Bill Flynn 

The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island
Executive Director
Providence, RI                                                               

What drew you to the field of aging or gerontology?
As a director of a statewide agency focused on reducing poverty among children and families, for many years I shared an office and worked collaboratively with the Rhode Island chapter of the Gray Panthers. I was impressed by their members' energy, fire and dedication to fighting for a better community. I was also amazed by their stories of surviving on very limited incomes. Five years ago, when I had the opportunity to take on my present position organizing seniors to promote "aging in the community" opportunities, I jumped at it.              

What is your specialty or area of interest?
I am focused on empowering people to change policies, laws and programs that will enable seniors to "age in the community" longer and with better quality of life. While I work primarily with seniors and help them develop leaders for this cause, I also engage seniors' families, caregivers, and anyone concerned about having a good quality of life as they age. As a baby boomer I have a very immediate self-interest in this issue, which is always a good thing for a community organizer.

How do ASA's resources and education help you with your work?
As a newcomer to the field of aging, I have relied heavily on the ASA's resources for my education in senior matters. Foremost has been the ASA's Annual Aging in America Conference--I've attended every one since starting this job.  Beyond its superb workshops, plenaries and exhibitors, it has been a fabulous networking venue. It has enabled me to meet 1 on 1 and build relationships with national experts who have been generous with their time and advice. "Generations" is always required reading for me, and ASA Webinars have also been very helpful.

Najja Orr

Director
Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
Doylestown, PA

What drew you to the field of aging or gerontology?
I became more interested in the field of aging when my grandmother became sick several years ago, and despite my experience and training in social services, I realized how little prepared I was to handle the daily issues that older adults face. I wanted to become better prepared to assist not only my loved ones, but all seniors in need.

What is your specialty or area of interest?
My commitment as the Director of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging is to provide comprehensive services that assist older adults and caregivers to make informed decisions regarding home- and community-based services, healthcare and long-term care options, maintaining active and healthy lifestyles, and remaining free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

You’re a 2010 graduate of ASA’s New Ventures in Leadership (NVL) program and an excellent example of how organizations can benefit from NVL. How did the NVL Program help you with your career?
Outside of gaining life-long friends in my mentors and fellow alumni from the class of ’09–’10, I believe that NVL is a rite of passage that provides the most comprehensive learning experience I’ve been exposed to in my professional career. The blended curriculum of the program enhanced my leadership skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone to further my personal and professional growth. NVL allowed me to consider greater possibilities regarding my career path and contributed to my two promotions since graduation.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?
I most enjoy giving back to older adults who have paved the way for me to be where I am today. As the demand for home- and community-based services continues to grow, we should be the catalyst for communities to allow people to age well, remain healthy, and receive the assistance necessary to keep them safe. Click to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Kidest Babi, NP

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
LAC+USC Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

What drew you to the field of aging or gerontology?
I worked as a caregiver taking care of an 80-year-old lady while going to undergraduate nursing school. The experience led me to pursue the field of aging. I have not been disappointed. It is a field that is demanding in terms of time and resources, due to the chronic nature of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes etc. The demand for geriatric healthcare providers is enormous because of the growing aging population.

What is your specialty or area of interest?
My specialty area is healthcare dealing with chronic health management such as: Diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive lung disease, etc.—in both in-patient and out-patient settings. I am a geriatric nurse practitioner in one of the largest county facilities in the country, LAC+USC Medical Center. There are more than 1 million patients who receive care in out-patient clinics at LAC+USC. My area of interest includes healthcare distribution, global health, healthcare policy, and global aging.

How do ASA’s resources and education help you with your work?
I am a 2009 graduate of the New Ventures in Leadership program through ASA. The program was an enlightening experience for me. I am still linked with my mentor from the NVL program, who is a great leader in the field of aging. The ASA conferences are wonderful learning experiences that provide teachings from experts on relevant topics. They offer great networking opportunities with leaders in the aging field. I have been able to gain knowledge about healthcare reform and specific policies affecting the increasing aging population.

How has your volunteer experience with ASA helped you grow as a leader?
I am mentoring various graduate nursing students in a clinical setting, and helping them with their professional development, too. By teaching, I continue to learn as well. It has also been a rewarding experience personally getting to know the next generation of healthcare providers. To who so much is given, more is expected. Click to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Brian de Vries, Ph.D.

Professor
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

What drew you to the field of aging or gerontology?

In the intergenerational household in which I was raised, I was exposed to positive models of healthy aging even as I heard and saw, in the media and beyond, stereotypes and negative views of aging. This discrepancy between what I lived with and what I heard and saw motivated me to better understand the aging process and societal attitudes—this still motivates me today.

What is your specialty or area of interest?

I have three areas of research interest. Primary among these is LGBT aging and trying to understand the challenges and strengths of aging as a member of a sexual minority, under stigmatizing conditions. I am also interested in friendships and the unique and pivotal role friends play in our lives. On the flip side of this issue, I am interested in how we grieve and the role of loss in our lives.

How do ASA’s resources and education help you with your work?

ASA’s commitment to diversity makes it vital to and for my work; nowhere else are the issues of LGBT aging so well represented and integrated into the culture of an organization dealing with the aging population. The annual Aging in America conference always serves as an energy boost and provides direction and colleagues for subsequent work; the webinars serve as regular updates and easily accessed “continuing” education; the publications always give me a handy reference for topical and current issues of aging.

How has your volunteer experience helped you grow as a leader?

I have learned how to think both more broadly and inclusively about some of the many issues of aging; I have met many of the leaders in the field from whom I continue to learn. Click to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Michelle Dowds, MSW

Community Outreach Coordinator
Seniors At Home, a division of JFCS
San Francisco, CA

What drew you to the field of aging or gerontology?

I have my masters in social work, and one of my internships was in providing case management to older adults. I found my niche based on the connections I made, and the wisdom that was imparted on me. I'm very passionate about advocating for the needs of the aging population, helping to maintain their dignity, and ensuring a safe quality of life in their home setting.

What is your specialty or area of interest?

I have various interests in the field of aging: professional education, program development, care management, and non-medical home care.

How do ASA's resources and education help you with your work?

ASA has helped me to connect to other professionals in the field of aging. The annual conference offers me insights into the trends in aging, and innovative programs in the community.