Bill Thomas Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

On May 10, gerontologist and UMBC Erickson School professor Bill Thomas received the 2011 Governor’s Leadership in Aging Award for Lifetime Achievement from the State of Maryland. The ceremony was hosted by news anchor Denise Koch and attended by Maryland Secretary of Aging Gloria Lawlah and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamanetz. Thomas is an international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare and creator of Eden Alternative and Green House project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He has spent his career promoting more positive, home-like living environments for older adults. He seeks to encourage autonomy, individuality and agency among seniors, and improve their quality of life. In accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award, Thomas said, “This honor goes out to the elders of Maryland. Without you we would not be whole and we could not be complete.” Event photos and video are now online.