Reimagining Age-Friendly Care: Safety through Compassion, De-Escalation, Patient & Family Engagement

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Registration 

8:00 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

Welcome 
Nicole Lincoln, DNP, FNP-BC, NICHE & Mobility Council

8:05 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks 
Nancy W. Gaden, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer

8:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

AVADE Level 2 Training: De-Escalation and Self-Defense
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 1 Training in Workday

AVADE is a workplace violence prevention and safety program that equips staff with strategies to recognize, prevent, and de-escalate potentially unsafe situations. The instructors leading today's sessions are BMC employees who have completed a certification process that includes formal training and competency assessments to ensure they can effectively teach and model the program's techniques. In Part 1, they will provide an overview of workplace violence awareness, risk factors, and proactive prevention strategies. In contrast, Part 2 will focus on de-escalation skills, response techniques, and practical application through discussion and interactive exercises.

• Justyna Wells, Public Safety Captain/Director of Training, Recruitment, and Development
• Alex Brown, Public Safety Sergeant/Operations Supervisor
• Kristina Coppens, Pediatric Emergency Dept. Staff Nurse
• Ayodeji Totoola, Brockton Behavioral Health Center Mental Health Specialist 
   

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Lunch 

1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Keynote: Reimagining Age-Friendly Care
Lisa B. Caruso, MD, MPH, Vice Chair Quality & Patient Safety, Department of Medicine

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

An Introduction to the 4 M’s
Moderator: Nicole Lincoln, DNP, FNP-BC

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Movement Matters: Engaging Hospitalized Elders in Safe & Effective Mobility 
Celia Hill, MSN, BSN, NPD-BC, RN-BC
Kara Schworm, PT, DPT, CCS
Corinne Fairweather, MBA, PT, GCS

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Patient and Family Panel Discussion

4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks, Evaluations, Resources

Lisa B. Caruso, MD, MPH

Lisa Caruso is the Vice Chair of Quality and Patient Safety for the Department of Medicine at the Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Section of Geriatrics. Dr. Caruso's leadership was instrumental in Boston Medical Center's recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System - Committed to Care Excellence, through the implementation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 4M framework. She actively mentors fourth-year medical students, internal medicine residents, and geriatric medicine fellows on quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient care at BMC. Clinically, Dr. Caruso practices in the Geriatrics Ambulatory Clinic, the Geriatrics Inpatient Service, and the newly established Geriatrics Inpatient Consult Service. Nationally, she serves as Vice Chair of the American Geriatrics Society's Public Education Committee, reflecting her commitment to advancing geriatric care and public awareness.

Corinne Fairweather, MBA, PT, GCS

Corinne Fairweather leads Boston Medical Center's Activity and Mobility Promotion (AMP) program, driving hospital-wide initiatives to enhance patient mobility and reduce immobility-related harm. With a strong clinical foundation as a physical therapist and a background in healthcare leadership, she fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to embed mobility into everyday care practices. Corinne is a board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, reflecting her dedication to advancing mobility, safety, and quality of life for older adults through innovative, evidence-based approaches.

Celia Hill, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, RN-BC

Celia Hill is a Nursing Professional Development Specialist at Boston Medical Center, supporting the Hemodialysis, Renal/Family Medicine, and Observation units. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Executive Leadership from Chamberlain University and dual certifications in Nursing Professional Development and Medical-Surgical Nursing. Celia began her nursing journey through the "Choose Nursing in the 90s" program at Beth Israel Hospital and is a proud alumna of Boston College. Her career spans clinical practice, education, and leadership, with experience in float pool nursing, renal care, and a Nursing Education Fellowship. She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Ministerial Studies. At BMC, Celia co-chairs the Mobility Council, leading initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and support nurse development. Her work reflects a deep commitment to mentorship, equity, and lifelong learning.

Nicole Lincoln, DNP, FNP-BC

Nicole Lincoln is a licensed Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner with a strong track record of leadership and innovation in the field of nursing. Since 2016, she has collaborated with multidisciplinary clinical teams as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist and served as the Senior Manager of Nursing Innovation at Boston Medical Center (BMC). In these roles, Nicole has led numerous design thinking initiatives and spearheaded award-winning projects that have advanced nursing practice and patient care. She currently serves as the Clinical Team Lead for BMC's Behavior Response Team, chairs the Pain Task Force, and is the executive sponsor for the Integrative Nursing Council, reflecting her commitment to holistic and compassionate care.

Kara Schworm, PT, DPT, CCS

Kara Schworm is the Director of Rehabilitative Services at Boston Medical Center and a board-certified specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. She earned her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Springfield College in 1998 and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Arcadia University in 2019. Kara's clinical expertise spans acute care and outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, with a strong focus on improving patient mobility and recovery. She co-led the implementation of the Activity and Mobility Promotion (AMP) program at Boston Medical Center, advancing early mobility practices across the hospital.