Meet the 2025-2026 Cohort of Penn LDI’s CICADA Initiative: Exciting New Researchers Shaping the Future

The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Improving Care Delivery for the Aging (CICADA) recently welcomed three new scholars as part of its 2025-2026 cohort. These scholars play a vital role in health services research (HSR), specifically focusing on aging and healthcare. This program aims to enhance diversity within the HSR workforce, allowing for a broader understanding of healthcare challenges faced by older adults.

Sherif Adewale Olanrewaju, PhD, RN, from the Penn School of Nursing, is researching hospital readmission disparities among stroke patients with serious mental illness. His work highlights how mental health affects healthcare outcomes in older adults.

Leah V. Estrada, PhD, RN, an Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine, is exploring the economic impacts of language barriers for dementia patients. This research underscores how limited English proficiency can complicate care for vulnerable populations.

Christopher Chesley, MD, MSCE, from the Perelman School of Medicine, is studying how pre-hospital care and access affect the outcomes of sepsis and respiratory failure in older adults. His work looks at key factors that influence healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

CICADA has evolved from its roots in a five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Now in its eighth year, the program has successfully trained numerous junior faculty to navigate and advance the complexities of aging-related health care. The initiative has a national reach with 18 RCMAR centers across the U.S., aimed at improving health services for older adults.

This program represents a crucial investment in the future of healthcare research. A recent survey found that almost 70% of older adults experience some form of health issue that requires ongoing care. By focusing on diverse perspectives, the CICADA program is poised to make significant strides in addressing these challenges.

As we look ahead, the role of interdisciplinary collaboration within CICADA is increasingly important. Mentorship from various disciplines helps scholars tackle health service delivery challenges from multiple angles. It’s a reminder that healthcare is not just a series of treatments but a complex web of social and economic factors.

In conclusion, the work of the CICADA Scholars is shaping the future of healthcare for our aging population. Their research is essential to understanding and improving the healthcare experience for older adults.

For more insights on health research and aging, check out the National Institutes of Health’s resource center here.

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