PHI Announces Appointment of New Vice President of Policy
— Will Lead PHI Policy Efforts to Improve the Quality of Long-Term Services and Supports by Improving the Quality of Direct-Care Jobs —
Bronx, NY — PHI is pleased to announce that Robert Espinoza is joining its staff as Vice President of Policy.
Espinoza will lead PHI's policy team, strengthening the organization's research, analysis, and advocacy strategy in support of its "Quality Care through Quality Jobs" mission. PHI (Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute) is the nation's leading authority on the direct-care workforce — nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care assistants.
Espinoza most recently served as the Senior Director for Public Policy and Communications at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), the country's largest organization focused on improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people.
"I am honored to join PHI in advancing its national mission to improve eldercare and disability services by improving the direct-care workforce," Espinoza said. "As our country rapidly ages, and as the direct-care workforce increasingly grows, we need smart and effective policy solutions that strengthen jobs and enhance our lives. PHI is renowned for its leadership on all of these fronts, and I'm excited to help further its history of accomplishments."
"The PHI board and staff are delighted to welcome Robert Espinoza to our team to lead PHI's policy efforts,” said PHI President Jodi M. Sturgeon. "Robert's well-honed policy, management, strategic thinking, and communications skills as well as his wealth of experience and success in improving the lives of disenfranchised elders are well suited to further PHI's policy agenda that stands at the intersection of low-income workforce development and eldercare and disability services."
Espinoza will become the PHI Vice President of Policy in February 2015.
During his tenure with SAGE, Espinoza established and guided its national advocacy program, which includes a Washington, DC-based federal program and more than two dozen affiliates across 20 states. Under his leadership, SAGE issued seminal policy and practice reports on multiple aging and health care issues affecting LGBT elders. He also designed major multi-state policy initiatives, including projects to extend spousal impoverishment protections under Medicaid to same-sex couples and to equip LGBT elders with storytelling skills that support state-wide advocacy campaigns. Espinoza also steered SAGE's strategic communications, which garnered distinctions for excellence and multiple awards.
Espinoza currently serves on advisory boards for StoryCorps, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Aging Today, the national newspaper for the American Society on Aging. He is also a frequent commentator for The Huffington Post; his writing has appeared in Tikkun Magazine, NextAvenue.com, New American Media, and Public Policy & Aging Report, among others.
–- end -–
PHI, the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, works to transform eldercare and disability services, fostering dignity, respect, and independence — for all who receive care, and all who provide it. The nation's leading authority on the direct-care workforce, PHI promotes quality direct-care jobs as the foundation for quality care.
Deane Beebe, PHI Media Relations Director; 718-928-2033; 646-285-1039 (cell)
