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National Long Term Care Award Named in Honor of Local Leader
 Jim
Ahearn, LMSW, president of the Upstate New York Chapter
of the National MS Society (NMSS), was honored for his commitment
and expansive vision of long term care programs for
clients and families living with MS. The creation of
the Jim Ahearn Award for Excellence in Long - Term Care
by the National MS Society, celebrates Jim's tenure
and approaching retirement. It was announced recently
at the Society's 2005 National Presidents Conference.
The MS Society's President and CEO, Joyce Nelson explained
the award honors Mr. Ahearn "for over 25 years
of exemplary leadership in programs, major gifts, and
particularly in the area of long-term care for people
with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS)".
The Jim Ahearn Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care will be given annually, to the Chapter that has demonstrated exemplary service in the area of long-term care services that directly serve people with MS and their families. The Society currently has over 60 Chapters nationwide.
Richard Mengel, Treasurer of the National MS Society's Board of Directors, and long standing member of the Upstate New York Chapter's Board of Directors, stated ”Jim Ahearn has raised the bar in program excellence, setting a national standard for the quality of long term care programs delivered to families with MS by National MS Society Chapters." Jim's work includes the creation of the country's 2nd M.S. Achievement Center developed over 12 years ago in collaboration with Unity Health System. Jim has been instrumental is guiding other Chapters in developing similar services, advocating for government funding for long-term and respite care, and serves on the Society's Long Term Care Task Force. In addition to the MS Achievement Center, Jim’s vision and leadership resulted in the development of Howitt House, a partnership with Al Sigl Center and the Epilepsy Foundation. The independent apartments for people with MS at Howitt House are the only ones of their kind in the U.S.
MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild such as numbness in the limbs or severe such as paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be life-long. When MS strikes, families can unexpectedly need support services normally reserved for the severely disabled or the geriatric population. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research, treatment and long-term care services are giving hope to those affected by the disease.
For more information about MS or the programs of the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, please call 585-271-0801 ext. 5341, or 24 hours a day, 1-800-FIGHT-MS; or e-mail chapter@msupstateny.org or visit the Chapter's website at www.msupstateny.org
Rochester Corporate Alliance
Several companies in the Rochester area have formed a GLBT business alliance dealing with gay/lesbian issues in the workplace. Our business alliance consists of Xerox, Kodak, B&L, J&J, Corning, GE Capital, and Unisys. Representatives from of each Employee Resource Network group meet once a quarter at a host location. Our council was formed in July 2004 and has grown considerably since then. We exist for the purpose of supporting one another, as well as, helping other groups from various companies form their employee resource network. This new organization is open to all companies regardless of size or location and is free. Should you be interested in attending one of our meetings, please to contact: Daryl Bleau, 585-338-5548 or e-mail Daryl_Bleau@bausch.com.
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