RU professor named Fellow by interdisciplinary organization on aging

Radford University’s Virginia Burggraf, the Marcella Griggs Endowed Professor of Gerontological Nursing, was named a 2014 Fellow by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Burggraf joins 61 other professionals named "exemplary" by the GSA, the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging.

"It is a pleasure to earn such prestigious acknowledgement," said Burggraf. "My colleagues here at RU and throughout the field have been instrumental in my earning this honor."

According to the GSA, the status of fellow is the highest class of membership within the society and is an acknowledgment of outstanding and continuing work in gerontology. Among the criteria cited for Burggraf's fellowship designation were research, teaching, administration, public service, practice and participation within the organization.

Fellows are chosen from each of GSA's four membership sections and Burggraf is one of 13 Fellows in the health sciences section representing institutions such as Harvard Medical School, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland; University of Virginia and the University of Washington.

Burggraf will join the new fellows for a formal acknowledgement at the GSA's 67th Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for Nov. 5 - 9 in Washington, D.C.