September 2021 - Using Funding to Support Technology for Evidence-Based Programming

As the Illinois Pathways to Health Programs Manager at AgeOptions (The suburban Cook County AAA) Kathryn oversees the integrated statewide network hub for health promotion programs for Illinois. She is a Master trainer in CDSMP and Diabetes Self-Management leader. Kathryn has experience in community and social services program management, partnership development, coalition building, logistics and operations management, budget and resource allocation, and problem solving.

Robert Mapes is the Director of Program and Community Support at AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of suburban Cook County. In this position, he serves on the committee that provides daily oversight and strategic direction to the agency. In addition, he leads five program units at AgeOptions which includes statewide healthcare education and counseling, Senior Medicare Patrol and health promotion programming. Rob plays a leading role in DREI efforts including serving as the executive liaison to the DREI committee. He is a father of two and a family caregiver. Rob has an MSW from the University of Michigan and a BA from DePaul University.

Dawna Pidgeon, PT, CEEAA, serves as a leader in older adult falls prevention initiatives in New Hampshire. She is the Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging’s Falls Prevention Program Lead. The Dartmouth Falls Prevention Program trains healthcare providers and community-based organization members to establish effective falls risk screening and sustainable falls prevention programs, such as Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® (TJQMBB).  She is one of six Oregon Research Institute Authorized Trainers for TJQMBB in the country. She is a physical therapist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), and is an American Physical Therapy Association Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult (CEEAA). Ms. Pidgeon serves as co-chair of the New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force, as well as chair of the DHMC Ambulatory Falls Prevention Task Force.

Michelle Mai, MPH is the Senior Program Associate with the Center for Healthy Aging. She brings experience conducting outreach increasing public health education within the community. In this role with NCOA, she provides technical assistance to chronic disease self-management education and falls prevention grantees, striving to help them reach their grant goals as they implement evidence based programs into their community. Michelle received her Master’s degree in Public Health and Bachelor’s degree in Community Health from George Mason University.