AARP Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Ivonne Gutiérrez Bucher, RN, MBA-HCA, CCCP to the position of state director.
In her new role, Bucher will lead advocacy, community outreach and education work throughout Pennsylvania for AARP, the world's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to social change and helping people age 50+ improve the quality of their lives. Bucher succeeds Dick Chevrefils, who recently retired after serving as state director for the past four years.
"Ivonne Gutiérrez Bucher is a proven advocate and leader with an impressive record of achievement that has impacted not just older Pennsylvanians, but residents of all ages," said AARP Regional Vice President, Rawle Andrews Jr. "I am convinced that Ivonne will help us realize the full promise of One AARP for 50+ Pennsylvanians and their families in the months and years ahead."
Prior to her appointment, Bucher most recently served two years on AARP Pennsylvania's Executive Council that shapes policy objectives and priorities for the association's work statewide. She also has more than 16 years of leadership, policy and management experience in Pennsylvania state government directing programs serving citizens across their entire lifespan.
That experience includes more than eight years at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, where she served as a Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Aging. During her tenure, she led programs which became national models, including Healthy Steps for Older Adults, a comprehensive evidence-based Fall Risk Reduction Program and Pennsylvania's State Planning on Aging process. She also oversaw the implementation of Medicare Part D and its coordination with Pennsylvania's PACE program, helped expand the capacity of Area Agency on Aging response centers and led efforts to improve the quality and capacity of home and community-based services, senior centers and other critical services and supports for older Pennsylvanians.
In addition to her work with the Department of Aging, Bucher previously held leadership positions with the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Public Welfare and the Governor's Office of Administration as a liaison to Pennsylvania's Health Care Cost Containment Council. She recently served as a Senior Advisor for the Department of Public Welfare's work to implement the Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act.
"On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, I offer congratulations to Ivonne Bucher on her appointment as State Director for AARP Pennsylvania," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian Duke. "We look forward to working with AARP as we continue to ensure that older Pennsylvanians can age and live well."
"Ms. Bucher's wealth of knowledge in the nursing, health care and aging fields, combined with her genuine desire to advocate for the dignity and purpose of older persons will benefit Pennsylvania's 1.7 million AARP members," said Teresa Osborne Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of the Diocese of Scranton. "Ivonne's commitment 'to serve, not to be served' is evident in every scope of work and leadership role that she has fulfilled throughout her career."
"Bucher is a determined and persistent advocate for the interests of seniors in Pennsylvania, and she brings great leadership, vision and true commitment to addressing the priorities of 50+ Pennsylvanians and their families," said Robert Zimmerman, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health.
The first Hispanic to reach the Deputy Secretary level in Pennsylvania state government, Bucher previously received the Governor's Commission on Women Role Model Award, and the Governor's Commission on Latino Affairs Award in Health. She has served on the board of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Pennsylvania Utility Commission's Consumer Advisory Board. Bucher is a licensed Registered Nurse, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University, an MBA in Health Care Administration from Regis University and is a certified professional in Chronic Care Disease Management.
"I look forward to working with the AARP Pennsylvania staff, Executive Council and volunteers statewide to help 50+ Pennsylvanians and their families age with independence, dignity and purpose," said Bucher.
AARP has 1.7 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Contacts:
AARP Pennsylvania
Angela Foreshaw, 267-825-9922
aforeshaw@aarp.org
or
Steve
Gardner, 717-237-6481
sgardner@aarp.org
