was first given in 1970 as a Professional Award and was named in honor of Elsie Alvis in 1980.  Elsie Avis served as the Director of the Governor’s Commission on Aging and later, the State Commission on Aging. Alvis served in this role well past the age of 70.

Jennie Deese has worked in aging programs for more than 30 years.  She started her career as the Director of Social Services for Humana Hospital/Augusta and then moved to Atlanta to serve as an Ombudsman for Atlanta Legal Aid for 16 years. In 2002, she was the Director of the State Georgia Cares program and is currently the President and CEO of the ACCA. She received the Coca-Cola Helping Hands Award for her service to the Athens Community in April. “It was such a surprise and an exciting honor to have received this award and be among the list of esteemed past recipients such as Athens own, Dr. David Levine,” stated Deese.

[Click Here] to read the article in the Athens Banner-Herald.