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Madachy Honored by Horizon Foundation

(The Senior Connection) --

Phyllis Madachy, administrator of the Howard County Office on Aging, has won many awards over her 25 years in the office.  The latest one, for "transformative leadership," may have more meaning on a personal level than others.  Given by The Horizon Foundation, the award is named for Richard G. McCauley, Horizon Foundation’s first board chair and a retired executive of The Rouse Co., a driving force behind the concept of Columbia and its unique nature.

" know Dick McCauley," Madachy said, "and have admired his impact on this community.  That’s what makes this award different from others."

Madachy was presented with the award by President and CEO of The Horizon Foundation, Richard Krieg.  He is quoted in June’s The Business Monthly as saying, “Phyllis Madachy has (transformed) the county’s Office on Aging into one that has been called a model for the nation.  She is a remarkable person.”

He is further quoted as citing "Phyllis’ partnership with the foundation…(as helping) the county secure funding from the national Administration on Aging to set up a model aging in place program."  Then he continued, "As a result of this support, federal officials regard Howard County as the text-book case of cost-effective, innovative government."

Madachy was commended for her work on Maryland Access Point, a program that revolutionized the way information and assistance is handled by the Office on Aging.  It made access to a broad range of information on health, housing, resources, applications for assistance, etc. easily available, and made a rapid response to inquiries vastly simplified.

Madachy says, "Each award is unique, (but this one) feels very confirming that what I have worked on may eventually have the same lasting influence that his (McCauley’s) work has."

At this point, that seems certain.