Senate Resolution No. 2166
BY: Senator BROUK
CONGRATULATING Dr. Carol Podgorski upon the
occasion of her retirement after many years of
distinguished service to the University of Rochester
Medical Center
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those distinguished individuals whose professional
accomplishments and civic contributions have enhanced the quality of
life in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Dr. Carol Podgorski upon the occasion of her retirement
after a career of extraordinary service, scholarship, advocacy, and
leadership in the fields of aging, behavioral health, and Alzheimer's
care; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Carol Podgorski is a nationally recognized leader whose
distinguished career has bridged research, clinical innovation,
education, and community impact, improving the lives of countless older
adults, caregivers, families, and underserved communities throughout New
York State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Podgorski has served with distinction as Professor and
Associate Chair of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry at
the University of Rochester Medical Center, where she has advanced
integrated approaches to mental health and aging while mentoring,
supervising, and educating future generations of clinicians,
researchers, and scholars; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her exemplary career, Dr. Podgorski has held
numerous leadership positions within the University of Rochester Medical
Center, including Director of the Finger Lakes Center of Excellence for
Alzheimer's Disease, Clinic Director of the UR Medicine Memory Care
Program, Psychiatry Department Discipline Chief for Marriage and Family
Therapy, Director of Alzheimer's Disease Support Programs for the
University of Rochester Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, and
Co-Leader of the Vital Living Core of the University of Rochester Aging
Institute; and
WHEREAS, Through her leadership of the Finger Lakes Center of
Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease and the UR Medicine Memory Care
Program, Dr. Podgorski has provided compassionate, evidence-based care
for patients and families navigating complex cognitive conditions,
strengthening systems of support for caregivers and enhancing quality of
life for older adults throughout the Finger Lakes region and across New
York State; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished clinician and scholar, Dr. Podgorski has
dedicated her academic career to advancing medical family therapy
approaches to caregiving and developing family systems-oriented models
of patient- and family-centered dementia care; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Podgorski earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in
Sociology and master's degrees in Public Health and Marriage and Family
Therapy from the University of Rochester, combining interdisciplinary
expertise with a steadfast commitment to public service and
compassionate care; and
WHEREAS, A prolific author and researcher, Dr. Podgorski has
authored and co-authored 29 journal articles and six book chapters,
contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in gerontology,
behavioral health, caregiving, and Alzheimer's disease treatment and
support; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Podgorski has distinguished herself as an award-winning
policy advocate and leader in professional organizations, serving as
past president of the New York State Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy and chair of its Family Team, where she led legislative advocacy
efforts that helped secure Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance
coverage for family therapy services, thereby expanding access to
behavioral health care for countless individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her expertise and dedication, Dr.
Podgorski has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the New York
State Council for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia, and has
further lent her leadership and insight to numerous professional, civic,
and advisory organizations at the local, state, and national levels; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Podgorski is a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor
of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a Fellow of
the Gerontological Society of America, and a member of the Alzheimer's
Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and
Treatment, among many other professional affiliations and leadership
appointments; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such caliber and achievement dedicate themselves to
improving the well-being of others, they merit the highest recognition
and gratitude of the people of the State of New York; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Dr. Carol Podgorski upon the occasion of her retirement,
and to honor her for her distinguished career, steadfast leadership, and
enduring contributions to the fields of aging, behavioral health, family
therapy, and Alzheimer's care; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Carol Podgorski.
