Iowa's Area Agencies on Aging 2022 Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award Recipient

posted 10/31/2022 in Press Releases

The Iowa Area Agencies on Aging (I4A) is pleased to announce Patty Scholtes, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A), as the 2022 Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award recipient. Patty has thirteen (13) years of service with the Area Agency on Aging as an Aging Specialist - Nutrition. Patty's commitment to the consumer has always been evident, and she works diligently to provide the consumer with help, information, and support to provide them with needed services.

“Patty is a forward-thinking leader and has been the catalyst for several ideas on finding ways to offer nutritious meals, education, and fall prevention classes to older persons,” stated Mike Donohue, NEI3A CEO. “Her tireless efforts are inspirational and creative, whether she is finding places where older individuals are gathering to offer nutrition education or reaching out to new partners to provide Tai Chi classes.”

Patty was quick to show exceptional leadership during COVID when NEI3A's Centers closed in March 2020. She promptly learned how to provide virtual fall prevention classes and had her first class started before the end of April 2020. In addition, she has initiated the nutrition education programs in our Iowa Cafe's in a way that allows personal interaction. She is a liaison to the Waukon Wellness Center and the Decorah Senior Center and supports RSVP in Winneshiek County to help supply home-delivered meal volunteers. For this and many additional reasons, Patty was selected as the 2022 Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award recipient.

 "Receiving the Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award is a great honor. We are pleased to see Patty being recognized for her exceptional work to help older individuals age with dignity and in their communities," stated Donohue.

The Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award was established in 2021 and annually recognizes an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) staff member whose work has left a legacy through a dedication to excellence through community collaboration and leadership. Awardees must have worked at least three years for an AAA and established a long-term impact on their community through their work. The award is named for one of the aging network's greatest advocates and leaders, Donna K. Harvey.