Board
President
Suzanne Blancaflor, MS, MPH
Department of Public Health
Suzanne Blancaflor is the Chief of the Environmental Health Section for the CT Department of Public Health. She holds a B.A. from Trinity College in Hartford CT, an M.S. from Eastern CT State University in Education with a concentration in Human Relations, and a M.P.H. from Southern CT State University. Ms. Blancaflors’ personal experiences and coursework in Thanatology led to her interest in end of life issues. Ms Blancaflor’s special project for the completion of her M.P.H. was the development of a communication tool for physicians to use in discussions with patients and their families about end of life. Her professional memberships include the CT Environmental Health Association, the CT Public Health Association and the CT Association of Code Enforcement Officials. Ms Blancaflor is a past recipient of the Governor’s Service Award and is a member of the Eta Sigma Gamma Honorary for excellence in Health Education and Health Services. Ms Blancaflor enjoys traveling, and is an avid gardener and bibliophile.
Past President
David V. Hunter, BS, MBA
The Mary Wade Home
David V. Hunter, the Mary Wade Home’s chief executive officer, has served as its executive since 1981, and has been a licensed nursing home administrator for 30 years. Mr. Hunter is responsible for directing the expansion of the campus from a single service provider to a continuum of long-term care and community-based services for the aging, including skilled nursing, residential, adult day care, and transportation and out-patient rehabilitation. He is also the president of MWH Holdings Company, a corporation established to obtain and retain properties to further expand the mission of Mary Wade.
Mr. Hunter is involved in many community health associations, including the Connecticut Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, where he served as a chair of the board of directors and was a recipient of the Association’s Humanitarian Award; the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, where he served on the budget and finance committee and as a Connecticut delegate for the Association; the Institute for Long Term Care Policy, where he served as a chair of the Institute; and the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut Interagency Council, where he also served as chair.
Mr. Hunter is a graduate of Southern CT State University with a B.S. in Economics and received his M.B.A. from the University of New Haven.
Vice-President
Karen J. Stanley, MSN, RN, AOCN
Stamford Hospital
kjstanley@optonline.net
Karen J. Stanley, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pain and Palliative Care, is Program Director of the Department of Pain & Palliative Care Services at Stamford Hospital. She is nationally known for her leadership in oncology and end-of-life issues. She has lectured regionally, nationally, and internationally on clinical, psychosocial, and ethical issues pertaining to care at the end of life. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and a master of science in nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She is past president of the 40,000 member Oncology Nursing Society and holds membership in the Hospice & Palliative Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nursing, and the Oncology Nursing Society. She has been honored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) as a Fellow for Graduate Study and for contributions to the local ACS unit; by the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative for Outstanding Contribution to the Relief of Cancer Pain; and by the Kaiser Permanente Service Excellence Program, Spotlight on Leadership, Award for Pain Management in the Hospice Population. Ms. Stanley served as a board member of the California Coalition for Compassionate Care and extensively collaborated with Last Acts and Bill Moyers on Dying In America with a focus on end of life issues. She was a panelist on the PBS Special, Before I Die: Medical Care and Personal Choices.
Treasurer
Patricia Morse, MBA
Connecticut Baptist Homes
pmorse@ctbaptisthomes.org
Since 2005, Patricia Morse has been President and CEO of Connecticut Baptist Homes and Housing in Meriden, a continuum of care providing independent housing, residential care, assisted living and nursing home services to individuals 65 and over. Patricia has over thirty five years experience in healthcare management with primary focus on the elderly. She has significant experience in operations, strategic planning, budgeting, finance, and program development.
Patricia received a B.A. from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. and graduated with an M.B.A. in Health Care Concentration from the University of Hartford.
She has been or still is involved in the following organizations: American College of Health Care Administrators, Connecticut Association of Not-for-profit Providers for the Aging. Connecticut Association of Long Term Care Financial Managers, Connecticut Women in Healthcare Management, Rotary Club of Farmington – Fall Fundraising Chairperson,American Cancer Society – Women’s Auxiliary, Farmington Services for the Elderly, Board Member, The Foundation for Mental Health – Board Member, TBIA – Traumatic Brain Injury Association (former Vice President), United Way, Combined Health Appeal of Greater Hartford (former Board Member)
Secretary
Cynthia O'Sullivan, RN, MSN, PhD
Southern Connecticut State University
Cynthia K. O'Sullivan, RN, MSN, PhD received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration on Acute and Critical Care of the Adult, and recently completed her PhD from the Yale University School of Nursing. Over her 30-year career, she has held positions of staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Manager, and Nursing faculty in Philadelphia, Boston, and Connecticut. She is currently an Associate Professor of Nursing at Southern Connecticut State University.
While pursuing doctoral study, Dr. O'Sullivan was awarded a United States Department of Defense Breast Cancer Pre-doctoral Fellowship (DAMD 17-00-1-0509). Mentored by Dr. Ruth McCorkle, her doctoral dissertation explored psychological distress among women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, an illness with a 50% mortality rate five years from diagnosis. Her research interests include examination of patient problems and nursing intervention to identify best practices for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. Dr. O'Sullivan is a member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the Oncology Nursing Society, and is certified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNAC) in end-of-life care.
Laura Borrelli, RN, BSN
Franciscan Home Care & Hospice Care
lborrelli@franciscanhc.org
Laura Borrelli, RN, BSN, graduated from the UCONN School of Nursing in 1985 where she met, Joe, her husband of 26 years. They reside in Bristol and have three children; Nicole, 24, Jackie, 20 and Dominic, 12. While raising her family Laura started her hospice nursing career at the Greater Bristol VNA. In 2008 she transitioned to Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care in Meriden as a hospice RN. Laura was promoted to the position of Hospice Director in 2010. She considers hospice nursing her ministry as she feels blessed to follow her passion in assisting others towards a peaceful, comfortable dying experience. Laura is a communicant of St. Matthew Parish, Forestville where she is active in the music, religious education and scouting ministries.
Elizabeth Ercolano, DNSc
Yale University School of Nursing
eae24@email.med.yale.edu
Kenneth B. Hugo, BA, MA, M Div
Elim Park Place
khugo@elimpark.org
Kenneth B. Hugo currently serves as Coordinator of Special Projects at Elim Park where he works with leadership on a variety of issues. He has held an administrator’s license for long term care in the State of Connecticut for forty years, serving some ten not-for-profit facilities within the State in a variety of executive positions.
When LeadingAge of Washington was the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Mr. Hugo served in its House of Delegates, was a member of the Insurance Committee and chaired its Public Policy Committee for several years. He also represented AAHSA in the activities of the Joint Commission, serving on the Professional and Technical Advisory Committee for Long Term Care. Within the State of Connecticut, he is a past president of the Connecticut Association of Not-for-Profit Facilities for the Aging (now LeadingAge Connecticut) and served on many of its committees over time.Mr. Hugo received his BA from Central Connecticut State College, an MA from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton in economic history and a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota in historical theology where he was also teaching assistant in the Department of Systematic Theology. He has also served as adjunct faculty in economics at Teiyko Post (now Post University).
He is currently a member of the Legislative Committee of LeadingAge Connecticut and chairs the Elim Park Ethics Committee.
Gerard Kerins, MD, MPA, FACP
Hospital of Saint Raphael
gkerins@srhs.org
Gerard Kerins MD, MPA, FACP has been section chief of geriatrics in the Department of Medicine at the Hospital of St. Raphael and the medical director of the Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Health Center at the Hospital of St. Raphael Healthcare System since 2004. He received his BA from New York University, an MPA in Health Service and an MD from New York Medical College.
Dr. Kerins is Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, and Associate Clinical Professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Connecticut Geriatrics Society, American College of Physicians, American Geriatric Society and the Gerontology Society of America. He is a member of several Yale University Committees as well as the state of Connecticut Commission on Aging and the state of Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, Fatalities Review Board.
Cynthia Lamont, LPN
New England Home Care
clamont@newenglandhomecare.com
Cynthia Lamont, LPN is Program Development Coordinator at New England Home Care.
Cynthia started her career in Long Term care as a nurse’s aid. After attending nursing school she worked in acute care for 18 years. During those years she worked in all areas of acute care: Cardiac and Pulmonary Critical Care, Medical-Surgical Care, Emergency Care, and Pediatrics.
Subsequently she taught a Nurse’s Aid Program for a privately owned company, and then became Director of the Program.
After moving out of state she was Director of Admissions and Marketing for a Skilled Nursing Home and a Personal Care Center. During that time she lectured on Advance Directives.
Currently she is a member of several Readmission Collaboratives in the State of CT and of the Interagency on Aging of South Central CT.
She claims her success is based on her Mom, a nurse, who taught her empathy.
Emily L. Lauder, BS. TRD, ACLTC
Seabury Meadows
emilylauder@seaburyretirement.com
Emily L. Lauder, has been fortunate enough to work in the long term care industry for the past decade. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Services Administration from Springfield College, where she graduated Salutitorian. Emily started out in the field of Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Development, leading recreation departments in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
One of Emily’s many passions involves improving quality of life for people with dementia at all stages of the disease. This passion led Emily to take a Memory Support Specialist Position at Seabury, and this summer she was promoted to Director of Operations at Seabury Meadows.
She has provided presentations to Leading Age, and at the Alzheimer’s Association Statewide Conferences.
She serves on the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut Education Conference Committee, and is also working with Seabury, The Department of Social Services for the State of Connecticut, The Administration on Aging, and The New England Cognitive Center, on “The Connections Project”, which provides resources and innovative cognitive training for people afflicted with dementia.
David MacDonald, BS
Yalesville/Wallingford Funeral Homes
dwmac22@gmail.com
David W. MacDonald is a lifelong Wallingford resident and a Connecticut Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer employed by The Wallingford and Yalesville Funeral Homes. He serves in all capacities of the daily running of a full service funeral home. He graduated from Xavier High School, class of '97. He began his career as a third generation funeral director while in his teens by working with his uncle David T. Warren owner of the funeral homes. In 1999 he graduated from New England Institute at Mount Ida College with an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. While there he was captain of the Men's Lacrosse Team and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. After graduating he continued his studies and played lacrosse at Quinnipiac University where he graduated in 2001 with a B.S. degree in Management. David became a licensed funeral director in 2000. He is parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church, a First Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, Council 13500, and a member of both the Connecticut Funeral Director's Association and the National Funeral Director's Association.
Ruth McCorkle, PhD, FAAN
Yale University School of Nursing
Ruth McCorkle is the first Florence Schorske Wald Professor at the Yale School of Nursing (YSN) and a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Yale School of Medicine. Along with Phyllis Osterman, she is co-chair of the Connecticut Cancer Partnership Palliative and Hospice Committee
She was chair of the Doctor of Nursing Science Program from 1998-2004. She also has served as the program leader for Cancer Control at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center (YCCC) and is currently the director of the Psychosocial Oncology Research program at Smilow Cancer Hospital of YCCC. McCorkle received a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Maryland and a master's in medical-surgical nursing from the University of Iowa. Her doctorate, in mass communications, was earned at the University of Iowa's School of Journalism. She has held teaching positions at a variety of institutions across the country, including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington, and the University of Iowa.
McCorkle's interest in cancer and palliative care is longstanding. Over 30 years ago she studied at St. Christopher's Hospice in London, England, and participated in clinical studies to relieve distressing symptoms associated with dying. Since then, she has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and other prestigious groups for her studies on managing life with cancer. Elected to the Institute of Medicine in 1990, McCorkle is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards.
Mag Morelli, BA
Leading Age Connecticut
mmorelli@leadingagect.org
Mag Morelli has been the president of LeadingAge Connecticut (formerly CANPFA) since June 2001. As president, she leads an association representing not-for-profit and mission-driven member organizations from across the continuum of housing and services for older adults. LeadingAge Connecticut members are dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. Morelli previously held the position of Director of Government Relations at the Connecticut State Medical Society and she has also held positions at The Travelers and the Connecticut Department of Income Maintenance. Morelli received a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University, majoring in American politics and government. She lives with her family in Berlin, CT.
Barbara F. Morrison
Hospital of St. Raphael's
Barb44morrison@sbcglobal.net
Barbara Morrison is a Chaplain at the Hospital of St. Raphael’s, supporting patients, families, and staff dealingl with spiritual and ethical issues. Barbara has been actively working in the field of medical ethics since 1982. She chaired the hospital ethics committee and worked within the state of Connecticut to improve care at the end of life especially as it related to policy development, pain management, and palliative care. She has served as adjunct faculty in nursing ethics at Yale School of Nursing and St. Joseph College. Barbara previously served on the board of the Connecticut Coalition to Improve Care End-of Life-Care. She graduated as an R.N. from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, BSN from SCSU, MSN from Sacred Heart University, and Yale Divinity School in 2001. Barbara worked at the Hospital of St. Raphael’s in the nursing department from 1976 through 1999.
Eileen O’Shea, DNP, RN
Fairfield University
Dr. Eileen O’Shea is an assistant professor at Fairfield University School of Nursing and has been a practicing nurse since she completed her BSN at Boston College. As a pediatric nurse, she has worked at several leading Children’s Hospitals in this country, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. O’Shea earned her MSN in pediatric critical care from the University of Pennsylvania. She has practiced as a clinical nurse specialist for the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, where she worked collaboratively with families and an interdisciplinary healthcare team to best manage the health of chronically and terminally ill children. Most recently, she has earned a DNP degree from Case Western Reserve University, completing both the clinical and educational leadership curricula. Dr. O’Shea is a pediatric End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) trainer from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the City of Hope. Her research focuses on educating and raising public awareness about palliative and end-of-life care for infants, children, and adolescents, and their families.
Mimi Peck-Llewellyn BS, JD, LLM
Department of Social Services Aging Division
Mimi Peck-Llewellyn has been the Legal Services Developer and Attorney for the Aging Services Division of the Connecticut Department of Social Services (the State Unit on Aging) for the past 16 years. She is an advocate for the state’s older persons in the areas of elder abuse prevention, end of life planning and healthcare directives, and legal services programming. She also was instrumental in the development of CHOICES informational and assistance programming for seniors and their caregivers, including prevention and detection of healthcare and related frauds and scams. She is a member of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association and has served the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut both locally and statewide as a member of the Bishop’s Diocesan Council and member of the Aging and Life Planning Committee. As an active duty and now reserve Navy Judge Advocate for the past 30 years she also has extensive experience counseling active duty, retired and dependent military persons as well as Navy commands in the area of healthcare planning and advance directives.Mimi is a graduate of Southern CT State University with a B.S. in Education and Speech Communication. She subsequently received her law degree from the Claude W. Petit College of Law at Ohio Northern University and her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from George Washington University.
Order Updated Coalition Booklet Today
The Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care has updated their booklet entitled "Beginning the Conversation about Death, Dying and End-of-Life Care in Connecticut" and has recently reduced the cost to $5/copy. Please click here for more information and to order copies
