Senior ServicesUPMC event honors people helping senior citizens

For the sake of seniors

The ninth annual Celebrating Seniors Champions Dinner and Auction honored individuals and organizations who work to improve the lives of senior citizens in Western Pennsylvania.

October 31, 2017, 9:37 am 0 Edit

Dr. Steven D. Shapiro (left), UPMC chief medical and scientific officer, joins Grand Champion Dr. Arthur S. Levine, senior vice chancellor for Pitt's health sciences, and his wife, Linda Melada. (Photo courtesy of UPMC)

UPMC Senior Services honored individuals and organizations that contributed significant time and energy to improving the lives of seniors throughout Western Pennsylvania at its ninth annual Celebrating Senior Champions Dinner and Auction. More than 500 business leaders, physicians and supporters of senior causes gathered on Oct. 19 at the Omni William Penn to recognize those whose work benefits seniors and caregivers in the region.

Dr. Arthur S. Levine was recognized as the Grand Champion. Levine became senior vice chancellor for the Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in 1998 and was named the John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of Medicine in 2013.

Community Champion Karen Folk Feinstein, Ph.D. (left) and Deborah Brodine, president of UPMC Community Provider Services. (Photo courtesy of UPMC)

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation, under the leadership of Karen Folk Feinstein, Ph.D., president and CEO, was honored as the Community Champion.

Community Champion Dr. Eric G. Rodriguez (left) and Dr. Fred H. Rubin, chairman, Department of Medicine at UPMC Shadyside. (Photo courtesy of UPMC)

Dr. Eric G. Rodriguez was the 2017 Caregiver Champion. Rodriguez is an associate professor of medicine within the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Geriatrics and serves as a geriatrics medical consultant at the UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center at UPMC Presbyterian.

WQED’s Rick Sebak served as emcee.

All proceeds from the dinner and auction benefit UPMC Senior Communities Benevolent Care Fund, which provides financial assistance and support services to eligible seniors.