Iris Chi, D.S.W., the Golden Age Association / Frances Wu Chair for the Chinese Elderly at the University of Southern California's School of Social Work, has been awarded the Bronze Bauhina Star by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China for her meritorious public and community service with the city's aging community.

Dr. Chi is among 376 honorees on the 2004 Honours List, who are awarded medals by Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa to commemorate the seventh anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with China. She will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 9 in Hong Kong for her contributions to the development of numerous policies and services for older residents, which are helping to meet the longer term challenges of an aging population in Hong Kong.

"Iris has been a powerful force in the development of social work in China, and this is just one more well-deserved recognition of her contributions to social welfare and human well-being," said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work.

The Bronze Bauhina Star is a highly coveted award given by the Hong Kong government, recognizing those who have provided distinguished, outstanding and long-term service to the community or to their individual fields.

An expert in elderly health and gerontology, Dr. Chi has participated in more than 50 studies and published more than 150 articles on topics including long- term care, mental health chronic illness, community service, social support, dementia and Parkinson's disease. She is the recipient of four research awards, including the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology's Award for Outstanding Research in Gerontology.

As a result of her extensive work and expertise, the Hong Kong government apppointed Dr. Chi to the Elderly Commission, a post she has held since 1997. In addition, she has been the director of the Sau Po Centre on Aging at the University of Hong Kong since 1999. She is also an expert reviewer and editorial board member for The Gerontologist, Journal of Social Work Practice and Evaluation and Geriatrics and Gerontology International.