Bloggers and Contributors

Nadia Ali, M.D.

Positions:

• Medical Director, Skilled Nursing Unit, Orchard Cove until June 2020

Nadia Ali, M.D. was a former geriatric specialist at the Rehabilitative Services Unit at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Dedham and served as the medical director of the Skilled Nursing Unit at Orchard Cove. She joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2019. Dr. Ali received her medical degree from the Rawalpindi Medical College...

Heather Andrews

Positions:

• Study Coordinator

Heather is a dedicated advocate for health and well-being, with a rich background in psychology and neuropsychology. At the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, she plays a pivotal role in the longitudinal Healthy Aging Initiative (HAI) research study. Heather's background includes over a decade...

Rebecca Arbouet, MSN-Ed, RNBC

Positions:

• Senior Director of Home and Community-Based Services

Rebecca has been a dedicated nursing professional since 2001, and her career journey showcases her commitment to patient care, leadership, management, and education. Rebecca's extensive experience encompasses various specialties, including pediatrics, geriatrics, Long-Term Care, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and acute care. Twelve years ago, she proudly became Board-Certified in...

Davide Balos Cappon M.S., Ph.D.

Positions:

• Neuropsychologist, the Wolk Center for Memory Health and Assistant Scientist, the Marcus Institute

Davide Balos Cappon, M.S., Ph.D. is the neuropsychologist at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health and an Assistant Scientist of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cappon, as a clinician-scientist...

Amir Baniassadi, PhD

Positions:

• Assistant Scientist

Dr. Amir Baniassadi is an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an assistant scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. He works on climate change and environmental health, and in particular, environmental impacts on health and well-being of older populations. He has a PhD...

Maureen T. Bannan, RN

Positions:

• Executive Director of Hebrew SeniorLife Home and Community-Based Services

Maureen T. Bannan, RN, MA, is Executive Director of Hebrew SeniorLife Home and Community-Based Services. Home and Community-Based Services provides senior patients with care and support, in their homes and communities, to help them recover after an illness, manage their chronic conditions or adjust to new physical limitations. HSL Home...

Ellie Belanger

Positions:

• Assisted Living Advisor

Former Assisted Living Advisor at NewBridge on the Charles Ellie Belanger helped prospective residents and families explore the assisted living and memory care assisted living options at Hebrew SeniorLife’s continuing care retirement community in Dedham, MA. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, Ellie led community outreach for an assisted living community...

Sarah Berry, MD, MPH

Positions:

• Clinical Researcher

Sarah Berry, MD, MPH, is a clinical researcher at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, where her primary research focuses on outcomes following hip fractures, both in the community and nursing home settings. Given the strong link between falls and fracture, Dr. Berry is interested in studying...

Nancy Bloomstein

Positions:

• Medical Social Worker

Nancy Bloomstein is a Medical Social Worker in Hospice Care at Hebrew SeniorLife. She started her career in social work at the University of Rochester Medical Center and previously worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, The Wellness Room in Newton, and MetroWest HomeCare and Hospice. Education Master of Social Work, Clinical/Medical...

Jodi Bornstein, MS, OTR/L

Positions:

• Occupational Therapist

Jodi Bornstein, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with Hebrew SeniorLife’s Therapy House Calls program. Jodi was born in Montreal, Canada. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from McGill University in 1999 and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University in 2004. Jodi...

Kim Brooks

Positions:

• Executive Vice President, Senior Living, Hebrew SeniorLife

Kim Brooks is the executive vice president of senior living at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, Mass. She joined HSL in 2013 as a health care professional with 25 years of experience in the development, delivery, and reimbursement of innovative housing and community-based services for seniors. She oversees operations of the...

James R. Brown, FACHE, MBA, DPT

Positions:

• Executive Director, Center Communities of Brookline

Biography James Brown is the executive director for Center Communities of Brookline, which offers senior-friendly apartment living with on-site support services that promote wellness and independence. In this role, he is responsible for the overall operations and management of the community, overseeing the maintenance, nutrition, fitness, administrative, and resident services...

Leesa Burke, MA, FAAA

Positions:

• Former clinical Supervisor, Audiology at Hebrew SeniorLife

Audiologist Leesa Burke, MA, FAAA, is a Fellow in the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Massachusetts Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Her special areas of interest include rehabilitative audiology, assistive listening devices, and counseling for the hearing impaired and their families. Ms. Burke has been featured...

Lynda Bussgang

Positions:

• Director, Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement

Lynda is the Director of Volunteer, Youth and Community Engagement for Hebrew SeniorLife, overseeing volunteer placement and multigenerational programming across the organization's five campuses. Lynda’s team designs innovative opportunities to welcome the Greater Boston community into Hebrew SeniorLife, and foster meaningful interactions across generations. Lynda also sits on the Leadership...

Sarah Charest, OTR/L-CLT

Positions:

• Rehabilitation Manager for LTCH, Outpatient Therapies, and Fitness

Sarah Charest has worked as an occupational therapist at Hebrew SeniorLife for over 20 years. Sarah received her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from the University of New Hampshire, and is certified in lymphedema management. She has a strong interest in geriatrics, and in 2013 presented at the American Occupational...

Helen Chen, MD

Positions:

• Contributing Writer

Helen Chen, MD, served as Hebrew SeniorLife's chief medical officer from 2013-2022. As a geriatrician, Dr. Chen has a passion for improving care for older adults both at the individual and healthcare system levels. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, Dr. Chen was the chief medical officer for the Center for...

Mohit P. Chopra M.D.

Positions:

• Psychiatrist

Dr. Mohit P. Chopra is a fellowship-trained, Board-certified geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in providing outstanding clinical care to his patients at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health. His areas of sub-specialization include cognitive impairment, depression, and trauma-related disorders in older adults. He is a Distinguished Fellow of...

Alegria Cohen, MS, RD, LDN

Positions:

• Dietetic Internship Director

Alegria Cohen, MS, RD, LDN, has been with Hebrew Rehabilitation Center since 2010. She initially served as the lead clinical dietitian before moving to her current role as dietetic internship director. She has worked on all levels of care and assisted with nutrient analysis of the patient's menu. Alegria received...

Jody Comart, Ph.D.

Positions:

• Former Director of Palliative Care

Jody Comart is a clinical psychologist and chaplain, who coordinated specialized end-of-life care throughout Hebrew SeniorLife before she retired in 2019. She provided pastoral counseling to patients and families, offered training for staff in end-of-life care, and lead the effort at Hebrew SeniorLife to develop palliative care through clinical, educational...

Catherine Couture, LICSW, MPH

Positions:

• Director of Community Life, Orchard Cove

Catherine Couture joined the Orchard Cove team in 2014. For the preceding five years, she was a close colleague of the Orchard Cove team in her role with Hebrew SeniorLife Private Care. Cat has served in both social work and public health positions after earning her master's in social work...

Jeff Cramer

Positions:

• Former Content Specialist

Jeff Cramer was the content specialist at Hebrew SeniorLife from 2019 to 2021, where he contributed content for digital platforms like social media, the Hebrew SeniorLife blog, the Hebrew SeniorLife website, and e-newsletters. Jeff spent five years as a local TV news anchor and reporter telling stories that impacted local...

Natalie Cunniff, RD, LDN

Natalie Cunniff, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston. She currently covers 2 North on the Rehabilitation Services Unit and 2 Berenson long-term care floor. She started at Hebrew SeniorLife in 2022 as a dietetic intern before coming on board full-time. She graduated from Simmons...

Kianna Daudelin, CTRS

Kianna Daudelin, CTRS, is the associate community life leader at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA.

Nicola Davidson

Nicola Davidson is the health and wellbeing navigator at Orchard Cove, helping residents articulate what matters most and ensuring they feel supported and empowered in living their best lives. She joined Hebrew SeniorLife in April 2020 in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicola is a former trauma orthopedic RN...

Jennifer Davis

Positions:

• Contributing Writer

Jennifer Davis writes for print and digital media, specializing in the health care and research sectors. She spent 25 years of her career working for nonprofit organizations that provide services to older adults and was a member of Hebrew SeniorLife’s communications department for 19 of those years. Jennifer stepped down...

Hali Diecidue

Positions:

• Senior Staff Chaplain, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Boston

Hali Diecidue has been the senior staff chaplain at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center since 1997. Hali provides pastoral care to residents, chaplaincy support to staff and family members, and teaches regularly on topics such as end of life pastoral care and pastoral care to people with dementia. In addition, Hali leads...

Rebecca Donato, BM, MBA

Positions:

• Director of Business & Program Development, R3 Program

Rebecca’s role is to support the growth and expansion of Hebrew Senior Life’s award-winning model of care: R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time. Rebecca’s role includes business development, program development, client relations, business planning, and contract management. Previously, Rebecca served as the chief operating officer at Community Servings, an...

Patricia Eichinger, LICSW

Positions:

• Social Worker

Patricia (Trish) Eichinger, LICSW, is a geriatric social worker with more than 15 years’ experience working with seniors and their families. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. Trish's work has been focused on the elder population, including elder protective services, acute medical social work, and...

Rachael Arielly, PsyD

Positions:

• Psychologist

Rachael Arielly, PsyD, is a psychologist specializing in geropsychology at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and in Dedham and the outpatient clinic at NewBridge on the Charles. She joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2019. She received her bachelor's from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She earned her master's and doctorate degrees from...

Terri Febo Robinson

Positions:

• Senior Director, Communications and Content

Terri Febo Robinson is Senior Director of Communications and Content at Hebrew SeniorLife, where she leads a team focused on creating, sharing, and optimizing engaging content in support of the organization's business, marketing, and philanthropy goals. She oversees strategic, internal, and development communications; brand stewardship; and content strategy, including internal...

Lori Feldman, LICSW

Positions:

• Resident Support Advisor, NewBridge on the Charles

Lori Feldman, LICSW, joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2013. She is the resident support advisor at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham. Prior to her position at NewBridge, she was a licensed clinical social worker at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston and...

Susan Flashner-Fineman

Positions:

• Vitality 360 Coach

Susan Flashner-Fineman is Orchard Cove’s Vitality 360 Coach. She had been the Fitness Director at Orchard Cove for the past ten years. "As the Vitality 360 coach, my mission is to guide and inspire each and every resident to live their best life possible ....one of fulfillment and satisfaction. The...

Tara Fleming Caruso, MA, LMHC

Positions:

• Collaborative Care Advisor at NewBridge on the Charles

Tara serves as the collaborative care advisor for the NewBridge campus, making her an important resource for each of our residents and their families. Tara helps each senior moving to NewBridge both understand and access the variety of supports our continuum of care offers so each can live their best...

Rachel Fox, CWC

Positions:

• Wellness Coach and Coordinator

Rachel Fox, CWC, is a certified Health and Wellness Coach at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, where she leads the Brain Health and Wellness Coaching Program. She earned her coaching certification from Wellcoaches and holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and psychology from Trinity College in...

Cindy Freeman

Positions:

• Former Development Writer

Cindy Freeman was Hebrew SeniorLife's development writer. She enjoyed working with older adults and has volunteered with her therapy dog and her son, who once ran a bi-weekly happy hour/variety show at a care center in Wayland. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, Cindy lived with her husband and son in...

Phyllis Giller

Positions:

• Former Employee Communication Manager

Phyllis was the employee communication manager at Hebrew SeniorLife and a member of the Marketing and Communications team until 2023. She joined the organization in 2011. In her role, Phyllis guided the development of communications for Hebrew SeniorLife’s 2,600 employees across the organization’s nine campuses. She worked with Hebrew SeniorLife...

Lynda Giovaniello, RN, MS

Positions:

• Former Director of Clinical Liaisons, Home and Community-Based Services

Lynda Giovaniello joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2016 as a clinical liaison for home and community-based services, facilitating transitions of care for patients from inpatient settings to home, and served as Director of Clinical Liaisons until 2022. She earned her Master’s Degree in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts in Boston...

Dana Gitell

Positions:

• Director of Marketing, Hebrew SeniorLife

As director of marketing, Dana Gitell leads strategic marketing and digital communications initiatives that promote Hebrew SeniorLife’s senior living communities, health care offerings, and community-based services. Her career spans communications roles in nonprofit, government and Jewish communal organizations. She is credited with coining the word “Thanksgivukkah” to mark the 2013...

Rachel Gore

Positions:

• Digital Content Specialist

Rachel Gore is a Digital Content Specialist at Hebrew SeniorLife, where she supports Hebrew SeniorLife’s content marketing efforts by writing original content for digital channels, especially the Hebrew SeniorLife blog. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife in 2023, Rachel worked in content marketing and news writing in B2B tech, financial services...

Batya Greene, LICSW

Positions:

• Clinical Social Worker

Batya Greene, LICSW, is a clinical social worker who joined Hebrew Senior Life Hospice 10 years ago. Batya has enjoyed watching the HSL Hospice thrive and grow from its early days into the vibrant organization it has become. Batya came to HSL hospice with extensive experience in home based intervention...

Mindy Grodofsky-Gilmore, LICSW

Positions:

• Social Worker

Biography Mindy Grodofsky-Gilmore, LICSW is a graduate of Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Family and Marital Counseling from Boston University School of Social Work. Ms. Grodofsky-Gilmore has worked at Orchard Cove, Hebrew SeniorLife’s continuing care retirement community in Canton, MA, since...

Jodie Gruen

Positions:

• Research Assistant at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife

Over a span of more than two decades, Jodie has served at Hebrew SeniorLife in several different departments including Corporate Communications, Volunteer Services and Research. Currently, she holds the position of research assistant, supporting several projects focusing on mobility and falls and models of care. She is a graduate of...

Marie Guerrier, MSN, NP

Positions:

• Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Marie Guerrier is an Adult Nurse Practitioner in Boston, MA. She has over 23 years of experience specializing in geriatrics, Alzheimer's care, progressive neurological disorders, end of life care, and acute and chronic disease management. She was a Nurse Practitioner Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Medicine. Marie is happy...

Tammy Hanel

Positions:

• Dietetic Intern

Tammy is a dietetic intern in Hebrew Rehabilitation Center's inaugural class. She has a bachelor's degree in clinical nutrition and is working on her master's degree in applied nutrition with an emphasis in nutrition education. Her goal is to aid in the translation of research and data to actionable information...

Marian T. Hannan, DSc, MPH

Positions:

• Co-Director, Musculoskeletal Research Center and Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Dr. Marian T. Hannan is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Senior Scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, her Master of Public Health degree at Yale University School of Medicine...

The Hebrew SeniorLife Blog Team

The Hebrew SeniorLife Blog Team brings you helpful and reliable content about issues that matter to seniors and their loved ones, informed by Hebrew SeniorLife's team of experts.

Lingda Hou, NHA

Positions:

• Administrative Director

The Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health

Lingda Hou joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2015 after graduating from Brandeis University with a M.A. in Economics and Finance. Prior to joining the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health as their administrative clinic manager, Lingda worked at NewBridge on the Charles, where she managed a receptionist team, worked...

Dae Hyun Kim, M.D., M.P.H., Sc.D.

Positions:

• Associate Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Dr. Kim is a geriatrician, researcher, and mentor. He believes we can provide better health care to older people by incorporating frailty into clinical care, research, and population health. Toward this mission, Dr. Kim founded the Frailty Research Program at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. Funded...

Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., M.P.H.

Positions:

• Director, Aging Brain Center

Sharon Inouye, M.D., M.P.H., is a geriatrician at HRC, senior scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and director of its Aging Brain Center. She also holds the Milton and Shirley F. Levy Family Chair in Alzheimer's Disease at the Marcus Institute. Dr. Inouye received her...

Tanya Iudice, PT, OCS, NCPT

Positions:

• Team Leader, Outpatient Physical Therapy

Tanya Iudice currently works for Hebrew SeniorLife at the NewBridge on the Charles campus as Team Leader in the Outpatient Physical Therapy department. Tanya graduated with a physical therapy degree from Quinnipiac University and has over 30 years of physical therapy experience with a focus on movement disorders, spine, and...

Carole Johnson

Positions:

• Director of Finance, Hebrew SeniorLife Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Carole Johnson oversees all of the fiscal operations for Orchard Cove and NewBridge on the Charles. She is a CPA with more than 30 years of experience in public accounting, consulting and corporate accounting management. Her focus is maintaining the highest standards of financial reporting and control for Hebrew SeniorLife’s...

Ruth Kandel, MD

Positions:

• Former Geriatrician at Hebrew SeniorLife and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Ruth Kandel obtained her bachelor's degree from State University of New York, Buffalo and her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Boston City Hospital and a geriatrics fellowship at Bedford Veteran's Administration Hospital/Boston University Medical Center. She is an assistant...

Jonathan Kaplan, DPM

Positions:

• Consultant

Biography Jonathan Kaplan, DPM, is a consulting podiatrist at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA, where he has been on staff since 1992. Dr. Kaplan received his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his medical degree...

Rashmi Kaura, MD

Positions:

• Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Care

Biography Rashmi Kaura, M.D. is the Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Care for Hebrew SeniorLife. She completed her Bachelor of Science in pharmacology and basic medical sciences from King’s College in London, England. She received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from King’s College School of Medicine...

Francis Kibugi, RN

Positions:

• Director of Nursing, Rehabilitative Services Unit, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Boston

Francis Kibugi RN is the Director of Nursing at the Rehabilitative Services Unit at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale , MA. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the 50-bed unit. He has been in this role since 2014 and has more than 15 years of experience...

Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H.

Positions:

• Director, Musculoskeletal Research Center and Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Dr. Kiel's primary research interests are in the area of osteoporosis and related fractures, including falls, nutritional factors, genetics, and frailty. Much of his work has been carried out in association with the Framingham Study, which includes an ancillary study called the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. In addition, he is interested...

Beth Kitzis, MEd, RDN, LDN

Beth Kitzis, MEd, RDN, LDN is a clinical dietician at NewBridge on the Charles.

Darae Ko, MD, MSc

Positions:

• Assistant Scientist II, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Dr. Ko is a cardiologist and a researcher. Her research program in aging research in cardiology is dedicated to generating evidence for and implementation of safe and effective novel cardiovascular therapies in medically complex older adults. She received her medical degree at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons...

Angela Labonte

Positions:

• Partner Services Manager, R3 Program

Angela Labonte has been a member of the team at Orchard Cove, a Hebrew SeniorLife continuing care retirement community in Canton, since 2011. In that time she has held a number of positions, including as a wellness coach and sales outreach associate. She currently works as Partner Services Manager, R3...

Rabbi Karen Landy

Positions:

• Manager of Religious and Spiritual Care Services

Rabbi Karen Landy is the manager of religious and spiritual care services at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center on the campus of NewBridge at the Charles in Dedham, MA.

Laura Lee, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Laura Lee received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 1996 and has been affiliated with Hebrew SeniorLife since 1997. Laura holds a certificate in lymphedema management and became a certified hand therapist in 2003, with a special interest in geriatric-related conditions affecting the upper extremity...

Rachel Lerner, Esq.

Positions:

• Chief Legal Officer, Hebrew SeniorLife; Executive Director, Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Rachel Lerner joined Hebrew SeniorLife as general counsel and chief compliance officer in March 2012. She also serves as the director of HSL’s Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect, which provides shelter and supportive services to those in need, and builds awareness of the growing epidemic of...

Jennifer Linehan

Positions:

• Social Worker, Orchard Cove

Jennifer joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2011 as a social worker. She began her career with Hebrew SeniorLife working at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale before transitioning to the Skilled Nursing Facility at Orchard Cove in 2019. Jennifer received a master’s degree in social work from Simmons School of Social Work.

Lewis Lipsitz, MD

Positions:

• Director, Marcus Institute for Aging Research
• Chief Academic Officer, Hebrew SeniorLife

Lewis A. Lipsitz, MD, is the director, the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research & the chief academic officer at Hebrew SeniorLife. Throughout the past 30 years Dr. Lipsitz has built a successful career as a widely respected geriatrician, independently funded clinical investigator, skilled teacher, and capable program...

Isaac Longobardi

Positions:

• Former Volunteer , Youth, and Community Engagement Program Coordinator

A recent graduate of Harvard College, Isaac is passionate about the ethics, politics, and social experience of aging and the end of life. He is an experienced caregiver, avid writer, and a perpetual student of the world around him. While at Hebrew SeniorLife, he piloted multigenerational living at Center Communities...

Ernest I. Mandel, MD, SM

Positions:

• Executive Vice President of Health Care, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer, Hebrew SeniorLife

Biography Ernest I. Mandel, MD, SM is the Executive Vice President of Health Care, HSL Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of Nephrology and Dialysis at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, where he has been on staff since 2012 focusing on geriatric nephrology and palliative care. He is also an assistant professor...

Brad Manor, Ph.D.

Positions:

• Director of the Mobility and Brain Function Program at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Instructor in Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Manor’s career goal is to alleviate the burden of balance decline that often accompanies biological aging into senescence. As the Director of the Mobility and Brain Function Program, he works to achieve this goal by directing inter-disciplinary, translational research in the fields of human balance and rehabilitative medicine. His...

Marianna V. Mapes

Positions:

• Former Program Manager for the Dept. of Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement

Marianna V. Mapes was the program manager for the Department of Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement at Hebrew SeniorLife. In this role, she drove the content design of multigenerational programming across Hebrew SeniorLife and led initiatives to creatively utilize volunteers at several of our senior communities. In 2018, Marianna developed...

Heather Margulis, MSPT

Positions:

• Associate Director of Rehabilitation Services

Heather Margulis, MSPT, studied physical therapy at Northeastern University at both the undergraduate and masters levels before joining Hebrew SeniorLife’s rehabilitation services team in 2001. Since then, she has held many therapeutic and supervisory positions within Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s Boston and Dedham campuses, most currently as the Associate Director of...

Wolk Center for Memory Health

The Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health at Hebrew SeniorLife provides outpatient memory care services, in person and virtually, for people living with cognitive symptoms or disorders at any stage — and for their families and caregivers. We know caring for a person showing signs of dementia, due...

Ann Mendoza, MS/MPH

Positions:

• Dietetic Intern

Ann Mendoza is a 2024-2025 dietetic intern at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston. Prior to joining Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, she focused on community nutrition in the Boston area, working as a WIC nutritionist for Spanish speakers and nutrition educator in Boston Public Schools. She led nutrition education programs amongst students...

Eran Metzger, MD

Positions:

• Medical Director of Psychiatry

Eran Metzger, MD, has been on staff in the Medical Department at Hebrew SeniorLife since 1998; first as the associate director, and subsequently as medical director of psychiatry in 2011. Dr. Metzger received his Bachelor of Science from Haverford College and Doctor of Medicine from Pennsylvania State University College of...

Courtney Millar

Positions:

• Assistant Scientist I at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife

Dr. Millar completed her doctoral degree at the University of Connecticut, where she focused on delineating the mechanistic effects of bioactive compounds from three different Kingdoms (Plantae, Animalia, Eubacteria) on the progression of atherosclerosis in genetically modified mouse models. She is currently a T32 postdoctoral research fellow at the Hinda...

Carolina Mondragon

Positions:

• Former Administrative Assistant/Concierge, NewBridge on the Charles

Carolina (Caro) moved from Colombia and has been living in the Greater Boston area since 2017. She speaks both English and Spanish. Caro received her master’s degree from universities in Colombia. During her master's degree, she wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the English language and United States culture...

Sofia Moore, MS

Sofia Moore, MS, is a health and fitness specialist at the Center Communities of Brookline. She joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2023. She holds group and individual fitness sessions in all of the CCB housing sites and their partnership site, Brookline Housing Authority. She has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and...

Aidan Morrison

Positions:

• Marketing & Communications Generalist

Aidan Morrison is a Marketing & Communications Generalist at Hebrew SeniorLife, where he works as a part of a team creating and sharing blog content, email newsletters, and social media posts. Prior to joining the Hebrew SeniorLife team in May 2023, Aidan worked in a digital marketing role with an...

Brian Murphy

Positions:

• Vice President, Patient Access, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

Biography Brian Murphy is vice president of patient access at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. In this role, he is responsible for managing admissions for 750+ beds across multiple campuses and levels of care. Brian receives more than 10,000 referrals annually as the result of the strong relationships he and his team...

Rabbi Beth Naditch

Positions:

• ACPE Certified Educator, Board Certified Chaplain

Rabbi Beth Naditch is a board certified chaplain and an ACPE Certified Educator at Hebrew SeniorLife. She teaches the art and skills of spiritual care to future and current clergy and laypeople dedicated to geriatric spiritual care. Rabbi Naditch has a specialty in trauma-informed care, having served as a chaplain...

Virginia Ngai, LICSW, MDiv

Positions:

• Elder Justice Advocate

Virginia Ngai, LICSW, MDiv, is the elder justice advocate at the Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect at Hebrew SeniorLife. She has her BA in law and society as well as a master's degree in social work and divinity. She worked for many years as a resident...

Evelyn O'Neill

Positions:

• Project Director / Program Manager STEP-HI Study, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Evelyn O’Neill is currently the project director for the STARS Study at Hebrew SeniorLife's Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. With a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Education and 40 years of research experience working on exercise studies with frail elders, she has been working at Hebrew Rehabilitation...

Emily Palmer

Positions:

• Clinical Director of Palliative Care

Emily Palmer is Clinical Director of Palliative Care for Hebrew SeniorLife. She completed her BSN and MSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and a fellowship at Duke University, and is board certified as an Adult and Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, Emily...

Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD

Positions:

• Medical Director, The Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health

Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, is Medical Director of the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health and a Senior Scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, and a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Pascual–Leone is an international leader in...

Jill Perkins

Positions:

• Art Curator and Events Coordinator

Jill Perkins has worked as an art curator at Hebrew SeniorLife since 2016. She enjoys placing beautiful artwork throughout the facilities for all to enjoy. Jill holds a degree in fine arts from Lesley University.

Michelle G. Perry

Positions:

• Former Volunteer Coordinator

Michelle was a volunteer coordinator at Hebrew SeniorLife. She developed new volunteer programs to support patients and their families at end of life in the areas of patient companionship, vigil support for dying patients, and bereavement support. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, Michelle was a hospice volunteer coordinator for almost...

Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW

Positions:

• Palliative Care Social Worker

Joanne is a dementia specialist and social worker at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s long-term chronic care Memory Support Unit and a palliative care social worker in the short-term Rehabilitative Services Unit. Joanne was a case manager for the ALS Association, has led expert trainings on both Alzheimer’s disease and domestic abuse...

Amanda Phillips

Positions:

• Former Retirement Counselor

Amanda Phillips was a retirement counselor based at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA. With a master’s degree in gerontology from UMass Boston and close to 20 years of experience in the field of aging services, Amanda’s expertise lies in helping families manage the many transitions that come with...

Jennifer Pilcher

Positions:

• President of the New England Association of Aging Life Care

Dr. Pilcher was awarded her doctoral degree in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts in Boston in 2005. Her professional experience has focused primarily on care and housing arrangements for elders with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including policy and fundraising work for the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern Massachusetts, the...

Victoria Poole, Ph.D

Positions:

• Former Assistant Scientist I, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research

Victoria Poole was an assistant scientist at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, an instructor of medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, and a 2017 Harvard Catalyst KL2 Scholar. She first joined the Marcus Institute in 2014, when she began...

Kim Portello, PT, COS-C

Positions:

• Director of Clinical Services, Hebrew SeniorLife Home Care

Kim Portello, PT, received her degree from Simmons College and has been a physical therapist since 1988. She has devoted her career to home care since 1991. Before joining Hebrew SeniorLife Home Care as manager of rehabilitation in 2013, she spent 21 years at South Shore Visiting Nurses—14 of those...

Miriam Priven

Miriam Priven (she/her) is the LGBTQ+ chaplain resident at Hebrew SeniorLife. She grew up in California and has loved living in the Somerville area for the last decade. She has spent her years in Massachusetts working to support LGBTQ+ survivors of partner abuse, organizing with seniors for affordable senior health...

Annie Racine, PhD

Positions:

• Former Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Annie Racine is a former postdoctoral research fellow at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research’s Aging Brain Center. Before joining the Marcus Institute, she earned a Master of Public Affairs and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Neuroscience and Public Policy program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison...

David Raider

Positions:

• New Resident Advisor, NewBridge on the Charles

David has held a variety of roles at NewBridge on the Charles since 2009, starting off as program manager, then director of community life, to his current role as new resident advisor. David has 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, both in sales and marketing positions and...

Tina Reilly, RD, LDN

Positions:

• Director of Nutrition at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

Tina Reilly, RD, LDN, is the director of nutrition at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA. Prior to this position, Tina was the director of food and nutrition services at Kindred Hospital, Boston. Her experience includes being a dietician...

Tammy Retalic, DNP, MS, RN

Positions:

• Executive Vice President, Lunder CareForce Institute, Hebrew SeniorLife

Biography Tammy B. Retalic, DNP, MS, RN, is the executive vice president for Hebrew SeniorLife’s Lunder CareForce Institute. Formed in 2025, the Institute will address the growing shortage of frontline health care workers by offering comprehensive training and career advancement in health and aging-related programs. This includes programs for those...

Jennifer Rhodes-Kropf, MD

Positions:

• Geriatric Specialist

Dr. Rhodes-Kropf is a primary care geriatrician at HSL Medical Group, at Center Communities of Brookline. She received her medical degree from the University of North Carolina, and completed her internal medicine internship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and her residency in internal medicine at Cornell University/New...

Aline Russotto

Positions:

• Executive Director, Orchard Cove

Aline Russotto is the executive director of Orchard Cove, a Hebrew SeniorLife Continuing Care Retirement Community in Canton, Massachusetts where her career started, and has grown, since 1998. In addition to overseeing Orchard Cove’s operations, she is a member of HSL's senior living leadership team. She is a member of...

Shoshana Savitz, LICSW

Positions:

• Medical Social Worker

Shoshana Savitz, LICSW, joined Hebrew SeniorLife in 2020. She is a medical social worker and bereavement coordinator for the Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care team. She has over 25 years of experience working as a medical social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital, Lahey Clinic, and the VA Medical Center and as...

Jeanne Seltzer

Positions:

• Development Communications Manager

Jeanne Seltzer is a Development Communications Manager at Hebrew SeniorLife, where she focuses on creating development and marketing communications. Jeanne has a background in journalism, fundraising communications, and marketing communications. She has written for American Public Television, WGBH, Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe, and the Boston Parents’ Paper. Jeanne has...

Wendy Shulman

Wendy Shulman is the office manager for the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health. She is the first point of contact for patients and families seeking care at the Wolk Center. Wendy feels grateful to be working with an extraordinary team of professionals and assisting in the care...

Matthew Shuster, MD

Positions:

• Medical Director, Primary and Outpatient Care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge

Biography Matthew Shuster, MD is a senior physician with over 30 years of clinical, teaching, and leadership experience. Dr. Shuster received his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed his residency training at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is board certified in internal medicine by...

Matt Smith

Positions:

• Former Senior Director, Home Care, Palliative Care, and Hospice, Hebrew SeniorLife

Matt Smith entered the nursing profession as a licensed practical nurse trained in the Army, received a BSN from Fitchburg State University in 2012, and joined Hebrew SeniorLife as the hospice care clinical director in 2019. He served as senior director, home care, palliative care, and hospice from 2022 to...

Brenda Sweeney

Positions:

• Director of Quality, Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health

Brenda Sweeney is Director of Quality for Hebrew SeniorLife’s Home Health. She completed her bachelor of science in nursing from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. Prior to working for Hebrew SeniorLife, Brenda worked at Steward Home Care in different roles such as director of education and quality specialist. She...

Maggie Syme

Positions:

• Clinical Pschologist

Maggie Syme, PhD, MPH is a clinical psychologist specializing in older adult mental health and dementia caregiving at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health at Hebrew SeniorLife Boston. She also leads through the family caregiver program at the Wolk Center for...

Nicholas Vogt, MD, PhD

Nick Vogt, MD, PhD, is a geriatrician at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, where he sees older adults diagnosed with dementia or other memory problems. He completed his MD/PhD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, an internal medicine residency at the...

Jennifer Wall

Positions:

• Former Chief Quality Officer

Jennifer Wall was Chief Quality Officer for Hebrew SeniorLife from 2020 - 2022. She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice and M.S. in Nursing from MGH Institute of Health Professions, and her B.S. from Union College.

Brooke Wayne, MS, CCC-SLP

Positions:

• Speech-Language Pathologist

Brooke Wayne is a speech-language pathologist at Hebrew SeniorLife, based primarily at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston. She completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Boston University. During her studies, she was placed as a graduate student intern at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles in 2017...

Louis J. Woolf

Positions:

• President and Chief Executive Officer, Hebrew SeniorLife

Louis J. Woolf is president and CEO of Harvard Medical School-affiliate Hebrew SeniorLife, an integrated system of health care, senior living, research, and teaching that serves more than 4,500 Greater Boston seniors each day and is committed to redefining the experience of aging. The HSL system includes Hebrew Rehabilitation Center...

Junghong Zhou, PhD

Positions:

• Assistant Scientist II

As assistant scientist II at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Dr. Junhong Zhou’s career goal is to help older adults preserve and enhance their functional independence by designing new strategies to maximize balance and reduce the risk of falling. His specific research objectives are to: 1)...