[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S11661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING DR. WILLIAM T. SMITH

 Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize an outstanding leader in the field of long-
term care and aging services. Dr. William T. Smith is the outgoing 
chair of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, 
AAHSA, and I congratulate him on what has been accomplished during his 
2-year term.
  AAHSA serves 2 million people every day through mission-driven, not-
for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services people 
need, when they need them, in the place they call home. AAHSA provides 
a continuum of aging services ranging from assisted living residences, 
continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes to home and 
community based programs, and senior housing. AAHSA is committed to 
creating the future of aging services through high-quality people can 
trust.
  Under Dr. Smith's chairmanship, AAHSA has taken a leadership role in 
changing the culture of long-term care toward providing consumer 
oriented services in the most appropriate settings. An important 
element has been the Quality First Initiative, under which AAHSA 
members commit to continuous quality improvement in clinical care, 
leadership, governance, accountability, and several other elements of 
quality care. Dr. Smith has overseen the appointment of an independent 
National Commission on Quality Long-Term Care, which will evaluate the 
quality of long-term care, identify factors influencing the ability to 
improve quality of care nationally, and make recommendations about 
national efforts for sustainable quality improvement.
  Dr. Smith's term as chair has also seen the development of the Center 
for Aging Services Technology, a major new initiative bringing together 
researchers from universities, technology companies, facility 
administrators and government representatives. The center focuses on 
the application of technology to provide aging services more 
effectively and affordably and to enable older Americans to maintain 
maximum independence, regardless of the setting in which they live.
  In addition to serving as AAHSA's chair, Dr. Smith is the president 
and chief executive officer of Aging in America, Inc., in Bronx, NY. 
Aging in America is the parent corporation of Aging in America 
Community Services, AIA Supportive Services, Hertlin House, Morningside 
at Home, and Morningside House Nursing Home, whose roots date back to 
the 1850s. Together, these facilities provide nursing, social services, 
adult day services, rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals, recreation, and 
pastoral care annually to over 5,000 seniors and their families. All 
are nonprofit, nonsectarian agencies. Aging in America is another 
example of the way in which the field of long-term care and aging 
services must both diversify and integrate to provide a seamless 
continuum of options to tomorrow's seniors.
  Dr. Smith has been in the field of social work since 1971, with the 
last 27 years dedicated to the field of gerontology. He is a licensed 
nursing home administrator, a certified social worker, and a certified 
retirement housing professional. He clearly has been recognized both 
locally and nationally as an expert on gerontological issues.
  Within the next decade, the baby boom generation will move into 
retirement and approach the ages at which older adults generally come 
to need assistance with health care, housing, and supportive services. 
Many baby boomers already face these issues as their parents age. Dr. 
Smith's years of experience and his leadership in and vision for the 
field of aging services will continue to serve seniors and policymakers 
well as we prepare for the future of aging in America. Again, I 
congratulate him on his many accomplishments as outgoing chair of the 
AAHSA.

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