Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City received the Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award from the American Public Health Association, according to an Oct. 26 news release.
The award went to HSS' department of community education and outreach, and it recognizes those who made a significant impact on the lives of older people who are in minority groups.
HSS earned the award for its manuscript titled "Utilizing Alternative Strategies to Keep Underserved and Vulnerable Communities Socially Connected."
"When the pandemic started, it was essential for us to continue to provide services to our underserved and vulnerable populations, including older adults," Bonnie McGrath, first author of the paper, said in the release. "Working closely with our community partners, the HSS team assessed the community's needs and identified strategies to implement programs that individuals could access from home."
HSS shifted many in-person programs to telephone or video conferences, and data was collected to assess their effectiveness. Data found the offerings helped participants feel calmer and more relaxed.