The Gerontological Society of America Chooses 2007 Hartford Faculty Scholars

Ten outstanding geriatric social work faculty members have been chosen as the newest inductees into the Hartford Faculty Scholars Program, a venture funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, administered by The Gerontological Society of America, and directed by Dr. Barbara Berkman. The individuals who receive this distinction are provided with opportunities for professional development and $100,000 in funding over the next two years.

Now in its eighth year, the award aims to improve the well-being of older adults by increasing the number of adequately trained geriatric social workers. Listed below are the new faculty scholars and the primary topics of their research.

Malitta Engstrom, PhD
The University of Chicago
School of Social Service Administration
Research Topic: Women, Incarceration, and Substance Abuse: Caregiving Grandmothers as a Missing Link in Family Intervention
Institutional Sponsor: Sydney Hans
National Research Mentor: Nancy Hooyman

Anna Faul, PhD
University of Louisville
Kent School of Social Work
Research Topic: A Multilevel Existing Data Study on Health Utilization for Older Adults Suffering From Diabetes
Institutional Sponsor: Michiel van Zyl
National Research Mentor: Namkee Choi

Caroline Rosenthal Gelman, PhD
New York University
School of Social Work
Research Topic: Evaluating a Community-based, Multi-component Intervention for Latino Family Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Institutional Sponsor: Deborah Padgett
National Research Mentor: Letha Chadiha

Faith Hopp, PhD
Wayne State University
School of Social Work
Research Topic: Barriers and Facilitators to Heart Failure Care in Urban Settings
Institutional Sponsor: Anna Santiago
National Research Mentor: Deborah Waldrop

David Jenkins, PhD
Texas Christian University
Department of Social Work
Research Topic: Family Relationships in Older Adulthood: Step-grandparents who are Lesbian or Gay
Institutional Sponsor: Dennis Cheek
National Research Mentor: Berit Ingersoll-Dayton

Hee Yun Lee, PhD
University of Minnesota
School of Social Work
Research Topic: Exploring Quality of Care and Quality of Life Among Elderly Asian American Immigrants and Refugees
Institutional Sponsor: Rosalie Kane
National Research Mentor: Victoria Raveis

Jean Correll Munn, PhD
Florida State University
College of Social Work
Research Topic: Social Work Involvement at the End of Life in Long-term Care
Institutional Sponsor: Linda Vinton
National Research Mentor: Ron Toseland

Joseph Pickard, PhD
University of Missouri-Saint Louis
School of Social Work
Research Topic: Mental Health Counseling and Referral of Older Adults: Clergy Experience
Institutional Sponsor: Margaret Sherraden
National Research Mentor: Ruth Dunkle

Cecilia Thomas, PhD
University of North Texas
Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work, & Addictions
Research Topic: Trauma and Relocation Experiences of Older African American Katrina Survivors: Understanding Long-term Coping and Adaptation
Institutional Sponsor: Cecilia Williamson
National Research Mentor: Aloen Townsend

Catherine Tompkins, PhD
George Mason University
Department of Social Work
Research Topic: Grandparent-headed Households: The Long-term Caregiving Relationship Among Grandparents and Grandchildren
Institutional Sponsor: William McAuley
National Research Mentor: Philip McCallion

Berkman, the Helen Rehr/Ruth Fizdale Professor at Columbia University's School of Social Work, works together with a national program committee, which plays a role in selecting the Scholars. This board consists of David E. Biegel of Case Western Reserve University, Letha Chadiha of the University of Michigan, Namkee Choi of the University of Texas at Austin, Nancy R. Hooyman of the University of Washington, Amy Horowitz of the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System, Rosalie A. Kane of the University of Minnesota, James Lubben of the Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program, Philip McCallion of the State University of New York at Albany, Victoria Raveis of Columbia University, and Jack R. Sellers of the University of North Alabama.

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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1945, is the oldest and largest national multidisciplinary scientific organization devoted to the advancement of gerontological research. Its membership includes some 5,000+ researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals in the field of aging. The Society's principal missions are to promote research and education in aging and to encourage the dissemination of research results to other scientists, decision makers, and practitioners.