AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers today announced that Doug Green has joined the organization as Chief of Staff. Doug brings over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including leading and supporting health care organizations.
Doug led an AIDS services organization in the 1990s and has consulted for local health jurisdictions in building programs and policies to drive change on a broad range of health issues including childhood obesity, smoking, and barriers to access of services for oral health. Most recently, Doug served as a Senior Manager with La Piana Consulting where he provided support to nonprofit organizations nationwide. During his five-year tenure at La Piana, Doug facilitated the development of RCI’s strategy and business plan.
“Doug’s expertise in nonprofit leadership and his experience addressing health care issues will be invaluable in building the capacity of our organization to powerfully address the needs of family caregivers,” said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, RCI’s Chief Executive Officer. “The added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the gaps in current systems of care, including the need to support the wellbeing of unpaid caregivers who put their lives on the line every day in support of others. Doug and I will work together to strengthen RCI to meet the challenges of the current moment.”
“As a service provider for people living with HIV, I bonded with many family caregivers under some of the most challenging circumstances. Yet it wasn’t until I became a caregiver for my own parents that I fully realized the level of commitment required,” said Green. “Caregivers are true American heroes and I want to honor them at RCI, following the great example of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.”
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers was founded in 1987 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern University in Mrs. Carter’s honor. RCI continues to be rooted in her belief that there are only four types of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, who are caregivers, who will be caregivers, and who will need caregivers.
RCI began offering coaching and support to caregivers in Georgia and has since grown to embrace opportunities to reach more caregivers, in more ways, in more places. In 2020, RCI expanded nationally to serve the more than 53 million caregivers in the U.S. and fulfill its promise to champion the family caregiver by building cross-sector partnership, promoting evidence-based programs, and advocating for public policy.