About the Advisory Board

Learn more about us, our vision, and our mission.

Who We Are

We are community advocates, healthcare experts, and researchers

The National Advisory Board (NAB) on Improving Health Care Services for Older Adults and People with Disabilities is comprised of community advocates, healthcare experts, and academics who provide guidance and policy recommendations for improving programs and services.

What we believe

The future of person-centered care depends on educating the public on issues that impact older adults and people with disabilities

It is necessary for all Americans to be educated about the issues older adults and individuals with disabilities experience.

Disability can occur at any time or through the natural process of aging.

Disability extends across race, age, ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status.

We believe Americans must be informed on the health, wellness, social, and economic issues that older adults and individuals with disabilities experience so that we can design a person-centered and sustainable healthcare system.

Our Team

National Advisory Board Members

The NAB provides guidance and policy recommendations for improving programs and services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Lex Frieden, Convener
Lex Frieden, Convener
Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Professor of Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine | Director, Independent Living Research Utilization, a program at TIRR Memorial Hermann
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Laurin Bixby
Laurin Bixby
Research Scientist, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University
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Kathy Brill, MEd, MPS
Kathy Brill, MEd, MPS
Consultant, Brill Consulting LLC
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"Chuck" Charles Christiansen, EdD
"Chuck" Charles Christiansen, EdD
Professor Emeritus and Former Dean, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) | CEO, American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
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Yanira Cruz
Yanira Cruz
President and CEO, National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)
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Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte, MA
Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte, MA
Member - Global Universal Design Commission, Retired
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Sita Diehl
Sita Diehl
Public Policy Director (Retired), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin
Kathy Greenlee
Kathy Greenlee
Senior Director of Elder Justice Initiatives, ADvancing States
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Jae Kennedy
Jae Kennedy
Professor of Health Policy and Administration, Washington State University
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Leonard Kirschner, MD, MPH
Leonard Kirschner, MD, MPH
Colonel USAF (Retired) | AHCCCS Director (1987-1993) | Past President AARP Arizona
Sandy Markwood
Sandy Markwood
CEO, USAging
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Katy Neas
Katy Neas
CEO, The Arc of the United States
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Cynthia Overton, PhD
Cynthia Overton, PhD
Founder & Principal Consultant, Triple Edge Advising LLC
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Carolyn P. Phillips, M.Ed., CPACC
Carolyn P. Phillips, M.Ed., CPACC
Retired Georgia Institute of Technology | University System of Georgia
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Michelle Putnam, PhD
Michelle Putnam, PhD
Director, Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston
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Martha Roherty
Martha Roherty
Executive Director, ADvancing States
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Mary Sowers
Mary Sowers
Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
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Sherrill Wayland, MSW
Sherrill Wayland, MSW
Senior Director, SAGE
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Guiying (Angel) Zhong
Guiying (Angel) Zhong
Research Associate, Junior Professional Researcher Affiliate, Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan
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Federal Resources and Partners

For further information and access to government resources, please visit the following:

Administration for Community Living

www.acl.gov

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

www.ada.gov

National Council on Disability

www.ncd.gov

Disability services | USAGov

https://www.usa.gov/disability-services

National Institute on Aging

www.nia.nih.gov

A modernized healthcare infrastructure is crucial to preserving independence for people with disabilities and older adults.

The National Advisory Board believes that the modernized health care infrastructure required to meet the goals, preferences, and needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities must include the Six Principles. Please join with us in promoting and furthering them.