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Starting July 1, 2023, the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, School of Education and School of Information Studies will be housed under the College of Community Engagement and Professions. Learn more.

Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology

The mission of the Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology is to promote optimal aging and strengthen connections with community partners by advancing opportunities in gerontology education, research and training for students, faculty and the community.

A group of students holding leaf rakes and standing on the front stoop of a Milwaukee home.
On Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, members of the Student Gerontology Association participated in UWM’s Make a Difference Day.
Two young women during Make a Difference day holding a hose

Connect with Applied Gerontology

Vital Directions for Health and Health Care

Dr. Colleen Galambos, Helen Bader Endowed Chair in Applied Gerontology at UWM, was invited by the National Academy of Medicine to participate in the Vital Directions for Health and Health Care: Priorities for 2021 initiative.

This initiative provides expert guidance on U.S. health policy focus areas, including health care for older adults. Visit the National Academy of Medicine’s Vital Directions for Health and Health Care policy to read the policy priorities that can help improve the care and quality of life for all older adults in the article “Actualizing Better Health and Health Care for Older Adults,” co-authored by Dr. Galambos.

Text on image: "The development of age-friendly health systems is integral to promoting healthy aging." Actualizing Better Health and Health Care for Older Adults
Three women sitting behind a table with microphones
Dr. Galambos (right) leading a public session for the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s consensus study committee on Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System.

National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Committee

Dr. Colleen Galambos was selected to the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Committee. Visit The Quality of Care in Nursing Homes site for more information about the committee.

Faculty & Staff

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
Photo of Jason Jurado (Asian man), program associate for the Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology
Jason Jurado
  • Program Associate, Office of Applied Gerontology
Headshot of white woman with necklace and purple sweater.
Jen Kahn-Pettigrew, MSW, APSW
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Social Work
  • Field Liaison, Social Work Field Program
  • Coordinator of Education & Programming, Applied Gerontology
Headshot of Latina woman.
Jennifer Landeta Vidal
  • Student Research Assistant

Applied Gerontology Interest Form

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