Farnese Symposium on Aging

The 2026 Farnese Symposium invites you to join interactive conversations on technology, accessibility and affordability for seniors as they age in place -- whether living in urban, suburban, individual, or communal housing. Corporate support enables the Symposium to continue as a free half-day event for professionals and service providers who “touch the hands of seniors”. The Farnese Symposium has been exploring trends affecting how individuals age in place since 2006. Celebrating our 20th year, the tradition continues as the Symposium reboots its format with the addition of a curated exhibit space and the return of design sprints facilitated by Drexel Faculty and Students.The event seeks to foster dialogue that is both inclusive and actionable. By bridging academic insight, community expertise, and industry innovation, the Farnese Symposium positions itself as a collaborative space for envisioning a more accessible, equitable, and technologically-connected future for all.

2026 Farnese Symposium Agenda

8 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Networking (Bossone Lobby)

9 a.m. Welcome (Mitchell Auditorium)

● Joseph H. Jacovini, Chairman, Casa Farnese Board of Directors

● Honorable Annette M. Rizzo (Ret.), President, Casa Farnese Board of Directors

9:10 a.m. Keynote Address:

Rose Ann DiMaria Ghalili, PhD, RN, FASPEN, FAAN, FGSA

Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Research

Interim Associate Vice Provost for Research & Innovation

9:30 a.m. Case Study: Conversations on Technology, Accessibility, and

Affordability: The Technology Toolkit for Aging in Place

Moderator: D. S. Nicholas, PhD, NCIDQ, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, ASID

Professor, Drexel University, Westphal College

Director, , MDes, Drexel Design Research for Health Lab

Panelists:

● Sharon Berger–Cilione, Vice President, Emerging Technology, Comcast

● Ken Honeycutt, Samsung Director of Healthcare, Commercialization Samsung Electronics America

● Norma B. Coe, PhD, Director of Research, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Co-Director of the Health Economics Data Analyst Pool (HEDAP), Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Professor, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine

● Karen Lindgren, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Chief Clinical Officer, Bancroft

● Jeff Rose, Director of Special Initiatives, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP

● Laura Weinbaum, Chief Operating Officer, Administration Department, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

● Speaker TBD, Intuition Robotics/ElliQ

10:30-10:45 a.m. Coffee Break (Bossone Lobby)

10:45 a.m. Design Sprint / The Farnese 2.0 Technology Expo

(Mitchell Auditorium and Bossone Lobby)

A lively space to connect with organizations showcasing innovative technologies and services shaping the future of aging. By gathering varied stakeholders, the Expo aims to foster collaboration, increase awareness, and highlight innovations that support positive aging, and will feed into an interactive design sprint activity.

Exploration Breakout Sessions led by Drexel Graduate Design students, professors, and experts

Noon: Plenary Talk:

Samar Jha, Esq., Government Affairs Director, Livable Communities,

Community, State & National Affairs, AARP

12:20 p.m. Design Sprint Shareback

Moderator: Dr. Nicholas

12:50 p.m. Closing Remarks

1:00 p.m. Symposium Concludes

Our Mission: Honoring the legacy of philanthropist, educator and entrepreneur Andrew N. Farnese, the Symposium is a forum where experts on aging and providers of services to the aged in the Philadelphia Region can convene to discuss the issues of medicine, housing, community services, behavioral health challenges, health insurance, quality of life enrichment and technology.