Research Team
Linda Hollinger-Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN
Vice President
Perry Edelman, PhD
Director of Wellness Research
Dawn Lehman, PhD
Director of Education
Catherine O'Brien, MA, MPH
Director of Programs
Saher Selod, MA
Senior Research Associate
Emily Robbins , PhD
Senior Research Associate
John M. Davy
Staff Research Associate
Linda Hollinger-Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN
Vice President
Dr. Hollinger-Smith is a doctorally prepared registered nurse focusing her research in gerontology, workforce development, and quality improvement. She has more than 28 years of experience working with older adults in senior living, long-term care settings, in the community, and in acute care settings in various staff and managerial positions. Her past positions include Assistant Dean of the Rush University College of Nursing, Nursing Director of the Rush Primary Care Institute, and Associate Chairperson, Department of Adult Health Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing.
She has served as Principal Investigator (PI) for multiple national research projects totaling more than $4.5 million in support, targeting nursing workforce development and retention, falls reduction, and caregiver support issues. She has published over 50 journal articles, book chapters and research abstracts and has presented on national and international levels on various topics related to aging. Dr. Hollinger-Smith has mentored numerous graduate students and instructors through her faculty appointments at both Rush University Medical Center and University of Illinois at Chicago.
In her current position, Dr. Hollinger-Smith leads a team of applied researchers and staff responsible for developing and expanding Mather LifeWays' applied research agenda.
Her current research interest areas include:
- Nursing workforce development and retention
- Senior living trends
- Gerontological continuing nursing education
- Caregiver support and resource programs
- Resilience and older adults
Health Resources and Services Administration
Funding Period: 10/01/03-6/30/08
Enhancing Long-Term Care Nurse Retention and Resident Care Quality (D66HP01384)
The goal of this program was to implement and evaluate the impact of a comprehensive long-term care nursing staff
development program entitled LEAP (Learn, Empower, Achieve, Produce) on staff retention, job satisfaction, and quality of care indicators. Role: As PI, was responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Funding Period: 7/01/07-6/30/08
BEST CARE: Building Empowered Staff Teams and Creating Affirmative Relationships for Excellence
The goal of this program was to implement and evaluate the effects of BEST CARE, an educational program focused on culture transformation for long-term care providers. Role: As PI, was responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Funding Period: 3/1/02-2/28/05
Regional Faculty Development Network in Gerontological Nursing (D11HP00357)
The goal of this program was to implement and evaluate a midwest regional education network for nursing faculty from schools and colleges of nursing to complete a web-based continuing education program in gerontology. Role: As PI, was responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Administration on Aging
Funding Period: 10/1/02-9/30/04
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Integrating Caregiving Actions, Resources and Education (90CG2546)
The goal of this program was to implement and evaluate a train-the-trainer program for family caregivers to support their roles in caring for older adults with cognitive impairment. Role: As co-PI, was responsible for the development and evaluation components of the project.
Selected Publications:
Hollinger-Smith LM and Buschmann MT, Failure to thrive syndrome in the elderly: predicting elderly nursing home residents at risk, Clinical Gerontologist, 20(4):65-88, 1999.
Hollinger-Smith LM, Ortigara A, Lindeman D, Developing a comprehensive long-term care workforce initiative, Alzheimer's Care Quarterly, 2(3):33-40, 2001.
Hollinger-Smith, LM, Lindeman D, Leary M, Ortigara A, Building the foundation for quality improvement: LEAP for a quality long term care workforce, Senior Housing and Care Journal, 10(1):31-43, 2002.
Hollinger-Smith, LM, Preparing faculty to education nurses with expertise in gerontology. Nursing Education Perspectives, 23(3), 216-217, 2002.
Hollinger-Smith, L M, How to care for an aging nation: start with educating the educators. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 29(3): 23-27, 2003.
Hollinger-Smith LM and Ortigara A, Changing culture: creating a long-term impact for a quality long-term care workforce, Alzheimer's Care Quarterly, 5(1):60-70, 2004.
Hollinger-Smith, LM, Windhorst, C, and McMillen, A, The Community Café model: reaching out to new markets for senior living. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 12(1): 27-39, 2004.
Lamb, K, Engel, R, and Hollinger-Smith, LM, Exercise and fall reduction in assisted living. Assisted Living Consult, 1(5): 13-22, 2005.
DeWaters, T, Faut-Callahan, M, McCann, J, Paice, J,. Fogg L., Hollinger-Smith, L, Sikorski, S, Stanaitis, H, Comparison of self-reported pain and the PAINAD scale in hospitalized cognitively impaired and intact older adults after hip fracture surgery. Orthopaedic Nursing, 27(1), 21-28, 2008.
Brecht S, Hollinger-Smith LM, Fein S, Preparing for the future: trends in continuing care retirement communities, Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 17(1)75-90, 2009.
Windhorst, C, Hollinger-Smith, LM, Sassen, B, The Café Plus concept: A different model for different times. Generations, 34(1), 91-93, 2010.
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Perry Edelman, PhD
Director of Wellness Research
Prior to his work at the Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, Dr. Edelman conducted research in long term care for over 15 years at Northwestern University. This work led to a grant from the Alzheimer's Association to develop and evaluate a program to increase the quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers. The lack of available tools for assessing quality of life of people with dementia resulted in a new longitudinal grant from the Alzheimer's Association to test an observational procedure he developed at Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging - Observing Quality of Life in Dementia (OQOLD). The reliability and validity of OQOLD has been published and Dr. Edelman has presented findings in a number of national and international conferences including the Gerontological Society of America, the American Society on Aging, International Society on Quality of Life, Toronto, Canada and the 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Madrid, Spain. Currently, via a two-year Phase 2 Small Business and Innovative Research grant from NIA, he is testing technological enhancements to OQOLD at 10 dementia-specific sites across the country including adult day, assisted living and skilled care settings. He will be presenting findings from this study at the Alzheimer's Association 2011 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Paris, France.
Dr. Edelman is also pursuing research interests related to whole-person wellness. He led a team which developed and tested the Whole-Person Wellness Assessment (WPWA) for which he received the Erickson Foundation Award for Excellence in Research in Positive Aging. The WPWA includes reliable and valid scales related to wellness-focused satisfaction, self-efficacy, and stage of behavior change, as well as a Self-Responsibility for Wellness Scale and Organizational Whole-Person Wellness Approach Scale. Currently, Dr. Edelman leads the "Positive Aging" project which focuses on investigating principles of Positive Psychology with older adults, and applying findings to help older adults improve their character strengths. He will be presenting findings from this research at the 2nd World Congress on Positive Psychology.
Dr. Edelman has over 45 publications and 100 presentations in long term care and whole-person wellness.
Sponsored Research (Selected):
National Institute on Aging (SBIR)
Funding Period: 10/1/09 - 9/30/11
A Measurement-to-Management System to Improve Dementia Care (R44AG030793)
The goal of this study is to develop and test a new and innovative system for improving the measurement of well-being/quality of life (QOL) in older persons with dementia. Specific aims include: (1) develop and evaluate user-friendly software and procedures to collect and manage OQOLD data and produce care-relevant information and (2) evaluate the implementation of the OQOLD system in diverse dementia care settings including adult day, assisted living and skilled care settings. The primary long-term goal of this program of research is to develop a clinically useful tool to improve the QOL of people in dementia care settings. Secondary long-term goals include increased satisfaction of dementia care staff and increased satisfaction of family members of these participants. Role: As co-PI, leads the site-testing of this new procedure.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Funding Period: 8/1/08 - 7/31/10
A Comprehensive, Multi-Component Train-the-Trainer Program to Reduce Falls in Nursing Homes
The aims of this project included: (1) increase knowledge of falls reduction strategies for 200 nurses (who will train staff throughout their nursing home) through training in the use of a multi-component toolkit, (2) change processes of care in 100 nursing homes, (3) reduce resident falls an average of 15% in participating nursing homes, (4) integrate SAFE-TI into the nursing homes' quality improvement process, and (5) evaluate program success/effectiveness. Role: As PI, responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Alzheimer's Association
Funding Period: 9/01/05 - 8/31/08
Integrating Activity-Focused QOL Assessment into Dementia Care Practice (IIRG-05-13794)
Conducted a randomized study of the efficacy of an observational tool - Observing Quality of Life in Dementia - to improve dementia care practice. Role: As PI, was responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Funding Period: 7/1/07 - 8/31/08
Identification, Development, and Testing of Indicators/Measures of Person-Centered Care in Residential Care Settings for People with Dementia
The aims of this project included: (1) operationally define person-centered care (PCC); (2) identify indicators/measures of PCC and facilitators of PCC; (3) assess the validity and practical utility of these indicators/measures for assessing the impact PCC in a skilled nursing care center. Role: As PI, was responsible for the successful completion of all activities.
Selected Publications
Edelman, P., Fulton, B.R., Kuhn, D., & Chang, C-H. "A Comparison of Three Methods of Measuring Dementia-Specific Quality of Life: Perspectives of Residents, Staff, and Observers." The Gerontologist, 45(Special Issue 1), 27-36, 2005.
Edelman, P., Kuhn, D., Fulton, B.R., and Kyrouac, G.A. "Information and Service Needs of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Their Family Caregivers Living in Rural Communities." American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 21(4), 1-8, 2006.
Fulton, B.R., Edelman, P., & Kuhn, D. "Streamlined Models of Dementia Care Mapping." Aging and Mental Health, 10(4), 343-351, 2006.
Edelman, P. and Montague, J. "Whole-Person Wellness Outcomes in Senior Living Communities: The Resident Whole-Person Wellness Survey." (2006). Seniors Housing and Care Journal, 14(1).
Fulton, B.R., Edelman, P., Kuhn, D., and Cislo, A. (2006). "Observing Quality of Life in Dementia Settings: A New Tool for Improving Dementia Care Practice." Seniors Housing and Care Journal, 14(1).
Edelman, P., Guihan, M., Bryant, F. & Munroe, D. (2006). "Measuring Resident and Family Caregiver Determinants of Satisfaction with Assisted Living." The Gerontologist, 46(5), 599-608.
Sloane, P.D., Brooker, D., Cohen, L., Douglass, C., Edelman, P., Fulton, B.R., Jarrott, S., Kasayka, R., Kuhn, D., Preisser, J.S., Williams, C.S., & Zimmerman, S. (2007). "Dementia Care Mapping as a Research Tool." International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22: 580-589.
Edelman, P., Fulton, B.R., Kuhn, D., Gallagher, M., Dougherty, J., and Long, C.O. (2007). "Assessing quality of life across the continuum of dementia: Two new observational tools for researchers and practitioners." Alzheimers Care Today 8(4): 332-343.
Edelman, P. and Montague, J. (2008). "Whole-Person Wellness: First National Survey Identifies Changing Expectations for LTC." Long-Term Living, 57(4): 20-25.
Edelman, P., O'Brien, C., McCoy Loftus, E., and Engel, R. (2010). "Whole-Person Wellness in Senior Living: Perspectives of 23 Pioneering Communities". Seniors Housing and Care Journal, 18(1): 53-65.
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Dawn Lehman, PhD
Director of Education
Dr. Lehman leads a multidisciplinary staff responsible for developing and implementing Mather LifeWays' educational programs and products that contribute to expanding knowledge and enhancing evidence-based practices in older adult services. She brings more than 25 years communications experience working for international advertising and public relations companies and Fortune 500 companies as an artist, photographer, art director, writer, video producer, and creative director. Her work was recognized by several awards from the Detroit International Film and Video Festival, the New York International Film and Video Festival, the Washington Association of Practicing Anthropologists and the Association for Visual Anthropology for audiovisual production, and from the New York Institute of Photography for photography (first place in scenic photography).
After receiving her doctorate in medical anthropology, Dr. Lehman began work in the field of gerontology, specifically researching topics associated with older adults and producing educational products that help older adults age well at home and at work. Additionally, Dr. Lehman has seven years college teaching and mentoring experience and 15 years experience conducting workshops for professionals in a wide range of fields.
Dr. Lehman has extensive experience developing civic engagement programs. She is the co-founder of a 15-year-old youth volunteer organization, Kids Korps USA (www.kidskorps.org), and co-author of Teaching Kids to Care: Nurturing Character and Compassion (2007). She and her sister, who co-founded the organization, received recognition from the governor of California for exceptional service and from Redbook Magazine for "significant contributions toward promoting peace in America to ensure a safe future for our families and those we love." With funding from the University of North Carolina, she worked with Dr. Stuart Schleien, a professor and international expert in disabilities, to develop, implement and evaluate an inclusive civic engagement program for youth. Through funding from the National Council on Aging, Dr. Lehman and colleagues at Mather LifeWays have developed and implemented civic engagement leadership training for older adults and trained nonprofits to engage older adults as volunteers.
Her current areas of research interests include:
- Workforce trends and best practices associated with organizational adaptation to an aging workforce
- Intergenerational programming
- Community-based programs for older adults
- Civic engagement
Sponsored Research (Selected):
Principal Investigator, Empowering Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren Study, Chicago Community Trust, 2009-2010.
Co-Investigator, NCOA Civic Engagement Research Project, National Council on Aging, 2008.
Co- Investigator, NCOA RespectAbility Civic Engagement Research Project. National Council on Aging, 2005-2006.
Principal Investigator, A Cross-Cultural Look at Menopause. Pharmacia Corporation, 2001.
Principal Investigator, Depressed Mood in 20th Century America. BASF, 2001.
Principal Investigator, The National Weight Report. The Coalition for Excess Weight Risk Education, 1997.
Co-Investigator, Improving Health Status of Older African Americans. National Institute on Aging - 5P02AG12058-02, Duke University, 1994-1998.
Researcher, Effects of Racist Provocation and Social Support on Cardiovascular Reactivity in African American Women. Duke University, 1995.
Selected Publications:
Lehman D, Baba M, Bolin A. (1997) The National Weight Report. Coalition for Excess Weight Risk Education, Washington, DC.
Lehman D. (1999) Communicating anthropology. American Anthropological Association Newsletter.
Lehman D. (2000) Communicating anthropology. Chapter in Careers in Anthropology: Profiles of Practitioner Anthropologists (Paula Sabloff, ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Miller K, Schleien S, Lehman D. (2004) Teaming Up for Inclusive Volunteering. Loisir, Fall.
Lehman D. (2006) Older Americans and civic engagement in the 21st Century: A Review. National Council on Aging Report.
Holmes C, Lehman D, Kopper M. (2006) RespectAbility in America: Promising practices in civic engagement among adults 55+.
National Council on Aging Report. www.ncoa.org
Lehman D, Holmes C, Kopper M. (2006) Profiles of the most promising initiatives engaging adults 55+.
National Council on Aging Report. www.ncoa.org
Lehman D. et al. (2007) Teaching Kids to Care: Nurturing Character and Compassion. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing Co.
Lehman D. (2009) 21st century caregivers: Diversity in culture. Aging Well Magazine, March/April.
Lehman, D. (2010). Toward a contextually valid measure of social support among middle-aged and older African Americans in a southern urban community. Anthropology & Aging Quarterly, 31(1)14-26.
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Catherine O'Brien, MA, MPH
Director of Programs
Ms. O'Brien has worked in a research capacity for Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging since 2005. In the last five years, she has been responsible for designing and overseeing large-scale multi-year evaluations for grant-funded projects relating to the field of aging. As a Project Director on grant funded research projects, she has been responsible for forging collaborations with aging services organizations nationwide, and for recruiting older adults into various studies.
Ms. O'Brien's academic training is in the areas of Epidemiology and Public Health/Community Health Sciences. Recent research topic areas include:
- E-literacy among Older Adults
- Senior Living Workforce Development
- Person-Centered Care in Long-Term Care Communities
- Emergency Preparedness
Sponsored Research (Selected):
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Funding Period: 12/01/09-11/31/10
REALPREP: Real-Time Planning and Training System to Improve Long-Term Care Disaster Preparedness
The aim of this project was to train participants on an online planning tool that promotes active updtes to disaster plans and evaluate the usability and reliability of the tool. Role: As co-PI, responsible for the site-testing and evaluation of the program.
Illinois Department of Health
Funding Period: 7/01/08-8/31/09
BEST CARE III: Developing Cultural Competency to Enhance Quality of Care
The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate and educational program to develop culturally competent care among LTC healthcare providers. Role: As co-PI, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
Retirement Research Foundation
Funding Period: 7/01/08-12/31/09
Sub-contract from National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO)
Staff Training and Education in Person-Centered Care for U.S. Catholic Retired Women and Men Religious: Phase II
The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate a training and education project in Person-Centered Care Best Practices for 90 religious institutes served by the National Religious Retirement Office. Role: As PI, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
Illinois Department of Health
Funding Period: 7/01/09-8/31/10
BEST CARE II: Communication Skills for Building Relationships
The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate an educational program to improve communication among LTC healthcare providers. Role: As co-PI, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Funding Period: 9/01/05-8/31/08
Bioterrorism Training And Curriculum Development Program (T01HP06413-02-01)
The aim of this project was to develop and pilot test a model for a national disaster preparedness education training strategy for the long-term care workforce. Role: As PI, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response
Funding Period: 9/01/06-8/31/07
PREPARE: Bioterrorism Preparedness Continuing Education Program
The aim of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate a disaster preparedness continuing education program for the long-term care workforce nationally. Role: As PI, responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
Selected Publications:
Edelman, P., O'Brien, C., Loftus, E.M., & Engel, R. (2010). Whole-person wellness in senior
living: perspectives of 23 pioneering communities. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 18(1), 53-65.
Lamb, K. & O'Brien, C. (2010). An overview: disaster preparedness for gerontological nurses.
Geriatric Nursing, 31(3): 228-230
O'Brien, C., Selod, S., & Escamilla, V. (2007). PREPARE: A study of disaster planning in senior living. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 14(1), 77-86.
Gunn, R.A., O'Brien, C., Lee, M., & Gilchick, R. (2008). Gonorrhea screening among men who have sex with men: value of multiple anatomic site testing, San Diego, CA, 1997 - 2003, Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 35(10):845-848.
Lamb, K., O'Brien, C., & Fenza, P. (2008). Elders at risk during disasters. Home Health Care Nurse, 26(1) 30-37.
O'Brien, C., Selod, S., & Lamb, K.V. (2009). A national initiative to train long-term care staff for disaster response and recovery. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Supplement.
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Research Associates
Saher Selod, MA
Senior Research Associate
Ms. Selod is completing her PhD from Loyola University Chicago in August of 2011 in Sociology. She has worked at Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging for five years during which she has been responsible for survey development, deployment, data collection, data analysis, and writing reports. She has published several articles in peer reviewed journals and presented research at conferences such as the Life Services Network, Gerontological Society of America, and American Association of Retired People's conference. Ms. Selod serves as an Associate Managing Editor for the Seniors Housing & Care Journal. Additionally, Ms. Selod has assisted in writing several grants for the Institute on Aging.
Ms. Selod has served as an evaluator on several grant funded projects such as PREPARE: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Training for the Senior Living/Long-Term Care Workforce (funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Service Administration), Best Care III: Communication Skills for Building Relationships (funded by Illinois Department of Health), and REALPREP: Real-time Planning and Training System to Improve Long-Term Care Disaster Preparedness (funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention). She also is the evaluator for the Quality of Life and Employee Satisfaction surveys administered to Mather LifeWays' employees and residents.
Ms. Selod academic training is in the Sociology of Religion and the Sociology of Race and Ethnicity. Her current areas of research interests include:
- Emergency Preparedness for Long-Term Care
- Health Disparities for Older Adults
- Resilience and Older Adults
Selected Publications:
O'Brien, Cate, Saher Selod, and Veronica Escamilla (2007). PREPARE: a study of disaster planning in senior living. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 15(1): 57-66.
Selod, Saher (2008). The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, in Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society edited by Richard T. Schaefer. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.
O'Brien, Cate, Saher Selod, and Karen Lamb (2008). PREPARE: continuing education for long-term care providers. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 15(2): S20-S24.
Selod, Saher, Heineman, Janice, and O'Brien, Cate. (2011). Long-term care and disaster preparedness: a study of organizational types and levels of preparedness for a disaster or emergency. (Article accepted to Journal of Emergency Management)
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Emily Robbins , PhD
Senior Research Associate
Dr. Robbins is a gerontologist whose research interests span from individual planning for long-term care and dementia-related issues to public policy and translation of research into practice. Currently, Dr. Robbins is working with Dr. Edelman and Benten Technologies to complete Phase II of a project focused on the mobile application of an observational procedure for assessing the quality of life in individuals with dementia: Observing Quality of Life in Dementia (OQOLD). Dr. Robbins is also working with Dr. Dawn Lehman and the YWCA in Evanston to pilot a financial literacy program for women in transition. Additionally, Dr. Robbins develops and maintains survey databases, supports the development of research proposals and manuscripts, and conducts analyses to support ongoing research studies.
Selected Publications:
Petonito, G., Muschert, G., Carr, D., Kinney, J.M., Robbins, E.J., & Brown, J.S. Safe Return, Project Lifesaver and Silver Alerts: The Need for Evaluations Studies. Journal of Aging and Social Policy. (Status: Under Review).
Robbins, E.J., Payne, M., Cable, A., Straker, J., & Kunkel, S. (2011). GenerAges: Generations as they age. Scripps Gerontology Center, Oxford, Ohio
Applebaum, B. & Robbins, E.J. (2010). Financing long-term services and supports in an aging society. Chapter in: Graham Rowles and Pamela Teaster (eds). Long-term Care in an Aging Society. (Status: Forthcoming).
Straker, J., Lackmeyer, A., Kunkel, S., & Robbins, E. (June 2010). AAA Caregiving Survey Results. Scripps Gerontology Center, Oxford, Ohio
Carr, D., Muschert, G., Kinney, J., Brown, J., Robbins, E., Petonito, G., & Manning, L. (2010) SilverAlerts and the Problem of Missing Adults with Dementia. The Gerontologist, 50 (2), 149-157.
Robbins, E.J., Kinney, J.M., & Kart, C.S. (2008). Promoting active engagement in health research: Lessons from an undergraduate gerontology capstone course. Gerontology and Geriatric Education, 29 (2).
Robbins, E.J. (2008). Long-Term Care Insurance in the United States: Perspectives from Independent Insurance Agents. VDM Verlag; Germany.
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John M. Davy
Staff Research Associate
Mr. Davy has been at Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging since September 2010, providing support on ongoing grant applications, collecting and analyzing data for a pilot study on electronic health literacy and for a survey of area villages. Since January, Mr. Davy has been managing Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging's "Aging In Action" blog and newsletter, and is currently soliciting university and community partnerships for upcoming research projects. His academic training has involved research on therapeutic interventions for trauma in middle childhood, training and practice in clinical psychology, and research on religion and the family.
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