Elizabeth Bernat Named Executive Director of the Lowcountry Senior Center

Charleston, SC – The Lowcountry Senior Center is pleased to announce that A. Elizabeth Bernat, MHA has been named the organization’s Executive Director. Bernat has managed the Center’s personnel and finances, and was responsible for all grant-related activities since she was named Interim Executive Director in November 2007.

Prior to assuming the Interim Director position, Bernat led the Center’s Leisure and Learning Program for five years, managing more than 200 classes per month to promote the six dimensions of wellness including: physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, vocational and social. Bernat also designed, planned and implemented many successful fundraising events for the Center including the Festival of Wreaths, Oyster Roast and the Lowcountry Senior Art Festival. She further enhanced the Center’s image and community standing by leading it to high accomplishments. Most notably, she chaired the Evaluation Committee and participated in a multi-disciplinary Accreditation Team that successfully completed the National Institute of Senior Centers’ accreditation process, making the Lowcountry Senior Center the first accredited center in the South Carolina.

A resident of West Ashley, Bernat serves as a member of the Trident United Way Achieving Successful Aging Vision Council as well as the South Carolina Aging In Place Coalition.

“Elizabeth is the perfect fit for this job with her background and experience,” said Steven Shapiro, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare, which manages the Center for the City of Charleston. “She is passionate about what she does and that passion has helped shape the Senior Center into the success it is today…a wonderful place for socialization and recreation for people age 50 and older.”

Located at 865 Riverland Drive on James Island, the Lowcountry Senior Center is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, 10,500-square-foot facility, housing recreational, fitness, socialization and educational opportunities for the Lowcountry community's senior adults, age 50 and older.

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The Roper St. Francis Healthcare Mission:

Healing All People with Compassion, Faith and Excellence.