Keynote Speakers

Dr. William (Bill) H. Thomas is an international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare. He currently serves as president of The Center for Growing and Becoming, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing constructive, holistic approaches to aging and the care of our elders.

Dr. Thomas has published a half a dozen books, the most recent of which is What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World which was named “Book of the Year” in 2005 by the American Medical Writers Association. He has been interviewed by a broad range of television, radio and print media including CNN, 48 Hours, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, The New York Times, Washington Post and Newsweek Magazine, The CBS Early Show, and was chosen by US News & World Report Magazine as one of “America’s best leaders.”

Dr. Thomas graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1986 and holds the position of Professor of Aging Studies at UMBC’s Erickson School of Aging in Baltimore, MD.

 Roberta (Robbe) A. Healey , MBA, NHA, ACFRE has thirty years in non-profit organization management and development. She is an accomplished fund raising generalist with successful track record of establishing new development offices, board and volunteer training.  A member of the International Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), she is the organization’s immediate past chair. She served as a founding member of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) Philanthropy Network. The Greater Philadelphia Chapter/AFP named her 2001 Fundraising Executive of the Year. She is a member of the adjunct faculty of Villanova University, Villanova Pennsylvania. She was the 75th individual to achieve the ACFRE, Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive credential and holds a Pennsylvania Nursing Home Administrators License (NHA). An AFP Master Teacher, she earned the designation in 2000, the first year it was awarded and has been designated a Faculty Star by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Robbe earned a BS in Education from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts and an MBA from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania.