UIndy Center for Aging & Community
Faculty & Staff
Behind every program, every consultation, and every research project is a team of dedicated professionals who believe in the power of community, the value of older adults, and the importance of putting knowledge into action. Get to know the people who make CAC's work possible.
Emily Tisdale, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Adjunct Faculty, College of Health Sciences
Areas of Expertise
Continuum of care; healthcare leadership; management and operations; aging policy and systems change; cross-sector collaboration; strategic planning; stakeholder engagement; bridging policy and practice across aging, health, and community.
Background
Tisdale is a mission-driven leader with over 25 years of experience in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors of healthcare and aging care. As Executive Director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, she leads initiatives that drive progress and impact in aging care. Before this role, she founded one healthcare consulting firm and co-founded another, both dedicated to enhancing healthcare organizations and improving quality outcomes. She also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Indianapolis, mentoring the next generation of healthcare administration leaders.
Education
- M.Ed., Counseling & Human Relations, Northern Arizona University
- B.S., Business Administration, University of Central Oklahoma
- A.A.S, Public Relations, Oklahoma City Community College
Fun Fact
I love audiobooks—and usually listen at 1.5x speed so I can enjoy even more stories in less time!
Favorite Thing About UIndy
The sense of community at UIndy is truly special. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or staff, there’s a shared sense of purpose and belonging that shines through in every interaction.
Areas of Expertise
project management, database design, data collection, conference planning
Background
Dubicki is a Project Director for CAC and is involved in various projects working on project management, data collection/analysis, and evaluation. She served as the Project Director for CAC's role in the OPTIMISTIC Project, an 8-year project in partnership with Indiana University working to reduce avoidable hospitalizations of long term care residents. Other recent projects include Advanced Education for Long Term Care Professionals in infection prevention, emergency preparedness, and abuse and neglect prevention. Dubicki was the primary Project Coordinator for CAC's Pressure Ulcer Initiative, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Home Modifications Project and Healthcare Associated Infection Initiative. She currently serves on the board of the Indianapolis chapter of the Buoniconti Fund.
Education
- MS, Strategic Leadership & Design, University of Indianapolis
- BS, Meteorology, Cornell University
Fun fact
I play French Horn in the Indianapolis Municipal Band.
Favorite thing about UIndy
My favorite thing about UIndy is its presence and good reputation in the community. I am proud to tell people that I work for UIndy.
Areas of Expertise
dementia programming, training
Background
Fee was previously the Indiana Workforce Development training supervisor where her responsibilities included design and delivery of training programs. She is a Dementia Friends Champion, providing education sessions for those caring for people with dementia and for the community at large. She also coordinates UIndy's dementia-friendly Memory Cafe programs.
Education
- MS, Gerontology, University of Indianapolis
- BS, Political Science & Sociology, Franklin College
Fun fact
I love to crochet and listen to books.
Favorite thing about UIndy
The people I work with.
Areas of Expertise
Gender influence in medical care and population health, human relationships and development across the lifespan, economic inequality and health, program design and evaluation, and populational mental health
Background
After graduating with her BA in Sociology, Heckelsberg Wolfe fell into working in non-profit social service agencies and fell in love. She continued this work while pursuing her MA, graduating in 2008. In the fifteen years since, Heckelsberg Wolfe has passionately sought a marriage between high quality social research data and impactful social support and public health programming. This journey has taken her through government and community-based organizations putting macro-level focus on program design, management, and evaluation to work in Indianapolis and St. Louis communities.
Education
- MA, Sociology with a focus on Gender and Family Studies, Indiana University
- BA, Sociology with a focus on Gender and Family Studies, Indiana University
Fun fact
I'm an outdoors enthusiast. I love walking, hiking, biking. kayaking, etc. If it involves being outside, I love it - except swimming. I'm a terrible swimmer.
Favorite thing about UIndy
My favorite thing about UIndy is the CAC team. They're a lovely, interesting, driven, accomplished, fun group of humans, and I get to spend five days a week with them.
Areas of Expertise
Micro- and macro-level work with older adults and adults with disabilities in both healthcare and community-based environments.
Background
Jones has worked in long term care facilities, subacute, acute and brain injury units in a hospital setting and in adult day services. In each of these settings, she worked with students and helped to further their education and understanding of the needs of older adults. She has worked extensively with caregivers. Jones also enjoys marketing, networking and advocating on behalf of older adults.
Education
- MS, M Healthcare Management, University of Indianapolis
- BS, Recreation Management, Indiana State University
Fun fact
Always willing to try something new- week long bicycle trip, going zip lining, or whatever adventures come my way.
Favorite thing about UIndy
My favorite thing about UIndy is how UIndy encourages students to get practical experience within the community.
Areas of Expertise
budgeting, public finance, procurement/purchasing, public management, and contracts
Background
Marack spent four years as Deputy Controller for the City of Indianapolis. During her 10 years at the State of Indiana, she served as Procurement Director at the Department of Administration, coordinated Budget Committee meetings at the State Budget Agency, and calculated tax liabilities for businesses at the Department of Commerce. In addition to overseeing operations at CAC, Marack also provides budgeting support to MICI-AHEC and UIndy's Charting the Future initiative.
Education
- MPA, Indiana University at Indianapolis
- BS, Political Science, Saint Joseph's College (Rensselaer, Indiana)
Fun fact
When I'm not volunteering for the PTO, I enjoy taking historic home tours with my sisters.
Favorite thing about UIndy
The people - Everyone is incredibly friendly and helpful.
CAC Affiliated Faculty
Our work is enriched by the expertise of faculty from across the University of Indianapolis. These scholars bring diverse perspectives from their disciplines while sharing a common commitment to improving how people experience aging.
- Dr. Lisa Borrero, PhD - Professor, Interprofessional Health & Aging Studies
- Dr. Trent Cayot, PhD - Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science
- Dr. Kara Cecil, PhD - Program Director for Public Health, Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Sciences
- Dr. Nathan Eckert, PhD - Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Sciences
- Julie Gahimer, PT, HSD - Professor, Krannert School of Physical Therapy
- Dr. Katie Greenan, PhD - Assistant Professor, Communication
- Christine Kroll, OTD, OTR - Assistant Professor, School of Occupational Therapy
- Kourtney Maddox, MS, OTR - Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Occupational Therapy
- Toni Morris, DNP, MSN, RN - Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
- Dr. Abigail Richard, PhD - Assistant Professor, School of Business
- Ghina Sadek - Global Engagement Consultant, Center for Global Engagement
- Dr. Beth Ann Walker, PhD, OTR, FAOTA - Associate Professor, School of Occupational Therapy
- Tamara Wolske, MS, MPhil, CPG, CSA, CTACC - Adjunct Faculty & Assistant Professor Emerita, Aging Studies