February 2021 - Combatting the COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox with Distanced Solutions

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith is an associate professor in the Texas A&M School of Public Health and primary faculty member of in the Texas A&M Health Center for Population Health and Aging.  As an evaluator and interventionist, his research addresses health risk across the life-course and the uptake of evidence-based solutions for older adults. Dr. Smith has devoted his career to creating synergistic partnerships and initiatives to encourage positive lifestyles and reduce preventable morbidity and mortality. His translational work bridges research and practice issues across the healthcare sector, aging services network, and public health system.

Dorothea K. Vafiadis, is the Director of Health Partnerships and Strategic Engagement at NCOA. She has 20+ years' experience in public health and working with non-profit organizations. She has a track record for building and sustaining high-value relations, surpassing revenue goals and achieving reach and impact with mutually aligned partners. Vafiadis leads NCOA’s healthy aging strategy and oversees project management for the Obesity Education and Awareness Campaign, the Healthy Bone Initiative and the Wellness and Pain Relief program. Prior to NCOA, Vafiadis served as Director of Healthy Living for the American Heart Association, where she oversaw board-appointed science committees and convened multinational food companies for the purposes of optimizing their healthy food offerings and improving the food landscape. She played a major role in launching the national Healthy for Good campaign, a science-based campaign to drive behavior change. Prior to AHA, Vafiadis worked on federal nutrition policy at USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion.