Melissa Dale has worked in public health for the last 15 years. She is currently the Program Manager for the Montana Healthy Living Program, overseeing both the Arthritis and Falls Prevention Programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from the Montana State University and a Master of Public Health degree from Walden University.  

Heather Welch has worked at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for 15 years, previously working in tobacco, nutrition and physical activity, and the arthritis programs.  She is currently the Section Supervisor for the Living Well Section, which houses the Montana Healthy Living Program, Disability and Health Program and the Falls Prevention Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Idaho State University. 

Jennifer Fortin is the Training and Fidelity Manager for Healthy Living for ME, the statewide evidence-based Coordinated network in Maine. She is a T-trainer for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Education programs including Diabetes, Chronic Pain and Positive Self-management. Jennifer is a Master Trainer in A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls and trained in Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance and Tai Chi for Arthritis/Falls Prevention. In addition, she is a Lifestyle Coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program, a facilitator for the EnhanceFitness program and an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor.Jennifer resides in Augusta, ME with her husband and 3 children. She is an active member of the Augusta Age Friendly Committee, AARP Maine and Vice President of a Community Service Sorority.

Jen started with Spectrum Generations in 2014 in the Adult Day and Community Support program where she focused on consumer enrollment, care coordination, and staff training and support. She joined Spectrum Generations’ Healthy Living for ME team in 2018 and in her current role supports the development, delivery, and coordination of the evidence-based provider network in Maine.

Jen is a Master Trainer for A Matter of Balance and the Chronic Disease Self-Management series, including Chronic Disease, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, Positive self-management, and Building Better Caregiver programs. Jen also leads Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and is a training provider for the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED programs.

Jen lives in Burnham, Maine, and in her free time enjoys cooking, kayaking, and exploring Maine’s many hidden treasures.

Kelly Chadwick is currently a master's student studying public health at the University of Washington. While completing her degree she is working at the University?s Health Promotion Research Center on a project evaluating the impacts of evidence-based programs? pivot to remote delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to discovering her passion for public health, Kelly received a B.A. in Psychology from Whitman College.

Marlana Kohn, MPH, is a research scientist at the UW Health Promotion Research Center. Her current research includes older adult physical activity, workplace health promotion, and age-appropriate cancer screening in the context of program implementation and dissemination. She works extensively with community partners to expand reach of evidence-based programming through research and adaptation.

Lauren Popham is Associate Director, Research and Evaluation at the National Council on Aging. She has over 11 years of research experience in the aging field. At NCOA, she oversees research and evaluation projects in economic security and is responsible for measuring the organization’s social impact. Prior to joining NCOA, she worked at Greenwald & Associates where she led quantitative and qualitative studies on topics such as financial stress and retirement planning. Lauren received her PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology with a focus on older adults from North Carolina State University.

Dana Heyl joined the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) as the Evidence Based Program Coordinator in March 2021. She began her career in public health at ARC a decade ago working on a Lifelong Communities grant. Since then, Dana has worked at has worked with several non-profit and consulting agencies in Atlanta. Most recently, Dana was a Senior Program Manager with the American Cancer Society, leading transportation and lodging programs for cancer patients in Georgia. Dana has a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Health from Emory University. An avid tennis player, Dana also enjoys cycling, visiting the beach, and fostering kittens. 

Laura B. Plunkett is a Senior Program Specialist with the Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging. In this role, she works with chronic disease self-management education and fall prevention grantees across the country to provide information, support, and resources to strengthen, expand, and sustain the delivery of evidence-based programs. Prior to joining NCOA, Laura spent four years at an Area Agency on Aging in North Carolina, where she coordinated the implementation of evidence-based health promotion programs in 12 counties. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Social Work from North Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Public Health from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her professional interests include the integration of community-based services and health care, the sustainability of evidence-based programs, and continuum of care efforts.

Kathleen Zuke was privileged to grow up with eight loving grandparents and developed a passion for supportive services for older adults as a caregiver for her grandfather. She has been a Senior Program Manager with the Center for Healthy Aging since 2015. In this role, she works collaboratively with community-based partners across the country to identify, implement, and sustain evidence-based programs that support older adults in staying well and aging in the community, including chronic disease self-management education, falls prevention, and behavioral health. She has a Master’s degree in Public Health from Hunter College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Erika is a consultant focusing on design, implementation, and management of programs to improve health care delivery to marginalized and underserved communities. Erika supported the Mid-America Regional Council to establish a Community Care Hub operating in both a regional and statewide market, including network infrastructure development, contracting, quality assurance, and referral management.

Tane Lewis, BA, Evidence-Based Program (EBP) Coordinator for Mid-America Regional Center (MARC), Local Project Coordinator for the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (MA4), Master Trainer and Leader of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Programs, and Community Health Worker (CHW). Tane is also a member of the Missouri Senior Falls Prevention Coalition of Clay and Platte Counties. As the EBP Coordinator for MARC Tane is building a regional network of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), in partnership with MARC, that are committed to facilitating EBPs to empower our communities through health promotion, disease prevention education and support services. MARC is dedicated to investing in local CBOs to increase the capacity and sustainability of their health and wellness programs to better serve our communities.

Kathleen Zuke was privileged to grow up with eight loving grandparents and developed a passion for supportive services for older adults as a caregiver for her grandfather. She has been a Senior Program Manager with the Center for Healthy Aging since 2015. In this role, she works collaboratively with community-based partners across the country to identify, implement, and sustain evidence-based programs that support older adults in staying well and aging in the community, including chronic disease self-management education, falls prevention, and behavioral health. She has a Master’s degree in Public Health from Hunter College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Dr. Jennifer L. Tripken is an Associate Director, Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging. In this role, Jennifer supports the expansion and sustainability of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs in the community and online through collaboration with national, state, and community partners. Prior to joining NCOA, Jennifer worked for eight years as a university professor in Health Education and Promotion. Before that, Jennifer spent six years as a middle and high school Health Education teacher in New York. 

Jennifer earned her Ed.D. in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, her M.Ed. in Health Education at Boston University, and her B.S. in Athletic Training at Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Jennifer L. Tripken is an Associate Director, Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging. In this role, Jennifer supports the expansion and sustainability of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs in the community and online through collaboration with national, state, and community partners. Prior to joining NCOA, Jennifer worked for eight years as a university professor in Health Education and Promotion. Before that, Jennifer spent six years as a middle and high school Health Education teacher in New York. 

Jennifer earned her Ed.D. in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, her M.Ed. in Health Education at Boston University, and her B.S. in Athletic Training at Pennsylvania State University.

Padraic Stanley is a social worker living in Chicago, IL. He currently works as a program manager for community-based health promotion for the Rush University Medical Center Department of Social Work & Community Health. He is also the chair of Rush’s Immigrant Health Working Group, which is oversees Rush’s immigrant health and welcoming healthcare initiatives. He is a graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work, where he completed the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and completed clinical practicum at Heartland Human Care Services and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Currently, he is an adjunct professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago, Associate Professor of Social Work for the Rush University College of Health Sciences, on the associate board for Erie Neighborhood House, and the executive board for the International Association for Social Work with Groups.

Carlee Wasik is currently the grant manager for an ACL Fall Prevention Sustainable Systems grantee for Michigan State University Extension. Her background resides in population health, disease management, and working with managed care organizations. She has created referral workflows within several health care and community settings such as primary care providers, managed care organizations, ophthalmologists, senior centers, and fire departments.

Dr. Jennifer L. Tripken is an Associate Director, Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging. In this role, Jennifer supports the expansion and sustainability of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs in the community and online through collaboration with national, state, and community partners. Prior to joining NCOA, Jennifer worked for eight years as a university professor in Health Education and Promotion. Before that, Jennifer spent six years as a middle and high school Health Education teacher in New York. 

Jennifer earned her Ed.D. in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, her M.Ed. in Health Education at Boston University, and her B.S. in Athletic Training at Pennsylvania State University.

Dianne Davis is Vice President, Community Wellness at Partners in Care Foundation leading 16 professionals implementing evidence-based programs as well as overseeing the nationally-recognized HomeMeds program. She has 25 years’ experience in healthcare administration, Managed Care and Gerontology. Ms. Davis oversees federal, state, county, city and private foundation relationships, and Partners’ contracts for evidence-based programs with health systems. Ms. Davis holds a MPH from UMASS, Amherst and a post-graduate certificate in Gerontology from UMASS Boston. She speaks at numerous conferences, is a member of the Evidence-Based Leadership Collaborative, a mentor for the NCOA Network Development Learning Collaborative and taught a course at UCLA, Evidence-based Programs for Older Adults.

Jen started with Spectrum Generations in 2014 in the Adult Day and Community Support program where she focused on consumer enrollment, care coordination, and staff training and support. She joined Spectrum Generations’ Healthy Living for ME team in 2018 and in her current role supports the development, delivery, and coordination of the evidence-based provider network in Maine.

Jen is a Master Trainer for A Matter of Balance and the Chronic Disease Self-Management series, including Chronic Disease, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, Positive self-management, and Building Better Caregiver programs. Jen also leads Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and is a training provider for the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED programs.

Jen lives in Burnham, Maine, and in her free time enjoys cooking, kayaking, and exploring Maine’s many hidden treasures.

Sarah Blonigan is the Juniper Network Director at Trellis. Her background spans the fields of public health, state and federal health care regulations and compliance, and law.

Juniper is a network of over 85 community-based providers throughout Minnesota that offer evidence-based health promotion classes. The classes are offered in community settings and healthcare settings. Juniper and its network of providers improve the health outcomes related to disease management and falls prevention.

As the Juniper Network Director Ms. Blonigan leads the daily operations of the Juniper provider network while contributing to the development of forward-looking strategy.

Ms. Blonigan draws on a broad range of experience as the Juniper Network Director including public health leadership at a tri-county Community Action Program agency; research at University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center; research at Mitchell Hamline Public Health Law Center; health care regulation, compliance, and statutory drafting at the Minnesota Department of Health Regulatory Division; health care provider licensing matters at the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings; health care fraud and abuse at the Department of Justice Civil Division; and legal research for long-term care providers at a Twin Cities law firm.

Ms. Blonigan received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biology and Public Health Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota. She received her Juris Doctor and health care compliance and health law certificates from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she served as President of the Health Law Society.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Sarah lives in St. Paul with her spouse Tony and their two children. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors and enjoying nature and doodling.

EDUCATION

J.D., (health law and health care compliance) Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MN, 2018

M.P.H., (policy and administration), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2017

B.A., (biology) University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2009

PUBLICATIONS

Blonigan, S., & Henning-Smith, C. (2017, December 4). Rural Aging in Place Toolkit – Rural Health Information Hub. Retrieved from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.or...