A nonprofit research institution that helps improve policy and decision making, a distinguished physician, and community volunteers, will take center stage at the recognition luncheon to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey.
It was announced Wednesday that The RAND Corporation will be awarded for leading the way with policy research on aging.
“RAND researchers have quantified the scope of the cost of dementia – economic and personal – in the U.S.,” event organizers explained. Nearly 15 percent of Americans older than 70, 3.8 million people, already have dementia, according to the RAND study.
The cost of care for those struggling with dementia could exceed half a trillion a year by 2040, according to Michael D. Hurd, the study’s lead author. An economist, Dr. Hurd and the researchers from RAND’s Center for Study of Aging will be honored with the “Leadership in Caring” Award.
Medical director of the Nethercutt Emergency Center at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, will receive the “Compassion in Caring” Award. Dr. Wally Ghurabi, FACEP is also the founding member of the Medical Advisory Council tasked with planning for the reopening of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital in Willowbrook. He was elected chief of staff for the new hospital in 2015. Dr. Ghurabi also serves as medical director of the Santa Monica Fire and Police departments and trains paramedics and other “first responders” on various aspects of emergency medicine, including pre-hospital care. In addition to overseeing emergency services at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, Dr. Ghurabi also is a member of both the hospital’s and health system’s Board of Advisors.
A father-son duo will be honored for each of their distinguished efforts as community volunteers. Thomas S. Loo and Ryan DoyLoo will receive the “Caring for Our Community” Awards. Tom Loo serves as the president of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, a community service organization with 94 years of history in supporting the Santa Monica community. An active Rotarian, Tom spearheaded a number of efforts that increased membership and raised funds for Rotary to help support nonprofits in the community. Like father, like son, Ryan DoyLoo is an exceptional student volunteer, forging ahead with his own commitment to the older members of the community with his volunteer efforts at Wise Healthy Aging.
“We are grateful for the many supporters of our Wise & Healthy mission of enhancing the independence, dignity and quality of life of older adults,” said Grace Cheng Braun, President and CEO of Wise Healthy Aging. “This is a special day to acknowledge the dedication of researchers and the care for our community by special individuals. We invite the community to come and celebrate with us on May 21.”
Tickets for Celebration of Caring are $150 and can be purchased online. For reservations and event information, or to learn more about Wise & Healthy Aging, call 310.394.9871 or go to wiseanhealthyaging.org.
