Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging

Dr. Tom Felke serves as the Executive Director of the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging as well as the Associate Dean for Academics in the Marieb College of Health & Human Services at Florida Gulf Coast University.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education from Providence College followed by advanced training and research assistantships at both New York University and Yale University.  He completed his formal graduate education at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, having earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with concentrations in administration, policy, and international issues as well as a Ph.D. focused on research in Armenia with ethnic Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.  Dr. Felke's professional career includes positions with Catholic Charities of Southern Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, and Southern Connecticut State University.  Dr. Felke completed a needs assessment of older adults in Collier County in 2014, which went on to garner national recognition from media outlets including the PBS Newshour, CNN Money, and the Kaiser Health Network.  Since that time, he has been actively engaged in work to support older adults across Southwest Florida through various research, advocacy, and consulting efforts.  He is active as a member of several boards and committees in Southwest Florida as well as for national social work organizations.

Sky Thomas is the Student Assistant for the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.  Sky completed her Associate degree in psychology with a minor in art at Florida Southwestern State College.  She completed her Bachelor degree in social work (BSW) at Florida Gulf Coast University, completing a generalist internship with Accelerated Learning Solutions through Island Park High School in their Family Support Services area. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with several appearances on the President's List in addition to inductions to the Honors College, Phi Alpha Omicron Omega (the national social work honor society), and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Sky is currently working on her Master in Social Work (MSW) degree as an Advanced Standing student at Florida Gulf Coast University.  She is completing her graduate internship in clinical social work at Elite DNA Therapy. Sky holds several certifications including in the areas of Youth Mental Health First Aid & Psychological First Aid, Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect, and administration of Narcan.  Her volunteer work includes service to 211 United Way, Community Cooperative, Harry Chapin Food Bank,  The Plarn Project, Partners for Progress Therapeutic Riding Center, and Feed My Starving Children.