Q. What’s better than a warm cup of coffee and a collaborative working environment on a Monday morning in Old Towne East?
A. A surprise visit to Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County (AFCFC) by an amazing guest!
Dr. Ramona Denby-Brinson, Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at The Ohio State College of Social Work, stopped by to participate in our bi-weekly Strategy Planning session. Her background is too incredible to list here (click on her name above to learn more), and it includes stints in medical social work and as a Deputy Public Guardian in Las Vegas. These additional hats she has worn served as appropriate and relevant jumping off points to a truly meaningful conversation. Our discussions included:
- Speaking about the subtlety of the -ism’s,” particularly surrounding Ageism and why it is imperative to keep that conversation going to stimulate new perspectives and positive attitudes. She attended a conference where the key note speaker could also still benefit from this conversation. In short, each of us would do well to remember it is good to come from “a place of not knowing”, so stay humble and open.
- The importance of interdisciplinary partnerships within our organization and communities to reach participants and interested community where they are. Dr. Ramona is an advocate for mixed disciplines collaborating on best practices. One example she shared where she’s seeing intergenerational and interdisciplinary work thriving is in Arizona State University’s lifelong living communities on her former campus.
- Consideration of hiring Older Adults as “Cultural Informants” similar to guest lecturers. Given our work at AFCFC is as Claire calls it “A Passion Project,” why not compensate and elevate the voices who make this possible to the status of expert lecturer? We all loved her idea and hope for collaboration, perhaps with Studio classroom session, to come!
Thanks, Dr. Ramona, for your willingness to share time and treasure with AFCFC today. Time is precious, and we appreciate you sharing some of yours with us.
