Columbia, Mo. — Marilyn Rantz, Curators’ Professor in the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing (MU SSON), was recently recognized with the University of Missouri System President’s Award for Economic Development. The recognition included a $5,000 award.

Robert Schwartz, UM President’s Office chief of staff, surprised Rantz with an award presentation in front of her colleagues. The Economic Development Award recognizes faculty for distinguished activity in meeting the University of Missouri’s goal of serving as an economic engine for the state and its citizens. Awardees demonstrate entrepreneurial innovation in using the classroom, outreach programs or the laboratory as vehicles for increasing or developing new economic activity in the state.

Rantz has spent more than 30 years working with the aging population and conducting research to improve seniors’ quality of life.

“Dr. Rantz’s commitment to improving nursing care for elders resulted in her pioneering the development and testing of alternative models of care for frail elders,” said Judith Fitzgerald Miller, MU SSON dean. “Her innovations have resulted in jobs for hundreds of health care workers and millions of dollars in construction costs invested by Americare for our independent living center, TigerPlace. Her tenacity has had a profound economic impact and improved quality of life for the elderly.”

TigerPlace uses the Aging in Place (AIP) model developed by Rantz and her team. The AIP model focuses on care coordination by nurses to enable older adults to age and receive necessary care in residential care settings. Rantz is AIP director at TigerPlace and MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging associate director.

Rantz is currently leading a $14.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The project focuses on reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations among residents of St. Louis-area nursing homes. Insights gained from this project could provide a nationwide model for senior care and significantly reduce national health care spending. Rantz was admitted to the Institute of Medicine in 2012.