It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since we launched the Circle of Care Awards (COCA) at the NYCHA Kings Borough & Hugh Ed Gilroy Senior Center on St. Marks Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. We are excited to host the 5th annual COCA as an in-person event & gala. Our 2023 Theme – “Celebrating Self-Care,”- reflects our goals to be relevant to the changing needs of our community. COVID-19 has unearthed an area in our healthcare continuum, “Mental Health,” which is negatively stigmatized and often only addressed when conditions are at high acuity levels.
MEET THE COCA 23 HOST
Déjà Vu is a dynamic personality known for her career in radio, where she learned the importance of connecting with her audience and inspiring them. She founded the non-profit organization “The Flava Unit” to engage teenagers in community service. Balancing her on-air duties with community work was a challenge, but her spiritual balance has been key to her success. Déjà Vu has also expanded her brand as a motivational speaker and with her company, InnerView Coaching, offering workshops for women. She continues to be involved in service projects and blogs on empowerment websites. Her book, “The Girl Who Cried Goal™,” was published in 2011, solidifying her impact.
MEET THE COCA 23 HONOREES
Eric Simon
Legacy Award HonoreeEric Simon is a principal lawyer in New York City who has been representing employers for over 40 years. He specializes in the long-term health care industry, including home health care and rehabilitation. He has negotiated contracts with many unions in this field.
Rona Shapiro
Legacy Award HonoreeRona Shapiro is a union leader and social justice activist who has worked for 1199 SEIU for over 40 years. She started as a paralegal and became a Vice-President/Area Director and then a Homecare Division Executive Vice President. She has helped to establish and manage various benefit and education funds for home care workers. She has also advocated for the recognition and dignity of homecare workers, especially during the Covid pandemic. Rona Shapiro is a union leader and social justice activist who has worked for 1199 SEIU for over 40 years. She started as a paralegal and became a Vice-President/Area Director and then a Homecare Division Executive Vice President. She has helped to establish and manage various benefit and education funds for home care workers. She has also advocated for the recognition and dignity of homecare workers, especially during the Covid pandemic.
Dr. Corinne Kyriacou
Innovation Award HonoreeDr. Corinne Kyriacou is the Vice Dean of the School of Health Professions and Human Services and an Associate Professor of Population Health at Hofstra University. She has been involved in developing and leading various public health programs at Hofstra since 2010. She teaches courses on health care policy, population aging, and integrative learning. She has received a Teacher of the Year award in 2013. Her research focuses on integrating medical, social, and long-term care for chronically ill adults and building Age Friendly Communities and Universities. She also co-authored a book on alternative economies such as Time Banks in 2012.
Maria Lopez
Colette Drismond
Dr Abdelrahaman Salem
Dr Abdelrahaman Salem An international pioneer in manual and physical therapy, director and founder of American Manual Therapy Author of Treat Your Pain Restore Your Function with Manual Therapy Techniques. Dr. Salem worked as a clinician for over 34 years and developed many efficient manual techniques, authored over 65 videos as training to health care professionals and caregivers lecturers, and held many training seminars for clinicians nationally and internationally on very effective patient evaluation and treatment strategies.