Introducing Some Gerontologists in North Carolina: Winter Update from North Carolina Colleges Aging Network (NC-CAN)

By Alison H. Climo, January 22, 2009

It strikes me that the work and interests of gerontologists at North Carolina's independent colleges tend to reflect the scope of the field of gerontology. In other words, while we may all have a few things in common (small colleges, North Carolina, aging), we are as diverse the discipline we identify with. For example:

Dr. Ron Smith, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at North Carolina Wesleyan College, studies the role of physical activity and fitness within the disability process. Dr. Smith helps prepare students to enter a multitude of health-related careers including cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy, corporate fitness/wellness, and strength and conditioning with training for specific age groups such as the elderly.

Dr. Brenda Jamerson, Associate Professor Clinical Research at the Campbell University School of Pharmacy has research interests in the area of pain evaluation and treatment, pharmacogenetic predictors of medication effectiveness and health literacy in older adults. In addition to her research, Dr. Jamerson is involved in community service activities, such as SeniorPharmAssist, a program in Durham County that helps older adults with limited incomes purchase medications and provides health education community referral and advocacy. This organization has been tremendous in helping seniors navigate the maze of confusing options for Medicare Part D insurance.

Speaking of community service, Dr. Steven Fulks, Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Gerontology Program at Barton College, has offered an annual Caregiver Conference every March since 2003 in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina and the Upper Coastal Plain Area Agency on Aging. The sixth annual caregiver education conference is scheduled for March 24, 2009. Among those presenting this year are Dr. Kaufer of the UNC Memory Disorders Clinic and Dr. Rosenberg of the Appalachian State University Gerontology program. This conference serves as the model for other regional Caregiver Conferences sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina.

Beth Vogler, Associate Professor of Social Work at Mars Hill College, is on leave this semester to work on her doctoral dissertation, titled "Hospice Utilization by African Americans in Western North Carolina." Ms. Vogler's doctoral degree program is with Union Institute and University with a specialization in cross-cultural studies in gerontology. Ms. Vogler teaches a "Death and Dying" class in which students become certified hospice volunteers. Additionally, Ms. Vogler has designed an interdisciplinary gerontology minor for Mars Hill College, which is currently awaiting funding.

In fact, gerontology curriculum development is an experience several members of NC-CAN share. Drs. Dezette Johnson and Helen Caldwell, both professors of social work at Johnson C. Smith University, are participants in Cycle 2 of the Curriculum Development Institute (CDI) of the Gero-Ed Center, a collaboration between the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Council on Social Work Education. I am especially familiar with the work of the CDI as I was a participant in Cycle 1 of this Gero-Ed Center program from 2005 to 2007.

Currently, I am a GSK Faculty Fellow at the Institute of Emerging Issues, a public policy think-and-do tank at NC State University. I will be working this year to help plan the 2010 Program of Work, which you can be sure will have a strong aging component! I also continue to serve on the Planning Committee of the Buncombe County Aging Coordinating Consortium. If you were at the fall conference, you may recall that Buncombe County received the Ernest B. Messer Award, granted by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services to Buncombe County and the Aging Coordinating Consortium for the work of the Buncombe County Aging Plan (2008-2012).

Though only a few are mentioned here, and a handful belong to NC-CAN so far, we are certain that there are numerous gerontologists scattered throughout North Carolina's independent colleges. All are welcome additions to our network. For more information about NC-CAN, see the NCCAN website or contact me, NC-CAN Chair, Dr. Ali Climo, at aclimo@warren-wilson.edu.