News - July 19, 2024

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Names Aaron Zajdel of Goodwin Living™ 2024 40 Under 40 Award Recipient

Alexandria, Va. – The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has named Aaron Zajdel, Goodwin Living Care Connections Manager, as a 2024 40 Under 40 Award recipient. Established in 2016, this award recognizes the successes of 40 individuals under the age of 40 in various industries and their impact on the thriving Alexandria community. This is the fourth consecutive year that a team member from Goodwin Living has been honored as a 40 Under 40 Award recipient. Zajdel joins Jackie Barbarito Scholar (2021), Dr. Margaret Gloria (2022) and Josh Bagley (2023) as Goodwin Living leaders who have been recognized with this honor.

“Aaron’s ability to lead a person-centered, holistic care coordination model for older adults wherever they live and across all their health care providers enabled us to introduce an innovative model of care to our region,” said Rob Liebreich, President & CEO of Goodwin Living. “His unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for older adults in Alexandria and across the region make him a deserving recipient of this award.”

Zajdel joined Goodwin Living in 2017 as a medical social worker, bringing with him a passion for working with the aging population. With a master’s degree in social work from Florida International University, specializing in social work with the elderly, Zajdel has dedicated his career to enhancing the lives of older adults through compassionate and innovative care.

In 2022, Zajdel developed the Goodwin Living Care Connections program, an innovative model of palliative care designed for individuals with chronic conditions. The program focuses on patient-driven goals for medical and advanced care planning. Under Zajdel’s leadership, Care Connections has expanded to a team of three full-time licensed clinical social workers and has extended its reach beyond Goodwin Living campuses to include Goodwin Home Health and partnerships with Inova Alexandria and Virginia Hospital Center. To date, the program has served approximately 400 Goodwin Living residents and 270 individuals in the broader Northern Virginia region.

In addition to his professional achievements, Zajdel is actively involved in various community initiatives. Following a personal experience that highlighted the importance of pedestrian safety, Zajdel and his husband became passionate advocates for Alexandria Families for Safe Streets. He also actively participates in the Dementia Friendly initiatives in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, providing education and support to create more inclusive communities for individuals living with dementia.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce,” Zajdel said. “This award is a testament to the collective efforts of the incredible team at Goodwin Living. I am committed to continuing our work to ensure that older adults in Alexandria and beyond receive the compassionate, person-centered care they deserve.”

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce hosted an awards ceremony at the American Physical Therapy Association in Alexandria on July 18 for the 40 under 40 award recipients.

For more information about Goodwin Living please visit GoodwinLiving.org.

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About Goodwin Living™ (goodwinliving.org): Goodwin Living™ touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities, specialized healthcare services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of others (specifically older adults and those who care for them), Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 65 countries. Goodwin Living has been a Washington Post Top Workplace for six consecutive years and has been named the #2 Top Workplace for 2024. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.