Dr. Amanda Sokan Honored as Gerontologist of the Year

Amanda Sokan, PhD, MHA, LLB, assistant professor in the department of public health practice and translational research in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, has received the Gerontologist of the Year award from the Arizona Geriatrics Society (AzGS). The award, presented Nov. 21 at the AzGS annual meeting, recognizes her outstanding contributions to gerontology and related public health education in Arizona.

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“I am so honored to receive this award from my colleagues in geriatrics and gerontology. It was a lovely surprise, and I’m so grateful to our strong community of geriatric professionals here in Arizona,” Dr. Sokan said. “The people I have the opportunity to work with in our geriatric care community are outstanding. We share a common passion and support each other so that we can address the diverse needs of the older adult population in our state with the best possible care, compassion and expertise. The award winners from this year and previous years are truly dedicated physicians and professionals, and I’m humbled to be counted among them.”

As an advocate and practitioner of translational science to translate research findings into elder care in medical and social practice, Dr. Sokan’s work emphasizes a knowledge-based approach to health equity in aging populations.

“Dr. Amanda Sokan is the consummate gerontologist. Combining her interests in aging research, curriculum development and public health policy, Dr. Sokan’s work defines the concept of translational medicine,” states the annual awards page on the AzGS website. “In addition, Dr. Sokan advocates tirelessly to improve the standard of dementia caregiving, to address aging issues in the LGBTQ population, to ensure culturally competent care for older adults, and to prevent elder abuse and mistreatment.”

“Dr. Sokan has been an outstanding research colleague in geriatric medicine,” said Nimit Agarwal, MD, director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and the AzGS Geriatrician of the Year in 2019. “She understands the connection between research and practice, and she works from a place of true compassion for the elderly. She always seeks to support our underserved elderly populations and ensure they receive the best geriatric care possible. It is a privilege to work with her.”

Dr. Sokan holds a doctorate in gerontology and Master of Health Administration from the University of Kentucky, as well as a law degree (LLB) from the University of Buckingham, England. Her professional experience includes faculty positions in gerontology and health administration, consultancy work on aging issues, and program evaluation. She has multi-year experience in quality assurance/evaluation, including working on a HUD Multi-Family Service Grant, which provides on-site social service coordinator services for residents of a senior housing development. She currently teaches a cluster of courses on aging for the College of Public Health.

In addition, Dr. Sokan provides consultancy, advocacy and counseling services on supportive caregiving to family members and caregivers of persons with dementia, and is a trained facilitator in dementia caregiving. She is a member of the Arizona team participating in the CDC/ASTHO Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) lab, tasked with developing a statewide lab strategy and action plan with a focus on dementia and dementia caregiving in Arizona.

The Arizona Geriatrics Society is a professional nonprofit association dedicated to supporting health and human service professionals who advance the care of older adults throughout Arizona. Geriatric medicine and the wellbeing of older adults are becoming increasingly important in Arizona, and AzGS promotes informed policy and practice to improve the health and wellness of the elderly in the state.