Dennis L. Kodner Named Executive Director of Hunter College’s Brookdale Center on Aging

Date: September 15, 2003
Contact: Deborah Sack (deborah.sack@hunter.cuny.edu)
Phone: (212) 772-4070

Dr. Dennis L. Kodner, an acclaimed gerontologist known for his contributions to the field of home and community-based long term care and for devising innovative programs for the elderly, has been named The Rose Dobrof Executive Director of the Hunter College Brookdale Center on Aging, the largest academic gerontology center in the Northeast. He has also been appointed Professor of Urban Public Health in the Schools of Health Professions.

Kodner founded DLK Care Strategies, an international consulting firm specializing in eldercare planning, policy and research, which he headed from 2001 to 2003. He also has taught at New York Medical College, New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Canada, and Maastricht University Faculty of Health Sciences in the Netherlands. As the Senior Vice President of Research & Innovation at Metropolitan Jewish Health System from 1992 to 2002, Kodner created a unique "laboratory" for geriatric and gerontological research and practice, led the development of a new home-based managed care program for the frail elderly, established a palliative care network for southern Brooklyn, and developed various education and training programs in aging, long term care and caregiving for patients and professionals. Kodner is also recognized for his pioneering work on the Social Health Maintenance Organization, aging-in-place service models, and gerontechnology.

"I am proud to join the Hunter College Brookdale Center and eager to continue its important work in promoting the health and welfare of older New Yorkers," said Kodner. "I plan to place a renewed emphasis on the center’s role as a major source of information and analysis on aging and the elderly in our region and on our highly respected programs in education, training, applied research and public policy. I also envision Hunter Brookdale partnering with public agencies, service organizations, community groups and foundations to make New York City and its diverse neighborhoods more elderly-friendly and elderly-prepared."

"We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Kodner as the new Rose Dobrof Executive Director at Brookdale, said Jennifer J. Raab, president of Hunter College. "With his extensive experience in research and policy in the field of aging, Dr. Kodner brings a passionate commitment to improve the quality of life of older adults. The work of the center compliments Hunter’s preeminence in the field of Social Work and Urban Public Health."

Dr. Kodner received a BA from Queen College (CUNY), a master of science in planning from Pratt Institute School of Architecture, and a PhD in health policy and aging from the Union Institute Graduate School. Kodner, who is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the New York Academy of Medicine, was the 1999 recipient of the prestigious Key Award for Leadership in Gerontological Research, Education, Policy and Practice given by the American Public Health Association.

Hunter College Brookdale Center on Aging is a nationally renowned university-based gerontology center. Its multidisciplinary team of social workers, nurses, ethicists, educators, and lawyers are involved in identifying and analyzing emerging concerns of the aging, advocating for vulnerable elderly populations, developing model programs, and offering education and training for students, professionals and paraprofessionals to meet the needs of a growing elderly population. The center focuses on New York City, but also sponsors activities throughout the tri-state metropolitan area.

About Hunter
With a highly diverse student population of more than 20,000, Hunter is the largest college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system and the first choice among all CUNY applicants. Founded in 1870, the College offers more than 170 undergraduate and graduate programs. Hunter is noted for its professional schools in education, health sciences, nursing and social work, as well as its excellence in the liberal arts. Heralded as the "Crown Jewel of CUNY" by The Princeton Review, Hunter College has a distinguished reputation for nurturing talented minority scientists and meeting the challenge of providing high-quality science education in the 21st century. The College also oversees the Hunter College Campus Schools serving gifted and talented students, preschool through grade 12. For more information about Hunter College, please visit our Web site at http://www.hunter.cuny.edu.

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