Dr. John M. Thompson is the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA).  Dr. Thompson was appointed to the position by Mayor Vincent Gray on March 22, 2011.

Dr. Thompson is no stranger to the DC Office on Aging as he previously served as Supervisory Public Health Analyst for the agency’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) from 2008 to 2010. In his role, Dr. Thompson established and executed the strategic plan; developed strategic partnerships with government agencies, service providers, and advocacy groups; and wrote grants and cooperative agreements. He also served as the “voice” of the DC ADRC by engaging in town hall meetings to address citizens’ concerns and participating in radio and TV interviews to bring awareness to and advocate for his clients who experience barriers with accessing programs and services.

Dr. Thompson has also served as Director of the National Aging Information & Referral Support Center and Senior Policy Advisor of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD). NASUAD is a membership organization that advises 56 state governments and territories, including DCOA, in delivering quality health and human services to seniors and persons with disabilities.

Dr. Thompson formerly worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in Baltimore, Maryland as a Health Insurance Specialist. Prior to his government work, he served in various leadership capacities for Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, North Carolina and Providence Health System in Medford, Oregon.

The American Academy of Medical Administrators (Academy) has recognized Dr. Thompson as a Fellow of the Academy, a designation bestowed upon industry leaders who have made major academic and professional accomplishments. Dr. Thompson is a Certified Information & Referral Specialist in Aging (CIRS-A).

Dr. Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Health Services from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota; a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Arts in Health Services Management from Webster University in Columbia, South Carolina; and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Minor in Psychology from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. His education is complemented with formal training from several private and governmental agencies.  

Dr. Thompson has participated in two administrative internships in organization development and health quality management and an administrative residency program in nursing home administration with Carolinas Healthcare System; public policy internship in Medicare and Medicaid programs with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and an Administrator-in-Training program in nursing home administration and a post-graduate administrative fellowship in hospital administration with Providence Health System.

Dr. Thompson is actively engaged in addressing issues impacting seniors and persons with disabilities at both a national and local level as he holds the following positions: Public Policy Committee Chair and Board Member at Large of the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems, Board Member of the District of Columbia Center for Independent Living, Leadership Council Member for the Network of Multicultural Affairs at the American Society on Aging, Advisor to the National Eldercare Locator Advisory Committee, and Advisor to the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care for Elders (GRACE) National Advisory Board.