Council on Aging Honors 7 Martin County Seniors with Sage Awards
Stuart, FL – The 9th Annual Sage Awards event will honor seven Martin County seniors for their wisdom and community spirit at a ceremony on April 2 at Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club.
The Sage Awards event is held annually under the sponsorship of the Council on Aging Martin County. This year’s Presenting Partner Sponsor is once again Dr. Reza Khatib, an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and resident of Palm City. The honorees come from various walks of life but share a remarkable demonstration of leadership, unwavering dedication, and deep compassion for others.
This year’s honorees are: Gert Rodgers, Chairman’s Award, an accomplished healthcare administrator with a passion for quality care for all and a tireless advocate for seniors and issues of aging; Tom Campenni, Charlie Kane Award, the founder and publisher of the community digital newsletter Friends & Neighbors; Nick Blount, Community Service, a long-time leader and volunteer for causes and projects that improve the life of the community; Tony Anderson, Education, a former teacher and school board member and an energetic champion of education; Kristal Wion Eckhardt, Arts & Culture, the founder of the highly successful drama department at Martin County High School and now an active member of the arts community; Jordan Bromberg, MD, Health Science & Medicine, a revered medical practitioner on the Treasure Coast and now the Medical Director for the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic; and John P. Glynn, Jr., Military & Veteran Support, a veteran himself who is driven to honor the men and women who have served their country.
“Our honorees are truly impressive,” said Council on Aging Martin President and CEO Karen Ripper. “All of them have used the wisdom, talents and treasures they’ve cultivated over a lifetime to enrich the world around them. They are tremendous examples of the fact that age is not an indicator of how much a person can contribute to his or her community.”
For 51 years the Council on Aging has served the residents of Martin County as the hub for senior resources. “As we applaud the 2025 Sage honorees,” Ripper said, “we also pledge to continue our work to ensure that our seniors are able to maintain vibrant and purposeful lives, aging with dignity and a sense of belonging.”
The community is invited to attend the Sage Awards ceremony, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, and includes a dinner prepared by the talented Piper’s Landing culinary staff. Tickets are available at www.coamartin.org/sageawards.
The Presenting Partner Sponsor for the Sage Awards is Dr. Reza Khatib, with additional sponsorship from The Community Foundation Martin - St. Lucie, Nearing & Dallas Wealth Management at RBC Wealth Management, Mesirow Wealth Management, Richard A. Zappala Family Foundation, HBK CPAs & Consultants, Nancy Goethel, CFP®, CIMA®, CRPC®- Vice President of Investments at Raymond James, N. Schoonover & Associates, Inc., Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, The Saelzer/Atlas Wealth Management Team of Raymond James, Dadko Wealth Management of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Water’s Edge Health Care. Rehabilitation. Assisted Living at Sandhill Cove, South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Management, and Berger, Toombs, Elam, Gaines & Frank .
About the Council on Aging of Martin County
The Council on Aging of Martin County is the community’s hub for senior resources and the county’s Lead Agency on Aging. Founded in 1974, the organization offers expertise, programming and support for older adults and their families to help seniors maintain lives of quality and purpose. Services include Day Primary Care Center, Memory Enhancement Center, Adult Day Club, Meals on Wheels, care management, caregiver support, and a robust offering of educational, cultural, fitness and wellness programs.
The Kane Center located at 900 SE Salerno Road in Stuart is the Council on Aging of Martin County’s headquarters and is also an event venue available to the public. It serves as a special needs hurricane shelter when necessary. Council on Aging of Martin County also operates senior outreach facilities in Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, East Stuart and Indiantown. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Council on Aging receives funding from state and federal agencies and relies on philanthropic support from the community, including other agencies, private foundations and individual donors. For more information, visit www.coamartin.org.