SUBMISSION - Key Persons

Dr. Victoria Russo specializes in social aspects of aging and the life course. She has a strong background in applied gerontology, dementia care and direct service. Dr. Russo received her PhD in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago and Master's in Gerontological Studies from Miami University. EDUCATION Doctorate of Sociology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2014 Master of Gerontological Studies/Program Administration, Miami University, Oxford, OH Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY Faculty Fellow: Geriatric Education Center of PA, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Julie Bates MSG is pursuing her PhD in Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago. My elders are my passion and have been my entire life in part because I had a wonderful relationship with my great grandmother who lived to be 100 years old. When not teaching she is an Associate State Director for AARP in California. Julie has policy expertise in Medicare, Social Security and the Affordable Care Act and issue expertise on LGBT aging.

BIO People ask me, "Why do you want to work with older adults?" My answer is, "Why not!" I have always felt an alignment with older adults even as a child. I was the kid on the block who eagerly went across the street to talk to Grandma Holmberg sitting quietly in her lawn chair in the front yard. Her stories were so interesting and I was an avid listener. I went across the street often even when the other kids made fun of me spending time with the "old lady". I sincerely feel it is so important to not only service the older adults, but to also listen and learn from them. I find that so much is lost when we don't take the time to learn from their valuable experiences and many skills. I began teaching at Concordia University in 2004 as an adjunct instructor and since 2010 as a full-time assistant professor. I began teaching on the subject of aging when I taught Adult Development and Aging in 2012. Since then I have taught both graduate and doctoral classes in the Gerontology Program. I enjoy presenting whenever and wherever I have the opportunity. For example, I have provided presentations at the American Society on Aging Conferences and for the past three years have been asked to review and recommend presentation submissions. The Illinois Counseling Association Conference expressed an interest on the topic of caregiving and the counseling process where I addressed how the counselor can play an important role in assisting the caregiver. I have provided counseling to the Board of Directors at a local senior services organization in Austin, TX, where I led the discussion on how to encourage and train volunteers to provide services in working with older adults. I am open to any and all opportunities to address the subject of aging. I have worked with colleagues at Concordia providing a support group for caregivers and previously worked with Rush University Medical Center in providing a support group for families and Alzheimer's Disease. I provide counseling for the following: