Our Speakers
Matthew Russell, MD, MSc is the Interim Section Head for Geriatric Medicine, the Clinical Director of Geriatric Medicine, and Medical Director of the Ambulatory Geriatric Medicine initiatives. In these roles, he has helped to expand the presence of Geriatric Medicine in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Russell is the co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Age-Positively program, a clinical collaboration between the division of Infectious Disease and the section of Geriatric Medicine.
Dr. Russell is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and has practiced across the spectrum of healthcare delivery in both fields, including home and office-based practices, and skilled nursing facility and acute hospital care. He has held leadership positions including medical directorships of several nursing and rehabilitation facilities, a home health agency, and hospice programs.
Dr. Russell is a faculty member of the Academy for Communication in Healthcare (ACH) and is a local and national resource for teaching learners of all levels in the practice of high-stakes communication in the clinical setting.
Presentation: Living Longer with HIV: Challenges and Triumphs of an Aging Population
Dr. Matthew Russell
Lisa Krinsky, MSW, LICSW is the Director of the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project at Fenway Health, advocating for equity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ older adults. A leader in LGBTQIA+ aging, she develops cultural competency training and has shaped key Massachusetts policies, including the 2014 Special Legislative Commission on LGBT Aging and the 2018 statewide training mandate for elder service providers. She also focuses on outreach for LGBTQIA+ elders of color and transgender older adults. A subject expert in Gen Silent, she serves on the MA Commission on LGBTQ Aging and helped develop The Pryde, New England’s first LGBTQ-friendly affordable senior housing.
Session 1 (10:30am - 11:45am)
Lisa Krinsky, MSW, LICSW
Richard Davis currently serves as a Community Health Educator with Dignity Health, a member of Commonspirit. He is a certified Community Health Worker in Nevada and a member of both the Nevada and National CHW Associations. He is a master trainer and workshop leader for community health self-management workshops.
Session 1 (10:30am- 11:45am)
Richard Davis
Terri L. Wilder, MSW manages HIV and aging policy advocacy at SAGE, leading federal and state initiatives. With over three decades in HIV care, she has provided social services, directed education programs, and driven policy change. She served on New York’s Task Forces to End AIDS and Eliminate Hepatitis C, shaping statewide public health strategies. Terri is an active member of multiple HIV/AIDS advisory councils and also teaches at Columbia University, covering topics like human sexuality, queer theory, and healthcare policy.
Workshop: Aging with Dignity: Advancing LGBTQ+ and HIV-Inclusive Policies in a Changing Landscape
Session 1 (10:30am- 11:45am)
Terri Wilder, MSW
Gary K. Daffin is the Executive Director of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC), which provides HIV/STI prevention, screening, health navigation, and support services for Black and Latinx communities in Greater Boston. MAC focuses on LGBTQ+ people of color, immigrants, older adults, substance users, and individuals engaged in transactional sex. In addition to community mobilization and research, MAC is a convening organization for United We Rise, a national initiative working to end the HIV epidemic and improve the quality of life for Black communities.
Workshop: LGBTQ+ Elders of Color - Aging with HIV
Session 2 (12:00pm- 1:15pm)
Gary Daffin
Paul is a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ older adults, especially older adults of color, ensuring they receive respectful and adequate healthcare. As President of LGBTQ+ Elders of Color, now part of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition, he has led social engagement and educational programs for over a decade. Paul also champions HIV/AIDS prevention and care for at-risk individuals. He serves on the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Aging Commission, the Statewide Community Advisory Board for the Office of HIV/AIDS, and the Integrated Prevention & Care Committee. Paul lives in Falmouth with his husband, Charles, and has a son and two grandchildren in NYC.
Workshop: LGBTQ+ Elders of Color - Aging with HIV
Session 2 (12:00pm- 1:15pm)
Paul Glass
Sean Cahill, PhD is the Director of Health Policy Research at the Fenway Institute and a faculty member at Northeastern University, Boston University, and Harvard Medical School. He serves on the Massachusetts Legislative Commission on LGBT Aging and is an Associate Editor at LGBT Health. A prolific researcher, he has authored nearly 200 publications on HIV, LGBTQIA+ health, and policy issues. Dr. Cahill coauthored Project 2025’s Threat to LGBTQI+ Equality and leads research on reducing social isolation and depression among older gay and bisexual men living with HIV.
Workshop: Current Federal Policy's Impact on LGBTQ+ Older Adults
Session 2 (12:00pm- 1:15pm)
Dr. Sean Cahill
Aaron Tax is the Managing Director of Government Affairs and Policy Advocacy at SAGE, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ aging. He leads efforts to advance LGBTQ+ and HIV-inclusive aging policies at all levels of government. Previously, he served as Legal Director at SLDN, where he helped challenge Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and advocated for LGBTQ+ service members. His career includes roles with the Department of the Army’s Office of EEO and Civil Rights and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Aaron holds degrees from Cornell University and George Washington University Law School and resides in Washington, DC.
Workshop: Aging with Dignity: Advancing LGBTQ+ and HIV-Inclusive Policies in a Changing Landscape
Session 1 (10:30am- 11:45am)
Workshop: Current Federal Policy's Impact on LGBTQ+ Older Adults
Session 2 (12:00pm - 1:15pm)
Aaron Tax
Alexis Drutchas, MD is a palliative care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She co-founded the Rhode Island Trans Health Conference during her Family Medicine training at Brown University and later served as a primary care physician at Fenway Health. A core faculty member in health equity education, she has been featured in The New England Journal of Medicine, NBC, and CNN. In 2020, she co-founded The Palliative Story Exchange, fostering community through storytelling. Dr. Drutchas lives in Boston with her wife and son.
Session 2 (12:00pm- 1:15pm)
Dr. Alexis Drutchas
Ramón Rodriguez, MD is an Internist and Palliative Care physician serving as Chief Medical Resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University and completed his Internal Medicine residency at BWH in 2023, followed by a Palliative Care fellowship at Harvard in 2024. His academic focus includes medical education and reducing health disparities in palliative care for historically marginalized communities.
Session 2 (12:00pm- 1:15pm)
Dr. Ramón Rodriguez
As OutstandingLife’s Director of Marketing and Outreach, Jenn Knight is working to expand and promote culturally appropriate programming and safe welcoming social opportunities for LGBTQ+ older adults living in Massachusetts. Jenn brings over 20 years of experience working with the aging population and LGBTQ+ older adults. Jenn is a graduate of Worcester State University where she was inspired to pursue a career in communications and nonprofit marketing. Jenn has dedicated her entire career to serving nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts.
Workshop: Meeting the Unique Social Needs of LGBTQ+ Older Adults in a Virtual Community
Session 3 (2:00pm- 3:15pm)
Jenn Knight
Dr. Michael Lee is the author of When the Band Played On: The Life of Randy Shilts, America’s Trailblazing Gay Journalist and a seasoned writer, researcher, and educator with over 20 years of experience in HIV/AIDS services, community organizing, and nonprofit consulting. He holds degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota and teaches graduate courses in health and human services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. His research focuses on storytelling to highlight social issues and untold narratives, with numerous academic publications and conference presentations.
Session 3 (2:00pm- 3:15pm)
Dr. Michael G. Lee
Dr. David Rosen (he/him) is the Director of Training and Education at LGBT Senior Housing and Care and Clinical Director at Hudson Pride Center. With over 25 years of experience in LGBTQ+ clinical care, he has spent more than a decade training health and social service providers on LGBTQ+ aging. In 2012, he developed Rutgers University’s first LGBT Issues in Social Work course. Dr. Rosen holds a Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University, an MSW from Rutgers University, and a BS in Neurobiology from Cornell University. He is a NJ-Licensed Clinical Social Worker and HIV Testing Counselor.
Workshop: Protecting LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Long Term Care: Lessons Learned in NJ
Session 3 (2:00pm- 3:15pm)
Dr. David Rosen
Amy Simon (she/her) is a communications and public relations expert with over a decade of experience in senior living, including five years specializing in LGBTQ+ senior advocacy and housing. She has a BA in English from SUNY and an Advanced Degree in Theater/Performance from the National Shakespeare Conservatory. Additionally, she holds certifications in Reputation Management (PRSA) and Paralegal Studies (Rutgers University).
Workshop: Protecting LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Long Term Care: Lessons Learned in NJ
Session 3 (2:00pm- 3:15pm)
Amy Simon
Explore Our Workshops
Dive into key issues impacting LGBTQIA+ aging, offering expert insights and meaningful discussions. Don’t miss out—visit our workshop page and be part of the conversation!