Award Winner Spotlight
In case you want to follow the careers of some of our award winners, please read on for more information on who they are and what wonderful things they have done and will be doing in Gerontology and Aging Services.
Bill Egelhoff is a pioneer in the study of aging in Virginia and former Director for the Virginia Center on Aging from 1986 through 1989. He is an avid skier, former professor of Gerontology at VCU and former minister. Egelhoff attributes his longevity to eating smart, exercising, resting, and living expectantly.
Brandalyn Riedel
Brandalyn Riedel will be earning her Master's degree in Gerontology, and then taking a year to gain laboratory experience, before starting her Ph.D. work in Neuroscience. Her devotion to finding a cure for Alzheimer's serves as one of her biggest motivators in life.
Leland “Bert” Waters is a doctoral candidate in the Health Related Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He holds a BS in Economics and a MSG from VCU. He is currently the Assistant Director for the Virginia Geriatric Education Center and manages a State sponsored Geriatric Training and Education initiative for the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU. Bert’s research interests include geriatric workforce development and health promotion. His doctoral research focuses on improving access to palliative care.
Megan Stucke
Megan Stucke is a second year Master's in Social Work student also working on my Certificate in Aging Studies. She is currently interning with Bon Secours Hospice as a bereavement counselor and has been actively working on creating a bereavement support group specifically for LGBT individuals through Bon Secours, SAGE, and the Gay Community Center of Richmond. Megan will continue to volunteer with SAGE to provide grief support, educate professionals on LGBT and Aging issues, and work on helping older adults as needed to age in place safely in the community.
Shannon Marling
Shannon Marling has been working as a RecreationTherapist for approximately 15 years and has been working with the older adult population for 4 years. She recently completed her Master’s in Gerontology. During her course work she focused on the unique needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered, older adults and has been working closely with the Gay Community Center of Richmond to establish SAGE of Central Virginia (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender older adults).
Sheetal P. Dharia, PharmD, PhD is currently an Instructor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelors’ degree in Biological Sciences. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy in 2010. Additionally, she earned a post-baccalaureate degree in Aging Studies while at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.
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