GW Rodham Institute's El-Bayoumi Honored by Arts for the Aging

Congratulations to Jehan “Gigi” El-Bayoumi, MD, executive director of the George Washington University (GW) Rodham Institute, on receiving the 2018 Lolo Sarnoff Founder’s Award presented by Arts for the Aging (AFTA).

El-Bayoumi, who also serves as a professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was recognized for the work she has done with the GW Rodham Institute in the Washington, D.C., community. She received the award for her humanitarianism, philanthropy, and thought leadership in health, aging, and the arts.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the community for the work that we do and to be presented with the Lolo Sarnoff Founder’s Award,” said El-Bayoumi.

This year, the GW Rodham Institute has focused on supporting the role of the arts in promoting health and health equity, including partnerships with AFTA and the Kennedy Center in support of the Sound Health Initiative.

The Lolo Sarnoff Founder’s Award is named after AFTA’s founder, a pioneer in the field of creative aging who suggested artistic expression in its many forms improves health and enhances quality of life throughout the human lifespan. Previous winners include Associate Supreme Court Justice of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg and pianist Irving Fields.

The AFTA 30th Anniversary Gala and Awards Dinner was hosted on Oct. 15 at The Hay-Adams in Washington, D.C.

AFTA is a nationally recognized social service nonprofit that combats isolation and spread joy and better health to older adults and their care partners in Greater Washington, D.C., through regular participation in multidisciplinary and therapeutic groups arts programs led by professional, trained artists.