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Howard University Dean Named One of Next Avenue’s 10 “Influencers in Aging” in Honor of 10th Anniversary

Leaders changing the aging space and how we think about living older recognized

Dean Sandra Crewe

WASHINGTONSandra 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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About Howard University 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu  

About Next Avenue 

Launched in 2012 by Twin Cities PBS in St. Paul, Minn., Next Avenue has grown to become the premier national source of high-quality original daily content and community for older Americans. It publishes more than 800 articles annually and reaches more than 80 million people through its multiple platforms.  In addition to its own digital channels, Next Avenue content is distributed through leading news and business media outlets including Forbes, “PBS NewsHour” and MarketWatch. Its audience is as engaged and motivated as it is deep: In annual reader surveys, more than 70% of respondents say Next Avenue is personally important to them and 97% have taken action based on its content.