Dr. Cotter has implemented, developed, managed and evaluated health and social services programs at the local and state levels for 40 years. He received his Ph.D. in Health Care Organization and Research from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1996. He has a Master's of Arts in History from the University of Buffalo (1975) and his B.A. (History, with Honors) is from Canisius College in Buffalo (1971). Dr. Cotter began teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1997 in Gerontology and Health Services. He teaches courses in the sociology of aging, trends of an aging society, health systems, and health care theory. His current research interest focuses on the nutritional needs of the older adult population and also the innovative delivery of health care services to older adults.