Josefina Carbonell, Senior Vice President for Long Term Care and Nutrition at Independent Living Systems, LLC (ILS), has been selected by the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) to receive this year’s Arthur S. Flemming Award.
Since 1978, NASUAD has chosen one individual in the field of Aging to receive the annual Arthur S. Flemming Award. Dr. Flemming spent years in public service, and he served as chief advisor to every president from Franklin Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. Fleming served as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and as the first US Commissioner on Aging. Fleming was a pioneer ahead of his time, he chaired the National Health Care Campaign and advocated for comprehensive health and long-term care for all Americans. He was responsible for creating the national Aging Network, consisting of state agencies on aging, sub-state area agencies on aging and thousands of service providers, of what is now commonly called the national Home & Community Based Care Provider Network. He was involved in the planning of the First White House Conference on Aging in 1971 and fought throughout his career for the dignity and rights of older adults, as well as justice for all persons.
“I have enjoyed a fulfilling career dedicated to my true passion in life — serving the needs of the elderly and disabled,” said Carbonell. “Being recognized by NASUAD with the Arthur S. Flemming Award is a true honor and I am humbled by the acknowledgment. I was fortunate to meet Mr. Flemming and I admired him for his commitment to improving the lives of older Americans. It is an honor to receive an award dedicated to his legacy. I am proud to continue pursuit of my passion and building on the legacy of Arthur S. Flemming through my work at ILS.”
Being recognized by NASUAD with the Arthur S. Flemming Award is a true honor and I am humbled by the acknowledgment.
–Josefina Carbonell, Senior Vice President of Long Term Care and Nutrition
From 2001 to 2009, Carbonell served as the Assistant Secretary of Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). During her tenure as Assistant Secretary of Aging, Carbonell directed all operations of a $4.1 billion budget for federal grant Older Americans Act and Medicaid Waiver programs that supported community-based long-term care services for the elderly. She also served as the principle advocate for independent living and as co-lead with CMS in the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act and Part D benefits, the Money follows the Person, the Medicaid Rebalancing efforts by states towards more HCBS, the Aging & Disability Resource Centers, and the SHIP Community education programs. As Assistant Secretary on Aging she led the implementation of the Family Caregivers Program, the Evidenced-based Chronic Disease Management programs, and the Veteran-directed HCBC programs with the VA.
Prior to serving in the Bush Administration, Josefina served as the Chief Executive of the Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers of Dade County, Inc., one of the nation’s largest aging, health, nutrition and inter-generational services program geared toward the geriatric Latino community.