MDHHS awards Older Adult of the Year Award to Lake City volunteer Pam Niebrzydowski

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Health Services awarded Pam Niebrzydowski of Lake City the Older Adult of the Year Award during a May Older Michiganians Day celebration.

"The Older Adult of the Year award is an annual state tradition celebrating the important contributions older volunteers make in our state each year," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "The award recognizes an individual whose community has been enhanced through their local engagement, volunteerism and acts of service."

"It was my honor to present this year's award to Pam Niebrzydowski, who has spent decades advocating for older adults and serving her community," said Meghan Groen, MDHHS' Health Services chief deputy director. "She is a tireless advocate who has made a significant impact on her community and the state."

Niebrzydowski is a registered nurse, former director of the Missaukee County Commission on Aging and current Missaukee County commissioner. She has served for 13 years on the Area Agency on Aging of Northern Michigan board and serves on the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency board. Niebrzydowski also actively contributes to the Michigan Senior Advocates Council and often travels a two-hour round trip from Lake City to attend board meetings, demonstrating her unwavering commitment.

Through her decades of dedicated service, Niebrzydowski has addressed critical community needs by advocating for funding and resources that help older adults adults age in place with dignity and support. Her work has ensured that older adults and their caregivers receive essential services such as home-based care, transportation and access to health care.

The Older Adult of the Year Award is a tradition dating back to 1974. Nominations are submitted by a variety of agencies across the state, including Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and places of worship. The award is presented annually at Older Michiganians Day and is sponsored by Consumers Energy.

Older Michiganians Day is organized by the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, a statewide association that advocates on behalf of Michigan's older adults. This year, approximately 450 people attended to show their support for the needs of older adults across Michigan.

Learn about resources and services for older adults at the MDHHS Adults and Senior website.

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