ICC’s Panell Receives NEWMS Woman Of Distinction Award

FULTON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Dr. Laura Pannell of New Albany, lead online instructor for psychology/educational psychology/social work/gerontology at Itawamba Community College since 2006, has been selected as one of seven recipients of the Women of Distinction awards from the New Expectations for Women in North Mississippi.

The award was presented during a luncheon at the BancorpSouth Conference Center today (Apr. 22).

Pannell is a Nationally Credentialed Gerontologist and a MSVCC Certified Online Instructor.

She also served on a team that developed the first Green Houses^® Elder Homes in the world.

Among her professional memberships are co-chair of the Elder Coalitions for Training at the State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Academies; Mississippi Gerontological Society Board of Directors (immediate past president, editor of MGS website and newsletter);

Mississippi AARP Executive Council; Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging (state appointment); ICC Faculty Association for Tupelo/Belden (past president); Mississippi Caregiver Coalition; Association of Gerontology in Higher Education; American Psychological Association; Mississippi Counseling Association and the Southern Gerontological Society.

Her honors and awards include the Mississippi Humanities Teacher award recipient for 2015, HEADWAE award (Mississippi Community College Board), NISOD Award of Excellence, ICC award of excellence and Meritorious Achievement award, Lamplighter, nine Maggie awards from the Mississippi Hospital Association, two national marketing/advertising awards, six CPRAM regional admission awards, two national awards for admission reports, past American College of Healthcare Executives and past Leadership Mississippi.

Her current service includes president of the Benton/Union County Church Cluster, state of Mississippi Alzheimer’s Planning Council, past president and member of the board of Friends of North Mississippi State Hospital, Mississippi Family Caregiver Coalition, founding and current planning council for the North Mississippi Alzheimer’s Conference and older adult visitation with Harley, Therapy Dog.

Her educational background includes both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi and the doctorate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She served as a contributor for “Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers,” which was published by the USAgainstAlzheimer’s Network, and as co-author of “A Method for Improving Intergenerational Encounters: The Case of Mama Bettie” in the Journal of Aging.

She and her husband, Mark, are the parents of one son, Matthew.