FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2007
COLUMBUS - Governor Ted Strickland, Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and members of the Ohio General Assembly will induct Norma Torres, of Middleport, along with 12 other exceptional seniors, into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Statehouse Atrium in Columbus from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23.
"Those inducted into the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame embody the productivity and enjoyment that should be a part of every person's retirement years," said Riley. "Norma Torres has used her knowledge and considerable skills to develop programs and clinics to improve the lives of people in Meigs County."
Norma has started several clinics, including Mobile Mammography Clinics, the Prostate Clinic, health care screenings, diabetes and cardiovascular screenings and the Appalachian Dental Clinic. She also co-founded the Meigs County Cancer Institute. Torres guided the grant writing and direction of healthcare programs for area women and infants. After her retirement as health commissioner in 2004, Torres became the clinical nurse supervisor for the Meigs County Council on Aging and the project manager for the "Think Pink" program, designed to increase awareness of breast health care and to provide free mammograms.
Norma Torres joins more than 300 individuals who have been inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1977, native-born Ohioans or state residents for at least 10 years are nominated by individuals or organizations based on service to others and achievements after age 60 and for lifetime achievements that represent positive aging. Bios and photos of all 2007 honorees are on the Department of Aging's Web site.
Also being recognized are twelve individuals who will each receive an Elder Caregiving Award.
About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.
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