AGING ICON

Never Stop Learning, The Key to a Lifetime of Growth and Impact

I am honored to receive Pulse’s Lifetime Achievement Award for my work as a patient advocate, mentor, and educator. (https://www.pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org/fcpa)

It’s a humbling recognition of decades spent helping individuals navigate the healthcare system and empowering professionals in our field. But as I step onto that stage, I am not standing still. In fact, I am attending this two-day training because I believe that learning never stops, regardless of age, experience, or accolades.

Many might ask, “Why continue training when you’ve already achieved so much?” The answer is simple. I do it to stay relevant, engaged, and vibrant in both my professional and personal life.

Learning is not just about acquiring new skills; it’s about keeping our minds sharp, expanding our perspectives, and fostering deeper connections with the world around us.

I have spent my career challenging the idea that limitations are set in stone. My book, Aging Icon, was born from this philosophy. Just as I refuse to accept dead ends for my clients, I refuse to accept that I have learned everything there is to know in my field. Every training, every conversation, and every piece of new knowledge adds to my ability to serve others.

The world of healthcare is constantly evolving. New policies, technologies, and treatments emerge every day. If we stop learning, we fall behind and when you’re in the business of advocating for others, falling behind isn’t an option.

Attending training sessions, engaging with new ideas, and collaborating with the next generation of patient advocates ensures that I can continue to provide the best guidance possible.

But beyond professional growth, continuous learning keeps me young in spirit. It introduces me to new people, fresh perspectives, and unexpected opportunities. It fosters curiosity, which in turn keeps life exciting. When we open ourselves up to learning, we expand not just our skill set but also our relationships, our communities, and our world.

Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is not a signal to slow down, it’s a moment to celebrate, reflect, and then push forward with renewed purpose. I encourage everyone, no matter where they are in their journey, to seek knowledge, embrace new experiences, and never stop asking, “what else can I learn” because when you stay curious, you stay engaged. When you stay engaged, you stay young. And when you keep learning, you keep making an impact.

March 12, 2025 - Posted by Aging Icon | Uncategorized | award, books, business, health, life, mental health, personal-growth, Senior, seniors