Cathy Scott
Dr. Cathy Scott, an associate professor in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Social Work and the Bachelor of Social Work program director, has been selected as a Gerontological Society of America fellow—an honor bestowed upon those who "demonstrate exceptional commitment to aging issues through research, teaching and service."
Officials said, "The GSA is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education and practice in the field of aging.
GSA’s mission is to cultivate excellence in interdisciplinary aging research and education to advance innovations in practice and policy."
As a member of the UTC faculty since 2011, Dr. Scott’s research interests focus on aging, Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver burden and grandparents raising grandchildren.
"In addition to her research, Dr. Scott plays a crucial role in several state-funded grant initiatives to build a dementia-friendly community," officials said. "She currently serves on the ROAD MAP grant initiative, which focuses on supporting older adults in surrounding rural communities. Her experience includes a decade with the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program through Alexian Brothers Community Services, further solidifying her expertise."
“Outstanding faculty are the key to successful programs and are often the reason students choose a specific career path. Dr. Cathy Scott is such a faculty member,” said Dr. Valerie Rutledge, dean of the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies. “Her dedication to her profession and her students is evident in many ways. Her service to her chosen field has resulted in many accomplishments, including a successful accreditation review of the Bachelor of Social Work program. She is an example of someone who invests in her students and, as a result, is clearly deserving of the designation of fellow in the Gerontological Society of America.”
Dr. Scott’s accomplishment will be celebrated at the GSA’s 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Nov. 13-16 in Seattle.
“It really means a lot to receive this honor,” Dr. Scott said. “It means that my work is being recognized, but the more significant thing is that older adults and families and students are benefiting from the work that I’ve done.”
Dr. Scott is part of an interdisciplinary UTC faculty team—School of Nursing, Master of Public Health program, Occupational Therapy and Social Work—that landed the ROAD MAP grant, which involves developing a mobile health program to serve older adults and caregivers in 10 southeastern Tennessee counties.
Funded by the Tennessee Department of Health’s Healthcare Resiliency Program, the $2.6 million grant will purchase a mobile health vehicle to visit rural senior centers, providing education, health promotion, screenings, primary care and social services to older adults.
The mobile health vehicle is slated to be unveiled later this fall.
“As a social work faculty member, I’m really thrilled about what our social work students can learn and contribute to this—and I’m excited about extending and improving the viability and the life of older Tennesseans in rural communities,” Dr. Scott said.