SILVER SPRING, MD, February 29, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dorothea E. de Zafra-Atwell, MPIA, LTCO, Retired Director of Science Education at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and a Senior Program Analyst in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership, and excellence throughout a professional career in public policy and program development spanning 33 years. In retirement, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell has transferred her skills and abilities to the field of elder advocacy, positive aging, and lifelong learning. Her short-term goal is to consult or serve as a Board member for a non-profit organization or foundation. Long-term, she wants to live to be 100 while continuing to create an interesting and meaningful life.

Ms. de Zafra-Atwell was motivated and inspired to make a positive difference in the world by her parents and by the actions and leadership set forth by President John F. Kennedy. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Non-Western Civilizations from the University of Rochester, she earned a Masters Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. Her first career field was international education, beginning with fundraising at World University Service, and continuing as a program assistant at the City University of New York.

After four years, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell transitioned into the Federal Civil Service by qualifying for and accepting a management internship at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That led to positions in legislative and program analysis. Then, working in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in a policy, oversight, and collaborative capacity across all agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell helped to define a new field of law--fair information practices--as Privacy Act Program Manager and then as Information Systems Security Program Manager, respectively. In the latter capacity, she received an Exemplary Service Award for "sustained, superior performance". She also served on the Executive Board of the interagency Federal Computer Security Program Managers' Forum during those years, and became President of the Federal Information Systems Security Educators Association.

Reorganization within the Department of Health and Human Services led to Ms. de Zafra-Atwell's reassignment to develop and direct a science education program at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, one of the National Institutes of Health within the Public Health Service. She succeeded by using transferable management skills to collaborate with scientists in alcohol research and experts in curriculum development to develop and field test pilot course materials for the spectrum of students nationwide from middle schools to health professionals. At the same time, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell served on the Diversity Council of the National Institutes of Health, accomplished workplace diversity training, and received an Equal Employment Opportunity Special Achievement Award.

Immediately upon retiring in 2002, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell assumed power-of-attorney for, and became longdistance caregiver of, her aged mother. Seven years of progressive eldercare evolved into a personal commitment to elder advocacy. and training/certification as a long-term care ombudsman (LTCO).

Currently, Ms. de Zafra-Atwell volunteers as an LTCO at an assisted living facility, coordinates workshops on related issues in her church's Adult Religious Education program, serves as a discussion facilitator on creative aging, and is a member of the Lifelong Learning Advisory Council at her alma mater, the University of Rochester.

For more detailed information about Dorothea E. de Zafra-Atwell, visit http://www.industryexperts.com/expertprofile/government-and-nonprofit/policy-and-program-development/ms-dorothea-de-zafra-atwellExpt260.aspx.

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