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AFPC Leadership Council

Ms. Melissa Luxton manages ten injury prevention programs which provide education to community members ranging from elementary aged children to older adults. Her background includes over thirteen years of emergency and trauma nursing, along with nearly six years of nursing leadership experience Ms. Melissa Luxton manages ten injury prevention programs which provide education to community members ranging from elementary aged children to older adults. Her background includes over thirteen years of emergency and trauma nursing, along with nearly six years of nursing leadership experience and five years of public health education and outreach.

In addition to Vice-Chairing the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition, Melissa sits on several committees, including The State of Arizona’s Injury Prevention Advisory Council, The Arizona Firearm Injury Prevention Coalition, Safe Kids Maricopa County, and The Arizona Trauma Association’s Stop the Bleed Coalition.

Melissa received her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Leadership and Clinical Systems Management from The University of Arizona.

Melissa Luxton, MSN, RN

Chairperson

Trauma Outreach/Injury Prevention Coordinator, Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix

Ms. Melissa Luxton manages ten injury prevention programs which provide education to community members ranging from elementary aged children to older adults. Her background includes over thirteen years of emergency and trauma nursing, along with nearly six years of nursing leadership experience and five years of public health education and outreach.

Dr. Jonathan Lee-Confer holds a PhD in Biokinesiology (emphasis in Biomechanics) from the University of Southern California. Dr. Lee-Confer specializes in how the body moves and responds to a slip incident as well as tribometry, or the measurement of friction of a floor and how it relates to the likelihood of someone experiencing a slip.

Dr. Lee-Confer’s PhD dissertation conducted studies investigating how individual’s moved when they experienced a slip incident. Dr. Lee-Confer has conducted over 450 laboratory induced perturbations and published numerous peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Lee-Confer currently holds positions at Verum Biomechanics, the University of Arizona, the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition, and the American Society for Testing and Materials (https://www.astm.org/get-involved/technical-committees/committee-f13).

Dr. Jonathan Lee-Confer, Ph.D.

Secretary General, Education Committee Co-Chairperson

Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
Principal and Director of Biomechanics, Verum Biomechanics (https://verumbiomech.com)

Dr. Jonathan Lee-Confer holds a PhD in Biokinesiology (emphasis in Biomechanics) from the University of Southern California (https://sites.usc.edu/mbrl/). Dr. Lee-Confer specializes in how the body moves and responds to a slip incident as well as tribometry, or the measurement of friction of a floor and how it relates to the likelihood of someone experiencing a slip.

Mr. Matthew Karger is the Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach/Performance Improvement Coordinator at Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Medical Center. His background includes over eight years of Emergency Medicine and EMS. He manages the Matter of Balance program at Chandler Regional Medical Center and is a master trainer. Matthew’s passion is being able to educate his community on ways to protect themselves against the risks of falls, in effort to maintain their mobility and independence in the safest way possible. Matthew received his Bachelor of Science in Health Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Arizona State University and is also a licensed Paramedic and EMT in the State of Arizona.

Matthew Karger, EMT-P

Treasurer

Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach/Performance Improvement Coordinator, Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Medical Center

Mr. Matthew Karger is the Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach/Performance Improvement Coordinator at Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Medical Center. His background includes over eight years of Emergency Medicine and EMS.

Dr. Babak M. Nayeri has dedicated his professional career to population health and health systems improvement, public health, and teaching the future workforce. He serves as the State’s lead on Healthy Aging. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Geriatrics, General Internal & Palliative Medicine, with a joint appointment at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Throughout a career of service, he has led interprofessional teams to excellence in performance through strategic thinking, innovation, and proven business models. He has extensive experience in leading complex health system teams with cultural agility to close the gap on disparities and achieve greatness.

Dr. Nayeri is a strong mentor to service teams and peers. In his current duties as Director of Healthy Aging at the Arizona Department of Health Services, Dr. Nayeri serves on a number of national and state boards & commissions including but not limited to: the Healthy Brain Research Network (HBRN), the Arizona Attorney General’s Health & Safety Committee (HSC), the ASU Center for Innovation in Healthy Aging and Resilient Aging (CIHRA) Board and the Board of Directors’ Military Liaison for the Arizona Health Care Executives, a State Chapter of the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE).

Dr. Babak Michael Nayeri

Chair Emeritus, Immediate Past Chaiperson

Director, Arizona Healthy Aging (A-HA), Arizona Department of Health Services

Dr. Babak M. Nayeri has dedicated his professional career to population health and health systems improvement, public health, and teaching the future workforce. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Geriatrics, General Internal & Palliative Medicine, with a joint appointment at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Ms. Rachel Mills has worked as a Health Educator with Yavapai County Community Health Services for three years. Growing up in many places in the Western U.S., she spent most of her time in Wyoming. She loves living in the Southwest, and is excited to serve on the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition. She is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention Instructor, a lay leader for A Matter of Balance, a Master Trainer in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs and a DPP Lifestyle Coach.

Rachel Mills

Northern Regional Chapter Chairperson

Yavapai County Community Health Services

Ms. Rachel Mills has worked as a Health Educator with Yavapai County Community Health Services for three years. Growing up in many places in the Western U.S., she spent most of her time in Wyoming.

Ms. Lee Itule-Klasen serves as a Program Coordinator for the Pima County Health Department. Over the past nine years, her work through both the Pima and Cochise County Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention Program has involved employee wellness, chronic disease and tobacco prevention programs, health policy initiatives, strategic planning and establishment of healthy community collaboration. As a Master Trainer for the Stanford University-Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, she conducts Lay Leader Trainings in Pima County for volunteers and employers in the community, and she is the co-chair of the Southern Chapter – Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition.

Lee received her Bachelor Degree in Chemistry from Arizona State University and is currently Associate Faculty and ATF Lead for Health and Physical Education at Cochise College. She has over 28 years of experience as an Exercise Specialist and has partnered with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to serve as a Corrective Exercise Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer. Lee is dedicated to promoting health and wellness for faculty, staff and students.

Prior to her establishment in Public Health, Lee worked as a Firefighter/EMT for the Mesa Fire and Medical for 7 years. She worked as a part of a crew that provided fire and life safety for the community through emergency fire and medical response. While in Mesa, she also developed and delivered fire safety education programming to schools as a part of the Fire and Life Safety Education (F.A.L.S.E.) Program. She also worked as a Glendale Community College Instructor to lead Fitness and Conditioning for Firefighters.

Lee has volunteered for her community and devoted much of her time over the past several years serving as a Board Member for the Good Neighbor Alliance Homeless Shelter in Sierra Vista, and member of the Arizona Partnership for Health Communities. She consistently strives to encourage and work for partnerships in the community that promote an innovative and comprehensive approach for healthier communities.

Lee Itule-Klasen

Southern Regional Chapter Chairperson

Pima County Health Department, Program Coordinator

Ms. Lee Itule-Klasen serves as a Program Coordinator for the Pima County Health Department. Over the past nine years, her work through both the Pima and Cochise County Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention Program has involved employee wellness, chronic disease and tobacco prevention programs, health policy initiatives, strategic planning and establishment of healthy community collaboration.

As the Program Development Manager for Western Arizona Council of Governments – Area Agency on Aging for region IV, serving Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave Counties, Ms. Carol Brown’s main focus is to promote Awareness, Education, Advocacy and Prevention in 3 areas identified as pillars and determined to most profoundly affect our Older Arizonans: Falls Prevention Education, Alzheimer’s/Dementia Education & Advocacy and Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention.

Carol has been a member of the Western Chapter - Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition from its inception and is now serving as the Chair of the Coalition. In addition to serving on the State Falls Prevention Coalition and chairing the Western Chapter, Carol is currently an appointee to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging and is the Chair of the Aging in Community Committee under the Governor’s Advisory Council. Carol also serves on the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter Leadership Council, is a member of the Yuma County Elder Abuse Awareness Coalition, the Task Force Against Senior Abuse (TASA) with the Arizona Attorney General, and the Age Friendly Arizona Leadership Team.

Carol Brown

Western Regional Chapter Chairperson, Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chairperson

Western Arizona Council of Governments - Area Agency on Aging, Region IV
Program Development Manager

As the Program Development Manager for Western Arizona Council of Governments – Area Agency on Aging for region IV, serving Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave Counties, Ms. Carol Brown’s main focus is to promote Awareness, Education, Advocacy and Prevention in areas determined to most profoundly affect our Older Arizonans.

Steve is the president and founder of The RightCare Foundation, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) Public Charity, founded in 2010. RightCare exists to advocate for and promote best practice care in local communities. As an active duty career firefighter paramedic and critical-care flight paramedic with over 18 years of public safety experience, Wagner brings sincere passion to RightCare causes. His role as a first responder helped him identify the need for improvement in quality, timeliness and accountability of care. With a strong belief that patient outcomes will improve with Immediate Resuscitation and accountability of advance directives, Wagner established The RightCare Foundation, Inc. to advocate for best-practice emergency care before the fire truck arrives. The support of fire chiefs, unions, physicians and policy makers encourages Wagner to promote The RightCare Mission to “Save lives and honor wishes”. An active member of the community, Wagner serves as appointed Council Member of The Arizona Governor’s Council on Aging.

Steve Wagner

Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chairperson

President and Founder of The RightCare Foundation, Inc.

Steve is the president and founder of The RightCare Foundation, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) Public Charity, founded in 2010. RightCare exists to advocate for and promote best practice care in local communities.

Lara Vineyard journeyed to Arizona to pursue a degree from ASU over 25 years ago and lingered to raise her two children with her husband Scott. She has run a digital marketing company here for the past two decades and helped multiple nonprofits and companies grow and establish their brand. She has created several books, including a caregiver book dedicated to enhancing lives in the community. Her most recent project has taken her to help improve medical mobility options throughout the state with her husband, and the growth of the franchise Mobility Plus.

Laura Vineyard

Education Committee Co-Chairperson

Lara Vineyard journeyed to Arizona to pursue a degree from ASU over 25 years ago and lingered to raise her two children with her husband Scott. She has run a digital marketing company here for the past two decades and helped multiple nonprofits and companies grow and establish their brand.

Jeff recently retired from the Fire Service after serving as the Fire Chief in Avondale, Arizona and after 33 years with the Phoenix Fire Department. Jeff retired as a Deputy Chief with Phoenix Fire and managed the Emergency Medical Services, Training, Dispatch/Deployment, Support Services, Technical Services and Operations Divisions over the course of 24 years as a Chief Officer. Prior to that he was a Paramedic Captain on an Engine Company.

Jeff served as a Board of Governance for Arizona Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. (AEMS) and as Co-Chair of the EMS Senior Care Stakeholders Collaboration for Arizona and was a Panel Speaker at the Community and Legislative Partners in Aging conference. Jeff is currently a Board member for Community Bridges Inc.

Jeff is currently a consultant for TIGNUM LLC. Providing executive performance coaching and is Co-Founder of Seniors First, a consulting firm serving the Senior Care communities. Jeff was a Residential Faculty member with Mesa Community College for 17 years and Adjunct instructor for Texas A&M Universities WMD/EMS response program. Jeff has a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Management from Ottawa University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Jeff considers this recent nomination to serve as Co-Chair of the Strategic Communications Committee for the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition an honor and very worthwhile cause and is excited to work with such a devoted and capable group. He extends an invite to those in the Fire Service who share a passion for Elderly Care and specifically Fall prevention to participate in this committee. Jeff is married to his wife of 35 years and has 4 adult children.

Jeff Case

Strategic Communications Committee, Co-Chairperson

Chief (Ret.), Phoenix Fire Department

Jeff recently retired from the Fire Service after serving as the Fire Chief in Avondale, Arizona and after 33 years with the Phoenix Fire Department. Jeff retired as a Deputy Chief with Phoenix Fire and managed the Emergency Medical Services, Training, Dispatch/Deployment, Support Services, Technical Services and Operations Divisions.

Kelvin is a retired Assistant Fire Chief from the City of Phoenix Fire Department, Phoenix Arizona. Currently, he provides professional services directed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life for executives, their staff and their customers.

Mr. Bartee also works as an adjunct instructor for the Maricopa Community College District. As a consultant and educator, he provides services to public, private and community organizations working as a liaison in the areas of emergency management, fire service/public safety education, public/private partnerships and marketing. Mr. Bartee is a member of the AZALFA Disaster Preparation Committee.

While working as an Executive Chief Officer for the City of Phoenix (Assistant Chief), Mr. Bartee held responsibilities for the management of the Fire Department’s Human Resources Division, Homeland Defense Section, Resource Management Division, and the Fire Prevention Section (Fire Marshal). His areas of expertise include emergency management, human resource management, incident command, structural firefighting, fire prevention, homeland defense, and hazardous materials response and mitigation.

During Mr. Bartee’s tenure as a Chief Officer, he participated in response and mitigation efforts as a member of FEMA Arizona Task Force 1/AZ-TF1, responding to Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey and Irma. Mr. Bartee also participated as a member of the command and general staff for the Phoenix Fire Department’s Incident Management Team/IMT during several major valley wide events including the NBA Allstar game, MLB Finals, the NCAA Final Four/Championship and Multiple Super Bowl events held in the valley over the last two decades. For over 33 years Mr. Bartee has served as a leader and manager in public safety and emergency response and mitigation.

Mr. Bartee is passionate about helping people live better, fuller lives!

Kelvin Bartee

Strategic Communications Committee, Co-Chairperson

Chief (Ret.), Phoenix Fire Department

Kelvin is a retired Assistant Fire Chief from the City of Phoenix Fire Department, Phoenix Arizona. Currently, he provides professional services directed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life for executives, their staff and their customers.

Devon is a native to Phoenix, Arizona and has treated clients all over the Valley. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, and with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University.

She practiced for several years in outpatient orthopedics, treating a majority of older and active adults. Some of these people expressed difficulties driving to physical therapy 2-3 times per week, and were also fearful of having to move into assisted living due to their physical ailments; their situations inspired Devon to create Elevate PT and Wellness in order to provide more personalized and evidence-based quality care to her clients.

By conducting treatment sessions in patients' homes, Devon is able to provide one-on-one care that is not only convenient, but also more functional for her clients. She is passionate about helping aging adults restore their quality of life and age safely at home.

Dr. Devon Turnbull

Website Committee Co-Chairperson

Owner of Elevate PT & Wellness

Dr. Turnbull has created online resources for women with osteoporosis, is the author of The Age Healthy Roadmap and owner of Elevate PT & Wellness. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, and with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University. She practiced for several years in outpatient orthopedics, treating a majority of aging adults with musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative conditions and balance/gait limitations.

Ms. Irene Stillwell was born in Los Angeles, California. She studied at Azusa Pacific University, the University of Utah, the Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training (ordained minister and officer), and earned a Bachelor of Music from Arizona State University.

Irene has served as the Executive Director of the Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation since 2008. The Foundation is a premier organization promoting fitness and health for people aged 50 and better; Fit After Fifty isn’t just a goal, it’s a mission and passion for the foundation. Irine is also Executive Director of The Arizona Senior Olympics, a program run by the Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation. Irene has won numerous City of Phoenix Excellence Awards, the Lovin’ Life After 50 Community Service Award, the Valley of the Sun YWCA Women of Honor Award, and the News Channel 15 Women of Strength Award.

Irene Stillwell

Awards Committee Chairperson

Executive Director, Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation

Ms. Irene Stillwell was born in Los Angeles, California. She studied at Azusa Pacific University, the University of Utah, the Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training (ordained minister and officer), and earned a Bachelor of Music from Arizona State University.

Ms. Roxanne Thomas (Dine’/Navajo & Numu/Paiute) is a Program Specialist with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. – Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 (ITCA-AAA). Ms. Thomas is A Matter of Balance Master Trainer, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Instructor and EnhanceFitness Leader. Ms. Thomas is passionate about improving the lifestyles and living conditions of urban and rural American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

Ms. Thomas holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Arizona State University, and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Previously, she worked for Indian Health Service (IHS) providing an array of mental health services to children, adolescents, adults and families. Roxanne enjoys new experiences, traveling, the company of her family and friends, and her role as a mother to her wonderful son.

Roxanne Thomas

American Indian Partnership Alliance Committee Chairperson

Area Agency on Aging, Region 8, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona

Ms. Roxanne Thomas (Dine’/Navajo & Numu/Paiute) is a Program Specialist with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. – Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 (ITCA-AAA). Ms. Thomas is A Matter of Balance Master Trainer, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Instructor and EnhanceFitness Leader.

Dr. Elton Bordenave is the Director of the A.T. Still University Aging Studies Project and is an associate professor at A.T. Still’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). He received his B.B.A. (Bachelor in Business Administration) from Baylor University his M.Ed. from Grand Canyon University, and his Ph.D. in healthcare administration.

In addition to work in aging and health promotion, his areas of professional activity and expertise are health care finance, regulatory compliance, health care information systems, and risk management. He holds an Advanced Certification in Health Care Compliance and is a contracted consultant to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a subject matter expert on incorporating fall prevention training into early clinician education. He has provided numerous Health Education presentations to senior centers, boys and girls clubs, contracted providers and professional organizations.

Elton Bordenave

Founding Member

Director, A.T. Still University Aging Studies Project
Associate Professor, A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences

Dr. Elton Bordenave is the Director of the A.T. Still University Aging Studies Project and is an associate professor at A.T. Still’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). He received his B.B.A. (Bachelor in Business Administration) from Baylor University his M.Ed. from Grand Canyon University, and his Ph.D. in healthcare administration.

Dr. Thurmon Lockhart’s research interests are fall prevention, fall risk prediction and assessments, gait and posture, postural control, and nonlinear dynamics, and wireless wearable sensors and closed-loop neuromodulation systems. Dr. Lockhart has translated research findings into practice by reaching a significant number of external organizations and individuals. His outreach efforts have impacted several organizations including the UPS, Diageo, Los Alamos National Security, DOE, GE, BP, SnapOn Tools and the US Navy.

In recognition of these scientific achievements, Dr. Lockhart and co-workers were awarded the Alexander C. Williams, Jr., Design Award from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society in 2008. His research was recently featured on the PBS NOVA ScienceNow and Good Morning America programs, Fortune, AgingWell, Men’s Health and Discover magazines. He has numerous representative publications on the subject of slips, trips and falls.

Thurmon Lockhart

Consultant

Professor, School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, ASU

M. Jane Mohler, RN, MSN, MPH, PhD is a chronic disease epidemiologist and Professor in the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Geriatrics, General Internal and Palliative Medicine, with co-appointments at the University of Arizona Colleges of Public Health, Pharmacy and Nursing, and at ASU College of Nursing and Health Care Innovations. She is an Associate Director of the Arizona Reynolds Program of Applied Geriatrics; and Co-Director of the Arizona Geriatric Education Center, a HRSA-funded geriatric program to train interprofessional health providers across Arizona, to promote excellence in the care of seniors. As past Director of the Tucson VA Health Services Research Center and in her present role at the ACOA she has been involved in the design of innovative models of interprofessional home and community-based care for the aged and dual eligible patients, including Home Based Primary Care, and Chronic Disease Telemonitoring.

Jane Mohler

Consultant

Chronic Disease Epidemiologist and Professor

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