Gladys González-Ramos Obituary

González-Ramos-Dr. Gladys María on December 22, 2010; age 56. A native of Cuba, Gladys was the beloved wife of Ernesto Loperena, loving sister of Juan C. González and aunt to Juan Carlos, Christina and Victoria González, beloved niece to Mercedes and Jorge Ramos, a loving cousin, and a devoted friend to Elaine V. Cohen and many others. A gifted teacher and mentor, Gladys was Associate Professor of Social Work at the NYU Silver School of Social Work and Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at the NYU School of Medicine. Her interests spanned mental health, delivery of care to Hispanic children and families, mothers' cultural child-rearing values, the role of social work, interdisciplinary team training and care delivery in Parkinson's Disease (PD). She developed /taught social work study in Puerto Rico, co-developed a disability curriculum for health professionals and an elective on the impact of chronic and neurological illness on individuals/families, and co-led a program for Hispanic immigrant children in NYC schools. Inspired by her parents' experiences (her father was caregiver to her mother who had Parkinson's), Gladys became a national leader in PD. Consultant to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), she co-developed NPF's two signature programs: Allied Team Training for Parkinson (ATTP), training social workers, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals across the U.S. about PD, and a national outreach program for diverse/medically underserved communities to access PD information, resources and care. Co-founder of the NYU Parkinson & Movement Disorders Center, she co-developed the NYU/JCC in Manhattan Parkinson's Wellness Program. Her work was imbued with intelligence and passion, coupled with warmth, wit, a genuine caring about people and an unparalleled love for family and friends. We are blessed with many wonderful memories and will continue her legacy to expand access to social work services and improve care for PD families. Donations can be made either to: The Gladys González-Ramos Memorial Lecture Fund to educate social workers/other professionals (check payable and sent to the NYU Silver School of Social Work; 1 Washington Square North, NY, NY 10003) and/or the González-Ramos Community Lecture Series to educate PD individuals/families (check payable to NYU Parkinson & Movement Disorders Center; Send to NYU Development Office, One Park Avenue, 17th floor NY, NY 10016: Attn: Colby Collier). A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Church in Manhattan (Broadway and 10th Street) on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 11am. May her memory be a blessing.

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Published by New York Times from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Gladys González-Ramos

10 Entries

Margie Hernandez

May 24, 2011

Gladys was a mentor and my private practice supervisor for several years, late 80's to early 90's. She was a true professional, a role model, and caring person. I feel privileged to have known Gladys. My condolences to her family.

March 10, 2011

Gladys Gonzalez-Ramos was the best professor I have ever had. I looked her up today to send her an email to let her know of how she touched my life back in grad school at NYU. I am so saddened to learn of her passing. She was brilliant and demanded the best of her students as she knew we were capable. Gladys, you touched me and so many and I thank you. Rest in peace my brilliant teacher. Jennifer Kelman NYU School of Social Work 1990

Mark Evans

February 22, 2011

Gladys taught me in three different courses at NYU 1988-1989. I have a picture taken with her on graduation day 1990. I just heard about her passing, and felt a sadness unlike any I have felt in many years. I am sitting here in my office at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and on my bookshelf is a binder with all of the notes (and exams) from Gladys' psychopathology course. I still refer to them. And, my clinical supervisees/trainees over the years have heard many an anecdote from her classroom!

I hurt for her loved ones/family/friends. I feel fortunate to have studied with her, and she made a huge impact on me and my career in social work, as well as that of my students and supervisees. I too will never forget her.

Mark Evans, MSW/LCSW. NYU School of Social Work Class of 1990.

Jane Delgado

February 20, 2011

Gladys was one of those few incredibly gifted and special people who worked to make the world better for everyone. We are grateful for all that she did for so many and will continue to carry on her work.

Steve Crohn

January 23, 2011

To the Ramos and Loprerena families,
Gladys was a radiant and luminous human being. And she changed my life. I was her student in 1991-93. I sat on student boards with her and I took workshops with her after I left the NYU School of Social Work. It was a joy and a challenge to be her student. She was so lucid and clear and strict. Her care and diligence to her work and her clarity of thought enriched my understanding of the field that has been the foundation of all my clinical practice to this day. If I say I loved her I am not saying enough. I admired her and only can imagine how many lives she touched and changed by her luminous soul and breathtaking intelligence and dedication. Her life was exemplary and she leaves behind a legacy but also a great void that is hard to fill. To her loved ones and close family I extend my deepest sympathies and the condolences of myself and my family. Steve Crohn, BA, MSW, LCSW

Dan Ruggiero, LCSW

January 6, 2011

To the Ramos and Loprerena families.
In 1990, Gladys and Lucretia Phillips team taught a course on ethnocultural isssues at NYU. I was in that class. It was the beginning of a personal and professional broadening of my perspective on people and all of their complexities. My experience of, and what i learned in that class has remained with me all these years. I have always had warm memories of these two dynamic people. It saddens me to hear of Gladys dying so young and to think of what she might have continued to accomplish after having already accomplished so much. Please accept my condolences on your profound loss.

Ricki Tigert Helfer

January 6, 2011

Dear Ernesto: I am so deeply sorry to hear of your sad loss. Your wife clearly was a remarkable person in every way and an outstanding leader in her fields. More than that, she obviously genuinely cared about people and about how to make their lives better. The world would be a much better place if we had more of her. I regret greatly that I did not know her. You and your family are in my thoughts during your time of grief. I hope you can take great comfort in the joy of sharing your life with Gladys. Her spirit and her contributions to the world will live for years to come. With my deepest condolences, Ricki Tigert Helfer (CCC)

Antoinette Nelson

January 5, 2011

To the Ramos and Loperena Family: Please accept my heartfelt condolence. Ernesto I know this is a tremendous loss but know this one this: Gladys spirit lives on through her children, grandchildren and the lives she touched doing what she loves. Gladys has fought the good fight and finished her course. God is pleased "Well done my beloved, well done." I pray for God's mercy, grace and peace during your time of bereavement. Sincerely

Emily Gutierrez

January 5, 2011

Gladys I will always admire your courage,strength and perseverence you will be missed.

George Wong

January 2, 2011

I shall always remember Gladys for her dedication to the underrepresented individuals, particularly those affected by Parkinson's Disease. She approached these endeavors with intelligence, passion,and energy that was inspiring to all involved with her. I will carry her spirit of enthusiasm onward in the work that I do to improve care for those with PD.

George F. Wong III, MD, Parkinson's Clinic of the Ozarks. Springfield, Missouri

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