Carol Zernial appointed to second term on federal caregiving council

By Christy Romero on August 1st, 2023

Federal officials have appointed Carol Zernial, executive director of the WellMed Charitable Foundation, to a second term on the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council.

Alison Barkoff, the acting administrator and assistant secretary for aging, Administration for Community Living with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, conducted the swearing-in ceremony on July 27.

The council was established under the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act of 2017. The goal of the council is to implement the first National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, released in 2022 under the initial RAISE council.

Zernial is one of 14 non-federal council members nationwide, selected based on demonstrated knowledge, qualifications, and professional or personal experience.

As head of the foundation, Zernial oversees several initiatives supporting caregivers across the country under the Caregiver SOS umbrella of services, including the Caregiver Teleconnection and the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers. The noted gerontologist is a past chair of the National Council on Aging.