Each year, Washington, D.C. becomes the epicenter of the movement to redefine the aging experience. As the nation grapples with the demographic shift of an increasingly elderly population, the Alliance for Aging Research serves as a bridge between the laboratory, the halls of Congress, and the living rooms of families affected by age-related diseases. On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Alliance will host its annual Heroes in Health Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring the policymakers, clinicians, and patient advocates who are tirelessly working to enhance healthy aging for all.
This year’s cohort of honorees represents a diverse cross-section of American society—from Senate leaders shaping the future of medical innovation to patient advocates turning personal tragedy into public policy. Their collective efforts are not merely reactive; they are proactive strategies designed to improve the quality of life for millions of older Americans.
The 2026 Honorees: A Legacy of Impact
The Heroes in Health awards recognize those who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the field of aging. This year’s recipients were selected for their profound contributions to policy reform, clinical innovation, and the empowerment of those navigating dementia.
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
Award: The Claude Pepper Award for Advancing Healthy Aging
Senator Mark Warner, who has represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate since 2009, stands at the intersection of technological advancement and public health. As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a senior member of the Finance Committee, Warner has long been a champion of bipartisan solutions.
His career, which includes a tenure as the Governor of Virginia and decades of experience as a technology entrepreneur, has informed his approach to aging. He understands that the future of healthy aging is inextricably linked to the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence and digital health infrastructure. By fostering innovation in these sectors, Warner has helped pave the way for smarter, more efficient healthcare delivery, ensuring that older adults benefit from the same technological boom that is reshaping the global economy.
Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
Award: The Distinguished Public Service Award
As the Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and a senior leader in the Florida congressional delegation, Congressman Vern Buchanan occupies one of the most critical positions in the legislative landscape regarding the American healthcare system.
Buchanan chairs the Health Subcommittee, where his oversight of Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug coverage directly impacts the financial and physical health of seniors across the nation. His work on the Joint Committee on Taxation, combined with his dedication to the House Democracy Partnership, underscores a career built on systemic reform. By strengthening the fiscal and regulatory frameworks that support access to care, Buchanan has been instrumental in ensuring that the promises made to American seniors—particularly regarding the stability of Medicare—are kept.
Dr. Rachel S. Rubin
Award: The Silver Innovator Award
The medical field often overlooks the intersection of aging and sexual health, a gap that Dr. Rachel S. Rubin has spent her career closing. A nationally recognized urologist and sexual medicine specialist, Dr. Rubin has challenged the status quo, providing evidence-based care for conditions such as menopause, pelvic pain, and erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Rubin’s impact extends far beyond her clinical practice in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. As an assistant clinical professor at Georgetown University and a leading voice in sexual health advocacy, she was a primary force in the 2025 AUA guidelines for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. Perhaps most significantly, her advocacy was instrumental in the FDA’s decision to remove the outdated boxed warning on menopausal hormone therapy—a change that has provided thousands of women with access to safer, more effective treatment. Through her Sexual Medicine Research Team, she is also mentoring the next generation of researchers, ensuring that sexual health remains a vital component of the healthy aging conversation.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Award: The Daniel Perry Founder’s Award
Senator Thom Tillis, currently serving his second term representing North Carolina, is recognized for his pragmatic approach to governance and his commitment to the veterans and aging populations of his state. A member of the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees, Tillis has built a career on the principles of job creation and regulatory reform.
His legislative philosophy—that strong economic policy is the foundation of a resilient society—has benefited the aging community by promoting a robust healthcare market. Before his time in the Senate, as Speaker of the House in the North Carolina General Assembly, Tillis was a key architect in the state’s tax and regulatory reforms. This background has proven vital in his Senate work, where he advocates for policies that incentivize medical research and protect the interests of those who have served in the military.
Theresa “Terrie” Montgomery & Shon Lowe
Award: The Perennial Hero Award (Joint Recipients)
Perhaps no story at this year’s celebration is as poignant or as powerful as that of Theresa “Terrie” Montgomery and her daughter, Shon Lowe. Together, this mother-daughter duo has redefined the role of the patient advocate.
Terrie, a dementia advocate known for her motto MADD—Make A Dynamic Difference, has been a transformative figure in how we understand Alzheimer’s care. A recipient of the 2024 Maude Award, she serves on global panels, including those with the National Institutes of Health and Alzheimer’s Disease International. Her voice, amplified through the Walking the Talk of Dementia podcast, brings the lived experience of dementia into the public square.
Shon Lowe, an accomplished author and speaker, carries this mission forward with a deeply personal perspective. As the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with early-onset frontotemporal dementia, and having faced her own diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Shon has become a fierce proponent for health equity. Through her organization, Paint Clover Purple, and her work with the Alliance for Aging Research, Shon advocates specifically for Black families, who are often disproportionately affected by dementia and face unique barriers to diagnosis and care. Their combined efforts have moved the needle from mere awareness to active, inclusive advocacy.
Chronology of Progress: A Decade of Advocacy
The Alliance for Aging Research has spent years building the momentum that culminates in this year’s Heroes in Health event.
- 2020–2022: The Alliance focused heavily on the impact of the pandemic on the elderly, pushing for greater research into age-related immune decline. During this period, figures like Congressman Buchanan pushed for legislative protections for seniors in healthcare settings.
- 2023–2024: The focus shifted toward dementia innovation. The recognition of the Maude Award for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care in 2024 highlighted the critical need for patient-centered approaches, bringing advocates like Terrie Montgomery and Shon Lowe to the national stage.
- 2025: A landmark year for women’s health in aging. The AUA guidelines and the successful lobbying to update FDA warnings—led by pioneers like Dr. Rachel Rubin—set a new precedent for evidence-based medicine in menopause care.
- 2026: The current year focuses on the convergence of technology, policy, and personal experience. With Senator Warner’s work on AI in health and Senator Tillis’s focus on economic stability, the 2026 class of honorees represents a holistic view of what it means to age successfully in the modern era.
Supporting Data: Why This Matters
The urgency behind these awards is backed by sobering statistics. By 2030, all baby boomers will be age 65 or older, meaning one in five Americans will be of retirement age. The societal implications are immense:
- Dementia Prevalence: Currently, more than 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Without significant breakthroughs in research—the kind advocated for by the Alliance—this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.
- Economic Impact: The total cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to exceed $360 billion in 2026 alone.
- The "Caregiver Gap": As Shon Lowe’s advocacy highlights, the burden of care falls heavily on family members. Millions of Americans are currently providing unpaid care, often sacrificing their own financial security and health in the process.
- Equity Gaps: Black and Hispanic older adults are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as white older adults but are significantly less likely to receive a timely, accurate diagnosis. The work of advocates like the Montgomery-Lowe team is essential in addressing these systemic health disparities.
Official Responses and Strategic Vision
The Alliance for Aging Research has consistently emphasized that the "Heroes in Health" are not just awardees, but partners in a long-term strategic vision.
In a statement regarding the upcoming ceremony, the Alliance leadership noted: "We are honoring these individuals because they understand that aging is not a problem to be solved, but a stage of life to be supported. Whether it is through the creation of a more stable Medicare system, the integration of cutting-edge AI into clinical diagnostics, or the raw, honest sharing of a dementia diagnosis, these heroes are building a world where longevity is matched by vitality."
Policymakers involved have similarly underscored the importance of the event. Senator Warner noted in a recent brief that "the future of our economy and our national health depends on our ability to leverage innovation to help our seniors thrive. This recognition is a reminder that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the aging community."
Implications: The Path Forward
The Heroes in Health Celebration serves as more than an awards dinner; it is a call to action. The implications of the work done by these individuals are far-reaching:
- For Healthcare Providers: The focus on evidence-based care for underserved conditions (like those treated by Dr. Rubin) suggests a future where "geriatric medicine" is integrated into all specialties, not treated as a silo.
- For Legislative Bodies: The bipartisan nature of the honorees—a mix of Democratic and Republican leaders—demonstrates that aging is a "universal" issue that transcends party lines. It signals that legislative support for healthy aging is a sustainable political priority.
- For Patients and Families: The visibility of advocates like Montgomery and Lowe signals a shift in the cultural narrative. It validates the struggles of caregivers and patients alike, transforming the isolation of a diagnosis into a community-led movement for change.
As the Alliance for Aging Research prepares for the September 30 event, the message remains clear: through the synthesis of legislative power, clinical expertise, and the lived experience of patients, we can redefine the aging journey. The "Heroes in Health" are the architects of this new reality, ensuring that the years added to our lives are, above all, years of quality, dignity, and purpose.
