The Elder Advisors to Research (EAR) is an innovative, active group of seniors that provides the Institute of Gerontology with critical feedback on issues affecting the growing number of seniors in the Detroit metro area. The EAR serves as our eyes and ears in the senior community and provides the faculty and staff at the IOG with pertinent information to help in developing our outreach and research programs. Most members are retired and all are age 60 and over. Members self select to join the EAR or are invited to join by the IOG director, faculty or other EAR members. The Institute's Elder Advisors to Research (EAR) committee is co-chaired chaired by Dr. Kay Cresci and Donna MacDonald.
Minnie Adams is a Wayne State University graduate who retired from the Detroit Public School System. She took a leave from teaching and worked with Investment Diversified Services where she was not only the first black women to work there, but also the first to become a top 10 salesperson. Minnie’s interest in aging came from a desire to help her peers realize the beauty of aging.
Karen Bacsanyi, received her BA in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University, MSLS Masters in Library Science from Wayne State University and worked as a Public Services Librarian for 37 years at Wayne State University Libraries until her retirement in August 2007. Currently she is adjunct librarian at Oakland Community College Library part time and as a substitute. Libraries are great for all ages including the elderly.
LaDean Birkhead-Perez was born and raised in Iowa. She moved to Michigan to attend Andrews University where she earned her BS degree in education. She taught art in both public and private schools for many years. She changed careers and began working for both Wayne County and the State of Michigan field corrections as a probation officer. After retirement, LaDean has enrolled at Wayne State University working toward a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree.
Leonara DeVera Bragg was born and raised in Detroit . After completing high school, she attended Wayne County Community College to receive her associates degree in business. Retirement followed a successful career with the Internal Revenue Service. DeVera was a caregiver for her mother who passed away at the age of 95 in 2008. She now seeks ways to become more active in community affairs and avoid being sedentary.
Jan Calle retired as a corporate manager from AT&T where she worked for 33 years. She also worked as an independent consultant and focused on issues of diversity in public and private organizations. She volunteers for several University of Michigan groups and is on the contribution committee for the Ann Arbor Friends.
Regina Collins received her bachelors degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville and her MSW at Wayne State University. She is certified in school social work and gerontology. She worked for 40 years in the field, beginning her career in Memphis with the office of economic opportunity. She worked for 15 years in Michigan with medical and school social work. Regina would like to see the senior community made aware of the services available to them and to see improvements in those services, especially for those who wish to remain in their homes.
Roberta Cottman is designated Professor Emerita at Wayne State University where she served as a faculty member for 24 years. She is presently serving as an NGO representative to the United Nations on the Commission on the Status of Women on both the aging and the health focus groups. She would like the EAR to recognize the importance of health and well-being, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through the life-span.
Virginia Crowthers was one of the faculty at Wayne State University School of Social Work and also served as Executive Director of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. She is currently the chairperson for the Detroit Mayor's Commission on Senior Citizens. Crowthers would like to see the EAR apply the practical applications of theory to the real lives of real older adults and their families.
Lois Hitchcock is a retired social worker for the City of Southfield who has made her way into many organizations that better serve the senior population. Lois is director of the Volunteer Program for the Homes for the Aged Community, Providence Hospital Community Committee. Lois has been an active member of the State Advisory Council on Aging for 10 years.
Amy W. Jackson is the mother of 3, grandmother of 3 and great grandmother of 3. She is otherwise known as “Ami" (the TV & Decca recording singer/pianist/ harpist), "Ami D" (the Storyteller) and Amy, the Co-Facilitator of the Mich. Parkinson Foundation's Detroit Support Group. Amy has been an active member of the EAR for many years.
Charles Jackson received his graduate certificate in gerontology in 1990 from the IOG. Jackson retired from the City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department after 32 years of service. The longtime Detroit resident hopes the EAR will promote the resources available to elders in Detroit.
Tom Jankowski retired as a Fire Chief Officer in Wyandotte where he worked for over 27 years. He currently serves as executive director of the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters and is a long time volunteer of both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross where he is a CPR instructor trainer. Jankowski thinks the EAR is talking to the right group to determine the right types of projects.
Gene Pisha, retired as a Dearborn insurance agency owner seven years ago. Since then, he has been an active member of several organizations that impact senior issues, namely, the Michigan AARP, Michigan Peer Review Organization (MPRO) and the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology.
Gloria Sniderman was an educator and librarian at Wayne State University for 29 years. Before that, she was a school librarian and a special librarian in industry. Gloria feels that the IOG, through the Elder Advisors to Research, brings forth information to many seniors who otherwise might not learn about elder issues.
Deborah L. Vinson is a native Detroiter recently retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of CHicago after 30+ year careeer in banking operations, audit, supervision and regulation. A graduate of Siena Heights University in Adrian Michigan, she is an avid crafter who loves sunshine, smiles and making good things happen.
Viola Wagner, now, retired, has a BSW and MSW from Wayne State University and a certificate in Gerontology from the IOG. Viola was employed by Catholic Social Services of Oakland County as a Senior Companion Coordinator and at Lutheran Social Services of Michigan's Calvary Center as Director of Social Services. Viola currently is a William Beaumont volunteer and a member of the EAR. Viola's vision for seniors is to have the elderly age in place with a healthy and active lifestyle as much as possible.
Betty Welsh is designated Professor Emerita at Wayne State University. She spent much of her career as a teacher and social worker in various cities throughout Michigan. Betty has received numerous awards, including the Heart of Gold. She used her social work skills in facilitating a variety of programs for Oakwood residents. Betty serves on the Dearborn Senior Council, chairs Oakwood Volunteer Committee, is a community member of the Oakwood Hospital Institutional Research/Review Committee, and the Board of Visitors here at the IOG.
Janet Whitaker moved to Detroit from Cleveland in 1956. Her career began as a school secretary for 17 years, then she attended WSU nights for her education degree, taught for 16 years and finally served 7 years as an administrator. Janet retired in 1997 after 40 years with the Detroit Public School system. Janet received her B.S degree from WSU, earned an MA from University of Michigan and returned to WSU for her EdS.
Andrew Wong is a WWII veteran who retired from Michigan Bell Telephone as a district manager technology systems. He served as president for the Detroit Chapter of the Association of Chinese Americans and was the national vice president of public affairs for the organization. Wong was also a council member and president of the Village of Beverly Hills.