About the ODP

History


An original organizational structure to manage the Older Dominion Partnership included: Implementation Team, Study Partners, Study Technical Advisors, and Community Advisors.

The Study Implementation Team

The Study Implementation Team is comprised of individuals who provide overall project direction for this initiative -- establishing study goals and objectives, formulating the research plan, ensuring deadlines are met, and building the broader project coalition. See Study Implementation Team.

Study Partners

Study Partners are companies and organizations that are keenly interested in how the age wave will impact Virginia. Representatives from these companies and organizations will review and provide input at key project decision points: overall direction of the initiative, topics guide for the research, questionnaire drafts, and initial review of the research findings. Study Partners will help "brainstorm" the optimal long-term approach -- 30,000-foot recommendations -- to elevate the importance of the aging cause/aging preparedness in Virginia. See Study Partners.

Study Partners' institutional names will be associated with the Older Dominion Partnership and the project's final report. Some of the Study Partners' representatives also serve on the Older Dominion Partnership's Study Implementation Team, the core group of individuals listed above who are directing the details of this project.

Study Technical Advisors

Study Technical Advisors are individuals who are recognized experts on aging issues. Technical Advisors will provide input and feedback at key project decision points. They will review and comment on the secondary research insights, help finalize and prioritize the survey objectives, review the survey topics guide, review the initial report and findings, and provide input on the recommendations contemplated by the Implementation Team and Study Partners. See Study Technical Advisors.

Community Advisors

Many agencies, organizations, and associations make up our community. Ultimately, many of these groups should be informed about the Older Dominion Partnership. To this end, Older Dominion Partnership planning will involve Community Advisors -- well-connected individuals who have a broad perspective regarding key community groups.

Several people have been invited to advise the Older Dominion Partnership in this capacity -- to think about future ideas for meaningful "community involvement." See Community Advisors.

Study Implementation Team
The individuals who served on this core project planning team, in alphabetical order, were:

Helen M. Cockrell, President, Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A). V4A is a private, nonprofit association that represents Virginia's 25 Area Agencies on Aging. Ms. Cockrell is a member of the Board of the Commonwealth Council on Aging and serves as the Planning and Development Committee Chair. Ms. Cockrell is also the Executive Director of the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging.

Jeffrey S. Cribbs, Sr., Executive Director, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation. The Richmond Memorial Health Foundation fully funded this project through Phase IV --formulating the recommended plan.

Sheryl L. Garland, Vice President for the Department of Community Outreach for the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Ms. Garland is also serving as Community Advisor for The Older Dominion Partnership (see below) and is a Trustee of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation.

Hugh Gouldthorpe, Senior Vice President, Owens & Minor. Mr. Gouldthorpe leads the Study Implementation Team's corporate recruitment activities -- to help recruit other Virginia Fortune 500 companies to join this initiative as a Study Partner.

Gail D. Jaspen, Deputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees fourteen state agencies that are involved in providing health care, rehabilitation, social and other human services to the citizens of Virginia. These agencies protect public health, license and regulate health care providers, administer Medicaid and other benefit programs, and offer support to Virginia's aging population and to persons with disabilities, among other responsibilities.

Bill Kallio, State Director of the AARP Virginia State Office. AARP is a nonprofit membership organization of persons 50 and older dedicated to addressing their needs and interests.

Lyn Hammond, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade oversees the economic, community, and workforce development of the Commonwealth. Each of the 13 Commerce and Trade agencies actively contributes to the Commonwealth's economic strength and high quality of life.

Dr. Richard W. Lindsay, Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia. Dr. Lindsay leads the Study Implementation Team's recruitment of Technical Advisors -- noted aging experts from around the state.

John W. Martin, President & CEO, Southeastern Institute of Research. Mr. Martin is leading SIR's work on this initiative. This includes facilitating the overall project and conducting the related research studies. Mr. Martin is a Trustee of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation.

Michael B. Matthews, CEO of Central Virginia Health Network, Inc. Mr. Matthews is also serving as a Community Advisor for The Older Dominion Partnership (see below) and is a Trustee of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation.

James Rothrock, Acting Commissioner, Virginia Department for the Aging. The Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) works with 25 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) as well as various other public and private organizations to help older Virginians, their families, and loved ones find the services and information they need.

Tom Silvestri, President & Publisher, Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD). Mr. Silvestri has agreed to focus media coverage on the study process and outcome through one of RTD's Public Squares. The RTD's participation in this project may be further leveraged through Mr. Silvestri's offer to invite other media partners to the table for additional coverage.

Matt Thornhill, co-founder and President of the SIR Boomer Project. The Older Dominion Partnership will have complete access to the Boomer Project's research database.

Study Partners
Companies and organizations who agreed to support The Older Dominion Partnership as a Study Partner included:

The Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade
  • Office of the Secretary of Health & Human Resources
  • Virginia Department for the Aging

Associations & Nonprofits

  • AARP Virginia
  • Greater Richmond Chamber
  • Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
  • Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A)
  • Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Virginia Health Care Association (VHCA)

Corporations

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Bon Secours Richmond Health System
  • Boomer Project
  • Dominion Resources
  • First Market Bank
  • Genworth Financial
  • HCA Virginia
  • LandAmerica
  • Owens & Minor
  • Richmond Academy of Medicine
  • Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • Sentara Health System
  • Southeastern Institute of Research
  • Ukrop's
  • Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Study Technical Advisors
Dr. Richard W. Lindsay, Former Head of the Division of Geriatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, recruited this original team of Study Technical Advisors.

Technical Advisors include:

  • Ed Ansello, Ph.D., Director of Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Robert Blancato, President, Maltz, Blancato, & Associates
  • Peter A. Boling, M.D., Director of Geriatric Services and Interim Chair, Division of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Kathleen Fletcher, R.N., M.S.N., C.S.-B.C., G.N.P., Director of Senior Services and Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, University of Virginia
  • Marissa Galicia-Castillo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Interim Director for the Glennan Center for Gerontology, Eastern Virginia Medical College
  • Gina Kavanaugh, R.N., Director of Clinical Research, The Center for Excellence in Aging and Geriatric Health, Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Paula Kupstas, Ph.D., Project Director, Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Richard Lindsay, M.D., Former Head of the Division of Geriatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, University of Virginia
  • Marilyn Pace Maxwell, MSW, Executive Director, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. (MEOC)
  • James Olds, Ph.D., Director of Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University
  • Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Louis Rossiter, Ph.D., Director of Research for the Center for Excellence in Aging and Geriatric Health, Director of the Schroeder Center for Healthcare Policy, College of William and Mary
  • Gordon Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Jefferson Area Board for Aging

Community Advisors

The individuals serving as Community Advisors included:

  • Sherrie Brach, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg
  • Sheryl L. Garland, Vice President Community Outreach, Department of Community Outreach, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
  • Michael B. Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, Central Virginia Health Network, Inc.
  • Darcy Oman, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond & Central Virginia

Project Phases

With funds by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, this strategic research and planning initiative of the Older Dominion Partnership was implemented as a multi-phased project. Major phases include:

Phase I: Recruit Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors

This first phase of the project involved recruiting Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors.
Study Partners are organizations and companies that provide input and assistance through each phase of this project. Study Partners' names (corporate logos) will be associated with this initiative throughout the project's life.

Initial Study Partners include companies like Owens & Minor, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Genworth. Study Partner recruitment efforts are targeting Virginia-based Fortune 500 companies, business associations, and leading aging services organizations and institutions.

Study Technical Advisors are individuals who provide input and assistance through each phase of this project. Examples of potential Study Technical Advisors include noted aging experts such as Dr. Richard Lindsay (University of Virginia), Gordon Walker (CEO of JABA), community healthcare policy advocates, and directors of Virginia's Centers on Aging -- VCU, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, and William & Mary. In addition, important players like the United Way and national experts who are friends of SIR's Boomer Project may also serve in this capacity.

Phase II: Background Review & Expert Input

The second phase of this project involved collecting input from Study Technical Advisors from around the state, as well as national experts through the SIR Boomer Project. This phase also included collecting and reviewing studies, reports, and plans from similar age wave planning initiatives conducted by cities, regions, and states across America. This database will be a legacy of this project.

Phase II will culminate with the first official meeting of the Older Dominion Partnership Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors. This meeting was held December 10, 2007 at Owens & Minor. All parties were given an opportunity to hear firsthand how other cities and states are preparing for the age wave, provide input into the overall direction of the Older Dominion Partnership, and suggest topics for Phase III -- the statewide research study.

Phase III: Statewide Research Study

Based on input from Study Partners, Study Technical Advisors, national experts, and "lessons learned" from similar age wave planning initiatives, Phase III will involve a statewide research study. Initial plans call for surveying Virginia citizens and business leaders.

The research process ran from mid-December 2007 through February 2008. All Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors were given an opportunity to comment on the survey topic guides and subsequent questionnaires prior to the fieldwork.

Phase IV: Review of Findings & Development of Strategic Planning Recommendations

A formal review of findings and development of broad strategic planning recommendations is scheduled for March 27, 2008 (9 a.m. to 12 noon) at the Richmond Times-Dispatch's downtown Richmond headquarters.

In this second formal meeting of the Older Dominion Partnership Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors, SIR will share the research findings and insights from Phases II (secondary research) & III (primary research). It is envisioned that the research will serve as a springboard for Study Partners and Study Technical Advisors to brainstorm and formulate broad strategic planning recommendations -- how to help Virginia prepare for the age wave.

The scope of these strategic recommendations (both content and the way they are reported) will be left entirely up to the Study Partners and Technical Advisors -- based 100% on the consensus of the group. This will include reaching a consensus on the optimal way to package and share the Older Dominion Partnership's overall findings and recommendations with key audiences across the state. For example, the consensus of the group may request the formal "packaging" of study findings and related recommendations as a formal report on Virginia's state of aging preparedness, and direct that this report be sent to local, regional, and state-level elected officials and business leaders. Again, this is an example of one possible outcome. The point is that Study Partners and Technical Advisors will collaborate and direct the appropriate next steps and future of the Older Dominion Partnership -- Phase V.

Phase V: Action Plan Implementation

This final phase -- Phase V -- will be determined by the parties involved with this effort (the output of Phase IV). At the very least, this project will end up with a basic assessment of our Commonwealth's state of preparedness for the coming age wave. At the most, this project may serve as the launching pad for an ongoing planning process, one that involves a growing number of informed stakeholders and supporters who want to ensure Virginia is always a great place for people of every age.