News
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The Program for Pet Health Equity Announces New Associate Director of Research
The Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) recently announced that Dr. Claire Schuch has joined the team as Associate Director of Research. In this new role, Schuch will lead efforts to deepen understanding of how pets impact families’ lives and how lack of access to veterinary care affects communities, families, and animal care professionals. Schuch…
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DSW Program Changes Leadership
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program is changing leadership this fall with Dr. Lizzie Bowland stepping away as the director to focus on the gerontology efforts at the college, while Dr. Katherine Montgomery will step in to serve as the interim director of the program. Bowland, a nationally recognized expert in gerontological social work,…
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UT College of Social Work Welcomes Seven New Faculty Members
The UT College of Social Work welcomed seven new faculty members this fall. These new outstanding professors will teach at both the Knoxville and Nashville campuses, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas. Jessica Cameron, Clinical Assistant Professor, Nashville CampusJessica Cameron is a highly accomplished clinical social worker and educator with a…
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Fall 2025 Social Work Honors Students
The newly selected Social Work Honors students will start their new roles this Fall. Congratulations to these dedicated and hard-working students. Evan BakerChattanooga, Tennessee How did you become interested in social work: I became interested in social work through my mother, who graduated with her doctorate from UTK a few years ago. I want to…
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Director Transition for the Center for Veterinary Social Work
As Center for Veterinary Social Work (CVSW) Director and Founder, Dr. Elizabeth Strand steps down to pursue a lifelong passion, Dr. Pam Linden has been named the interim director for 2025-2026. A search for the new director will begin in Fall 2025. A quick interview was conducted with both Drs. Strand and Linden sharing…
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A Mission to Enhance Dementia Awareness in Ghana
A Mission to Enhance Dementia Awareness in Ghana Through Faith Leadership June is globally recognized as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The following story highlights the high-impact research of a UT scholar and her global efforts to educate communities and reduce stigma…
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Meet Nicole Choppin: Coverdell Fellow and MSSW Student
Nicole Choppin joined the Peace Corps with a clear goal: to fully immerse herself in a culture completely unlike her own. Drawn to the program’s emphasis on language training, long-term service, and community integration, she found herself in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, ready to learn, live, and grow alongside the people there. Now back in…
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Two Nashville Faculty Members To Retire in Fall 2025
Dr. Thereasa (Teri) Abrams Dr. Thereasa (Teri) Abrams has been with the UT College of Social Work for eight years. As an assistant professor, Abrams taught in both the DSW and MSSW programs. Outside of the UTCSW, she was a six-year member of the quality committee of the American Burn Association, served two years as…
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Examining the Indirect Effect of Dementia Caregiving Status on Mental Health Through Coping Resources
Dr. Fei Wang’s latest research, published in Research on Aging, uncovers how resilience plays a key role in shaping mental health outcomes among U.S. caregivers—especially distinguishing between those caring for individuals with dementia vs. non-dementia. The study also highlights how perceived gains from caregiving can enhance caregiver well-being. Caregivers of older adults with dementia generally…
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Pilot Study to Assess Drinking at Bars or Events Located within Grocery Stores
A newly accepted manuscript by UTCSW Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health Dr. Bridget Freisthler, was completed with Honors Undergraduate students as part of a research class when Freisthler worked at Ohio State University. The novel piece is that grocery stores have been increasingly serving alcohol at bars located within the stores and creating events…