Dr. Lori Simon-Rusinowitz, associate professor for health services administration and interim director of the Center on Aging, was selected as a Health and Aging Policy fellow in July.

The highly competitive Health and Aging Policy Fellows program aims to help address one of today’s greatest policy challenges, which is how to ensure that the U.S. health care system can meet the needs of a rapidly increasing elderly population. The fellowship program is designed to provide professionals in health and aging fields with the experience and skills to help lead that effort.

As a fellow, Dr. Simon-Rusinowitz will receive a stipend to pursue her proposed policy project, “Making the Most of What We Have: Identifying Creative Uses of Existing Policies and Programs to Support the Health and Long-term Services and Supports Component of Age-Friendly Communities.” Through her project, Dr. Simon-Rusinowitz hopes to be in a better position to help underserved communities access existing federal resources, and strengthen coordination across local, state and federal policies.

“The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is a wonderful opportunity to learn in-depth information about the health and aging policy-making process from a federal agency perspective, to further develop policy leadership skills, work with new health and aging policy mentors, and develop new collaborations,” Dr. Simon-Rusinowitz said. “My proposed policy project will help obtain my goal of expanding age-friendly community options for low-income elders in Maryland.”