Dr. Danielle A. Waldron, a newly minted Gerontologist, is an Assistant Professor in Healthcare Administration at Stonehill College. Her research interests include the health, healthcare, and social experiences of adults and older adults aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those individuals aging on the Autism Spectrum (AS). She is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy to improve care for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Dr. Waldron regularly presents at regional and national conferences and has published work related to healthcare reform, AS, and student empowerment.  Dr. Waldron’s education includes a Ph.D. in Gerontology from University of Massachusetts, Boston; an M.S. in Gerontology from University of Massachusetts, Boston; a Moakley Certificate in Disability & Health/Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities from Suffolk University/University of Massachusetts Medical School (joint program); and a B.S. in Health Policy and Management from Providence College.

“I love being a part of the HOPE community! As an aging and disability scholar at Stonehill College, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with members and individuals who work directly with our members. Truly, nothing in a book or a research journal compares to lived experience, and so, I love engaging with everyone over at HOPE. Lived experiences give me ideas, and these ideas drive my research, policy, teaching, and practice initiatives aimed at making this world a better place for people with disabilities. My goal for the coming year is to facilitate activities for the Stonehill and HOPE communities to come together as a way of promoting social inclusion, understanding, and acceptance for all!”