Celebrating 20 Years: Eli Almo’s tenure as board chair

Celebrating 20 Years: Eli Almo’s tenure as board chair

January 2023

With the end of 2022 came the closing of a significant chapter for the University of Washington School of Nursing: we celebrate 20 years of Eli Almo’s exemplary service as board chair for the UW School of Nursing Advisory Board, as he steps down from the role.

During Mr. Almo’s tenure, he supported the UW School of Nursing on long-term care legislation in Washington state, advocated for expanded nursing care access in rural Washington, developed wellness and active aging programs, and engaged faculty and students in research projects.

Mr. Almo’s connection with the UW School of Nursing began in 1990 when he and his wife Rebecca Almo reached out to Dr. Sue T. Hegyvary, former dean of the UW School of Nursing from 1986 to 1998.

“Her article about the aging populations and shortage of gerontology nurses caught our attention,” recalled Mr. Almo.

Passionate about the health and well-being of older adults, Mr. Almo has been involved in the senior housing industry since 1985. As the president and CEO of Era Living, LLC, he and Mrs. Almo co-founded and manage 8 state-of-the-art retirement communities in the greater Seattle region.

When the Almos reached out to Hegyvary, they proposed a partnership between the UW School of Nursing and their flagship retirement community, Ida Culver House Broadview, in Seattle, Washington.

“Our vision was to build the community and our organization on a foundation of innovation and healthy aging,” said Mr. Almo.

Hegyvary embraced the idea. With her leadership, the Almos established a partnership through which UW Nursing faculty and students could apply their education and research of older adults into practice at their retirement communities.

Over the years, they expanded the partnership to include the UW Schools of Pharmacy, Social Work, and Medicine.

“Our academic and private collaboration has resulted in many research studies, NIH grants, and wellness programs in our communities, all of which improve care delivery and enhance the lives of older adults,” said Mr. Almo.

Mr. Almo stepped down as UW School of Nursing’s Advisory Board chair at the end of 2022, closing out more than two decades of volunteer leadership for the school. He had selflessly served as a source of wisdom and support for several deans of the UW School of Nursing, chairing the school’s “Campaign UW” committee, and using his position on the board to empower others.

Mr. Almo passes the torch to Patty Hayes, UW School of Nursing alumna, former Seattle and King County director of public health, and longtime public health and policy development advocate.

Even though Mr. Almo’s term as chair is concluding, the school is grateful for his continued partnership as an advisory board member. His personal belief remains stronger than ever that there is always work to be done to enhance the quality of life for older adults through nursing care.

At the UW, he hopes for “a continued focus on training our future nurses to embrace gerontology, to be dedicated to excellence in nursing, and to continue seeking new ways of enhancing the lives of older adults.”

— Jennifer Hunt