Thomas Updike, PhD

Dr. Updike has dedicated his professional life to improving the quality of life for person’s whose strengths and opportunities have been compromised and challenged because of a mental, physical or age related illness.

Having served as a Clinician, he understands, from the challenged person’s point of view, their hopes, dreams and belief that life will be better. His role was to empower, assist, guide, encourage and support that person in his/her recovery. With his passion for the person, he was appointed the Director of Mental Health and Addictive Diseases in two states. This afforded him the opportunity to develop state and national policy supporting systems of care for peoples faced with challenges of aging, physical or mental illness. He served as CEO for both public and private not-for-profit organizations. Additionally he was the Founder of three for profit companies dedicated to serving the older person and persons with a physical or mental illness. After serving as a political appointee, he understands the role the political process plays in this quest for improving our system of care for all persons.
 
With some 50 years of service and commitment, Dr. Updike looks forward to sharing his experience with RCI Board and staff members as together we seek to improve the quality of the lives of older persons and their caregiving partners.