All People
Portrait of Colleen Galambos (white woman), social work professor and Helen Bader Endowed Chair of Applied Gerontology

Colleen Galambos, PhD

  • Professor, Social Work
  • Helen Bader Endowed Chair, Applied Gerontology

Dr. Colleen Galambos, PhD, LCSW,  ACSW, FGSA, FAASWSW, is professor and Helen Bader Endowed Chair in Applied Gerontology at UW-Milwaukee.

Dr. Galambos is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, and a National Association of Social Workers Pioneer. Her practice experience includes clinical, administrative, policy, and research positions in a variety of health and long-term care organizations. Past appointments include the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on the Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults and Committee on the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes, and the 2020 National Academy of Medicine's (NAM) Vital Directions for Health and Healthcare project.

In 2024, Dr. Galambos co-chaired the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s symposium on Essential Health Care Services Related to Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Women. She serves on the Health Care Services Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Milwaukee County’s ADRC Board. In 2023, Dr. Galambos received the Leadership Award from AGE-SW, a national organization that promotes gerontology education in social work programs. Dr. Galambos was selected as one of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2020 Women of Influence for her mentorship of students preparing for careers in gerontology. In 2024, she was selected as an inaugural Bader Leadership Institute Fellow. She has received the prestigious recognition of Stanford University’s top two percent of most impactful scientists in the fields of social work, nursing, public health, and social sciences.

Research Interests:

Galambos’ active research areas include care transitions, advance care planning/end of life decision making, aging in place, health and long-term care systems quality improvement, gerontechnology, older adults and behavioral health, caregiving and abuse in later life, and competency based gerontological education. Funding includes grants from various foundations, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Administration for Children and Families, and state government contracts.

Professional Work:

  • Adjunct Professor, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Health and Human Services
  • Associate Editor, Gerontechnology Journal
  • Member, Health Care Services Board, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
  • Member, Milwaukee County Age-Friendly Steering Committee
  • Member, Coalition for Social Work and Health
  • Member, Milwaukee Coalition for African American Caregivers

Funding:

  • 8/6/2025-8/6/2027. Helen Bader Age and Community Internships. Funding Source: Bader Philanthropies. Investigators: Colleen Galambos, PI; Caitlyn Bowman, Co-I; Jennifer Kahn Pettigrew, Co-I.
  • 1/1/2025-12/31/2026. Practical Applications of AI and Technology in Health and Social Services. Funding Source: Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute Pioneer Collaborative Curricula. Investigators: Colleen Galambos, PI; Matthew Friedel, Co-I; Colleen Janczewski, Co-I.

Books:

  • Galambos, C.M., Greene, R. R., Cohen, H.L., & Kropf, N.P. (2018). Foundations of social work practice in the field of aging: A competency-based approach (2nd ed). Washington, D.C.: NASW.
  • Greene, R.R., Galambos, C. M., Greene, N. (2016). Social work with the aged and their families (4th ed.). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Aldine Transaction.
  • Greene, R. R., Cohen, H.L., Galambos, C.M., & Kropf, N.P. (2007). Foundations of social work practice in the field of aging: A competency-based approach. Washington, D.C.: NASW
  • Cummings, S. & Galambos, C. (2004). Diversity and aging in the social environment. Binghamton, N.Y.: Haworth Press.

Select Recent Publications (out of 200):

  • Goniewicz, K.; Abahussain, M.; Nambisan, P,; Al-Wathinani, A.M.; Mobrad, A.M.; Alhazami, R.; Galambos, C.; Duthie, E.; Kibicho, J.; Zhang, B.; Gomez-Salgado, J. (In press) Strengthening resilience in nursing homes: The role of emergency preparedness in mitigating COVID-19 outcomes, Medicine, Accepted 7/11/2025.
  • Galambos, C; Jerefke, Owen, T.; Pacquette, H., Piacentine, L.; Schubert, E.; Vang, M; Arrington, E., Lodh, N. & Gecsi, K. (2025) Changing Intimate Partner Violence Screening and Intervention: Focus Group Perspectives. Journal of Nursing Care Quality
    40(2), 152–158.
  • Alexander, G., Livingston, A., Han, S.,………Galambos, C. (2025). Emerging models of care using IT in long term/post-acute care: A comparative analysis of human and AI driven qualitative insights. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51(4).
  • Sarawagi, A., Vang, M., Yan, K., Piacentine, L., Gecsi, K., Chelimsky, G., Galambos, C., Jerofke-Owen T., Paquette, H., Schubert, E., Lodh, N. (2024). Intimate partner violence screening in an obstetrics clinic: A retrospective study. Wisconsin Medical Journal, 123(6), 441-445.
  • Galambos, C. & Berger, L. (2024). Suicide prevention: Changing landscape. Private Practice Section Connection, Issue 2, Spring/Summer, 6-7. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Social Workers.
  • Rantz, M., Martin, C., Zaniletti, I., Mueller, J., Galambos, C., Vogelsmeier, A., Popejoy, L., Thompson, R., Crecelius, C. (2024). Longitudinal Evaluation of a Statewide Quality Improvement Program for Nursing Homes. Journal of the American Medical Director’s Association 25(5), p905-p911. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2023.12.010
  • Abahussain, M.A., Nambisan, P., Al-Wathinani, A. M; Mobrad, A.M.; Alhazami1, R.A; Galambos, C.; Duthie, E.; Kibicho, J.; Zhang, B.; Goniewicz, K. (In Review, 2024). Enhancing long term care resilience: A study on emergency preparedness and COVID-19 impact in nursing homes. Journal of Personalized Medicine.
  • Kusmaul, N., Roberts, A., Hector, P., Galambos, C., Zimmerman, S., Bern, Klug, M., Connolly, R., Wang, X., Herman, C. (2023). Social workers critical to honoring commitments to residents and families in long-term care. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2023.2181904. Epub February 23, 2023.
  • Kusmaul, N.; Galambos, C. & Zimmerman. S. (2022). The Key to Wanting to Live in a Nursing Home. Journal of the American Medical Director’s Association, 23(9), 1439-1441.
  • Alexander, G., Travers, J, Galambos, C., Rantz, M., Ferrell, B., Stevenson, D. (2022). Strategic recommendations for higher quality nursing home care in the U.S.: The NASEM Report. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15, 6, 266-269. https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20220927-01
  • Keller, A.O., Norris, N.C., Easter, B., Garr, A., Morgan, G., Dicks-Williams, R., & Galambos, C. (2022). A time for me: A virtual program to engage African American caregivers, Journal of Women & Aging, DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2022.2064175
  • Alexander, G., Travers, J, Galambos, C., Rantz, M., Ferrell, B., Stevenson, D. (2022). Strategic recommendations for higher quality nursing home care in the U.S.: The NASEM Report. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(11), 1-4. doi:10.3928/00989134-YEARMODA-##
  • Alexander G.L., Galambos C., Rantz M., Shumate S., Vogelsmeier A., Popejoy L., and Crecelius C. (2022). Value propositions for health information exchange toward improving nursing home hospital readmission rates. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(1), 15-20. doi:10.3928/00989134-20211207-03
  • Alexander, G., Travers, J, Galambos, C., Rantz, M., Ferrell, B., Stevenson, D. (2022). Strategic recommendations for higher quality nursing home care in the U.S.: The NASEM Report. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(6).
  • Shubert, E., Chelmisky, G., Galambos, C., Jerofke-Own, T., Jordan, G., Lodh, N., Paquette, H., Piacentine, L., Sarawagi, A. Ye, K. (2022). Building a community academic partnership to improve screening for intimate partner violence: Integrating advocates in healthcare clinic settings. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15284.PMID35621342.
  • Khan A., Uribe-Cano D,. Klumph M., Simpson M., Macias Tejada J, Galambos C., Hubatch S., Malone ML. (2022). An innovative post-hospital model of care (DDEFY Delirium): A pilot randomized trial. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. May;70(5):1570-1573. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17666. Epub 2022 Jan 27. PMID: 35084044.
  • Popejoy L.L, Vogelsmeier A.A, Canada K.E, Kist S, Miller S.J, Galambos C, Alexander G.L, Crecelius C, Rantz M. (2022) A Call to Address RN, Social Work, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes: Solutions From the Missouri Quality Initiative. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, Jan-Mar 01;37(1):21-27. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000604. PMID: 34751164; PMCID: PMC8608010.
  • Galambos, C., Vogelsmeier, A., Popejoy, L., Crecelius, C., Canada, K., Alexander, G.L., Rollin, L., & Rantz, M. (2021) Enhancing physician relationships, communication, and engagement to reduce nursing home residents’ hospitalizations. Journal of
    Nursing Care Quality, 36 (2), 99-104.
  • Galambos, C., Rollin, L., Bern-Klug, M., Oie, M., Engelbart, E. (2021) Social services involvement in care transitions and admissions in nursing homes, Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64,7, 740-757, DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1917031
  • Fulmer, T., Reuben, D.B., Auerbach, J., Fick, D.M., Galambos, C., Johnson, K. (2021). Actualizing better health and health care for older adults, Health Affairs, 40(2), 2019-225. https://DOI.org/10.1377/HLTHAFF.2o2o.01470
  • Vogelsmeier A, Popejoy L, Canada K, Galambos C, Petroski G, Crecelius C, Alexander GL, Rantz M. (2021). Results of the Missouri Quality Initiative in sustaining changes in nursing home care: Six-year trends of reducing hospitalizations of nursing home residents. The Journal of Nutrition, Health, & Aging 2021;25(1):5-12. doi: 10.1007/s12603-020-1552-8. PMID: 33367456.
  • Rantz, M., Petroski, G. F., Popejoy, L. L., Vogelsmeier, A. A., Canada, K. E., Galambos, C., Alexander, G. L., & Crecelius, C. (2021). Longitudinal Impact of APRNs on Nursing Home Quality Measures in the Missouri Quality Initiative. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(9), 1124–1130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-021-1684-5
  • Nambisan, P., Abahussain, M., Duthie, E., Galambos, C., Zhang, B., & Bukowy, E. (2021). Factors Associated with Increase in COVID-19 Cases in Nursing Homes: A Study of Nursing Homes in Midwestern States. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69, S217–S217. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17115
  • Nambisan, P., Abahussain, M., Duthie, E., Galambos, C., Zhang, B., & Bukowy, E. (2021). Nursing home vulnerabilities amid COVID-19 pandemic: A study of Midwestern States. The Journal of Nursing Home Research Sciences,7, 55-61 http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jnhrs.2021.9
  • Jen, S., Harrop, E., Galambos, C., Mitchell, B., Willey-Sthapit, C., Storer-Smith, H., Gonzalez-Benson, O, Barber, C., Kim, J., Zhou, Y. (2021). Discursive constructions during COVID-19: Calling for the critical analysis of discourse in social work and beyond the pandemic. Journal of the Society of Social Work and Research, 619-629.
  • Rantz, M., Vogelsmeier, A., Popejoy, L., Canada, K., Galambos, C., Crecelius, C., Alexander, G. (2021). Financial and work-flow benefits of reducing avoidable hospitalizations of nursing home residents. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging, 25, 971–978. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-021-1650-2
  • Galambos, C., Rantz, M., Popejoy, L., Ge, B., & Petroski, G. (2021). Advance directives in the nursing home setting: An initiative to increase completion and reduce potentially avoidable hospitalizations. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, Jan-Mar;17(1),19-34. doi: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1863895. Epub 2021 Jan 25. PMID: 33491595 (Selected Editor’s Choice Best Article Runner Up).
  • Pritchett, A., Canada, K., Galambos, C., Rollin, L., Rantz, M. (2021) Take it to the resident: A model for engaging long term stay residents in advance care planning. Social Work in Health Care. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2021.1878319
  • De Saxe Zerden, L., Cadet, T.J., Galambos, C. & Jones, B. (2021). Social work’s commitment and leadership to address social determinants of health and integrate social care into health care. Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 43(3),309-323. https://doi.org/10.37808/jhhsa.43.3.5
  • Vogelsmeier, A., Popejoy, L., Canada, K., Galambos, C., Petroski, G., Crecelius, C., Alexander, GL, & Rantz, M. (2021). Results of the Missouri Quality Initiative: Six-year trends of reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging. 25(1), 5-12. doi: 10.1007/s12603-020-1552-8
  • Bern-Klug, M., Smith, K., Restorick Roberts, A., Kusmaul, N., Gammonley, D., Hector, P., Simons, K., Galambos, C., Bonifas, R., Herman, C., Downes, D., Munn, J., Rudderham, G., Cordes, E., & Connolly, R. (2021). About a third of nursing home social services directors have earned a social work degree and license, Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64,7, 699-720, DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1891594
  • Galambos, C. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness: Translating current research into healthcare practice and improving awareness. 4 (Issue Supplement 1), 2020, page 713 https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2512
  • Galambos, C. & Lubben, J. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: A National Academies report. Innovation in Aging, 4 (Issue Supplement 1), 2020, Page 713, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2511
  • Jun, J.S., Galambos, C. & Lee K. H. (2020) Information and communication technology use social support, and life satisfaction among Korean immigrant elders, Journal of Social Service Research, DOI: 10.1080/01488376.2020.1848969
  • Galambos, C. (2020, May 15). The public health epidemic exacerbated by COVID-19. Issues in Science and Technology (online).
  • Canada, K. E., Galambos, C., Pritchett, A., Rollin, L., Rantz, M., Popejoy, L., & Vogelsmeier, A. (2020). Transitions of care: Perspectives of patients living in long- term care. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35, 3, 189-94.
  • Kusmaul, N., Bern-Klug, M. Heston-Mullins, J., Roberts, A., & Galambos, C. (2020).  Nursing home social work during COVID-19. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(6-7), 651-653 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2020.1787577
  • Popejoy, L.L., Vogelsmeier, A.A, Wakefield, B.L., Galambos, C.M, Mehr, D.R. (2020). Testing re-engineered discharge program implementation strategies in SNF’s. Clinical Nursing Research, 1-10. DOI:10.1177/1054773820982612

Curriculum Vitae