Dr. J. Michael McGinnis, who reframed the notion of health from a view that was disease- centric to one that captures more broadly the full range of factors that lead to disease and early death—or to good health, will speak on "The Role of Villages in a Person- and Community-Focused Health Ecosystem"; at the upcoming Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) Conference.
Dr. McGinnis’s presentation promises to offer valuable insights, drawing from his extensive experience in national and international health policy for over four decades. This livestream a unique opportunity for those interested in innovative approaches to individual and community well-being. This will be streamed live from the WAVE 2024 Conference at the Silver Spring Civic Center in Silver Spring, MD.
Speaker Background
Dr. McGinnis is currently at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), where he is the Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer, Senior Scholar, and Executive Director of the NAM’s Leadership Consortium for public and private collaboration on behalf of a continuously learning health system.
His extensive career includes:
Continuous appointments through four presidential administrations at the Department of Health and Human Services
Founder of numerous ongoing health programs and policies, including:
The Healthy People program + HHS/USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Founding Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Group, the World Health Organization’s Office for Health Reconstruction in Bosnia, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Key Contributions
Dr. McGinnis is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in public health:
Established the Healthy People process for creating and tracking national health goals
Lead author of the seminal 1993 article "The Actual Causes of Death in the United States" in JAMA, which reshaped understanding of health determinants
Developed the concept of the "Essential Services of Public Health"
Academic Background
AB from Berkeley
MA and MD from UCLA
MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
Steve Gurney founded Retirement Living SourceBook in 1990. Drawing from the experience of observing his family caring for Steve’s aging grandfather, he created a comprehensive publication to help others in the same situation. Over the next few years Steve expanded the publication to three regional editions, DC metro, State of Maryland, and the Philadelphia region. Steve has worked closely with nearly every regional and national organization on aging to help maximize their exposure and helping find solutions to their challenges.
In 1998, Mr. Gurney sold his company to The Washington Post where he served as General Manager of Sourcebook and the Senior Living Solutions Division. In 2019, Mr. Gurney acquired the resource back, and has re-branded as Positive Aging Community adding a new design and content, distribution partners, podcasts, and a robust schedule of live and interactive discussions with thought-leaders on a wide variety of topics.
In addition, Mr. Gurney founded ProAging Network meetings and leads the DC Senior Resource Group important resources for senior-serving professionals.
Mr. Gurney serves or has served on the board of directors for the Grass Roots Organization for the Well-Being of Seniors (GROWS), Alzheimer’s Association, Interages, Business and Aging Task Force, Virginia Intergenerational Task Force, and the Beacon Institute. Steve has served on countless committees and provided guidance to help organizations and businesses better serve the senior population. Mr. Gurney has received awards and recognition from the Seabury Resources for Aging, Maryland Assisted Living Association, the Senior Marketing Institute and other notable organizations. Steve is a regular speaker at local, regional and national events and has been featured in regional and national publications, electronic and broadcast media.
Steve Gurney received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and a Masters Degree from the Erickson School of Aging Studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
Mr. Gurney served as an adjunct professor at Erickson School of Aging Studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), instructing in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Steve is a competitive endurance athlete and certified level 2 Adaptive Snowboard Instructor with the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), a certified level 2 Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor with the American Canoe Association (ACA). In the winter he instructs with Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports at Liberty Mountain Resort, and for over eight years he led operations and a team of instructors at Surf Reston Stand Up Paddleboarding, which he turned over to Reston Association.
