Member Spotlight

Q&A with Cynthia S. Jacelon, PhD, RN, FAAN from Greenfield, MA.

		"I was recently invited by the Department of Higher Education of Puerto Rico to evaluate the proposal for the first research focused nursing doctorate in the Commonwealth."
Meet Cynthia.

Q: Why did you become a member and how does GSA assist with your professional development?
A: I joined The Gerontological Society of America in 2000 when I obtained my doctorate from New York University. I joined because of the emphasis on interdisciplinary research and the opportunities for networking with leaders in the field.

Q:  How did you get interested in the field of aging?
A: I have been interested in working with elders since I was a nurse's aide in the early 1970's. My nursing practice has been focused on promoting function in elders in acute rehabilitation, long term care, and in the community.

Q:  What are your key responsibilities at your job?
A: Currently I am an associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In my present position I teach courses at both the undergraduate and graduate programs related to chronic illness, theory, and qualitative research.

Q:  What is your most memorable research/patient experience? OR What has been your most memorable experience in gerontology and aging research?
A: My program of research is with community dwelling elders, their dignity, sense of control, and self-management of chronic disease. I have developed a behavioral definition of dignity amenable to theoretically driven nursing interventions; and developed an instrument the Jacelon Attributed Dignity Scale (JADS) to measure the effect of interaction with the healthcare system on attributed dignity of older adults. My work is immensely relevant to the large population of older adults with chronic illnesses, especially if innovative strategies for maintaining these individuals in the community, rather than in institutions. Currently I am conducting a qualitative study exploring how elders recover their dignity when it has been insulted. Recently I have become involved in research on the possible uses of technology in supporting self-management. These technologies include smart environments, telehealth and communication technology. As part of the scholarship of engagement, I am the Scholar in Residence at Jewish Geriatric Services, Inc. (JGS) in Longmeadow, MA. In this role I spend one day a week at JGS, a post acute care system, building research and scholarship capacity.

Q: How do you feel GSA serves the field of gerontology and aging research?
A: GSA provides a forum for gerontological scientists and policy makers to come together and discuss the issues facing an aging world.

Q: Do you have any tips for emerging gerontologists?
A: It is a great time to be looking toward a career focused on elders. Whether as a practitioner, scientist, or some blend of both. The opportunities for working and studying aging people and the issues they face are expanding exponentially.

Q: Tell us a little about your most recent activities/accomplishments?
A: I was recently invited by the Department of Higher Education of Puerto Rico to evaluate the proposal for the first research focused nursing doctorate in the Commonwealth. My research on older adults with chronic health problems was broadcast on the Academic Minute, a nationally syndicated public radio segment presenting the work of faculty. I am the only nurse to date to present his or her work.

Q; Have you had an important mentor in your career? If so, how did it make a difference?
A: Dr. Neville Strumpf has been my mentor for the last 10 years. Neville and I have been meeting annually at GSA meetings for many years. Dr. Strumpf has made a difference in my career by being an unflagging supporter of my ideas, and has freely given advice when asked.