The Minnesota Gerontologicol Society established the Outstanding Gerontologist Award in 1984 to recognize individuals who have contributed to lives of older persons throughout Minnesota. Contributions can be made to the field of aging through practice, research, or academics. In 1998 the award was renamed the Dutch Kastenbaum Award to honor Abraham “Dutch” Kastenbaum. Kastenbaum was trained as a social worker, and was a champion in beginning service programs for older people. He later became a celebrity with his weekly television show, Senior Citizen’s Forum, which ran for almost 25 years. To honor his memory, the Minnesota Gerontologicol Society receives nominations each year to recognize outstanding gerontologists.
Hal Freshley Named Outstanding Gerontologist of Year
The Minnesota Gerontological Society recently announced that Hal Freshley, Planning and Policy Coordinator of the Minnesota Board on Aging, is the 2010 Dutch Kastenbaum Award Winner. Freshley will be honored at the 2010 Minnesota Gerontological Society Conference on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN.
With Freshley’s knowledge of aging and human services policy at the federal, state, and local level he has successfully directed aging initiatives in Minnesota including; oversight of the Eldercare Development Partnership Programs as they transitioned into their technical assistance roles with community service providers, the creation of the first Profile of Minnesota’s Long-Term Care System, and a three-year Administration on Aging planning grant effort focused on evidence-based health promotion. Freshley’s passion for aging has made him a trusted member of the aging network in Minnesota as his colleagues know he always has the best interests of older Minnesotans in mind when he makes policy and program recommendations.
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