White Plains resident Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey, an attorney who focuses on health law and is nationally recognized for her work on palliative and end-of-life care issues, has been named as the new chairperson of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services (WPPP).

The goal of the WPPP is to help seniors age with independence and dignity in their communities, as well as to assist caregivers. WPPP members represent governments, businesses and volunteer service agencies. Members work to fundraise, underwrite specific programs and/or donate in-kind services that expand needed programs to the elderly. Most of the funds raised benefit programs run by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS).

"Government simply cannot do it all alone," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "Public-private partnerships are absolutely essential. I want to congratulate Mary Beth and thank the WPPP for all it does throughout the year to benefit Westchester's seniors."

Morrissey has been active in the partnership for three years and most recently served as its vice chairperson. She is also co-chairperson of the Livable Communities Palliative Care Collaborative, a joint initiative of the WPPP and DSPS.

Morrissey is also president of the State Society on Aging of New York, an interdisciplinary membership society. In addition, she is founder and president of the New York State Southern Region Collaborative for Palliative Care, a broad-based consortium of professionals and health care providers dedicated to research, education and advocacy to improve the health and well-being of individuals with serious illnesses.

Morrissey has written extensively for professional publications, and earlier this year received the Westchester Women's Bar Association Above the Bar Award for "Most Socially Conscious Attorney."

"With Mary Beth's academic background and long professional experience in the field, she has a firm grasp on how senior issues impact society," said DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter. "She is very aware that in today's economy, what the partnership does matters more than ever because government cannot do everything. She will be a strong leader."