Leadership & Staff

Tara A. Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN

Executive Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing; Professor of Geriatric Nursing, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing

Dr. Cortes’ distinguished career spans executive leadership, nursing education, research and practice. She has provided significant contributions to advancing health care, particularly for those people with limited access to the health care system. Significantly, she has developed collaborative models with advanced practice nurses and physicians in traditional as well as non-traditional settings to enhance the care of the American older adult population.

Ab Brody, PhD, RN, FAAN

Associate Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing; Mathy Mezey Professor of Geriatric Nursing, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and NYU Langone Health; Founder, Aliviado Health; Pilot Core Lead, NIA IMPACT Collaboratory

Dr. Brody is a board certified geriatric nurse practitioner with clinical expertise and current practice in house calls and inpatient geriatric consult services. Dr. Brody’s research and scholarship activities focus on the intersection of geriatrics and palliative care as he seeks to improve the quality of life, quality of care, and patient outcomes for older adults living in the community.

Cynthia Chong, MPA

Special Projects Manager, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Ms. Chong’s background includes overseeing departmental and public administration. Her passion is promoting health education by working with community organizations and local agencies to increase health literacy.

Liz Seidel, MSW

Project Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Ms. Seidel is a social worker with a background in community-based research, health education, and curriculum development focusing on behavioral health and chronic illness in vulnerable populations. Ms. Seidel’s role at HIGN includes project management, curriculum development and editing, grant writing, and serving as the Try This series editor.

Brittany A. Hamilton, MA

Director of eLearning and Technology, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Ms. Hamilton plans, designs, and creates innovative digital learning experiences based on theories of digital learning and best practices in instructional design. She manages the HIGN eLearning platform, website, and all other instructional technologies utilized by the institute.

Diana Ma, MHEA

Budget and Project Administrator, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Ms. Ma has a background in budget and project management. In her previous role she was employed at a teaching hospital in the Department of Nursing Professional Development and Education and was involved in the administration of the Nurse Residency Program. She oversees the financial operations and is responsible for implementing the marketing and communications plan for HIGN.

Tina Sadarangani, PhD, ANP-C, GNP-BC, RN

Assistant Director, Policy: Community-Based Services

Dr. Sadarangani brings her expertise of advancing the health of marginalized older adults to her role as Assistant Director. Her work is focused on leveraging the strengths of community-based adult day health care, targeting health disparities and informing decision-makers in the formation of policy.

Jasmine Travers, PhD, AGPCNP-BC CCRN, RN

Assistant Director, Policy: Long-Term Care

Dr. Travers brings her expertise of the long-term care continuum to her role as Assistant Director. Her work is focused on mitigating disparities in the access and use of in-home and facility-based long-term care for older adults.

Donna E McCabe, DNP, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, MA

Assistant Director, Education Programs

Dr. McCabe has a successful career educating undergraduate and graduate nurses in geriatric acute care, long-term care, and behavioral health. She brings her expertise in nursing education, evidence-based practice, and quality care of older adults to her role as Assistant Director.

Kelseanne Breder, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN

Assistant Director, Behavioral Health & HRSA Geriatric Academic Career Awardee (GACA)

Dr. Breder brings her expertise in psychiatric and mental health of older adults to her role as Assistant Director. She is focused on building the capacity of the workforce to address health disparities in vulnerable populations including the LGBTQ community, persons who are currently or formerly undomiciled, and persons with a history of substance use disorders.

Fidelindo A. Lim, DNP, CCRN, FAAN

Assistant Director, Acute Care

Dr. Lim brings his expertise in acute care of older adults through his work as a clinician and educator. In his role as Assistant Director, his work addresses health equity and social needs in clinical and community settings.

Daniel David, PhD, RN

Assistant Director, Community Linkages and Housing

Dr. David brings his expertise in using community linkages to enhance the care of homebound or facility based older adults as Assistant Director. His work focuses on communicating with older adults and informal caregivers in areas such as palliative care and advance health care planning.

Stacen Keating, PhD, RN

Assistant Director, Community Education

Dr. Keating brings her expertise in epidemiology, population health, and public health as Assistant Director. Her work focuses on community, national and global health issues as they relate to the care of older adults.