Education
- Bachelor of Science , Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Master of Science, Gerontology, University of Utah College of Nursing. Project: The Effects of Widowhood on Disabled Older Women (The Women's Health and Aging Study (WHAS))
Biography
As a gerontologist, I have had the opportunity to take part in curriculum development, education, training, and research in the field on aging. I have contributed to research on aging and the challenges and needs of older adults, including the Women’s Health and Aging Study (WHAS) sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Current Medicare Beneficiary Study (MCBS) by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As an Adjunct Faculty member for the University of Utah Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program I have had the opportunity to develop and teach graduate level courses. These work experiences prepared me to successfully assist the Utah Geriatric Education Consortium (UGEC) faculty in the development of online training programs, including two telehealth courses, an online Age-Friendly care course for professionals in long-term services and supports (LTSS) settings, a Motivational Interviewing (MI) course, a Goals of Care Conversations (GoCC) course, and a real-time, interprofessional education (IPE) in long-term care (LTC) immersion course for health science students. In late 2022, I became the lead for the Dementia Caregiver program, which aims to support professional and family caregivers. I also collaborate with a rural Area Agencies on Aging, the Salt Lake City VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), and the Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs on community-based, educational conferences for caregivers in the state of Utah.