by Joseph H. RADDER
For Georgia Burnette, 1997 was a unique and wonderful year—a time for reflection,
renewal and reunions. Georgia currently focuses her volunteer activities on planning
reunions and teaching health education.
Georgia began a program of health education for senior citizens at the
William-Emslie YMCA in July 1995. After the program ended she felt the need for a formal
update on medications. Georgia went back to school to complete two semesters of anatomy
and physiology.
Today Georgia discusses wellness (prevention of disease) as opposed to
illness, individualized medication review, components of a healthy diet and a monthly
presentation on topics pertinent to senior health care. Georgia also contributed to the
recently installed Health Education Bulletin Board and a medication card designed for
seniors to keep a record of their current medications.
On occasion Georgia has given presentations to various church groups and
other senior citizen programs throughout the city.
In 1995 Georgia planned a reunion for the University of Buffalo School of Nursing Class of
1955. Out of 17 graduates 13 nurses gathered to enjoy a three-day cruise to the Bahamas.
This past year Georgia planned her family reunion in West Memphis,
Arkansas. She also arranged for an Adams Street reunion to gather friends she had met 56
years ago on Adams Street on the city’s east side.
Georgia has been asked to share her reunion experiences at the
African-American Family Reunion Conference in March, 1998 in Philadelphia.
Prior to retirement Georgia had worked as a Nursing Director, Assistant
Professor of Nursing, Operating Room Consultant and Community Activist.
Georgia’s next projects include working on a family genealogy project, writing poetry and prose and perhaps taking up basic photography.
Joseph H. Radder is a freelance writer.