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Aging studies students and faculty present symposium as a tribute to Kathryn Hyer, PhD

A group of aging studies students, faculty, and staff gathered at the USF School of Aging Studies informational booth at the Southern Gerontological Society's Annual Meeting and Conference.

The School of Aging Studies informational booth at the Southern Gerontological Society's Annual Meeting and Conference provided conference attendees the opportunity to learn about the department and its academic programs.

Last weekend, several faculty, students, and staff represented the CBCS School of Aging Studies at two research conferences: the Southern Gerontological Society's Annual Meeting and Conference in Panama City Beach, FL and the Cognitive Aging Conference in Atlanta, GA.

At the Southern Gerontological Society meeting, Kallol Bhattacharyya, PhD, Debra Dobbs, PhD, and Lindsay Peterson, PhD presented a symposium titled "Advocacy for and by Older Adults: A Tribute to Dr. Kathryn Hyer." This symposium featured their recent contributions to research and policy about nursing home quality and disaster preparedness, and highlighted their dedication to continuing Hyer’s legacy of advocating for vulnerable older adults. In addition to their work, they shared how Hyer impacted their professional and personal lives. Peterson also provided the audience with details about the Kathryn Hyer Memorial Scholarship in Public Policy and Aging, a scholarship that supports students studying long-term care and policy.

Bhattacharyya won the 1st Place Best Student Paper at the Southern Gerontological Society Meeting. Bhattacharyya’s paper, “Creating Age-Friendly Nursing Homes: The Time is Now,” aims to identify specific aspects of person-centered care to promote the development of a standardized conceptual framework for providing nursing home residents with optimal care.

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About College of Behavioral & Community Sciences News

The Mission of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) is to advance knowledge through interdisciplinary teaching, research, and service that improves the capacity of individuals, families, and diverse communities to promote productive, satisfying, healthy, and safe lives across the lifespan. CBCS envisions the college as a globally recognized leader that creates innovative solutions to complex conditions that affect the behavior and well-being of individuals, families, and diverse communities.