WellMed names AACOG Aging Director as Vice President-Community Relations
Carol Zernial leads diversified healthcare company's outreach efforts; also serves as Executive Director of WellMed Charitable Foundation

SAN ANTONIO, TX, February 03, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One of Texas' leading professionals in the field of aging and advocacy issues impacting seniors has joined WellMed Medical Management as Vice President-Community Relations, the company announced today.

Carol Zernial comes to WellMed after a highly regarded tenure as director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments' Bexar Area Agency on Aging, a $5.7 million-a-year human services agency serving more than 15,000 seniors and their caregivers annually.

As VP-Community Relations, Zernial will be responsible for WellMed's outreach efforts at the community and national levels. WellMed is a growing diversified healthcare company specializing in senior care with more than 80,000 patients and insured members in four states, primarily Texas and Florida.

Zernial will also serve as Executive Director of the WellMed Charitable Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports seniors and caregivers of seniors in our community.

With two decades of experience in the field of aging, Zernial is a national expert on evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs for seniors. She recently received the 2008 Outstanding Professional in Aging Award in Texas for her contributions to the field of aging.

"Carol Zernial has been an energizing force in San Antonio and across the nation on a range of critical issues impacting seniors, from the prevention of falls, diabetes and elder abuse to long-term care and community development," said George M. Rapier III, M.D., WellMed Chairman and CEO. "Her experience and leadership skills will help WellMed further develop our award-winning vision for changing the face of healthcare delivery for seniors."

At the Bexar Area Agency on Aging, Zernial led the development of the Alamo Service Connection: a nine-agency Aging And Disability Resource Center partnership serving the elderly, persons with disabilities and their caregivers that opened in February 2008.

Zernial's background includes work for the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the National Center on Elder Abuse. She serves on the Leadership Council of the National Council on Aging. She was Vice President of the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and immediate past-chair of the National Institute on Community-based Long-Term Care.

Zernial holds a master's degree in social gerontology from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Press Release Contact Information:

Dan Calderon
WellMed Medical Management
Sr. Communications Consultant
8637 Fredericksburg
San Antonio, TX
USA 78240
Voice: 210-615-4459
Website: Visit Our Website