Published July 30, 2024
CAPTION: Dr. Anita Sharma, Director of the ULM GERO Institute (center), accepts the BBB Torch Award for Ethics.
MONROE, LA – The ULM Gerontology Education, Research, and Outreach (GERO) Institute was recently
the recipient of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics. The GERO Institute
focuses on enhancing the quality of life of older adults through proactive education,
professional training, applied research, and community outreach. The BBB Torch Award
for Ethics celebrates businesses and nonprofits that demonstrate an exceptional commitment
to ethics and integrity.
“Receiving this award has been a very humbling experience for me,” said Dr. Anita
Sharma, Director of the ULM GERO Institute and Professor of Gerontology. “This award
made me realize the extent of the impact the GERO Institute has on our community and
has motivated me to work even harder to develop more outreach programs in our region,”
she added.
With an exponential increase in the older population of Northeast Louisiana, The GERO
Institute serves as a crucial resource for the community. The primary goals of the
institute include providing community-based education programs for older adults and
their caregivers, providing training to professionals working with older adults, and
developing and implementing community outreach programs. The GERO Institute also provides
workforce training to students interested in working with older adults and addresses
issues related to ageism and ableism.
Sharma says the GERO Institute was born out of her personal history of working with
older adults, which led to her growing understanding of the challenges of aging. “Creating
the GERO Institute at ULM was a dream for which I worked very hard,” she said, noting
the support ULM President Dr. Ron Berry, who was the Dean of the College of Business
and Social Sciences when Sharma began the process of creating the Institute.
“Dr. Berry’s openness and encouragement of innovative projects inspired me to try
out new ideas and take new initiatives. I was able to develop and implement various
community outreach programs with his support and guidance,” said Sharma.
“I also want to thank Dr. Michelle McEacharn, current Dean of the College of Business
and Social Sciences, for her support in the establishment of the GERO Institute.
I am quite grateful for the administrative support I received in creating a new platform
for geriatric education, research, and outreach,” Sharma stated.
Sharma says she has bold hopes for the future of the GERO Institute and believes that
with proper support, it can become not only a statewide resource but a national asset.
“The BBB Torch Award is a very significant recognition that has established the expertise
and credibility of the GERO Institute in our region. This award will allow the Institute
to be perceived as an organization committed to meeting the needs of older adults
with integrity and competence,” said Sharma.
The community-based educational programs provided through the GERO Institute are free
of charge and open to the public. Usually, information about various events is provided
through social media and announcements on 90.3 KEDM Public Radio. Announcements for
the 2024-25 events will also be posted on the webpage of the Institute at www.ulm.edu/gero. For more information, please contact Dr. Anita Sharma, Director of the GERO Institute,
at asharma@ulm.edu
