Patricia Carson-Sussman

Patricia came to the world of aging through a circuitous route that began with jobs in radio and television. After the death of her daughter Sarah, she helped found the California Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation and later returned to school to study nursing. She supplemented that expertise with a subsequent Masters degree in organizational behavior. She was a member of the first volunteer class at Alta Bates Hospice and was later named Director of the hospice and its successor, VNA & Hospice of Northern California. She has served more than 20 years as a board member and onetime Chair of the Over 60 Health Center and LifeLong Medical Care, and was also appointed Chief Operating Officer for LifeLong, gaining practical experience as well as a public-policy understanding of issues of aging. For the past 10 years, Patricia has maintained an independent consulting practice that specializes in aging and healthcare delivery. For the past 4 years Patricia has been involved in the development and implementation of Ashby Village a non-profit membership organization that provides the community, supports and services for people to age in their own homes.