AARP Maryland Honors Judy Crane with 2016 Andrus Award

Millersville resident Judy Crane has been recognized with AARP Maryland's highest volunteer honor, the 2016 Ethel Percy Andrus Award, in recognition of her outstanding community service at Anne Arundel Medical Center on behalf of stroke patients and individuals with aphasia.
“AARP’s founder, Dr. Andrus, believed that all generations in America must be connected by a strong commitment to values, community and service,” said AARP Maryland State President Clarence “Tiger” Davis. “Much like Dr. Andrus, our honoree Judy Crane brings a lifetime of experience and leadership to bear on the challenges of the day. She is a shining example of the power that volunteers have to make their communities better.”

An aortic dissection and stroke at age 47 left Crane with aphasia, a language disorder marked by difficulty remembering words, as well as the ability to speak, write and read; as well as neuropathy and limited stamina. Crane’s journey toward recovery and adjustment to her “new normal” led to her current roles as a patient advisor at Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she provides stroke survivors with guidance and hope.  Knowing personally what they are experiencing, she speaks to the patients with compassion and empathy, and helps caregivers and medical professionals to better understand the patients’ point of view. Crane helped spearhead the creation of a peer-to-peer program for stroke survivors at AAMC, has served on the board of directors of the Snyder Center for Aphasia in Baltimore, and created a young aphasia group in Severna Park, which she continues to lead.

“Judy’s commitment to overcoming adversity and her success in turning personal challenges into an opportunity to serve others provide an extraordinary example of the difference that volunteerism can make in the lives of individuals, as well as in the well-being and vitality of a community,” said Hank Greenberg, AARP Maryland state director.

Also during ceremony at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve, AARP Maryland presented its Volunteer Recognition Awards:

• Legislators of the Year, Senator Delores G. Kelley of Baltimore County and Delegate William C. Frick of Montgomery County
• Advocacy, Connie Moore of Baltimore
• Digital Communications, Laurie Kelly of Takoma Park
• Outreach, Delphine Ally of Gaithersburg
• Chapter Leader, Larry Walton of Ocean Pines
• Maryland Retired School Personnel Association (MRSPA), Suzanne Coleman
• AARP Foundation Driver Safety, Rose Hobson of Suitland
• AARP Foundation Tax Aide, Louise Silsby
• AARP Foundation Experience Corps, Jamal Davis
• Community Partner, Pizza Hut of the Eastern Shore
• Most Valuable Volunteer, John Henkel of Baltimore

The Ethel Percy Andrus Award was established to honor of the founder of AARP by recognizing members who share their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community. Each state AARP chapter chooses one recipient annually. The national AARP Andrus award winner for 2015 is Senator Elizabeth Dole, head of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Recent past Andrus winners include Human Genome Project director Francis Collins, television news anchor Tom Brokaw and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.