WASHINGTON – Sandra Crewe, PhD, dean of the Howard University School of Social Work has been included on Next Avenue’s 2022 “Influencers in Aging” list. Next Avenue is the national news and community destination for older adults that is part of the PBS system.  

The 2022 “Influencers in Aging” list recognizes remarkable people bringing solutions, innovation, inspiration, and big thinking to the aging space.  

“This year’s influencers are changing the aging landscape,” says Julie Pfitzinger, Next Avenue’s managing editor. “They are pushing for new policies, providing new representation, and giving access to information that is changing what it means to age and live an older life.” 

“Quality of life for older African Americans is extremely important to me as a social worker and academician. For too many, economic insecurity makes housing quality and affordability barriers to quality of life. I am pleased that I have in some way contributed to their quality of life through co-creating programs that reflect their unique needs,” said Crewe. “Whether that service has been as a long-standing board member of the Maryland Affordable Trust, the American Association of Service Coordinators, AARP’s grandparents raising grandchildren project, or fellow academicians elevating the importance of social isolation as a social work grand challenge, I am pleased that my “quiet” work has mattered. Most importantly, I am pleased to prepare the next generation of Howard Prepared social workers to advocate for older African Americans. I am humbled to be recognized among the Next Avenue’s 10 Influencers in Aging.”. 

The complete list of influencers: 

Ramsey Alwin: President and CEO of the National Council on Aging, and a national thought leader and policy advocate for equitable aging and economic security for older Americans.   

Robin Berzin, MD: Holistic medicine practitioner, author and founder of Parsley Health.  

Sandra Edmonds Crewe, PhD: Social work professor and dean at Howard University, focusing on assisted and affordable housing for older African Americans. 

Christopher Gardner, PhD: The Rehnborg Farquhar professor of medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine, studying diet and health.  

Becca Levy, PhD: Professor of public health and psychology at Yale School of Public Health and Affiliated Faculty at the Yale Institute of Global Health.  

Frank Lipman, MD: Functional medicine pioneer, sleep expert, author and founder of the Eleven Wellness Center.   

Andie MacDowell: A 35-year spokesperson for L’Oréal, MacDowell advocates for women aging authentically. She stars in “Maid” on Netflix and Hallmark’s series “The Way Home.” 

Rajean Moone, PhD: The faculty director for the Long-term Care Administration in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Minnesota. 

Jonathan Skinner, PhD: The James O. Freedman Presidential Professor in economics, emeritus at Dartmouth College and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice at Geisel School of Medicine. 

Martin Yan: An award-winning chef, food writer, and longtime host of PBS Show “Yan Can Cook.”. 

Learn more on NextAvenue.org. Influencer profiles will be released daily beginning December 7, 2022.  

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