MEET THE TEAM
Tri-Chairs
Suzanne Ryer
Suzie is the Service Line Director of Senior Services and Integrative Medicine at Advocate Health. She is a physical therapist who is board certified in Geriatrics with nearly 20 years of clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings. Her focus is on interdisciplinary geriatric care with an emphasis on fall prevention and emergency department care. Suzie has used her experience to lead large scale initiatives to improve care for older adults within the health system. Some of these programs include successfully integrating physical therapy as part of the interdisciplinary team in the emergency department by developing fall prevention and mobility programs to improve clinical outcomes and combat hospital-associated disability and readmission. Suzie has created partnerships with a variety of community-based organizations at both the state and local levels.
Ann Gallo
Ann is a Program Manager of Senior Services at Advocate Health. Since 2016, Ann has worked with Senior Services on the implementation of geriatric models of care, geriatric education, tools, and resources to improve care for older adults across the Advocate system. Ann leads the Age-Friendly Health System implementation and recognition across twenty-five hospitals and has presented nationally on Age-Friendly implementation. Ann helped develop and implement Dementia Resource Training, Geriatrics for Advanced Practice Education, Geriatrics Models of Care Collaborative educational series, and lead the Geriatric Emergency Department implementation and accreditation across 15 hospitals. Ann is a steering member of the Falls Free WI State Falls Prevention Coalition and collaborates on falls prevention on local, regional, and state levels.
Kaisa Kerrigan
Kaisa is the Community Health Coordinator for Milwaukee County’s Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disabilities Services, where she has served since 2023. She oversees Milwaukee County’s network of evidence-based programs and facilitators, ensuring older adults have access to proven interventions that support physical health, mental well-being, and social connection. Her work includes leading initiatives to address social isolation and loneliness, improve heart health, and advance mental health among older adults. Kaisa also serves as the Area Agency on Aging’s public health and falls prevention liaison to federal, state, and regional efforts. She facilitates Commission on Aging Wellness Committee and Tri-Chair of the Milwaukee County Falls Prevention Coalition.
Steering Committee
Jill Compton - Wisconsin Parkinson Association
Dr. Ed Duthie - MCW/Froedtert/Milwaukee VA
Dan Weber - Greenfield Fire Department
Melissa Lydecker - Bridgeway Independent Living Designs (BILD)
Carmen Pangilinan - Wauwatosa Health Department
Kim Lombard - Froedtert Hospital
Melanie Petersen - Advocate Health