Meals on Wheels Director of Operations David Roberts, third from
left, accepts a $1,000 donation check from Houston Area
Continuity of Care, being extended by HACOC President Honey
Leveen. Other HACOC Board members are, from left, Christy
Medlin, Barbara Spangenberg, Dana Little, Doris Brand, Cheryl
Thomas and Sondra Wiedenfeld. HACOC donates from its
discretionary fund to offer support to area nonprofit community
organizations. Learn more about Meals on Wheels, a program of
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, at their site
www.imgh.org or phone 713.533.4900.
At the February 17, 2009 meeting, 2008
HACOC President Christy Medlin, left, was
recognized for her many years of contributions
to the organization, pictured with 2009-2010
President Honey Leveen,
At the HACOC January 20, 2009
monthly meeting are from left 2008
President Christy Medlin; Barbara
Melnik, Director of the Harris County
Foster Grandparents Program; and
2009 President Honey Leveen. Ms.
Melnik accepted a $500 donation from
HACOC to benefit the program,
which provides low income seniors
with meaningful volunteer and
community service activities. Click
here to learn more about Foster
Grandparents.
Many thanks to HACOC February 17, 2009 presenter, Brenda Carr, then Director of Care Management Services at Cameo Caregivers, for a stimulating and insightful program on “The Consummate Professional." She is now Community Relations Director at Hearthstone Assisted Living.
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February 17, 2009 outgoing HACOC Treasurer Dana Little, left, was honored for her long service to the organization, shown here with President Honey Leveen. Dana served as Treasurer for seven years.
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HACOC Board member Dixie
Turner, RN, introduced
speaker Gary Matthews
at the March 17, 2009
monthly meetin.g
.
April 21, 2009 guest speaker Ruth Wagner,
LMSW-ACHP-SW, presented a fine program
entitled “Mindfulness in Death: The Gift of
Balance". Ruth, who works with the hospice
program at Silverado, is shown on the right, with
Sharon Wortsman of Brazos Presbyterian Homes,
Inc., Bayou Manor, which sponsored the April
meeting with the Hallmark. Special
appreciation goes also to Belmont Village for
sponsoring the delicious desserts at this
meeting.
Many thanks to May 19, 2009 speaker, Jessica Jenkins,
left, Public Affairs Specialist for the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, who presented a fine program on
what Medicare beneficiaries need to know about benefits
and resources before a crisis strikes. Also shown, from left,
are Honey Leveen, HACOC President, Cindy Hartman,
Owner of C&S Healthcare Services, and Gloria Orsak,
Director of Marketing and Care Manager of C&S.
Appreciation goes to C&S for sponsoring the May 19
meeting.
Many thanks to June 16,2009
speaker, Larry A. Spitzberg, Ph.D.,
O.D., F.A.A.O., Director of the
Houston Low Vision Center, who
detailed essential facts about
macular degeneration. Dr.
Spitzberg related news of intriguing
research and treatment progress
for the disorder. HACOC President
Honey Leveen is seen introducing
the guest speaker.
At the June 162009 meting.
Karl Brunig of Christal
Vision demonstrated
versatile and innovative
devices to aid the visually
impaired which offer
opportunities for individuals
to return to school and the
workforce.
Appreciation goes to July 21,
2009 speaker, Marilyn Swick,
BA, RPSGT, Chief Operating
Officer of The Houston Sleep
Center. Her fine program
detailed many types of sleep
disorders and the hazards of
non-treatment for such
illnesses. She also elaborated
on diagnostic methods and
treatments for a variety of
sleep related problems.
Special appreciation goes to August 2009 presenter,
Jane Bavineau, Executive Director, Care For Elders,
Vice President, Sheltering Arms (right), for her fine
presentation on the state legislative process which
impacts elders as well as highlights of relevant national
issues. She shared with the audience some of the less
known challenges experienced in working to improve
life for the aging population and related means by which
all of us can become more involved. Lynda Coker
(shown left), is currently a student intern who detailed
some of the new laws passed by the Texas Legislature in
2009.
HACOC welcomed as our September 15, 2009
guest speaker, Amity Overall-Laib, M.A.,
who is Access and Assistance Coordinator,
Managing Local Ombudsman,H-GAC/Area
Agency on Aging. Her presentation,
"Creative Expression at Any Age: Three
programs to ignite resident memories," was
most enlightening for our HACOC audience.
Many thanks to The Buckingham for sponsorship of the
October 20, 2009 HACOC meeting. Shown left to right:
Pam Rakestraw, Buckingham Senior Living
Counselor; Robin Baschnagel, Buckingham Associate
Executive Director; HACOC President Honey Leveen;
October 20 speaker and special grief counselor Beryl
Kaminsky; and Gillian Hill, Buckingham Community
Relations Manager.
The November 17, 2009 HACOC
meeting featured Jim Monahan,
M.Ed., Silverado Administrator,
who described hospice care in
China with many fine photos
from his six trips to visit
facilities and participate in
international conferences. He
has consulted for the Chinese in
developing their hospice system.
Special thanks to December 15, 2009 speaker
Scott Poteet, Employment Preparation
Specialist at Interfaith Ministries For Greater
Houston, Refugee Services Program See their
site at http://www.imgh.org/index.asp His
program, "Extending Hospitality to the World's
Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities",
revealed the major role Houston plays in
assisting refugees to adapt to American life and
the complexities facing the newcomers and
those who aid them. Shown above, HACOC
President Honey Leveen, (left) presents a
contribution to the program from the HACOC
Discretionary Fund. See more Discretionary
Fund recipients at the bottom of this page.

The December 2009 meeting included the HACOC Discretionary Fund contributions,
one of which went to Foster Grandparents, a program of the Jewish Community
Center of Houston. (1) Left photo: Program Director Barbara Melnik (left) received
a check from HACOC Treasurer Barbara Spangenberg.
(2) Right photo: Home Delivered Meals of Katy was represented by Program
Director Nevelynn Melendy (left), as HACOC Board Secretary Donna Moran
presented their contribution.
HACOC appreciation goes to January 19, 2010 speaker E. Peter Sabonghy, M.D., of
OneOrtho, who presented an enlightening program on advances in orthopedic
medicine, especially applicable to the aging population.
Shown at right is Guillermo Narvacan, Vice President of Business Development for
Inter-Active Healthcare, Inc. We thank their firm for sponsorship of the January
meeting. Shown center is HACOC President Honey Leveen.
HACOC appreciation goes to February 16, 2010 guest
speaker Chris Gullo, International Wellness Consultant,
(shown left,) whose topic was "Today's Healthcare
Market," which focused on wellness and prevention for all
generations as a vital component of healthcare reform.
Special thanks to Cameo Caregivers, February meeting
sponsor, whose staff representatives are shown, left to
right: Dana Little, Rick Hartwig, Doris Brand, Jan Cobb,
and Gayle Vicars.
ABOVE: HACOC appreciation goes
to March 16, 2010 speaker Dr.
Susan Lieberman, author of
numerous books, including her
latest, The Mother-In-Law’s
Manual. Many thanks also to
C&S Healthcare Services, Inc. for
sponsorship of the March
meeting. Shown from left, Cindy
Hartman, C&S
Owner/Administrator, HACOC
Vice President Doris Brand of
Cameo Caregivers, guest speaker
Dr. Susan Lieberman, and C&S
staff members Carol Cashman,
Mary McGuire and Chelece
Anderson.

HACOC thanks April 20, 2010 presenter
Sally Short Davis, RN, MSN, Nurse
Educator, from the University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston School of
Nursing, Center on Aging. Her focus on
stroke and a DVD presentation from studies
by Dr. Sharon Ostwald at the Center on
Aging stimulated much discussion on the
topic. Our appreciation also goes to the April
meeting sponsor Professional Caretakers,
Inc. Those wishing to access the sample video
clip of the DVD used in the presentation can
view it at the Center on Aging website:
http://son.uth.tmc.edu/coa/default.htm Scroll
down to the heading "Additional Information
for Caregivers."
Shown left to right above are Dixie Turner,
RN, Administrator, Professional Caretakers;
speaker Sally Davis; and HACOC President
Honey Leveen.

RIGHT: HACOC appreciation goes to May 18, 2010 presenter MaryBeth Pappas
Baun, a certified wellness practitioner, author, worksite and private practice
wellness coach, who offered a fine program to members and guests. We learned
the possibilities of tapping into our own wellness wisdom for better overall health.
Shown left to right are speaker MaryBeth Pappas Baun, MED, and HACOC
President and May meeting sponsor, Honey Leveen.
Appreciation goes to June 15, 2010
presenter Nancy Stone, JD, MPH, Attorney
at Law, who specializes in Elder Law, and
who elaborated on the changes to health
care that will result from recent federal
legislation. Her fine program covered
improvements to Medicare, expansion of
coverage under Medicaid, health insurance
reforms and a new national long-term care
program (CLASS).
Visit her website at.
.www.eldercarelawyer.org