Author: Carrie Wennerdahl

My experience as a CHART intern has been incredibly impactful and has helped me further develop both personally and professionally. Throughout college, I have worked as an Emergency Department Technician at Carle Hospital, where I provide hands-on support in a fast-paced clinical environment. My experiences in the Emergency Department have given me a deeper understanding of the diverse needs of patients and the different challenges they face in accessing and receiving care. These experiences have also encouraged me to think beyond direct patient care and consider how healthcare systems and outreach can work together to better support patients, which is what led me to CHART.

At CHART, I supported dementia-friendly initiatives focused on improving awareness, understanding, and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Through this work, I contributed to creating outreach and educational materials that highlighted dementia-friendly practices and emphasized the importance of compassionate, informed community engagement.

I trained as a Dementia Friend and progressed to a Dementia Champion, which increased my knowledge of dementia awareness and how to communicate more effectively with individuals living with cognitive decline. As part of this role, I delivered a presentation at the McKechnie Family LIFE Home, focusing on dementia-friendly practices and strategies to foster more supportive and inclusive environments for residents and caregivers.

Through this work, I have realized how much communication can shape a patient’s experience, especially for individuals living with dementia, where slight changes in tone, language, and approach can make a significant difference in understanding and comfort. As I pursue a career as a physician, I will carry forward the importance of patience, clarity, and compassion when interacting with patients and their families, ensuring that they feel heard, respected, and supported even in moments of uncertainty or difficulty.

Beyond my project work, I participated in several CHART-related events and activities that expanded my understanding of aging, accessibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I attended a Steering Committee meeting, as well as a meeting with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP). At the meeting with IATP, I had the opportunity to learn about ongoing research studies aimed at enhancing accessibility and supporting older adults in maintaining independence in their daily lives. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of how an interdisciplinary approach brings together different perspectives to create more effective and accessible solutions for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

This internship helped me see the bigger picture of healthcare and how important it is to support patients not just medically, but through communication, education, and community-based efforts. I am incredibly grateful to Carrie Wennerdahl for her support, guidance, and mentorship, and to Dr. Wendy Rogers for her leadership and dedication to this work. I leave feeling more prepared, more aware, and more motivated to provide compassionate and inclusive care as I continue my path toward becoming a physician.

A Community Advisory Panel is a group of local community members who come together with organization leaders to create an ongoing, open forum for dialogue and collaboration. They routinely meet to provide their perspectives and give feedback on programs and initiatives.

Community Advisory panels aim to foster transparent, honest communication, build trust, and ensure that community voices are actively included in decision-making processes.

The CHART Community Advisory Panel is a vital partner in advancing the mission of supporting successful aging through technology. CHART believes using a user-centered design is key to aging successfully with technology. The panel is composed of older adults who convene to provide input on research questions, pilot test newly developed tools and applications. They are a resource for CHART faculty, staff, and students to conduct research and development activities with older adults and not for them. Wendy Rogers, director of CHART, led the initiative to develop the panel. The CHART Community Advisory Panel was officially established in 2022 to bring the perspectives of older adults directly into the organization’s work. It was created to ensure that research and technology development are guided by the lived experiences and priorities of the aging community. CHART uses the SAGE Model to guide its community advisory panel, which focuses on ensuring all voices are heard. This approach dismantles hierarchy, and encourages mutual learning. By centering the experiences of older adults, the SAGE Model ensures that CHART’s research and technologies are relevant, inclusive, and designed to truly support successful aging.

The CHART Community Advisory Panel is composed of 8 adults, all aged 65 and older. Panel members bring diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and varying levels of experience with technology and research, ensuring that a wide range of voices and lived experiences are represented. The panelists are nominated to participate by someone at the university, in the community, or as a self-nomination. Current members include Claire Barker, a retired geriatrician; Bob Boucek, a retired pediatrician and former Navy Medical Officer; Sue Boucek, a retired RN; Urias Betoel Escobar, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Student Support Services at the Office of Minority Student Affairs; Jim Fawcett, retired computer engineering professor; Marge Moluf, retired University of Illinois staff member; Lenny Pitt, retired computer science professor; and Kate Dyani Swan, a retired researcher and library professional.

The CHART Community Advisory Panel meets twice a year, in the fall and spring, providing a consistent forum for discussion and collaboration. During these meetings, CHART faculty present their research projects, often including demonstrations or opportunities for panel members to test new devices and tools. This allows faculty members to receive feedback on their projects and refine them to better meet the needs of older adults. Their feedback helps guide CHART’s research and development efforts and ensures that older adults are included in every stage of the work. By contributing their perspectives, the panel helps CHART better support older adults both within local communities and on a broader global scale.

During the inaugural meeting in the fall of 2022, the panel members toured the McKechnie Family LIFE Home and learned more about the panel. During their second meeting in spring 2023, they listened to two research presentations for their feedback: “Smart Technology in the Home” by Dr. Samuel Olatunji, and “Making Health Management Easier” by Dr. Hye Soo Lee. In the spring of 2024, the panel members first listened to a presentation on a Virtual Reality Project from the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) by Dr. George Mois & Dr. Avinash Gupta. Secondly, Dr. Laura Rice introduced the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging-in-Place for People with Long-Term Disabilities (TechSAge). Then the panel members received updates and plans for the Age Friendly University website project presented by Janet Azuma, Center on Health Aging, and Disability (CHAD) Intern. During the spring 2025 meeting, the panel first listened to the presentation “Developing Medicare Information Materials” from the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) by Dr. Hye-Soo Lee and Olivia Rojas.The second presentation was led by Dr. Dominkia Pindus and Jin Kuang from the Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health Laboratory entitled, “Sit Less and Move More for Brain Health.” Finally, the panel members heard from Ava Pappas, the CHART Spring 2025 Intern regarding the progress made integrating the University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign’s status as an Age-Friendly into the CHART website. During the fall 2025 meeting, the panel first listened to a presentation by Dr. Raksha Mudar titled “Mobile Health App to Support Hypertension Medication Management.” Next, Dr. Pallabi Bhowmick and Dr. Avinash Gupta gave a presentation on “XR Training of Vital Sign Measurements for Older Patients and Caregivers.” Lastly, CHART intern, Nethra Yuvaraj, gave a presentation about her experiences with CHART.

Throughout these meetings, panel members offered thoughtful questions, shared personal insights, and made recommendations aimed at enhancing the relevance and accessibility of the research. The thoughtful feedback provided by CHART panel members is invaluable and deeply appreciated. Their perspectives and input play a crucial role in guiding research efforts and contributing to their success. The CHART Community Advisory Panel bridges the gap between research and real-life experience. By centering the voices of older adults, it guides the development of technologies and programs that truly support successful aging.

On February 26, 2026, faculty from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, healthcare professionals, and community leaders came together for a strategic planning workshop with Advocates for Aging Care (AAC), a volunteer-led organization working to close the gap of more than 300 missing skilled nursing beds in Champaign County and CHART community partner.

and CHART community partner dedicated to . The meeting focused on the design and development of a holistic skilled nursing facility in Champaign County. This facility will use the Green House–style model devolved by Aging IN to promote a personalized, community‑based approach to care and living. Workshop discussions focused on the integration of research, education, and clinical practice with a goal to enhance person‑centered aging care.

The workshop planning committee included Wendy Rogers, Ph.D., CHART Director, Raksha Mudar, Ph.D., CHART member; Liz Hsiao Wecksler, Ph.D., College of Engineering; Lynne Barnes College of Applied Health Sciences and AAC Steering Committee member; and Cathy Emanuel, Chair of the AAC Steering Committee. The workshop was supported by Carrie Wennerdahl, CHART Coordinator. Outcomes from the meeting helped identify next steps for the project, including the formation of subcommittees to develop key areas of the initiative.

To read more about AAC and the Green House project, click here.  

My experience as a CHART intern has been incredibly meaningful and has played a major role in shaping my future career path. Prior to CHART, I worked as a Patient Care Technician at Carle Foundation Hospital, and as a personal assistant supporting students with disabilities through Beckwith at Nugent Hall. These experiences gave me a strong foundation in patient care and inspired my interest in aging, disability, and inclusive health practices.

Throughout the Fall 2025 semester, I had the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects, participate in community driven events, and deepen my understanding of aging, disability, and compassionate care.

One of my main projects was updating the CHART website to compile a list of visiting scholars from 2018–2025 and coordinating with the graphic designer on an interactive visual. While website limitations prevented some of the designs I explored, this project taught me the importance of digital accessibility and sharing research effectively with the community. I also wrote a recap article for the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which deepened my understanding of the emotional and practical challenges families face when navigating neurodegenerative diseases.

Another key project was developing an outline for the CHART Recruitment Manual, designed to guide future interns in community engaged research. The manual outlines annual outreach events, logistics for recruitment booths, and strategies for engaging underserved populations. Although still in progress, this project emphasized how research participation begins with building trust and consistent community engagement.

Beyond my projects, I attended CHART- and CARD-affiliated events, including the dis(ability) Design Studio workshop, a speaker night with David Egan, the CARD Community Advisory Panel, Human Factors in Aging Lab meetings, and the McKechnie Family LIFE Home Open House. These experiences expanded my understanding of inclusive design, smart-home technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting how research and innovation can make daily life safer and more accessible for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

This internship ultimately confirmed my decision to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. My experiences at CHART strengthened my commitment to serving minority and underserved populations, particularly aging adults and individuals with disabilities, in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Carrie Wennerdahl, for her continuous support, positivity, and mentorship, and to Dr. Wendy Rogers for her inspiring leadership and dedication to improving the lives of older adults. I am thankful to every researcher, graduate student, and community partner who welcomed me into their work. I leave this internship with renewed motivation, stronger skill sets, and an even greater commitment to compassionate, inclusive care.

The CHART community is deeply saddened by the passing of Joan Zernich, a valued member of our Community Advisory Panel. Joan served with dedication since the panel’s launch in December 2022, offering thoughtful insights that significantly shaped the research conducted by CHART affiliates. Her feedback was invaluable, and her contributions played a key role in guiding and strengthening our work.

Joan’s life was defined by service, learning, and community. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and spent 19 years at Carle Medical, impacting countless lives. Her commitment to giving back extended beyond her career. She was a volunteer with the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, United Way, and the League of Women Voters, and served as president of the Executive Club of Champaign County.

Her dedication to lifelong learning and mentorship was evident through her involvement with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, WILL Community Advisory Committee, Illinois Promise, and the CFECI Grants Committee in addition to her CHART contributions. (Read more about her here: https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/obituary/Joan-Zernich)

We are grateful for the time we shared with Joan. Her warmth, wisdom, and generosity will be deeply missed.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Community Advisory Panel members Bob Boucek, Sue Boucek, Marianne Downey, Betoel Escobar, Jim Fawcett, Marge Moluf, and Lenny Pitt joined Wendy Rogers, CHART Director and Carrie Wennerdahl, CHART Coordinator to offer their expert feedback on current research studies and the latest updates on the Age Friendly University presence on the CHART website.

The Community Advisory Panel is comprised of older adults who convene to provide input on research questions, pilot test newly developed tools and applications.  They are a resource for CHART faculty, staff, and students to conduct research and development activities with older adults and not for them.

During the meeting, the panel members listened to two research presentations and provided the researchers with questions and feedback. The first presentation was “Developing Medicare Information Materials” from the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging) by Dr. Hye-Soo Lee and Olivia Rojas. The study aim is to help older adults manage their health by developing digital assistant tools that support access to services, healthcare finances, and Medicare.gov resources. The second presentation was led by Dr. Dominika Pindus and Jin Kuang from the Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health Laboratory (PNC) entitled, “Sit Less and Move More for Brain Health.”  This study focuses on the benefits of physical activity after prolonged sitting for cognitive ability and is also funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging). Finally, the panel members heard from Ava Pappas, the CHART Spring 2025 Intern regarding the progress made integrating our status as an Age-Friendly University into the CHART website.

Throughout the meeting, panel members offered thoughtful questions, shared personal insights, and made recommendations aimed at enhancing the relevance and accessibility of the research. Their contributions helped shape strategies to better reach and support the aging population. The thoughtful feedback provided by CHART panel members is invaluable and deeply appreciated. Their perspectives and input play a crucial role in guiding research efforts and contributing to their success.

Before joining CHART as the Spring 2025 intern, I had spent over a thousand hours working with older adults – first as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a nursing home, then as a Patient Care Technician on a hospital cardiac floor. My experiences at the bedside brought me a deep appreciation for the older adult population and the unique challenges they face. My interest in this demographic drove me to seek out aging beyond a clinical focus, which is what brought me to CHART. 

As a future Physician Assistant, I have a largely clinical and STEM-centric background. However, CHART quickly showed me how aging is so much more than a medical process – it is a social, technological, and policy-driven experience. Whether I was sitting in on community meetings, jotting notes during presentations on inclusive research, or walking through the McKechnie Family LIFE Home to see smart technology in action – I started to connect the dots between my exposure from the hospital and the happenings in the field of aging research. 

One of the most influential experiences this semester was attending the CARD-CHART Symposium. Hearing from leaders in aging and disability, many of whom started with clinical backgrounds like mine, was a reminder that my future PA path does not have to be linear. I saw how clinical practice and research could intertwine to drive real change, and that is something I will carry with me as I graduate in the coming weeks and proceed in my career. 

I also learned skills like how to edit the CHART website to make it more accessible and age friendly. Moreover, with the guidance of my supervisor, Carrie Wennerdahl, I saw the value of thinking thoroughly and creatively with each project. Her positivity and passion directed me through new experiences and refined my skills in communicating. Similarly, witnessing the deductive processes exhibited by Dr. Wendy Rogers led me to acknowledge language, tone, and usability – even in everyday communication, not only for digital presentation. How can I be more culturally competent? How can I make another person feel heard and seen? All of these and more are tools I will use to make myself a better provider. 

I learned through this internship that progress occurs not just in hospitals, but also in conference rooms, community centers, and even on websites. I am so grateful to the CHART staff for making me feel as if I were part of something bigger than myself. I leave this position more curious, more compassionate, and more committed than ever to serving the aging population through advocacy and innovation. 

Active Aging Week is a week-long celebration of aging and healthy lifestyles that takes place around October 1, the International Day of Older Persons. The purpose of the week is to showcase the abilities of older adults and their valuable contributions to society while also emphasizing these role models who lead the way. The overarching goal of Active Aging Week is to challenge society’s negative perceptions of aging by demonstrating that individuals over 50 thrive in all aspects of life, including physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational, and environmental domains, regardless of age or health. The week aims to provide older adults with safe and fun wellness and educational opportunities to boost their physical and mental health.

Each year in Champaign-Urbana, the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts organize a program of scheduled local events to provide these activities to the community. This year, Active Aging Week ran from September 30-October 6 and the Annual Open House at the McKechnie Family LIFE Home was on the schedule.

The Open House was held on Wednesday, October 2 from 2:00-5:00 PM. The event was attended by many community member including older adults. One participant commented that he always wanted to visit the LIFE Home, and Active Aging week brought this opportunity to his attention. Many collaborative initiatives between guests and the hosts were ignited.

Guests explored the cutting-edge research happening at the facility. Visitors engaged with researchers, robots, and the latest technologies. Faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates showcased their research through live demonstrations. Guests were offered insights into a wide range of ongoing projects, as well as the technologies that are becoming common in today’s homes. Carrie Wennerdahl (CHART Coordinator) presented a poster about our Age-Friendly University initiative.

Everyone who commented on the event said they had a wonderful time and learned a lot. We are looking towards the next Active Aging Week to bring more active community members to the McKechnie Family LIFE Home and to introduce them to CHART activities.

Pictured left to right: Jim McKechnie, Karen McKechnie, Peggy Huson, and Chris Huson