An interdisciplinary and interprofessional coalition dedicated to delivering value-informed, compassionate and appropriate medical care to senior patients
We provide:
- Comprehensive education for health professionals and learners in geriatrics, dementia care, palliative medicine and advance care planning.
- Community engagement, outreach and education for aging patients and their caregivers.
- Project development and data-sharing to promote quality improvement and the creation of an 'age-friendly' health system.
- Public health messaging across platforms to promote compassionate care for senior patients.
Discover resources for case management/caregiver support, recreation and engagement and supportive care for older adults and their families.
Our services
Education
Senior Strong
Community Outreach
Accreditation
EVMS Family and Community Medicine has earned Level 3 accreditation as a Patient-Centered Medical Home from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Coalition Members
Michael Layne, MD, is a family physician, palliative care expert, and associate professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He is a founding member of What Matters Most Virginia.
Melody Armstrong, DNP, is a Faculty Instructor in the Department of Nursing & Allied Health at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with over 28 years of professional nursing experience in healthcare settings both stateside and abroad in a myriad of clinical and leadership capacities. Dr. Armstrong’s professional background encompasses active-duty service in the United 91¶ÌÊÓƵs Navy Nurse Corps for over twenty years.
Her primary areas of clinical expertise include Medical-Surgical, Complicated Obstetrical, and Peri-operative Nursing. Prior to becoming a full-time Faculty Instructor in 2010 until present, she also worked as both a Clinical Practice Education Specialist and in Nursing Administration.
Millicent Ayisi, MD, is a medical doctor currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with a concentration in Health Equity. Her academic interests include health literacy, community engagement, and the social and structural drivers of health disparities. She is committed to promoting equity in care delivery, especially for aging and underserved populations.
As a Graduate Assistant with the ENRICHe project, Ms. Ayisi is excited to contribute to a research initiative that uses simulation and AI-enhanced tools to improve communication, cultural responsiveness, and education in geriatric care. She looks forward to learning best practices that will support future work in educating.
Robert C. (Bob) Batcher began his third career in June 2017, as Executive Director of Primeplus Senior Centers, a Norfolk-based nonprofit that’s one of 2 centers located in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Services include activities leading to health and wellness while creating a safe, respectful and inclusive community.
He also serves as the Chairman of the Norfolk Mayor’s Commission on Aging & Long Term Care, President of the Norfolk Task Force on Aging, Norfolk Rotarian, Hurrah Players Board member and is a member of the Board for Tidewater Winds.
Daniel Bluestein MD, M.S., CMD-R, AGSF-R, retired from EVMS in June 2019 as Professor-Emeritus of Family & Community Medicine. Dr. Bluestein previously served as Family and Community Medicine’s Research Director, then as its Geriatrics Division Director (1998-2019) until his retirement.
He serves as an adjunct professor at the Virginia Geriatric Education Center, Virginia Center on Aging, within the Virginia Commonwealth 91¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Health Professions. Dr. Bluestein is also involved with various educational initiatives concerning primary care of dementia, age-friendly health systems, and brain health. He continues to collaborate with EVMS colleagues.
LauraBeth DeHority is a therapist who works with caregivers and families. She is a board member of Prime Plus, the Chas Foundation and the Norfolk Rotary, a member of the Downtown Circle of Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters, and a former Chair at Via Services, a private, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and special needs.
LauraBeth has also served as adjunct professor in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at William Jessup 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
William (Willy) Donaldson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Management at Christopher Newport 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Director of the CNU Luter Business Institute and Director of the Biotechnology and Management Program.
Willy is the Founder and President of Strategic Venture Planning, a management consulting firm that assists boards, investors, families, and senior management teams to maximize results. He is the author of "Simple_Complexity: A Management Book for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Systems Thinking," and "Estimated Time of Departure: How I Talked My Parents to Death: A Love Story." Willy also serves as guest editor for the Journal of Leadership Studies symposium on leadership and systems thinking.
Dr. Audrey Douglas-Cooke is a dedicated educator, healthcare executive, and lifelong advocate for older adults. Following her retirement as Vice President of Sentara Heart Hospital, she deepened her commitment to community health through volunteer service with Meals on Wheels, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of social isolation and health disparities among aging populations.
She currently teaches several courses under the umbrella of Healthcare Administration at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and holds multiple leadership roles that include but are not limited to Chair, Board of Directors, Langley Federal Credit Union, Board Vice-President, Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation, Member, Board of Directors, VCIC and Vice President, Faculty Senate, NSU. Her motto remains – Each one, Teach one, Reach one!
Kaye Geaney, DNP, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS). She has over 30 years of critical care and medical/surgical nursing experience as a bedside nurse caring for adult and older adult patients. As an AGCNS, Dr. Geaney was instrumental in quality improvement initiatives, nursing education, and research focused on improving nursing care for adult patients.
In her current role as a FNP in the Senior Strong Clinic she provides interprofessional patient/family-centered care for older adults suffering from chronic disease and/or age-related health conditions. Dr. Geaney is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences where she is passionate about developing the next generation of nurses.
D. Courtney Howard, M.S., LCMHCA is a licensed therapist, researcher, and owner of Riverside Therapy Services, PLLC, located in Washington, NC. Her counseling journey began with her work for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2019 where she has provided care to over 17,000 individuals in crisis.
Ms. Howard’s research interests are integrated across areas of grief, suffering, bioethics, existential philosophy, advanced illness, end-of-life concerns, and Medical Aid in Dying advocacy. She is passionate about facilitating honest conversations on end-of-life and in improving patient-centered palliative care services, from a holistic perspective, to best support the person in need.
Robert Newman, MD is a clinical Professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He has a special interest in geriatrics, palliative care and healthcare cost reform and is the author of "".
Kyulee Park, Ph.D., LPC, is an Assistant Professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Dr. Park is currently serving as the Director of Behavioral Medicine, where she provides behavioral and mental health counseling sessions to patients at Ghent Family Medicine as well as integrated behavioral healthcare training to Family Medicine residents.
She is certified to administer Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to geriatric patients or patients with memory concerns, and aided in What Matters Most quality improvement project as a project coordinator.
Annie Rhodes, Ph.D., M.S., is a passionate advocate for older adults and brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and innovation to her work in gerontology. In addition to a Ph.D. in Health Science and an M.S. in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth 91¶ÌÊÓƵ (VCU). Dr. Rhodes is also a certified geriatric care manager, specializing in care management for very low-income populations.
Known as a "nursing home abolitionist and emancipatory gerontologist," she is dedicated to transforming systems of care to prioritize transparency and equity over profit. Her advocacy is deeply informed by a focus on addressing the socioeconomic disparities that disproportionately affect aging populations.
Mary Rubino, MD, is a board-certified family physician and associate professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family and Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Dr. Rubino leads the department’s Senior Strong clinic, which provides personalized care for medically or socially complex older adults based on the 4Ms of age-friendly healthcare.
During her tenure with Senior Strong, she has achieved Level 1 Age-Friendly designation with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as part of the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program grant concluding in June 2024.
Kelly Thomson, MD is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and serves as Program Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
She is dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care, with a strong focus on educating and inspiring the next generation of physicians to enhance quality of life for patients facing serious illness through innovation and best practices.
Michael Layne, MD, is a family physician, palliative care expert, and associate professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He is a founding member of What Matters Most Virginia.
Melody Armstrong, DNP, is a Faculty Instructor in the Department of Nursing & Allied Health at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with over 28 years of professional nursing experience in healthcare settings both stateside and abroad in a myriad of clinical and leadership capacities. Dr. Armstrong’s professional background encompasses active-duty service in the United 91¶ÌÊÓƵs Navy Nurse Corps for over twenty years.
Her primary areas of clinical expertise include Medical-Surgical, Complicated Obstetrical, and Peri-operative Nursing. Prior to becoming a full-time Faculty Instructor in 2010 until present, she also worked as both a Clinical Practice Education Specialist and in Nursing Administration.
Millicent Ayisi, MD, is a medical doctor currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ with a concentration in Health Equity. Her academic interests include health literacy, community engagement, and the social and structural drivers of health disparities. She is committed to promoting equity in care delivery, especially for aging and underserved populations.
As a Graduate Assistant with the ENRICHe project, Ms. Ayisi is excited to contribute to a research initiative that uses simulation and AI-enhanced tools to improve communication, cultural responsiveness, and education in geriatric care. She looks forward to learning best practices that will support future work in educating.
Robert C. (Bob) Batcher began his third career in June 2017, as Executive Director of Primeplus Senior Centers, a Norfolk-based nonprofit that’s one of 2 centers located in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Services include activities leading to health and wellness while creating a safe, respectful and inclusive community.
He also serves as the Chairman of the Norfolk Mayor’s Commission on Aging & Long Term Care, President of the Norfolk Task Force on Aging, Norfolk Rotarian, Hurrah Players Board member and is a member of the Board for Tidewater Winds.
Daniel Bluestein MD, M.S., CMD-R, AGSF-R, retired from EVMS in June 2019 as Professor-Emeritus of Family & Community Medicine. Dr. Bluestein previously served as Family and Community Medicine’s Research Director, then as its Geriatrics Division Director (1998-2019) until his retirement.
He serves as an adjunct professor at the Virginia Geriatric Education Center, Virginia Center on Aging, within the Virginia Commonwealth 91¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Health Professions. Dr. Bluestein is also involved with various educational initiatives concerning primary care of dementia, age-friendly health systems, and brain health. He continues to collaborate with EVMS colleagues.
LauraBeth DeHority is a therapist who works with caregivers and families. She is a board member of Prime Plus, the Chas Foundation and the Norfolk Rotary, a member of the Downtown Circle of Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters, and a former Chair at Via Services, a private, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and special needs.
LauraBeth has also served as adjunct professor in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at William Jessup 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.
William (Willy) Donaldson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Management at Christopher Newport 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Director of the CNU Luter Business Institute and Director of the Biotechnology and Management Program.
Willy is the Founder and President of Strategic Venture Planning, a management consulting firm that assists boards, investors, families, and senior management teams to maximize results. He is the author of "Simple_Complexity: A Management Book for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Systems Thinking," and "Estimated Time of Departure: How I Talked My Parents to Death: A Love Story." Willy also serves as guest editor for the Journal of Leadership Studies symposium on leadership and systems thinking.
Dr. Audrey Douglas-Cooke is a dedicated educator, healthcare executive, and lifelong advocate for older adults. Following her retirement as Vice President of Sentara Heart Hospital, she deepened her commitment to community health through volunteer service with Meals on Wheels, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of social isolation and health disparities among aging populations.
She currently teaches several courses under the umbrella of Healthcare Administration at Norfolk 91¶ÌÊÓƵ 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and holds multiple leadership roles that include but are not limited to Chair, Board of Directors, Langley Federal Credit Union, Board Vice-President, Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation, Member, Board of Directors, VCIC and Vice President, Faculty Senate, NSU. Her motto remains – Each one, Teach one, Reach one!
Kaye Geaney, DNP, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS). She has over 30 years of critical care and medical/surgical nursing experience as a bedside nurse caring for adult and older adult patients. As an AGCNS, Dr. Geaney was instrumental in quality improvement initiatives, nursing education, and research focused on improving nursing care for adult patients.
In her current role as a FNP in the Senior Strong Clinic she provides interprofessional patient/family-centered care for older adults suffering from chronic disease and/or age-related health conditions. Dr. Geaney is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences where she is passionate about developing the next generation of nurses.
D. Courtney Howard, M.S., LCMHCA is a licensed therapist, researcher, and owner of Riverside Therapy Services, PLLC, located in Washington, NC. Her counseling journey began with her work for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2019 where she has provided care to over 17,000 individuals in crisis.
Ms. Howard’s research interests are integrated across areas of grief, suffering, bioethics, existential philosophy, advanced illness, end-of-life concerns, and Medical Aid in Dying advocacy. She is passionate about facilitating honest conversations on end-of-life and in improving patient-centered palliative care services, from a holistic perspective, to best support the person in need.
Robert Newman, MD is a clinical Professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He has a special interest in geriatrics, palliative care and healthcare cost reform and is the author of "".
Kyulee Park, Ph.D., LPC, is an Assistant Professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family & Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Dr. Park is currently serving as the Director of Behavioral Medicine, where she provides behavioral and mental health counseling sessions to patients at Ghent Family Medicine as well as integrated behavioral healthcare training to Family Medicine residents.
She is certified to administer Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to geriatric patients or patients with memory concerns, and aided in What Matters Most quality improvement project as a project coordinator.
Annie Rhodes, Ph.D., M.S., is a passionate advocate for older adults and brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and innovation to her work in gerontology. In addition to a Ph.D. in Health Science and an M.S. in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth 91¶ÌÊÓƵ (VCU). Dr. Rhodes is also a certified geriatric care manager, specializing in care management for very low-income populations.
Known as a "nursing home abolitionist and emancipatory gerontologist," she is dedicated to transforming systems of care to prioritize transparency and equity over profit. Her advocacy is deeply informed by a focus on addressing the socioeconomic disparities that disproportionately affect aging populations.
Mary Rubino, MD, is a board-certified family physician and associate professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Department of Family and Community Medicine at Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Dr. Rubino leads the department’s Senior Strong clinic, which provides personalized care for medically or socially complex older adults based on the 4Ms of age-friendly healthcare.
During her tenure with Senior Strong, she has achieved Level 1 Age-Friendly designation with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as part of the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program grant concluding in June 2024.
Kelly Thomson, MD is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and serves as Program Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
She is dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care, with a strong focus on educating and inspiring the next generation of physicians to enhance quality of life for patients facing serious illness through innovation and best practices.
