FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2006
CONTACT: Suzanna Cisneros Martinez, Suzanna.martinez@ttuhsc.edu
(806) 743-2143
LUBBOCK –Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center honored two experts at their
Annual Aging Symposium for their contributions to aging issues.
Paula Grammas, Ph.D., director of the Garrison Institute for Aging, said both awardees
have dedicated themselves to aging issues not only for this university, but for the
outside communities as well.
Glen Provost, chief planning and program development officer for the Health Sciences
Center, was honored with the first Glen Provost Visionary Award, which recognizes
exceptional leadership in developing programs to improve the health of older Americans.
“Glen was primarily responsible for pushing the aging initiative forward by getting
champions from across the institution to work together to support this major initiative,”
Grammas said. “He garnered federal and state legislative support as well as securing
the initial federal funding to start the institute. Without his vision and leadership,
the Institute would not exist.”
Randolph B. Schiffer, M.D., Vernon and Elizabeth Haggerton Chair of the Department
of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, was awarded the Randolph B. Schiffer Award
for Advancement of Science in Aging.
“Dr. Schiffer will be forever honored with this recognition for his distinguished
contributions to the scientific discovery in the field of neuroscience and aging,”
Grammas said. “He also was one of the founding leaders of the institute by recognizing
the need to create a strong scientific infrastructure to support Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative
research.”
Grammas added that Schiffer made this happen by leading the establishment of endowed
chairs, leading recruitment efforts for key scientists and supporting aging research
through financial commitments from his department.
“Both individuals have demonstrated their commitment and expertise to the issues of
aging,” Grammas said. “With their leadership, the Health Sciences Center will continue
to find answers in aging issues and the Garrison Institute will continue to make strides
not only locally, but statewide and nationally.”