Tag Archives for Carol Anne Costa

The Rhode Island Congressman Who Changed Aging in America

 Published in RINewsToday on June 1, 2026

Over three weeks ago, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) organized a statewide gathering at the historic Rhode Island State House to observe this year’s Older Americans Month (OAM). The event brought together more than 135 attendees, including seniors, aging advocates, legislators, and state officials, filling the room to capacity.

During the 74-minute program, speakers addressed topics such as combating social isolation, increasing federal funding for community-based aging services, alerting attendees to financial scams targeting seniors, and discussing new models for elder care and housing. The event concluded with a reading of a gubernatorial proclamation honoring the Older Americans Act (OAA) and calling on Rhode Island lawmakers to support policies for the growing older adult community.

The event also focused on promoting the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that administers the OAA, and this year’s OAM theme: “Champion Your Health.” This theme encourages prevention, wellness, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility as key elements of healthy aging.

At the event, SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa announced that the Rhode Island State House Dome would be illuminated from May 13–16 as a tribute to Older Americans Month.

Beyond marking the month, this year’s celebration also centered on the legacy of former Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-RI), the primary sponsor of the legislation (Public Law 89-73) that established the Older Americans Act (OAA). He lived on a small family farm in the village of Harmony (part of Gloucester), Rhode Island.

A Rhode Island Congressman’s Legacy Recognized

Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Public Health,” Fogarty became one of the most powerful House lawmakers. He served in Congress from 1941 until his death in 1967. A former bricklayer and president of Bricklayers Union No. 1 of Rhode Island, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare. He used his legislative skills to expand the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and transform federal healthcare funding. He was also instrumental in establishing the White House Conference on Aging and the OAA.

At SACRI’s May 6 event, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos praised Fogarty for his major impact on federal aging policy. “Older Americans Month gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to older adult Rhode Islanders. It is a true honor to join SACRI in celebrating the enduring legacy of Congressman John Fogarty, whose vision helped shape aging policy for generations. Today, we build on that legacy by continuing to champion the dignity, well-being, and contributions of every older Rhode Islander,” says the Lt. Governor.

SACRI’s Costa stated, “Congressman Fogarty has left a legacy on which so much progress has flowed. His quiet and powerful work is a reminder that RI is a leader in empowering older adults.”

Former Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty came to share personal memories of Fogarty, his uncle. He stressed that his uncle’s work on the OAA was driven by a simple philosophy: the government’s role was to help people. His success was built on personal connections with constituents in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.

“As Rhode Island’s population ages rapidly, my late uncle, Rep. John E. Fogarty, remains a powerful example of how we can protect the dignity and independence of older Rhode Islanders. The Older Americans Act, which he championed, continues to support vital programs for seniors across Rhode Island and the nation, says the former Lt. Gov.

Fogarty, a former Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs within the Department of Human Services from 2015 to 2018, added, “The Congressman’s legacy shaped my own work as Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs, now the Office of Healthy Aging. “I have focused on advancing efforts to empower and serve older adults,” he says.

Seven years before the 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA), Fogarty introduced legislation (H.R. 9822) to create the White House Conference on Aging. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law (Public Law 85-908) on September 2, 1958. The law established a national forum held every 10 years to address the challenges facing older Americans. The forum also developed policy recommendations to improve their economic security.

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the 1961 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) exposed a broken, patchwork system of elder care. It served as the blueprint for the 1965 Older Americans Act. The conference pushed Congress to move away from old “welfare” models and build a community-focused support network for all older adults. In the end, this paved the way for the creation of the Administration on Aging.

Two Times is the Charm

“According to an online article, “AARP Fights for Older Americans Act in 1965,” published on  Sept. 28, 2024, on AARP’s website, the organization played a key role in pushing for the passage of Fogarty’s OAA legislative proposal.  Building support for the Congressional passage of the OAA became AARP’s key legislative priority from 1961 to 1965, as noted.  In that article, Ernest Gidding, AARP’s legislative representative, said, “The bill meets the major organizational recommendations of the WHCoA and overcomes the present welfare stigma of aging.”

However, Fogarty and Sen. Patrick V. McNamara (D-MI) failed to pass their initial OAA proposal in both chambers on the first try.  Lawmakers had begun efforts to pass their legislative proposals (H.R. 7957/S. 2000) in 1963. While this initial attempt stalled and the legislative proposal died in session, it got the whole country talking about how we treat older Americans, planting the seeds for a major comeback.

Two years later, Fogarty would try again. This time, the bill gained unstoppable momentum. During the 89th Congress, logs show the proposal cleared the House Committee on Education and Labor on March 9, 1965, and passed the House on March 31 by an overwhelming 395-to-1 vote. After the Senate passed it on May 27 and the House accepted a minor Senate amendment on July 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Public Law 89-73 on July 14, 1965, in the White House Rose Garden, permanently changing how the nation funds and delivers support to older Americans.

“The OAA is to my mind one of the most significant laws ever passed by Congress,” said William C. “Bill Fitch,” AARP Executive Director from 1959 to 1967, in AARP’s online article.

At the signing, President Johnson stated:  “The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation’s sense of responsibility toward the well-being of all of our older citizens. But even more, the results of this act will help us expand our opportunities to enrich the lives of all our citizens in this country, now and in the years to come.”

The President added: “This legislation is really the seed-corn that provides an orderly, intelligent, and constructive program to help us meet the new dimensions of responsibilities which lie ahead in the remaining years of this century.”

A Final Note…

 According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Fogarty spent 26 years in Congress, spanning portions of 14 Congresses from the 77th to the 90th, fighting for causes that improved the lives of millions of Americans. The Rhode Island Congressman was a strong believer in the power of government to advance health, education, and opportunity. He helped secure federal funding for medical research, health care, libraries, and programs serving older adults and people with disabilities.

 Some of Fogarty’s most lasting legislative achievements were the Hill-Fogarty “Health for Peace” initiative, which expanded international medical research and training, and the Library Services Act, which provided federal support to rural libraries. He also helped pass important laws that improved research and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as educational opportunities for blind and deaf Americans. According to records from the National Institutes of Health and Congress, these efforts continued to shape public policy long after Fogarty left office and are still part of his legacy.

Fogarty also spent years introducing the bills that led to the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1965, noted Thomas J. McAndrew, Esq., of Thomas J. McAndrew & Associates.

Building on Fogarty’s legislative achievements, McAndrew, serving as treasurer of the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, also recalls that his father-in-law was honored with the National Heart of the Year Award on Feb. 3, 1966 – less than a year before he would die of a heart attack on Jan. 10, 1967 in his Washington, D.C. office at the age of 53.  

McAndrew calls Fogarty “Everybody’s Congressman” in Rhode Island and points out that he was one of the state’s most important legislators in Congress. He also mentions his skill in influencing colleagues and gaining support for his legislative work.

He recalls that the Congressman rarely issued press releases or promoted himself, instead dedicating his attention to issues that benefited the American people and humanity.

McAndrew asks: “Where have these wonderful public servants gone?”

For more details about the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, call 401-274-3279 or visit the website, http://www.fogartyfoundation.org.

To watch SARCI’s State House OAA event, go to The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI – Older Americans Month: 5-6-2026

To view votes from SARCI’s Older Americans Month celebration, go to Out and About in RI: SACRI’s Celebration of Older Americans Month (photos)

To see a Drone’s view of the lighted State Capitol, go to State House Senior Coalition Final.mp4 – Google Drive

Home Foot Care Legislation Gains Momentum Toward Passage in RI

Published in RINewsToday on April 13, 2026

Through the efforts of aging advocates and older Rhode Islanders, the House last week followed the Senate’s lead in passing legislation that would allow certified foot care nurses to provide routine foot care to homebound patients. Under the legislative proposal, nurses must receive proper training and certification and demonstrate clinical competency.

At press time, the two chambers must still reconcile and pass identical versions of the bill before the legislation can be sent to the governor for signature.

On April 7, the Senate unanimously passed S. 2116A, introduced by Sen. Lori Urso, to expand access to routine foot care for homebound patients. Two days later, the House followed suit, passing Rep. Jennifer Boylan’s H 7029A by a vote of 65–0.

The sponsors—Rep. Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington and Riverside) and Sen. Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) —say the legislation addresses a critical need for basic, preventive foot care in the home. Many elderly and disabled patients require assistance with services such as toenail care and treatment of corns and calluses, yet are often unable to access care outside the home, including visits to a podiatrist.

Under the legislation, nurses must demonstrate knowledge and clinical competency in foot and nail structure and function, common foot conditions, and appropriate care techniques. They must also be certified by a national professional organization, such as the American Foot Care Nurses Association (AFCNA), or an equivalent approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Additionally, two of the required 10 continuing education hours per certification period must focus specifically on foot care. In addition to CEUS, 30 hours of training with a podiatrist are required for certification.

“This bill is about expanding access for vulnerable Rhode Islanders who currently have no safe options for routine foot care,” said Sen. Urso. “While this care may seem simple to some, for others it is difficult or even impossible to perform safely on their own.” She noted that similarly trained nurses already provide this care in most other states, including Massachusetts, whose regulations served as a model for the legislation.

Urso also pointed to the state’s aging demographics. “With the City of Pawtucket joining the AARP Age-Friendly initiative, along with several other Rhode Island communities, it is imperative that we support residents who wish to age in place,” she said. “Rhode Island has more residents over age 65 than under age 20, and initiatives like this help meet their needs.”

Rep. Boylan emphasized the broader issue of healthcare access. While many Rhode Islanders are aware of shortages in primary care and specialty providers, she said, fewer realize that essential services like in-home foot care are largely unavailable. This gap leaves many older adults without safe options.

“It’s especially dangerous for individuals with diabetes, who are prone to infections and other foot problems that can lead to serious complications or even death,” Boylan said.

Strong Backing from Leadership and Advocates

House and Senate leadership, along with aging advocates, say the proposal addresses a longstanding gap in home- and community-based care.

“This legislation will provide a lifeline for vulnerable Rhode Islanders who rely on in-home health services and currently face significant barriers to receiving basic but essential foot care,” said Senate President Valarie J. Lawson. She described the bill as a common-sense solution that improves the quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi  called the measure a practical response to a widespread problem. “As someone with diabetes, I understand the serious risks associated with a lack of routine care. This bill helps protect the health and safety of Rhode Islanders,” he said.

Tina McDonald, a registered nurse licensed in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts who is certified in foot care, testified in support of H. 7029A. With 12 years of experience in foot care nursing, she argued that there is a significant unmet need among homebound elderly and chronically ill residents who can no longer visit a podiatrist’s office.

“It’s not a question of doctor versus nurse. It is a matter of nurse versus no one,” McDonald told House lawmakers, warning that podiatrists are not filling this gap in care.

Addressing the primary opposition from podiatrists, she clarified that nurses would not be practicing medicine but instead addressing a “self-care deficit” within the established nursing scope of practice.

During her testimony, McDonald emphasized that nurses are highly trained in assessment, infection control, and wound care.

Carol Anne Costa, executive director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI), said the legislation would benefit homebound and mobility-challenged residents and their caregivers.

“SACRI was proud to testify in strong support of this bill,” she said. “It represents a vital step toward ensuring that older adults have the care and support they need to age safely and with dignity in their communities.”

Costa noted that allowing trained nurses to provide limited foot care services at home supports both family caregivers and broader home- and community-based care systems. “Those needing these services are often older adults or individuals with disabilities who face mobility challenges, making it difficult to access care outside the home,” she said.

She added that aging and underlying health conditions can make nail care more difficult and increase the importance of proper foot care.

Catherine Taylor, AARP Rhode Island State Director, echoed those concerns. “Access to in-home foot care is critical for older adults facing mobility, vision, or chronic health challenges,” she said. “Without regular care, minor issues can progress into infections, pain, or mobility limitations that increase fall risk and lead to more serious conditions. Home-based care supports prevention, early detection, and aging in place.”

“The bill would provide relief not only to patients, but also to families and caregivers who are often forced to choose between going without care or attempting to provide it themselves,” Taylor added.

Mary Lou Moran, director of the Pawtucket Division of Senior Services at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, highlighted the local impact.

“This bill removes unnecessary barriers to essential preventive care and helps close a significant service gap,” she said. “Many individuals we serve cannot safely perform their own foot care and face transportation, mobility, or financial challenges accessing clinic-based services.”

Moran added that regulated, in-home care provided by qualified nurses can help prevent avoidable complications, reduce healthcare costs, and improve quality of life.

Podiatry Association Flags Concerns

Following House passage of H 7029A, the Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association (RIPMA) issued a statement acknowledging improvements in the bill while raising concerns.

“This issue has always been about ensuring patients can access care from certified and credentialed providers,” the statement read. “We appreciate the inclusion of language requiring nurses to be certified by an accredited organization approved by the Department of Health.”

The organization noted that the bill could benefit truly homebound patients by reducing the risk of self-injury, but emphasized that it is not a substitute for physician care. Patients who can access a podiatrist (in the home or office)—especially those with underlying medical conditions—should continue to receive regular professional treatment.

RIPMA also cited studies showing that Medicare patients with diabetes who receive podiatric care experience fewer hospitalizations and amputations. The group expressed interest in collaborating with certified nurses to ensure safe, appropriate care.

At the same time, Past RIPMA President Dr. Michael Reuter, DPM, FACFAS, voiced concerns about the legislation’s broader impact.

“The legislation aims to solve a problem, but I am concerned it may create new ones,” he said.

Reuter, a board-certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon in Rhode Island, criticized the absence of a Rhode Island Department of Health recommendation requiring collaboration between nurses and podiatrists. He said such coordination is essential to ensure timely referrals when needed.

“I hope the Department of Health establishes strong safeguards and oversight for providers entering vulnerable patients’ homes,” he said.

He also noted potential cost implications. “Patients will have to pay out of pocket for these services, whereas visits to a podiatrist—whether in-office or through a home visit—are covered by insurance,” he said.

Here is the link to the Feb. 10th House Committee on Health and Human Services on H 7029 A, go to House Committee on Health & Human Services – RISE: 2-10-2026

Here is the link to the March 3rd Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on S. 2116 A, go to Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: 3-3-2026

Marianne Raimondo Joins CCRI Leadership, Building on RIC Legacy

Published in RINewsToday on February 23, 2026

On February 6, Rhode Island College’s (RIC) business dean gathered with three dozen colleagues, family members, and friends at The Village at Waterman Lake, for a farewell celebration marking the close of one chapter and the beginning of another

In a LinkedIn post, Marianne Raimondo, MS, MSW, LICSW, Ph.D., reflected on that evening, recalling the shared memories, warm embraces, and heartfelt goodbyes.

She announced, “On Monday, I embark on a new journey as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). I am excited to work with the CCRI team and continue to serve the students of our state, offering an outstanding educational experience and a bright future.”

Her message signaled both a fond farewell to RIC and the start of an exciting new phase in her academic career.

Taking on a New Leadership Role

After more than 12 years at the Providence-based college, Raimondo leaves RIC, which enrolls more than 6,500 students, to join CCRI, a community college with enrollment close to 13,000 across 4 campuses in degree and certificate programs, and an additional 8,500 students in workforce and adult education courses.

As CCRI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raimondo will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, collaborating closely with academic deans, administrators, and faculty to oversee educational programs, ensure instructional quality, and advance the college’s strategic and academic master plans.

Just a week into her new role which began Feb. 9, Raimondo has outlined an action-oriented vision for CCRI. When asked how she plans to support student success at the large, multi-campus college, Raimondo said, “I believe in the joy of learning, and we will ensure our teaching is inspiring, motivating, and engaging, fostering a desire for lifelong learning.”

Recognizing that access remains a challenge, she called for programs that better fit students’ schedules, including high-quality online offerings and flexible scheduling. She also emphasized experiential, project-based learning to equip students with real-world skills.

“Higher education must align with the state’s workforce and economic needs to provide students with viable career paths,” Raimondo said, pointing to a growing demand for skills in the areas such as artificial intelligence and the need to design programs responsive to employer needs.

Raimondo also sees an opportunity to integrate her advocacy for older adults into her professional role by creating internships and shaping curriculum around age-related issues.

CCRI’s new chief academic officer stressed her commitment to closing equity gaps to ensure all students have access to education and sustainable career pathways.

“Caring for, supporting, and advocating for older adults remains a passion of mine,” said Raimondo. The commitment is personal as well as professional: she recalled growing up with her grandfather, who lived with her family for more than 20 years. When her grandmother passed away, she said, there was never any question that he would move in with them.

As a medical social worker, she later saw too many older adults without family support, living alone, or lacking the resources they needed to age in place.

“I truly believe the later years of life should be respected and honored, and that older adults deserve the support they need to live well,” she adds.

Asked whether she will continue her advocacy work, Raimondo says she hopes to remain engaged through board service and community initiatives that support older Rhode Islanders.

Leaving a Legacy at RIC

A Greenville resident, Raimondo started her job at RIC as an associate professor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in healthcare management and policy. She was then named dean of the businesss school and served as executive director of the Institute for Education in Healthcare, which she started in 2016.  She oversaw RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, which opened in the fall of 2023.

Throughout her leadership roles, Raimondo worked to modernize curricula, create career ladders and apprenticeship programs for healthcare workers, increase opportunities for expand experiential learning, and build strategic alliances that made it easier for students to get what they needed.

A licensed clinical social worker, Raimondo holds a Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management and a Master of Science in Public Health from UMass Amherst. She earned a Master of Social Work from RIC and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Providence College.

Over the course of her career, she has focused on improving healthcare quality and services for older Rhode Islanders, with particular emphasis on quality management, systems redesign, leadership development, and patient satisfaction.

Before joining RIC, Raimondo served as vice president at Applied Management Systems, a healthcare management consulting firm specializing in quality management, systems redesign, and leadership development. Earlier, she was senior vice president at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Bringing Home the Bacon

A prolific grant writer, Raimondo secured substantial funding to address health workforce development, aging services, and behavioral health integration. Around 2016, as principal investigator, she was awarded a RealJobs Rhode Island Healthcare Workforce Grant to strengthen and expand the state’s healthcare workforce. During that year, she also established RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare (IEH), securing more than $8.8 million in grants to train healthcare professionals in dementia care, aging services, and case management.

In 2017, Raimondo obtained a $121,000 grant from the Point32 Health Foundation to study service gaps affecting older adults living in the community. This funding ultimately led to the development of a strategic plan to build an Age-Friendly Rhode Island.

In late 2019, a $360,000 three-year grant was awarded to expand statewide aging collaborations.

This was followed in 2022 by a $330,000 general operating grant for the 2023–2025 period to address community priorities for older adults.

In February 2026, the Point32 Health Foundation awarded an additional $55,000 to RIC. This latest funding supports technical assistance and strategic leadership, ensuring the initiative continues its equity-focused systems change as the previous multi-year cycle concludes.

Through Raimondo’s efforts, these investments established the College as a permanent regional hub for aging advocacy. As principal investigator, she co-led a statewide coalition to implement strategies supporting older residents who wish to age in place.

In 2021, serving as executive director and principal investigator, Raimondo received a $2.3 million Behavioral Health Care Managers Workforce Pipeline grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant enabled RIC to create a statewide apprenticeship program to train behavioral healthcare managers in partnership with healthcare centers, providing students with hands-on experience and stipends.

In 2022, she was awarded funding through the Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Related Diseases Partnership to strengthen dementia care education and healthcare systems. That same year, Raimondo secured a $2.7 million HRSA Community Health Worker Training grant to expand Rhode Island’s public health workforce by recruiting and training new and existing community health workers.

In 2024, she received a $712,734 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals grant to enhance behavioral health competencies among paraprofessionals and strengthen workforce pathways for entry-level healthcare workers.

Raimondo also served as principal investigator for quality management initiatives under the HIV Ryan White Program, RI EOHHS/Medicaid, Housing Plus, and the Rhode Island Foundation, among others.

Leadership in the Aging Network

Along with birthing Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Raimondo is widely recognized for her leadership in Rhode Island’s aging network. She co-developed the Senior Fellows Program in partnership with Leadership Rhode Island, empowering older adults to serve as informed community advocates.

She also serves on the boards of several aging-focused organizations, including the PACE Organization of Rhode Island and Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

In Aug. 2023, Raimondo received the Providence Business News’ Leaders & Achievers award.

One year later, she would be recognized as Social Worker of the Year – Aging by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

That year, she was also honored as a “Game Changer” at the 2024 Bad*ss Woman of the Year Awards, presented by the Women’s Business Council of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to her field.

Her advocacy also earned her recognition the following year.

In Nov. 2025, Raimondo accepted the Meritorious Program Award from the Rhode Island Public Health Association on behalf of Age-Friendly Rhode Island for its impact on the state’s aging population.

In that same year, Raimondo’s Institute for Education in Healthcare received the Career Pathways Advancement Awards from the Governor’s Workforce Board for its behavioral training programs.

As Raimondo begins her new role at CCRI, her record of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to workforce development and advocacy for older Rhode Islanders positions to shape the next chapter of academic excellence in Rhode Island’s public higher education system.

Raimondo’s Lasting Impact on RIC and Aging Programs

Here are some thoughts from RIC colleagues and aging organizations who worked with Marianne Raimondo and witnessed her leadership and accomplishments firsthand. She has made a significant and lasting impact on programming and on enhancing the quality of life for older Rhode Islanders.

“Dr. Raimondo’s contributions have been monumental. Her trailblazing approach combined academic analysis with ‘boots-on-the-ground’ action. Marianne moved students beyond the classroom to create pioneering programs that strengthened the workforce, developed a practical knowledge base, and empowered the aging community with new tools and resources. SACRI wishes her the very best at CCRI, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

— Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of SACRI, the state’s premier advocacy, policy, and organizing nonprofit dedicated to Rhode Island’s older adults and adults with disabilities.

“I have been privileged to serve for many years alongside Marianne on the LTCCC and the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council. She consistently brings an open, inquisitive mind, a firm grasp of what is required, and a passion for our shared mission.”

— Dr. Chris Gadbois, Secretary of the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council and Chair of the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council.

“Dr. Marianne Raimondo’s contributions to Rhode Island College have been remarkable, as has her leadership in advancing programs focused on older adults. I remember working closely with her as she built the Age-Friendly RI program, which continues to flourish. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and inspired all of us who worked with her. CCRI will surely benefit from her vast academic experience, especially in workforce development. I wish her great success in her new role and hope our paths continue to cross.”

— Maureen Maigret, RN, BS, MPA, Aging Policy Consultant and former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs.

“For many years, my team and I have worked hand in hand with Marianne Raimondo on numerous workforce initiatives. We are grateful for her ongoing partnership and look forward to connecting with her in her new role at CCRI.”

— Rick Brooks, Director of Health Workforce Transformation at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

“Marianne has served on the PACE Board of Directors since 2019. Her enthusiasm for our model of care is evident—whether she is engaging deeply in strategic conversations, buying and delivering personal care items to our participants, referring student interns to PACE, or recruiting new board members. Marianne asks about quality of care and participant satisfaction at board meetings; she ensures participants remain at the center of board-level discussions. Not everyone advocates for older adults—Marianne is a dedicated and caring champion for those who are often forgotten. We are lucky to have her on our board.”
— Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO, PACE-RI.

“Marianne has been an advocate and leader in expanding training opportunities to educate the direct care workforce supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. We look forward to continuing to work with her in this new role to ensure those entering the dementia care field are prepared to serve the needs of the aging community.”

— Margaret Murphy, Senior Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter.

“Since 2016, Dr. Marianne Raimondo has been an indispensable force in advancing the mission and quality of service at Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a local senior living community. As Board Chair, her remarkable impact on our organization and the lives of those we serve is evident. Dr. Raimondo’s leadership has been defined by a tireless commitment to culture change and to elevating the quality of care for our residents. Her oversight and insight have directly led to significant improvements in our operational efficiency and measurable resident outcomes.”
— Chris McGee, Executive Director, Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

“Over the last several years, Meals on Wheels of RI (MOWRI) has expanded our work in the Food is Medicine space, and Marianne’s partnership was integral in developing our service to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and simultaneously experiencing food insecurity. Her collaboration in this effort—now in its second year of implementation, the project has served 2,270 meals—is just one example of her ability to make innovative connections in the healthcare space.”

— Meghan Grady, MOWRI’s Executive Director

“Marianne has long been a steadfast advocate for older adults and for improving the systems that support them. She’s a great strategic thinker, but what I’ve always appreciated is that she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and do the work. I look forward to seeing how she continues to champion this cause at CCRI.”

— Kyle Penrod, M.S., Project Director, Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo is a true leader. I had the pleasure of working beside her for eight years and came to appreciate the seamless way she wove compassion, innovation, and intelligence into her work as a leader and into workforce development efforts in aging and healthcare. Marianne leads by example with determination and dedication.”

 —  Tonya Glantz, MSW, PhD., Executive Director, RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo has left the healthy aging space far better than she found it when she established Age-Friendly Rhode Island in 2016. Over the past decade, she has deeply impacted older Rhode Islanders through collaborations with more than 60 organizations, driving meaningful change in healthcare workforce transformation, older adult mental health, and so much more. Because of her devotion to aging Rhode Islanders, our most marginalized older neighbors are being fed, transported to medical appointments, receiving better health care, and are more engaged in their communities.”

—  Jim Connell, Executive Director, Age-Friendly RI

“Marianne Raimondo has long demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to improving the lives of older Rhode Islanders. During her time at Rhode Island College, she strengthened the connection between higher education and the aging network in ways that were both practical and lasting. Her leadership helped elevate programming that recognized older adults not simply as recipients of services, but as active participants in community life, learning, and contribution.”

— Maria E Cimini, MSW, Director, The Rhode Island office of Healthy Aging

“Marianne’s work has brought the Age Friendly philosophy to Rhode Island, developed critical healthcare workforce training in the areas of dementia, older adult behavioral health and addictions. Her forward-thinking guidance as the Dean of RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies has enabled my own organization to think through the development of new technologies.  Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues older adults face, paired with her caring heart, has created lasting positive change for all Rhode Islanders.”

— Deb Burton, Executive & Gerontologist, RI Elder Info

“As a Rhode Island College alumna, I have been immeasurably proud of everything that Dr. Marianne Raimondo has done to lead at RIC strengthen our state’s health care education and to provide entryways and opportunities for Rhode Islanders who want to enter the health care workforce. As a co-founder of Age-Friendly Rhode Island, she has helped combat ageism and pushed our state to better serve older Rhode Islanders. She brings a vast wealth of knowledge to her new role at CCRI, and I am excited to see both how she continues her longstanding commitment to the aging community and what new projects she takes on.”

— Lt. Governor Sabina Matos 

“Marianne Raimondo is one of the State’s strongest champions for those who may not always be able to advocate for themselves.  I have observed firsthand of her ability to foster change in an impactful way.  She has a great gift of listening to those of us in the trenches to bring the most current concerns and issues facing older adults to platforms that really matter.  The work she has done with providing students with hands on training and opportunities in a variety of areas of healthcare has had a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.  I am grateful to Marianne for planting the seeds for RI cities and towns to look at aging through a broader lens to provide opportunities for our residents to age in place with all the supports they need.”

— Marylou Moran, Director, Leon A. Mathieu/Pawtucket Division of Senior Services