Phoebe Institute on Aging

In 2001, Phoebe launched the Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA), a forward-focused program aiming to provide forums for discussion and learning, including educational programs, cooperative ventures, and outreach activities designed to promote improved quality of life and care for the aging and their families.

The PIA was created in recognition of more than a century of caring for older adults at Phoebe. Guided by a community advisory board, the PIA works diligently to engage with the greater community and to ensure the availability of expert and cutting-edge resources to improve service to the aging and their families continually.

Conferences held by the PIA attract key figures in the disciplines and communities associated with aging services, including CEOs, legislators, and award-winning scholars. The PIA has educated thousands of people over the past 20 years and, in 2021, proudly featured Dr. Ruth Westheimer at the annual conference.

The PIA sponsors an annual conference featuring notable speakers who present on topics related to quality of life and innovations in care for the aging and provides scholarship support to Phoebe employees who are continuing their education. These resources and programs attract partnerships between health care providers, agencies, educators, students, and senior services professionals.

The PIA sponsors an annual conference featuring notable speakers who present on topics related to quality of life and innovations in care for aging, in addition to providing scholarship support to Phoebe employees who are continuing their education. The PIA also attracts partnerships between health care providers, agencies, educators, students, and senior services professionals.

Learn more about the Phoebe Institute on Aging

Chair – Deborah A. Sieger*, Ph.D., RN, LSW, Kutztown University
Barbara Coffin*, Berks County Area Agency on Aging
Carmen A. Bell, United Way Greater Lehigh Valley
Laurie Greco, Northampton County Area on Aging
Hope J. Horowitz, LSW, Northampton Community College
Sharon A. Matthew MA, LPC, CAADC, CCS, ACRPS, CSAT, Caron Treatment Centers
John R. Mehler, Northampton County Area Agency on Aging
Alaa-Eldin Mira, M.D., CMD, St. Luke’s University Health Network
Rev. Steve Ohnsman, Calvary United Church of Christ
JR Reed, Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services
Carlos Tavares, Ph.D., Lafayette College
Tuesday Trudel, St. Luke’s University Health Network
Joseph E. Vincent*, M.D., Lehigh Valley Health Network
Suzanne L. Weaver, MSW, LSW, Cedar Crest College
Donna M. Zimmerman*, Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services

Phoebe Staff:
Scott Stevenson
Bob Richards
Janet Hines
Kimberly Metz
Jamie Schiffer

*Denotes Now Retired

Program Committee, 2023

Chair – Deborah A. Sieger*, Ph.D., RN, LSW, Kutztown University
Chair- Tuesday Trudel, St. Luke’s University Health Network
Scott Brooks-Cope, D.Min., Phoebe Ministries
Barbara Coffin*, Berks County Area Agency on Aging
John Mehler, Northampton County Area on Aging
Steve Ohnsman, Calvary United Church of Christ
Joseph E. Vincent*, M.D., Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital

Scholarship Committee, 2023

Hope J. Horowitz, Northampton Community College
Carlos Tavares, Ph.D., Lafayette College  

*Denotes Now Retired

Proposal submissions to present at the 2024 Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) conference are now closed!

The next PIA Conference will take place on April 18, 2024. The theme is Compassion in ActionThe application deadline is June 30, 2023.

A wide range of topics will be covered; all relate to how compassionate care can support goals like workforce well-being, long-term care resident and patient experience, safety, quality, innovation, and additional content to support caregivers and leaders during this challenging time.

Click below to learn more about the 2024 PIA Conference.

SAVE THE DATE! The 2024 PIA Conference, Compassion in Action, will be held on Thursday, April 18, at DeSales University.

A wide range of topics will be covered, but all relate to how compassionate care can support goals like workforce well-being, long-term care resident and patient experience, safety, quality, and innovation, as well as additional content to support caregivers and leaders during challenging times.

Keynote Speaker:
Stephen W. Trzeciak, MD, MPH.

Dr. Trzeciak is the co-author of the book Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference. He is a physician-scientist, professor, Chair of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and the Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care.

Click the link below to learn more!

Philanthropy Department

Tara Kralik
Administrative Assistant
610-794-5132
[email protected]

Janet Hines
Executive Director, Office of Philanthropy Services
610-794-5153
[email protected]

Kristine Paupini
Donor Relations Coordinator
610-794-5133
[email protected]