News (March 2006)

Debra Rose Receives 2006 Health Promotion Institute’s Best Practice Award from the National Council on Aging

Dr. Debra Rose, recipient of the 2006 Health Promotion Institute’s Best Practice Award.

By Athan Bezaitis

Dr. Debra Rose, Co-Director of the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, was honored at this year’s joint conference of the National Council on the Aging and the American Society on Aging, with a 2006 Health Promotion Institute’s Best Practice Award. 

Dr. Rose’s research is focused on the development of effective fall-risk screening as well fall-risk reduction programs for older adults.  She teaches Cal State University of Fullerton and conducts research in the area of motor control, balance and mobility disorders. Dr. Rose is nationally and internationally recognized for her work.  Her research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications and is also well supported by a number of research grants (exceeding $1.5 million).

Nancy Whitelaw, Ph.d. and the Director of the Center for Healthy Aging for NCOA recently commented on Dr. Rose’s contributions:

"Dr. Rose's tireless work in the fields of aging and kinesiology, including her numerous publications and presentations, has brought national and international attention to fall prevention among older adults.  NCOA is grateful for her contributions as an advisor to the National Falls Free Summit, and as a member of the Falls Free Coalition, a group of experts from various national organizations, which created the National Action Plan.  We recognize her program, FallProof!, as the first comprehensive and structured balance and mobility training program to address falls and older adults; and look forward to partnering with her in the future as she continues her work with the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence."