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Tuesday, Feb 08, 2022 Devynn Case : Contact

A School of Social Work assistant professor at The University of Texas at Arlington has won the Faculty Achievement Award from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW).

The organization recognized Kathy Lee, an educator, gerontologist and social work researcher, for her efforts in social work, gerontology and geriatric education.

In this early stage of her career, Dr. Lee has demonstrated research productivity, commitment to gerontological social work education and leadership in the field of aging, said Rebecca Mauldin, assistant professor in UTAs School of Social Work. She has made abundant contributions in the domains of aging-related research, teaching and service.

Lee began her career working in finance and marketing for retirement planning in South Korea. Growing up in South Korea with a large extended family of older adults, including aunts, uncles, and grandparents, she realized the importance of caring for the aging population. Lee then came to the United States to follow her passion and study social work and gerontology.

Its a fact that people in our society are getting older and living longer, and some may experience chronic health conditions like dementia, she said. This has become a significant social issue, and this population needs our attention. Its important to have diverse perspectives to support them and help their health and well-being.

Lee is an applied researcher whose primary research goal is to create healthier, more equitable communities for vulnerable and marginalized older adults and their family caregivers. Her recent research focuses on older adults with Alzheimers disease and related dementias and their family caregivers. With a research grant from the Alzheimers Association, Lee worked to develop a community education program and to identify best implementation strategies for East Asian American family caregivers of persons with Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

Jon Shuffler, a Master of Social Work student and graduate research assistant, said there is a rapidly increasing need to assess and provide for the needs of older adults.

I came to UTA for the Master of Social Work program because of the reputation of the program, and for faculty like Dr. Lee, Shuffler said. Dr. Lee has been a champion for my professional and personal development, and honestly a significant factor in where I am at today in pursuit of my career goals.

Lee has also collaborated with departments across UTA, including public health, kinesiology, computer science and engineering, civil engineering, bioengineering, and industrial engineering. Her various interdisciplinary research projects focus on addressing disparities in health and health care among disadvantaged older adults in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Jaci Mitchell (left), a Master of Social Work student, and Kathy Lee

Working with Dr. Lee and getting to experience her passion for the field has opened my eyes to its importance, said Jaci Mitchell, a Master of Social Work student and graduate research assistant. I knew that social work was the field that I was meant to be in and is where I could best utilize my skills and desire for helping people.

AGESW provides leadership in the areas of gerontological social work education, research and policy and maintains an international membership of educators who teach, conduct research and promote gerontology.

More:
UTA's Lee wins Faculty Achievement Award - News Center - The University of Texas at Arlington - uta.edu