News

Council on Aging (COA) is overseen by a board of trustees and assisted by an advisory council. The board establishes rules for COA’s operation and directs the organization’s affairs in keeping with Council on Aging’s mission to enhance lives by assisting people to remain independent through a range of quality services. Advisory council members represent the needs of older adults across COA’s service area and give voice to older consumers of services, people with disabilities and others involved in the field of aging. Board and advisory council members live and work in COA’s five-county service area and bring a wealth of professional and personal experience to COA and its leadership team.  

Gabrielle Belser joined COA’s Board of Trustees in October 2024 representing Hamilton County. She serves on the board’s Human Resources and Finance and Compliance committees. Belser has more than 10 years of ambulatory leadership experience and currently serves as System Director, Ambulatory Operations at UC Health where she collaborates with physician and business leadership teams to set and execute the strategic direction of several outpatient departments. At UC Health, Belser leads initiatives focused on digital access transformation, patient safety and highly reliable process creation, and operational effectiveness and optimization. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an MBA with a graduate certificate in Healthcare Finance, both from the University of Cincinnati. Belser resides in Colerain and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

What interested you in serving on Council on Aging’s Board of Trustees?  

I witnessed my mom navigating home health services for my great-aunt who has dementia. It opened my eyes to the tremendous need for aging resources, especially for community members who do not have family to help them through the process. I wanted to serve to be a part of the solution for this vulnerable population.

Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenge(s) facing Council on Aging and older adults in our community?  

Funding and staff resources are the biggest challenges I’ve noticed in my tenure on the board. With budget uncertainty at the federal level, it will be more important than ever to advocate for the aging population at the local and state government levels.

What excites you most about COA’s future and how do you see yourself contributing to it?   

I’m most excited about the PACE program expansion in Ohio and here in Hamilton County. I am a big fan of capitated care models and the increased access they provide to typically underserved populations. I believe this program will be a game changer for the aging population in our area.

Thinking about your time on COA’s board, what COA moment are you most proud of?  

I am truly impressed by and proud of COA’s continued growth and expansion within our service area and the development of the AddnAide platform. The app has the potential to improve home health service delivery not only locally, but regionally and nationally as well. 

Which COA value speaks most to you and why?  

Compassion and service are both equally important to me as I consider the example I want to set for my family and community. As a society, we’ve moved further and further from the idea of true community, and I believe the ability to be compassionate toward your neighbor, and a willingness to serve those less fortunate, is foundational to rebuilding strong communities. 

What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?  

My grandmother was the most compassionate person I have ever known, and she taught me the importance of caring for family and community. This lesson is what has always drawn me to work in healthcare administration, where, though I do not hold a clinical license, I am able to contribute to improved healthcare access and outcomes for the patients we serve.

Tell us about one of your role models or someone/thing that inspires you.

The biggest role model in my life is my mother. I am both inspired by and so grateful for the example she set in perseverance, hard work, leadership and being an overall good human. Her tenacity and “never give up” mentality instilled in me that I could accomplish every goal that I set for myself, and I can only hope I pass the same along to my children.

Click here to learn about joining a Council on Aging board or advisory council.