For substantial work in geriatrics, including her dedication and work in the Centra PACE program, Dr. Verna Sellers has been selected as the 2016 James Pattee Award for Excellence recipient.

The James Pattee Award for Excellence in Education, a highly prestigious national award, acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the educational goals of American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) including enhancing the educational structure and framework of AMDA, advancing education specific to long term care physician practice, and promoting AMDA leadership via educational endeavors within the long term care continuum.

PACE (A Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a comprehensive program for adults 55 years of age and older who meet the criteria for nursing facility placement, prefer to stay at home and have an assessment indicating that living at home with the support of the PACE program is a safe alternative. Sellers became the medical director of Centra PACE in 2009.

The award was presented during the AMDA annual conference on March 18, in Orlando, Fla.