Eugene Dawson Leadership in Aging Award

The Eugene Dawson Leadership in Aging Award remembers the work of the first president of The Society from 1980-1982. His leadership helped to bring increased awareness and recognition to the field of gerontology in Colorado. The Award recognizes the work of community leaders who strive to be on the vanguard of efforts to improve the quality of life for older adults. The Award was established in 2014, with the inaugural recognitions of Eugene Dawson of Metropolitan State College of Denver, Marvin Montgomery of the Denver Broncos, Justina Curlee of KUVO Jazz89.3, Dennis Gallagher of the City of Denver, Wellington Webb of Webb Group International, Steven Lucero of the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council and Senator John M Befalls, Colorado General Assembly. Other past recipients include Ferol Johnston, Golden Orchard (2015), Robert Trembly, 50 Plus Marketplace News (2016), Ernest Parker, Alpar Human Development Services (2017), Julie Kraft, Kraft Homes (2018), Mark Koebrich (2019), Maggie Sparks, Donald J. Opera, Priscilla Bapp (2020), Cathy O’Grady Melvin (2021).

Adam Morgan

Adam is a broadcast media professional in the Denver area.  He hosts Groove Jazz Rendezvous every Saturday night on KUVO/KVJZ.  As a media professional, Adam has worked for a number of years to find ways to provide information useful for older adults, especially Baby Boomers.  He hosts a regular show for Baby Boomers on Bonneville International, helping older adults understand complex subjects such as Medicare, housing concerns, and taxes.  His show airs on several radio stations including KOSI which has a large older adult listener base.  Adam also has produced several feature television documentaries that frame what is positive aging and include information to help older adults age in a way that meets their lifestyle and needs.  He has served on the Denver Commission on Aging and most recently was appointed to the Colorado Commission on Aging.  Adam has been a great supporter of The Society by covering many of the emcee duties at the Salute to Seniors for years.  He also regularly shares our events and programs with his listeners including our legislative and policy work, the Salute to Seniors, and Medicare Mondays. 

As a retired military officer and the son of a 95+ year old mom whom he recently moved to Colorado, Adam has a great appreciation for what is needed to help older adults and make their lives easier. 

Jan Jerome

Jan is a licensed clinical social worker and has specialized in working with older adults and

persons with disabilities throughout her 40-year social work career. During her career, she provided direct counseling, care management, clinical supervision, community advocacy, and professional trainings.

Working as a private care manager, Jan helped clients and families find resources and solutions to the problems associated with aging.  Many times this help was in the form of short-term counseling on how to manage the stresses of daily life as an older adult and manage family dynamics as parents entered their later years. 

Although Jan is semi-retired, she is currently working with Spark the Change providing mental health support for their program.  She remains committed to compassionate service and champions lifetime learning, mental health, and wellness in older adults, who have always held a special place in her heart.

Jan currently volunteers for The Society.  She is on the Advisory Committee for the Telephone Buddy program.  She has also provided training to the volunteers to better prepare them with ways to support their partners in their emotional health needs.