Congratulations Class of 2014! The largest class in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology’s history graduated today. Bringing together faculty, staff and students, the graduation program also included the largest number of award presentations by the University to students from the Davis School.
“I am amazed by these students,” said Dean Pinchas Cohen who delivered the welcoming address and closing remarks. “They are reinventing aging as we know it and I am positive that they will have an important role to play in all of our futures as they advance in their careers.”
The USC Leonard Davis School has always been a tight-knit group which provides both faculty and student the opportunity to really enjoy the experience more personally as their academic careers flourish. Among the 70 graduates were 5 new PhD students as well as 4 new recognized Doctoral Affiliates. It was during the PhD hooding ceremony that Drs. Susan Enguídanos, Tara Gruenewald, Eileen Crimmins, Valter Longo, Bob Knight, and Mara Mather were able to convey the connection that faculty have with their students.
“I’m sorry; I will be talking for over a minute even though we’re not supposed too. I just have so many good things to say and one minute just isn’t enough time. I feel a bit selfish saying I’m sad to see Joohong leave us, but we’re very proud of her and we’ll miss her,” said Dr. Gruenewald as she delivered her heartfelt send off.
After honoring the accomplishments of our graduating class, Dean Cohen closed out our commencement with some reassuring words and a reminder that we are all part of an ever growing Trojan family. “I encourage you to remain closely in touch with the school as you pursue your goals and further your careers; after all, we are united by a shared dream–the dream of a better and more vibrant aging experience for all. Congratulations and Fight On!”
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Heinz Osterburg Prize – Morgan Levine
Order of Troy – Jacqueline Dion
Renaissance Scholar – Jacqueline Dion
Discovery Scholar Prize Finalists – Brandon Glousman, Kyrstin Harris, Joshua Man, Elaine Roh, Kezia Rusli
Discovery Scholar Prize Recipient – Brandon Glousman
McNair Scholar – Nicole Marcione
Gerontology Minors – Elizabeth Breiter, Sarah Fell, Sara Lanier, Aaron Mejia, Kimberly Morton, Rachel Piperno, Lauren Salas Mationg, Maurice Turner, Sidney Zahabizadeh
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging – Asmaa Albaroudi, Tiffany Chu, Marie Danielian, Jessica Davis, Jacqueline Dion, Brandon Glousman, Jessica Gonzalez, Megan Greaney, Raphi Hambartzhumian, Kyrstin Harris, Natalie Innocenzi, April Jordan, Christine Karapetian, Susan Kazandjian, Joshua Man, Nicole Martin, Myra Mendoza, Nicholas Persinger, Elaine Roh, Kezia Rusli, Mary Stepanyan, Jae Yoon Yi
Bachelor of Science in Lifespan Health – Nicole Marcione
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology – Crystal Baham, Robin Drubin, Aubrie Hills, Cheryl Lampkin, Jennifer Martin, Lana Perry, Maria Yefimova
Master of Long Term Care Administration – Heather Diaz
Master of Arts in Gerontology – Susan Adams, Donna Anderson, Nathan Bowman-Johnston, Selim Ciftci, Jordan DeVera, Susan Fair Clark, Ileana Gavina, Hannah Godwin, Heather Gulas, James Hill, Ann Hollander, Jacqueline Hurt, Cynthia Hutchins, Janine Katsikas, Kelley Le, Karen Love, Michelle Matter, Christie Miller, Christina Muzzy, Jenna Patterson, Larry Perkins, Sandra Rachon, Lisa Saldana, Nishad Sathe, Loreen Trevino, Jelisa Turner, Brenda Vazquez, Melissa Weaver, Anna Whitlock, Logan Wimer, Robert Worthen, Walter Zuhosky
Master of Aging Services Management – Michelle Akahoshi, Mateen Ansari, Rochelle Balaban, Jennifer Brewer, Catherine Dilley, Joyce Dirkes Chavez, Elizabeth Donnell, Travis Freed, Kimberly Henderson, Lisa Herring, Melissa Itzkowitz, Yolanda Lawler, Ruth Le, Catherine Lee, Scott McAulay, Meagan McClellan, Carlena McKnight, Lu Meng, Sam Moghaddamfar, Nell Moton Kapple, Calli Peacock, Donna Phillips, Jon Schwartz, Jessica Taylor, Paul Wanson, Darin Weidauer
Master of Science in Gerontology – Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka, Sahar Edalati, Kristina Field, Virginia Hazarian, Craig Hung, Ani Kolangian, Angelica Kutnerian, Cera Meintzer, Pamela Maree, Ramirez, Catherine Salvino, DeVonet Taylor, Jeannette Torres, Tavin Vasuntarapiwat, Kim Vu, Eve Wettstein, Carin May Wong, Anna Woo
Doctor of Philosophy in Gerontology – Alexis Coulourides Kogan, Jeffery Laguna, Joohong Min, Nicholas Pisca, Felicia Wheaton
Recognition of Affiliated Doctorate – Chia-Wei Cheng, Philip Sayegh, Matthew Sutherland, Alexandra Ycaza
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology doctoral student Jeff Laguna (Photo/Trevor Nelson)
While there are many programs to manage pain, many seriously ill patients find that their pain is frequently unrecognized and untreated. While palliative care efforts are documented as an effective intervention, they function best when the caregiver or clinician is attuned as possible to the patient’s varying state. Obviously, this is a challenge for all involved.
“We decided to look at the use of a smartphone to monitor the pain and symptoms of seriously ill patients,” said Jeff Laguna, a USC Leonard Davis School doctoral candidate who worked closely with his advisor, USC Leonard Davis assistant professor Susan Enguídanos. “We wanted to empower patients, caregivers and the palliative care team with the latest technology to give a voice to their needs and how they can be met.”
Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that involved the USC Leonard Davis School, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the USC School of Social Work and HealthCare Partners, Laguna and his team remotely monitored at-risk patients using the smartphone app, ManageMyPain.
The app allowed patients to describe pain characteristics, including intensity, location, character, timing and factors that either aggravated or alleviated the pain. Participants took 5-10 minutes to input their pain on a daily basis, and this data was transmitted to the research team.
“We found several potential barriers, including the ability of participants to use the touch screen successfully, read the font and navigate the phone and app in general,” Laguna said. “These barriers can be frustrating, but identifying them helps us make the app more user-friendly and successful for all potential users.”
By putting this powerful tool literally in the hands of patients, caregivers and the palliative care team, Laguna hopes that other researchers will follow his lead and design more technology for older adults and for all their changing needs. While pain management and palliative care places the focus on end-of-life, the opportunities are there to enhance the quality of life for older adults in every season and state of health.
“Digital aging has the potential to help everyone: older adults who can benefit from increased services and solutions as well as those who care for them and people who are looking to the future and their own aging,” Laguna said. “We found that older adults have an interest in learning new technology, especially if it’s intended to help their care, but there aren’t enough products for them yet. We’re calling for hardware and software innovations so we can best serve this population with this technology, and we’re looking to a wide variety of USC experts to make this dream come true.”
Once again, the USC Leonard Davis School graduated its largest class. This year’s graduates shared a special honor: earning a heartfelt send-off from Pinchas Cohen in his first commencement as dean.
“As you well know, the USC Leonard Davis School is continuing to innovate and explore what it means to be on the cutting edge of aging research,” Cohen said in his address. “This is a never-ending mission that I know each of you will pursue in your own way. 2013 graduates of the USC Leonard Davis School, I salute you and wish you the best of luck in pursuing your goals.”
Bringing together faculty, staff and students, the graduation program also included award presentations from Tuck Finch and Sean Curran. Finch’s recognition of doctoral graduate Sebastian Brandhorst with the Heinz Osterburg prize moved many to tears when Brandhorst made a surprising announcement.
“I have asked that the financial aspect of the Osterburg prize be donated to Liza Cherney, a USC Leonard Davis alumna who was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing,” Brandhorst said, earning the day’s most heartfelt cheers.
Another highlight came when outgoing Student Gerontology Association president Cameron Chalfant delivered his speech.
“I am so honored to address all of you amazing graduates and I am proud to say that we’re leaving school ready for the next chapter,” Chalfant said. “I want to thank the faculty, staff and administration of the USC Leonard Davis School. They dedicate their lives to us students and they each deserve a round of applause and a handshake.”
After honoring the accomplishments of the faculty, including giving Susan Enguídanos the Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Award, Cohen turned the ceremony over to vice dean Kelvin J. A. Davies, who recognized the graduates, whose emotions—a bittersweet but triumphant celebration—mirrored those of their friends, family and supporters, who loudly cheered them on.
Before closing the commencement for a luncheon celebration, Cohen reminded graduates that they were Trojans, now and forever.
“As champions of seniors and science, I urge each of you to remain closely in touch with the School,” Cohen said. “After all, we are united by a shared dream—the dream of a better and more vibrant aging experience for all. Congratulations and Fight On!”
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Heinz Osterburg Prize – Sebastian Brandhorst
engAGING Awards – Ashley Phillips, Bill Zhou, Yu-Ching Huang, Cameron Chalfant, Emily Loynachan, Erik Doan, Sahar Edalati, Barbara Howard
Order of Troy – Cameron Chalfant, Sahar Edalati, Sonia Hua, Ani Kolangian, Tom Maxim, Carin Wong, Bill Zhou
Renaissance Scholar – Craig Hung, Tom Maxim
Discovery Scholar Prize Finalists – Sahar Edalati, Craig Hung, Tom Maxim, Bill Zhou
Gerontology Minors – Brent Duddie, Craig Hung, Rachel Piperno, Hannah Schiweck
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging – Cameron Chalfant, Jennifer Chang, Sahar Edalati, Kristina Field, Virginia Hazarian, Sonia Hua, Ani Kolangian, Tom Maxim, Ashley Phillips, Kim Vu, Carin Wong, Bill Zhou
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology – Susan Fair Clark, Gianna Henke, Brett Riley, Catherine Trifilo
Master of Long Term Care Administration – Clifford Tomb
Master of Arts in Gerontology – Tahmina Aziz, Shawna Conlan, Justin Eastwood, Liora Fink, Brian Gauthier, Barbara Howard, Yu-Ching Huang, Johanna Hurlock, Aarti Kumari, Katherine Landsman, Sheryl Lapidus, Theresa Mac Gregor, Suzanne Maisner, Carrie Mullin, Margaret Rosenau, Patricia Sacchetti, Veronica Sanchez Perez, Angela Whitlock, Kristen Wilhelm, Logan Wimer, Julia Wysong
Master of Aging Services Management – Nadia Akaweih, Monica Anderson, Vanessa Bruns, Erik Doan, Jascenna Haislet, Dong Liang, Fleur Martino, Kathleen Olsovsky, Richard Rosenberg, Wu Yang
Master of Science in Gerontology – Pavitra Anand, Amy Bassoff, Alyssa Bobman, Ernestine Campbell, Christine Chow, Sara Damiano, Winnie Dang, Maria De La Rosa, Lyndsay De Matteo, Stephen Gaucin, Elena Gonzalez, Lauren Iwata, En-Shu Kuo, Judith Lee, Emily Loynachan, Kaitlin Masatsugu, Minda Miyamoto, Cara Murayama, Michelle Pastrano, Kevin Proff, Jody Santos, Rachel Violette, Allyson Young
Doctor of Philosophy in Gerontology – Shieva Davarian, Carrie Donoho
Recognition of Affiliated Doctorate – Sebastian Brandhorst, Jennifer Geren
I’m graduating this year with a master of science degree in gerontology from the USC Leonard Davis School. As I reflect on my time in the department, I am filled with gratitude for the professors who positively influenced my collegiate experience and extended their support in academic mentorship and collaboration.
At the end of last year, I had an opportunity to nominate Dr. Jon Pynoos for induction into the USC Golden Key Chapter. I knew he would be an excellent candidate for this international honor society, which is dedicated to personal, professional and altruistic achievement.
Dr. Pynoos was my first professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. His “Policy, Values and Power in an Aging Society” class laid the foundation for my interdisciplinary and intergenerational coursework and inquisitive investigation of the field. I will never forget how formative our class discussions were, as we explored landmark legislation like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as well as the social contracts between generations.
Dr. Pynoos always encouraged us to think for ourselves and to critically analyze existing aging frameworks while imagining novel and innovative ones. I remain grateful for his wisdom and kindness, and I credit him with helping launch me on a successful USC academic career.
I was thrilled when he was chosen as a Golden Key Honorary member, and proud to help celebrate him and his world-changing work at the New Member Recognition ceremony. Dr. Pynoos’s dedication to thoughtful evidence-based research, visionary leadership and compassionate mentoring has inspired countless students. It was meaningful to see him rewarded and recognized.
As I graduate from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology this May 2013, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead of me. I hope to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Pynoos by emulating his kindness, generosity and sincerity. I want to inspire others as he has inspired and empowered me, and to make a positive difference in the world and our interdisciplinary field.
Because of his exemplary mentorship, dedication, and passion for autonomy and quality of life, I believe my fellow graduates and I can cultivate a culturally sensitive, personalized and collaborative model of care and support for the future. I am humbled to continue my academic and professional journey and carry with me the eloquent, rigorous and supportive direction of Dr. Pynoos.
Thank you, Dr. Pynoos, and all of the USC Leonard Davis School. Fight On!
Helping seniors harness the social media revolution for their increased health and happiness is a major component in USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology dean Pinchas Cohen’s plans for the future of the institution.
Dubbing this phenomenon “Digital Aging,” he held a competition for USC Leonard Davis School students and staff to help design the best possible aging-friendly mobile app. Awarding winners an iPad and runners-up iPods and iPhones, Cohen announced the results at the School’s annual holiday party.
With a slew of exciting proposals that included medication reminders, home and environment modification safety alerts, end-of-life care assistance and memoir-creation technology, honorable mentions went to doctoral students Jeff Laguna and Patrick Beck, staffer Jana Peretti and undergrads Carin Wong and Cameron Chalfant.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in innovative approaches to helping the aging population,” Beck said.
Second runner-up was doctoral student Alison Balbag, who suggested an app called “MyTunes” that would provide musical therapy for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. First runner-up was undergrad Sahar Edalati, who proposed an app to help older adults locate any lost item, from pill bottles to keys, using GPS technology.
Dean Cohen with App Competition Winner Marguerite DeLiema.
The winners were doctoral student Marguerite DeLiema and grad student Allison Young, who teamed up to propose an app to aid first responders to elder abuse, as well the older adult impacted by it.
“We’re hoping this tool can be used to help guide whether or not the case meets criteria for elder abuse and help first responders identify the nearest agencies to connect older adults for assistance and support,” DeLiema said. “We want to help a vulnerable person become more embedded in their community as well as to help people become more knowledgeable about detecting elder abuse and what to do.”
This concept sparked so much interest from USC Leonard Davis School faculty members that DeLiema and Young are hoping to expand the idea to include a cognitive screening for older adults who may seem to be self-sufficient but may actually be vulnerable to certain frauds and scams.
“In the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration for which our School is famous, I plan on bringing in USC’s computer science, art, design and engineering experts to help make these apps a reality,” Cohen said. “Social media and cutting-edge technology offers older adults such amazing opportunities and assets, and I am so proud of the creative, ingenious solutions our students suggested.”
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology took center stage at the 65th annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), held this year in San Diego.
As always, the field’s preeminent conference provided multiple opportunities for USC Leonard Davis students, faculty and alumni to shine, as well as for the School’s popular reception to anchor the social and networking side of the event.
“I was so proud to see USC represented so strongly all over GSA,” said Emily Nabors, program coordinator and evaluator for the School’s Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. “It’s so inspiring to see the breadth and depth of the work done at USC while also gaining new insight into what our colleagues around the world are doing.”
Under the umbrella of GSA’s 2012 theme, “Charting New Frontiers in Aging,” USC Leonard Davis School faculty covered a variety of topics, including Tuck Finch on Alzheimer’s disease, Elizabeth Zelinski on gerontechnology, Bob Knight on psychological assessment and interventions, Kate Wilber on elder abuse prevention and Tara Gruenewald on the intersection of socioeconomic and physical health. USC Leonard Davis doctoral students were also well represented among the experts, including Joohong Min on Korean Baby Boomers, Shoshana Hindin on aging’s effect on language acquisition, Shieva Davarian on the health of older Japanese adults and Alison Balbag on music as preventative dementia therapy.
Trojans had much to celebrate, and attendees to the USC Leonard Davis School reception offered a champagne toast to the School’s Eileen Crimmins, who was not only inducted into the Institute of Medicine but also won GSA’s 2012 Robert W. Kleemeier Award for her outstanding research. Another reason to celebrate was the fact that the School is on the cusp of its twentieth anniversary bestowing PhDs in gerontology, with the world’s first going to Valentina Villa in 1993.
“It was really wonderful to see such ‘old’ friends and to meet graduates of later cohorts,” said Sandy Reynolds of the University of South Florida. “As a USC Leonard Davis School PhD alum, what a joy to be able to celebrate the ongoing success of our PhD program in a year where we also celebrate Eileen Crimmins, since she has had such an important role in the success of the program.”
Along with the aforementioned “old” friends, Trojans were equally enthusiastic to welcome and rally behind newer friends, especially Pinchas Cohen, who was delighted to attend his first GSA as dean of the USC Leonard Davis School.
“It is a great honor to be among such world-class colleagues and friends who share our dream of a better quality of life for every aging person,” Cohen said. “I am proud of all of our extremely talented Trojans, near and far, who work every day to bring this dream one step closer to reality.”
Click here for a complete list of all programs, presentations and posters.
Faculty and staff gathered together to welcome students, returning and brand-new, to the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology on Thursday, August 23.
“I’m just as new as many of you freshmen—I’ve only been here six weeks. Our School is already fantastic, but I want to make it the greatest school ever,” said dean Pinchas Cohen, MD “I wish everyone good luck and a great beginning.”
Briefly discussing their research and classes taught, members of the faculty offered their own encouragement as well to the students.
“I want to teach you all how to advocate for your parents and grandparents after a hospitalization,” said John Walsh, PhD “The USC Leonard Davis School is a great launching pad for your next step, whatever it may be. We are all your advisors—we’ve all been there.”
“I work to address issues facing vulnerable elders who need support of some kind: social services, health care, wellness initiatives, economic security,” said Kathleen Wilber, PhD “ I study all the things we need to serve the aging society we have and how those get integrated to serve an individual holistically. I look forward to getting the chance to work with you.”
“It’s amazing for me to think I graduated from the first class offering the Master of Science in Gerontology in 1977, so in 1976 I was sitting out there in the audience just like you guys are today,” said Cheryl Svensson, PhD “Along with James Birren, PhD, I teach Psychological Development through Autobiography, which helps you find out who you are in the sense of where you’ve been and where you’re going by looking inside.”
After the faculty’s introductions, representatives from the Student Gerontology Association (SGA) and the School’s newest student organization, Gerontology, Allies and You (GAY) spoke.
USC Leonard Davis School Students Elena Gonzalez, Patrick Beck, and Morgan Levine
“Our goal is to explore issues unique to LGBT aging and to help raise awareness,” said GAY founder and grad student Brian Gilad Wilson. “We welcome LGBT members as well as our straight allies. I’d especially like to thank Associate Dean Maria Henke for helping us get started. Maria rocks!”
The program closed with Aaron Hagedorn, PhD, discussing several potential internship opportunities before all the students introduced themselves and spoke briefly about their interests.
Coming from Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Minnesota and California as well as from Jamaica, China, Japan and Thailand, the new students were united in their desire to help improve the quality of life for all the world’s older adults, and their enthusiasm to start the school year.
“Ever since I started working as a receptionist in an assisted living facility, I knew I wanted to make a difference for older adults,” said Sam Moghaddamfar, an incoming grad student. “I chose the USC Leonard Davis School because it’s the oldest and best school of gerontology in the world, and I’m so excited to begin.”
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