Change Agent Award

Martha Pollack, LCSW-R, (Ret.), JASA

As a JASA Senior Program Director, Martha Pollack served as the Chairperson of the Annual New York City Elder Abuse Conference for 11 years. She chaired this event partnering with a wide array of community social organizations, NYC government agencies, and educational institutions.  She also coordinated the JASA Elder Justice Training Institute which provides 5 annual multi-disciplinary workshops on elder justice for service providers throughout the five boroughs. Under her stewardship, JASA became a provider of social work continuing education credits. To facilitate easier access to better access to professional training, Martha initiated an in-house professional training institute for JASA staff.

In her 40-plus year social work career, Martha has worked in a variety of settings with adults and older adults. Her professional experience includes case management, medical surgical service, administration of programs for older adults in a variety of community-based settings, and professional and graduate-level education. Since 2010, Martha has been an adjunct professor at Touro University.  Her focus has been primarily on clinical practice in working with older adults.

Martha received her BA from Brown University and her MSW/MA from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Subsequently, she received a certificate from the Columbia Business School/UJA training program for middle management administration. Receiving this Change Agent award is a great honor and a source of pride. Martha is very grateful to her conference colleagues for recognizing the commitment and passion she continues to invest in the fields of elder justice and geriatric social work.