CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

 

Akshay K. Talwar, JD, CPA, LLM, CEO, BRIARCLIFFE

Akshay became involved with Briarcliffe in the mid-1980s, and has been the driving force and visionary behind the evolution of the Briarcliffe Campus ever since. Prior to his career in senior care, Akshay was a CPA at Price Waterhouse, a Trust and Estates attorney at the NY based law firm Davis Polk & Wardell LLP, a Tax Manager at The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and an Associate Professor of Accountancy at the City University of New York.

Akshay has worked tirelessly as an advocate for seniors, both at Briarcliffe and through the following organizations: Long Term Care Coordinating Council  (Member), Rhode Island Healthcare Association (RIHCA) (Board Member), Rhode Island Assisted Living Association (RIALA) (Board Member), American College of Health Care Administrators (Member), Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island (Past Board of Directors Member), and Visionary Health Care Network (Past President).Akshay is incredibly proud of the team of people who make Briarcliffe what it is today. Briarcliffe is a family owned and operated since 1963 and to us- residents and associates are family.

  

Chris Rielly, Vice President, The Bradford Group

Mr. Reilly joined the Bradford Group in 2002 following a ten year career in the health care industry. He previously directed public relations, development, and government relations at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket. At the Bradford Group, he has actively developed the firm’s public relations capabilities, serving client needs in the health care, finance, and higher education arenas. He has focused on government relations services for a broad range of clients, including hospitals, community health centers, student loan providers, and national advocacy groups. He has spearheaded brand positioning of numerous clients and serves as a spokesperson with media outlets. Mr. Reilly has also developed a practice assisting clients throughout the country responding to state-based requests for proposals for licensing opportunities. He has also written and helped implement business plans and overseen state regulatory compliance efforts for his clients. Mr. Reilly serves on the legislative advisory committee for the Hospital Association of RI. He is a past board member of the RI Better Business Bureau and the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

 

David Dosa, MD, Geriatrician & Health Services Researcher, Brown University

Dr. David Dosa is a New York Times best-selling author and nationally recognized geriatrician, best known for Making Rounds with Oscar. The book, which tells the story of a nursing home cat with an uncanny ability to predict death, has been translated into over 20 languages and received international media attention. His 2007 essay about Oscar in the New England Journal of Medicine also garnered widespread recognition.

With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters to his name—including contributions to Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine—he has conducted research funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and various private foundations.

He currently serves as Chief of Geriatrics at the UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts, and holds adjunct faculty appointments at Brown University’s Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research and the University of Rhode Island’s School of Pharmacy.

Dosa continues to write and speak on aging, dementia care, and end-of-life issues. He lives in Barrington, Rhode Island, with his wife and two children.

Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon, Chair, Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government; Secretary​, Senate Committee on Judiciary; Member, Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics & Oversight; and Member, Senate Committee on Education

Jacob Bissaillon is a Democrat representing District 1 (Providence) in the Rhode Island Senate, elected in a November 2023 special election. An experienced advocate and public administrator, he currently serves as CEO of Justice Assistance, a nonprofit supporting individuals involved in the justice system.

Jake previously served as Chief of Staff to Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (2021–2023), legal counsel to former Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, and Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council. He played a key role in advancing major legislation, including the Act on Climate, Justice Reinvestment reforms, the Let RI Vote Act, gun safety laws, a $15 minimum wage, child tax credits, and tax relief measures.

Born in 1987 to two public school teachers, Jake earned a BA in political science and an MBA from Providence College, and a JD from Roger Williams University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. His political career began as a student organizer for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

Jake lives in Providence’s Elmhurst neighborhood with his wife, Kim, and their two dogs, Winnie and Winston.

Jessica Gosselin, MS, Director, Saint Elizabeth Adult Day Centers, Saint Elizabeth Community 

Jessica joined Saint Elizabeth Community in 2020 as the Director of Saint Elizabeth Adult Day Centers, formerly Cornerstone Adult Services, overseeing four adult day health centers, including a specialized memory care center. Jessica has twenty-five years of healthcare industry experience leading staff, improving healthcare programs, and creating a teamwork atmosphere to improve patient care. Risk management, patient safety and service excellence are among Jessica’s areas of expertise.

Jessica earned a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Salve Regina University and a BS in Therapeutic Recreational Service from the University of Connecticut.

The lifelong resident of Burrillville enjoys spending time with family in Narragansett, relaxing on the beach and dining out. She is the proud mother of two amazing daughters and loves watching her daughter’s soccer games. Jessy also enjoys watching movies, cooking shows and just about all sports.

John Ladish, Executive Director, Dinning Services, Charlesgate Senior Living

John Ladish is a highly experienced professional with over a decade of leadership in the senior living and healthcare industries. Since July 2014, he has served as the Executive Director of Dining Services at Charlesgate Nursing Center and Senior Living in Providence, Rhode Island. In this role, John has been instrumental in enhancing the quality, efficiency, and care of dining services for residents, ensuring that their needs are met with the utmost attention to detail and compassion.

As Executive Director, John oversees the daily operations of the dining services department, managing a dedicated team and collaborating with other departments to provide nutritious and satisfying meals for seniors. His leadership has helped improve resident satisfaction and dining quality, while also ensuring that operations are compliant with industry standards and budgetary goals.

Beyond his work at Charlesgate, John is also an instructor for the Rhode Island Assisted Living Association's (RIALA) Administrator Training Program, where he teaches the Dining Services 3-hour session. Through this role, he shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise, mentoring future leaders in the senior care industry and promoting best practices in dining services.

John’s career began with a solid educational foundation in Culinary Arts and Related Services, which he studied at Johnson & Wales University from 1973 to 1975. His education in the culinary arts set the stage for a distinguished career in the hospitality and senior living sectors. Over the years, John has remained committed to elevating the dining experience for seniors, ensuring they receive the highest quality service, nutrition, and care.

 

Karen Peck, Vice President of Clinical Services, Brookdale Senior Living

Karen Peck brings over 25 years of clinical leadership experience in senior living and healthcare services. She currently serves as Vice President of Clinical Services at Brookdale Senior Living, a role she has held since 2013. In this capacity, Karen oversees clinical operations and quality care initiatives across Brookdale’s communities, ensuring excellence in resident health outcomes and regulatory compliance.

Karen joined Brookdale in 2011 as Divisional Director of Clinical Services, where she led clinical strategy and supported regional teams in delivering high-quality care. Prior to that, she spent 12 years with Horizon Bay Retirement Living as Senior Regional Director of Healthcare, where she played a key role in expanding healthcare programs and strengthening clinical teams.

Known for her dedication to resident-centered care and clinical excellence, Karen has been instrumental in driving innovation and best practices in senior living communities nationwide.

Pamela Morris, MSW, President and CEO, Jewish Collaborative Services

Pam is responsible for all business, finance and personnel operations for Jewish Collaborative Services. In that role, she oversees the agency and its professional staff in delivering the highest quality services to the community and all stakeholders. She also directs the planning process for the agency’s future development and growth. Prior to taking on leadership of JCS, Pamela served in increasingly high-level roles in the senior living field in NY, CT, and RI for more than 20 years. Pam holds a Masters of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College and a Post Graduate Certificate in Long Term Care Administration from Iona College in NY.

Patricia Forde, RN, MA, Director of Nursing, All American Assisted Living

Patricia A. Forde, RN, brings over 40 years of nursing experience and has served as Executive Director of Nursing at LHC Group DBA Life Care at Home in Cranston, Rhode Island, since 2014. She holds a BS in Nursing and a BA in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, an MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from Providence College.

Her past roles include Director of Clinical Services at Pinnacle Home Care, RN Case Manager at Home Care Advantage, and Vice President of Clinical Services at VNS Homecare. She also held leadership and case management roles at Amedisys Home Care, Assisted Daily Living, and Metropolitan P&C, where she pioneered a nurse-led program in claims evaluation—setting a national precedent.

Ms. Forde has taught at Rhode Island College and served as a clinical liaison at Boston University. A lifelong advocate for nursing leadership, she is a member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and Sigma Theta Tau. In 2018, she was named a Top Nurse by the International Nurse Association and honored by Trademark Women of Distinction.

Known for her leadership, compassion, and humor, Ms. Forde aspires to be remembered as a fair and driven professional who inspired those around her.

 

Patrick Doyle, Vice President Operations, Brightview Senior Living

Patrick Doyle has a diverse background in academia and senior living operations. Since 2023, he has served as Vice President of Operations at Brightview Senior Living, following his role as Regional VP from 2020 to 2023 and Corporate Director of Dementia Care from 2014 to 2020, where he led the development of dementia care programs.

In academia, Patrick has been an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing since 2017, teaching courses on aging and equity, and served as Principal Faculty at its Center for Equity in Aging. He was previously a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist at UMBC (2013–2014) and Assistant Professor of Gerontology at Bowling Green State University (2012–2014).

Earlier in his career, he held adjunct and research roles at UMBC and was a Field Research Assistant at Integrace Institute, contributing to dementia-related research. Patrick holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Gerontology and Applied Sociology from UMBC and a B.A. in Psychology with a Biology minor from Rhode Island College.

Paul Greenwood, Owner, Greenwood Corporation

Paul Greenwood's dedication to justice for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, began during his time as a law student at Leeds University in the 1970s, where he studied the creation of legal aid centers offering free legal representation to low-income families. This experience sparked his commitment to ensuring justice for those often without legal support. After earning his law degree, Greenwood volunteered as a teacher in rural Kenya, where he developed a deep respect for the elderly. Returning to the UK, he qualified as a solicitor and spent 12 years helping clients navigate legal challenges. In 1991, Greenwood moved to San Diego, California, where he passed the California Bar on his first attempt and joined the District Attorney’s Office. In 1996, he was asked to lead a new unit focused on justice for older victims and those with physical or mental disabilities. Over the next 22 years, he prosecuted hundreds of cases involving elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. After retiring in 2018, Greenwood shifted to training and consulting. In 2021, he founded Greenwood Law Corp, which provides specialized training for professionals in Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and long-term care, and expert witness services for attorneys handling elder abuse cases. Throughout his career, Greenwood has been dedicated to ensuring justice for older adults, advocating for those who are often the most vulnerable in society. 

 

Richard Gamache, CEO, Aldersbridge Communities

Rick Gamache, MS, FACHCA, is Chief Executive Officer of Aldersbridge Communities, a not-for-profit provider of affordable assisted living, independent living, rehabilitation services and health navigation support for older adults in Rhode Island.

He has served aging service organizations since 1981, including publicly traded, privately-owned, for-profit and not-for-profit. His career has included multi-state management of nursing homes, assisted living communities, home care, hospice, rehab, and the first senior-friendly hospital emergency departments in New England.

He teaches leadership and long-term care at RI College, serves on the board of Leading Age RI, the RI Quality Institute, the RI Board of Nursing Home Examiners, and is past chair of The Eden Alternative and the RI Health Care Association. He is a member of the Live Oak Project and the Moving Forward Coalition, both dedicated to transforming long-term services and supports in America.

Roberta B. Merkle, Esq, Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Saint Elizabeth Community

Roberta B. Merkle, Esq. is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Prior to joining Saint Elizabeth Community, Roberta served as President/CEO of Cornerstone Adult Services, Inc. She guided the organization’s growth for 25 years, taking Cornerstone from a one room adult day services facility to a multi-centered organization with five locations in Rhode Island. Roberta is a cofounder of a women’s shelter in Massachusetts and a cofounder of the Rhode Island chapter of the national Alzheimer’s Association.

A graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in social work, she continued her education, earning a law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law. Roberta has devoted her entire professional career to care issues regarding frail elders and adults with disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease.

She is a past president of Rhode Island Adult Day Services Association, past Board Chair of CareLink, and a former member of the PACE board. Also Roberta served on the NADSA (National Adult Day Services Association) board from 2009-2012 and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, and a member of the Warwick Rotary Club.

Steve Woodward,Vice President of Operations, East Division, Brookdale Senior Living

Steve has been working in the senior living industry for 25 years. He got his start with Sunrise Senior Living as an Executive Director in 1999, operating three different communities in Connecticut during his nine years with Sunrise. In 2008, Steve took a regional operations position with Sunwest Management. When Emeritus Senior Living acquired Sunwest in 2010, he was kept on as a Regional Director of Operations, and came to Brookdale Senior Living when Emeritus and Brookdale merged in 2014. Steve was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2021, and currently oversees 83 communities from New Hampshire to Ohio. He has served on the CALA board on and off since 2010.

 

Representative Susan R. Donovan; Chair, House Health and Human Services Committee​; Member, House Education Committee; and Member, House Veterans' Affairs Committee

Representative Susan Donovan, a lifelong resident of Bristol, RI, has dedicated her career to education, public health, and community service. A retired educator with 33 years in the Bristol Warren School District, she holds degrees in Health and Physical Education and Educational Administration from Rhode Island College.

Susan has been deeply involved in her community, serving on numerous local boards and founding initiatives like the Linden Place Cultural Camp and the East Bay Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She played a key role in defeating the proposed LNG transport through local waterways and continues to advocate for environmental protection and public health.

Her many honors include being named Rhode Island Physical Education Teacher of the Year (twice), receiving the Governor’s Wellness Innovation Award, and being recognized as the Bristol Warren Teacher of the Year and ABC 6 Hometown Hero.

She lives in Bristol with her husband Glenn and enjoys spending time with their three adult children and grandchildren.

Suzanne Balassone, RN, Chief Operating Officer, PACE-RI

Suzanne is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. As Chief Operating Officer at PACE Organization of Rhode Island, she brings more than 25 years of expertise in the PACE model of care, driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic vision in services for older adults and complex populations. 

Throughout her career, Suzanne has held pivotal leadership roles including Healthcare Business Development Leader at GrandPad, Director of Integrated Care at Sevita, and Center Director at Harbor Health’s PACE program.  Suzanne also has had the honor of being the very first wellness director at Tamarisk.

Her expertise in integrated care management and cross-functional team leadership allowed her to share expertise as a presenter on interdisciplinary team facilitation and systems transformation at a National PACE conference.

Suzanne holds a nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. 

A passionate advocate for value-based care, Suzanne is known for her collaborative leadership, problem-solving skills, and commitment to human-centered healthcare