4th Annual Caregiver's Symposium 2024:

Dr. Lauren Tucker is an associate professor in the special education department at Southern Connecticut State University. She has a dual certification in special and regular education with expertise in assistive technology, universal design for learning, online learning, and technology implementation. She conducts assistive technology evaluations, consultations, and trainings around the state of Connecticut. Dr. Tucker passionately promotes universal design for learning to enhance learning and accessibility for all individuals. Her research focuses on universal design, assistive/instructional technology, implementing communication and visual supports in community experiences, specifically the theater.

Mairead Painter is a dedicated advocate and leader in the field of long-term care, currently serving as the Connecticut State Long Term Care Ombudsman. In addition to her role as Ombudsman, Mairead holds key positions, including Co-Chair of the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Medicaid Long Term Services & Supports Rebalancing Initiatives Steering Committee, and 1st Vice President of the National Association of State Ombudsman.

A proud alumna of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, Mairead's journey in the realm of social work and advocacy has been both diverse and impactful. Before assuming her current role, she brought her expertise to various positions, including Social Worker in long-term care facilities, Child Protective Service Social Worker, Regional Ombudsman, and Program Manager within the Community Options, Strategic Planning Unit.

As the State Ombudsman, Mairead passionately champions the rights, quality of life, and person-centered care for residents in skilled long-term care nursing facilities, residential care homes, and assisted living/managed residential communities. Her responsibilities extend to overseeing the Program's advocacy initiatives, where she identifies critical issues and works towards developing policies, regulations, and legislation aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those receiving long-term services and support.

Ms. Painter is deeply committed to the principles of person-centered care and informed choice throughout the continuum of care. Actively engaged in stakeholder workgroups, legislative task forces/committees, and the National Association of State Ombudsman (NASOP), she brings her extensive background and experience to bear on shaping Connecticut's long-term care landscape.

In her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of individuals in long-term care, Mairead Painter is a steadfast advocate, shaping policies and driving positive change across the state.

Born in Glasgow Scotland graduated Fife College of nursing before immigrating to the USA. Currently employed with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, as a Dementia Specialist. She has a career spanning three decades and brings a wealth of experiences in Assisted Living, Memory Care, and education. She has special interest in studying the relationships of people living with dementia exploring interactions and perceptions of family, caregivers, community and society in general. Angela focuses on partnerships and collaboration within wider social systems which allow her to offer supportive and educational resources. She aims to provide education and resources on the effects of social exclusion, the relevance of participation and diversity, encourages relationship-centered experiences. Her areas of interest include working with families and newly diagnosed individuals, the effects of social exclusion, the relevance of engagement and diversity of people with dementia, including public education activities to change attitudes and behaviors, and thus reduce stigma in community. I seek to share my knowledge and engage others to do likewise.

Attorney Steven L. Rubin has earned the distinction of Certified Elder Law Attorney from the National Elder Law Foundation. He has been in training for his dream job as an attorney, since he was 5 years old. His trustworthy, shoot-from-the-hip, “pull no punches” approach is appreciated by clients. Most of his passion stems from the fact that Steve knows what it’s like to sit on the other side of the desk.

While Steve was in law school, his mother was diagnosed with ALS and given less than a year to live. He was thrust into a number of roles that his clients often find themselves in — caregiver, advocate, provider, and concerned loved one.

While his mom lost her battle to ALS, Steve vowed never to give up the fight. He finished Widener University School of Law and has dedicated his career to helping his clients deal with tough issues — such as death, incapacity, disability, special needs, social security, asset protection, litigation and taxes – and providing that assistance in the best and least stressful way possible.

Attorney Rubin was born in New Haven and has been a life-long Connecticut resident. He graduated from Cheshire High School and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While attending the University of Connecticut, Attorney Rubin was a member of the governing counsel for the Housing Board of Directors and the vice president of the Jewish Student Association. He graduated UCONN a member of Phi Alpha Phi — the national political science honor society.

Attorney Rubin then attended Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania. While attending Widener, he was a member of the Trial Advocacy Honor Society and participated in numerous Moot Court arguments. He was also a founding member of the Animal Rights Legal Society and Treasurer of the Environmental Law and Policy Society, involvements that put into action his values and ideals.

Attorney Rubin has passed the Bar in Connecticut, New York, and Florida. He is a member of organizations that reflect his career directions and active participation: Connecticut Bar Association; the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association; the New York Bar Association; the Florida Bar Association; the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers; the Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; the New York Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; New Haven Bar Association, New Haven Bar Association Young Lawyers; New Haven Bar Association Public Service Committee; the New Haven Bar Association Trusts and Estates Committee; Court Relations Committee; and the American Bar Association. His practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, estate administration and probate, Title XIX (Medicaid) planning and eligibility, Life Care Planning, business continuation, disability and special needs planning, trust planning and administration, and related tax matters.

Attorney Rubin volunteers his free time at the Veterans Legal Clinic, providing free advice to veterans who otherwise could not afford legal representation. When not working, Steven enjoys reading books, watching and attending sporting events, and spending time with his dog and family. He is a fundraiser for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, and the American Cancer Society. Attorney Rubin also volunteers his time at soup kitchens and other philanthropic activities.

Lisa Freeman’s interest in the field of patient safety came about by necessity rather than choice as the result of serious medical errors during her husband’s "routine surgery." These errors led to severe spinal cord injury, surgical site infection and brain damage followed by numerous complications and ultimately in 2010, his death at age 56. Lisa is particularly interested in patient education, engagement and empowerment. Lisa is the Executive Director at the Connecticut Center for Patient Safety and a patient advocacy consultant. CTCPS is a nonprofit organization that represents the non-conflicted patient voice protecting patient's rights and working for high quality, safe health care for all. She is also a member of the Planetree Patient and Family Partnership Council, and the Patient and Family Advisory Council of ISQua and ISQua’s Education Advisory Council. In addition, she sits on several other patient and family advisory partnership committees and holds a public seat on the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing. She is also a member of the US chapter of the World Health Organization’s Patients for Patient Safety.

Kelly Barrett has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for ten years and her experience includes working with children with special needs in schools, private clinics and hospitals. She currently works at the Hospital for Special Care, across the continuum of Autism care. This includes the Autism Inpatient Unit, Partial Hospital Program and Outpatient Therapy. She enjoys working with families to identify a child’s preferred mode of communication and helping to enhance the way they are able to engage with one another. When Kelly is not working, she loves to hike, snowboard, surf and adventure with her husband and their one year old daughter.

Lauren Criniti has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2019. Her experience includes working in private clinics, schools, early intervention, and hospitals. She currently works at the Hospital for Special Care in their Autism inpatient and outpatient units and long term acute care pediatric unit. Lauren loves treating and discussing complex communication skills, early play and language as well as pediatric dysphagia. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling with her fiancé, taking photos of her cat, exercising and reading.

Alexandra Nelson joined HFSC in June 2022, after completing her clinical placement there in the summer of 2021. She currently works in the Autism Inpatient Unit, Partial Hospital Program, and Outpatient Autism Center. She also has experience on adult acute rehab units. As a speech-language pathologist, her favorite part of therapy is seeing her clients make progress, and seeing a parent or caregiver's excitement as a result. Her clinical passions include gestalt language processing and play based interventions.

Doctorate from Columbia University School of Social Work 50 years experience in social work and health care, concentrating on issues in aging, rehabilitation, depression, caregiving, Medicare and discharge planning.

Vice President, Community Programs, Agency on Aging, South Central CT 2000 -present

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Academic Appointments

Part-time faculty appointment, Housatonic Community College, 1992-1995

Full-time faculty appointment, Central CT State University 1994-1997

Part-time faculty, Columbia University, Social Work Department, 1995-1997

Part-time faculty appointment, University of New Haven 1997-2019

Faculty appointment, Sacred Heart University, Social Work Program, 1999-2000.

Clinical Appointment, Yale University School of Nursing, 1999-2021

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Employment History

Hospital of St Raphael, 1967 – 1990

Yale New Haven Hospital, Emergency Room, 1977 – 1980

Agency on Aging of South Central CT, 2001 - present

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Author of several articles and book chapters

The Gift of Caregiving, 2013, Amazon.

Selected as one of Twenty Noteworthy Women in CT, 2007 by CT Business Times

Inductee, Phi Alpha, National Social Work Honor Society