Aaron Hagedorn is an Associate Professor of Instruction at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. His recent research focus is the impact of virtual reality on mood and locus of control in older adults who are socially isolated. He works closely with master’s degree students interested in gaining research experience. Dr. Hagedorn has published research on chronic disease trends among men and women, as well as on trends in disability in the older population. He is an active member of the Gerontological Society of America and the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics.

Ruth Kurihara is a highly experienced healthcare professional specializing in physical therapy, with a B.S. degree from California State University, Long Beach. Over her three-decade career, Ruth has held significant roles, including a fourteen-year tenure as an officer in the California Private Practice Special Interest Group (CPPSIG) from 1989 to 2003. Her expertise spans various areas, notably workers’ compensation evaluation and treatment, functional capacity evaluations, and Covid-19 rehabilitation. Ruth also excels in addressing vestibular, vertigo, and balance disorders, as well as promoting brain health and fitness. Recognized as a Functional Aging Certified professional, Ruth is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and functional abilities of individuals, continuing to lead and innovate in the field of physical therapy as Chief Operating Officer.

Dr. Ryan Martineau grew up in the small town of Valley Center in San Diego County. Ryan graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. During his studies, he assisted with research in biomechanics and worked as a physical therapy aide at a local hospital. Ryan started physical therapy school at Western University of Health Sciences immediately after college. Ryan received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018. Since then, he has worked with sports and orthopedics, balance and neurological rehab, and ACL recovery and return to sport. Ryan and his wife, Kimi, now own and operate their own outpatient clinic called Base Camp Physical Therapy in Valley Center, CA. They specialize in one-on-one care, but also offer group exercise classes for golfers and for seniors looking to prevent injuries and promote longevity.

Lisa Pahl is co-creator of The Death Deck (thedeathdeck.com) and The E•O•L Deck; games that inspire meaningful conversations on what matters most in our lives and in our deaths. Lisa is also an expert contributor for Help Texts which provides expert grief and mental health support via text messages. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over seventeen years of experience in hospice and seven years in emergency medicine, Lisa helps people cope with illness, dying, and grief. With a passionate belief that peace at the end begins with meaningful conversations over time, Lisa engages people in talking about and preparing for this important stage of life.

Born in Okinawa Prefecture. In 1995, Tomomi Takahashi graduated from Katata Nursing College. She has worked in Shiga, Okinawa, and Tokyo, where she mainly works as an acute care nurse and teaches students as a geriatric nursing teacher. In 2017, she moved to the United States. She works as a caregiver in Los Angeles. She currently works as an office staff member at The Key/Millennia, primarily involved in recruiting and training.

Dr. Kimi Takaoka-Martineau grew up in Arcadia, CA with a close-knit family and a love for sports. As the daughter of two pharmacists, she was drawn to the health care field. Kimi dreamt of being an athletic trainer for a sports team and graduated from Chapman University with her degree in Athletic Training. Along her journey, she decided to pursue a career in physical therapy in order to have a broader scope of practice and to work with people of all ages and abilities. She graduated from Western University of Health Sciences with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018 and has been working in outpatient orthopedics since then. Kimi and her husband, Ryan, established their own physical therapy practice in Ryan’s hometown of Valley Center (San Diego County).

Naomi Yoshida currently works as a Staffing Director at The Key/Millenia, where she is involved in the education and development of care staff. She has 27 years of experience in Home Care and Home Healthcare companies. She started working as a Home Healthcare Aid/Bathing Nurse in the Home Healthcare agencies assisting patients in bathing, then moved to the Personal Care division working on operations and staff training. In the consulting department, Naomi lectured on the American health care system to medical professionals, medical personnel, medical students, and leaders in senior care industries from Japan. She is always mindful of how to safely care for her clients, and provides training and support to caregivers. Naomi has many years of experience in home care, is fluent in both Japanese and English, and understands both Japanese and American cultures. She tries to provide every single one of her clients with individually designed culturally sensitive care.