Alma Beatty Honored With Older American Award by County

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. recently recognized Newark resident and former Vice President of Community Affairs at Newark Beth Israel and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey Alma Beatty at an awards ceremony at the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.

Beatty, represented by her niece Pamela Hodge, retired after 44 years on the job and Hodge accepted the Seventh Annual Essex County Older Americans Heritage Month Celebration award for her. 

“My aunt was not feeling well today, so I am representing her with much pride, admiration and love,” Hodge said. “She dedicated her life to serving the community and lived as a role model for the young people,” she added.

Beatty was responsible for implementing a patient advocacy department, coordinating and supervising a Summer Youth Employment program at the hospital and initiating the “House Calls” program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s Center for Geriatric Services.

Beatty also coordinated numerous health fairs, found innovative ways to help families in need and organized the hospital’s first African American History Month Program in 1997. She grew up in Newark, attended Essex County College and Bloomfield College.

“Older Americans Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the tremendous contributions our senior citizens have made to shape and mold today’s community, and bring attention to the contributions they continue to make on a daily basis to improve our quality of life,” DiVincenzo said, adding “Active in all aspects of life, our senior population is proving that you don’t slow down after you reach a certain age,” DiVincenzo said.

Beatty was among four Essex County residents honored at the ceremony. Other honorees included Verona resident Hilda Lutzke, West Caldwell resident Eva Bouzard-Hui and East Orange resident Rev. Dr. Leora Liggins.