INSIDE BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
UHS honors Johansen with Palmer Award
The award is presented annually by the United Health Services medical staff in recognition of efforts in the fight against alcoholism and substance abuse. Johansen was honored last week during a ceremony at Binghamton General Hospital in commemoration of April as National Alcoholism Awareness Month.
Johansen provides individual counseling as well as community education about substance abuse. He coordinates ongoing alcohol and other drug prevention training for peer educators and is a regular speaker at student orientation programs.
Johansen was instrumental in implementing the Web-based Alcohol.Edu program for freshmen, which focuses on alcohol and safe decision making. Binghamton is the first State University of New York school to mandate such a program and it is a model for other campuses.
“Gerry strives tirelessly to inform others about the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in the lives of college students,” said Dr. Mohamad Abdelazim, president of the United Health Services medical staff. “He works with university peer educators, Residential Life staff and community groups to address underage drinking and to develop ways to improve student/neighbor relations in the Greater Binghamton area.”
Johansen’s work in policy development reaches beyond campus. He is a co-author and co-administrator of a grant from the U.S. Justice Department related to violence against women. The grant funds publications and programs regarding rape and sexual assault and focuses on the role that alcohol plays in many offenses.
“It is obvious that Gerry is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by alcohol abuse and addiction,” said Matt Salanger, president and chief executive officer of UHS Hospitals.
“Binghamton University, the SUNY system, the entire Southern Tier community and the field of addictions treatment are all better as a result of the ongoing contributions that he so freely makes.”
