
Bringing Your Voice to the Table: Members' Experiences at the Inaugural GSA Hill Day
Includes a Live Web Event on 05/22/2025 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
-
Register
- Non-Member - Free!
- Comp Member - Free!
- Emeritus Member - Free!
- Regular Member - Free!
- Retired Member - Free!
- Spouse Member - Free!
- GSA Staff - Free!
- Transitional Member - Free!
- Graduate Student/Post-Doc Member - Free!
- Undergraduate Student Member - Free!
Did you miss the inaugural GSA Capitol Hill Day? Join us for this webinar, which will provide a firsthand account of the event, where GSA members actively engaged with policymakers to advocate for the critical role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in supporting the health and aging research ecosystem. Participants will hear directly from members who attended, gaining insights into their experiences meeting with Congressional offices, the key messages conveyed, and the impact of their advocacy efforts. The webinar will explore the motivations behind member participation, highlight memorable moments from the day, and discuss opportunities for continued engagement in advocating for the health and aging research ecosystem. This webinar is a chance to learn about the importance of advocacy and inspire future involvement in shaping the future of research funding.

Patricia M. "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP (Moderator)
Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs
Gerontological Society of America
Patricia M. D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, is the Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and a board-certified geriatric pharmacist. Ms. D’Antonio directs GSA’s policy initiatives and is responsible for developing relationships with organizations in the aging arena. She represents GSA on several policy coalitions and serves as co-chair for the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, president of the board of Protecting Access to Pain Relief, and a member of the steering committee for several federally focused coalitions. Ms. D’Antonio is also the executive director for the National Center to Reframe Aging, the central hub to advance the long-term social change endeavor designed to improve the public’s understanding of what aging means and the many ways that older people contribute to our society. Before joining GSA, Trish was the executive director for the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy and program manager for the Pharmaceutical Control Division, where she was responsible for the regulatory and policy development for the practice of pharmacy and safe handling of medications in the District. She received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Duquesne University and her Master of Science in Health Finance and Master in Business Administration with a concentration in health care from Temple University. She completed a residency in administration and finance at The Philadelphia Geriatric Center.

Ernest Gonzales, PhD, MSSW
James Weldon Johnson Professor of Social Work, New York University
Associate Professor, Director to the Center for Health and Aging Innovation
Dr. Ernest Gonzales is an Associate Professor and the James Weldon Johnson Professor at New York University, where he leads The Center for Health and Aging Innovation, the Healthy Aging Specialization in Social Work, and the Grand Challenge on Advancing a Long, Healthy, and Productive Life. He is a scholar in the areas of productive aging (employment, volunteering, and caregiving), equity, discrimination, intergenerational scholarship, and social policy. His research advances our understanding of social structures that optimize the ability to live a long, healthy, and meaningful life.

Helen Nguyen-Pham, BA
MA Student in Gerontology
Student Member of GSA
Helen Nguyen-Pham is a Master of Arts student in Gerontology at San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from Mount Holyoke College. With experience spanning healthcare and aging services, Helen brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing the well-being and dignity of aging populations. She has worked closely with older adults as an In-Home Supportive Services care provider, dental assistant, and long-time community volunteer at Vi at Palo Alto (CCRC). Helen also contributed to the start-up of an internal medicine clinic focused on delivering culturally responsive care to Southeast Asian communities during the post-COVID recovery period. Her academic and professional interests focus on promoting equitable aging, elder justice, and mental health access. With research training from the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory and independent study on first-generation college students, Helen is dedicated to connecting research, advocacy, and hands-on practice to build more supportive and age-friendly communities.

Anna MacKay-Brandt, PhD
Research Scientist, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Owner, Janus Psychology PLLC
Dr. Anna MacKay-Brandt is a licensed neuropsychologist with expertise in cognitive functioning across the lifespan. She earned her PhD from Washington University in St. Louis, focusing on attentional control and its role in complex cognitive processes. Dr. MacKay-Brandt completed clinical and research training at Brown University and Columbia University Medical Center, specializing in risk and protective factors for cognitive health. She is a Research Scientist at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, where she collaborates on open-science initiatives and translational applications of cognitive neuroscience. In private practice, she combines clinical neuropsychological assessment with emerging research to help clients optimize cognitive performance. Her current work explores the central autonomic nervous system's role in attention and self-regulation, aiming to develop personalized strategies that support cognitive health and functional performance in everyday life.
Key:




