Geriatric Health Services Research Lab Info

Dr. Fields is an occupational therapist, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, and affiliate faculty member in the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) and Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research interests include caregiving, implementation of evidence-based programs, geriatric health services, aging in place and chronic conditions. She serves on the Development Council for the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and is an active member of the Health Services Task Force for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. The National Institute of Aging and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, Rehabilitation Research have supported her research, as well as the RRF Foundation for Aging.

I am a research specialist/lab manager in the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab.  I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and have continued my learning via numerous graduate level courses through St Thomas University, Silver Lake College, University of North Dakota and Colorado State.  I joined the GHSRL team in 2022 and have a passion for connecting with participants and assisting the research team with their efforts. I live in Madison and have three grown daughters.  In my free time, I love to be outdoors, gather with friends and family, attend events at Overture Center for the Arts, and watch Badger and Packer football.

I am a PhD student in Occupational Science and a member of the GHSRL. I went to Colorado State University for a BS in Equine Science and California State University-Northridge for an MS in Kinesiology- Adapted Physical Activity. My research interests include equine-assisted services and individuals with disabilities. Outside of school and research, I am passionate about baking, photography, horses, and my dog, Ruby.

I am a PhD/OTD dual-doctoral student and a member of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab. I am from Huntley, IL, and attended Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) to complete my undergraduate degree in psychology, biology, and Spanish. Shortly after graduation, I moved to Madison, WI, to begin my early career at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. After three years working as a full-time research specialist and developing my own passions within research and service, I am excited to continue my journey to become a clinician-scientist in occupational therapy and occupational science. My research interests include relationships between movement and holistic well-being, as well as occupational therapy interventions to support dementia care and lived experiences of people living with dementia and their care partners.

I am a PhD student in the School of Kinesiology with an emphasis in Occupational Studies. I am honored to have Dr. Fields as my graduate advisor and mentor!

I am an occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and inventor. I have been practicing occupational therapy for six years in various settings, including acute care, outpatient, skilled nursing, home health, and telehealth. I currently practice OT via telehealth and consult for adult/geriatric-specific sensory integration, dementia care, and the application of sensory intervention in the skilled nursing setting. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends in my personal life. I got married in January 2024, have two cats named Olive and Lemon, and enjoy being a part of Heartland Church in Sun Prairie.

My name is Abby, and I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am an OTD student. I did my undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Notre Dame, which means this is the first time I’ve lived in Wisconsin! I spent the last year working as a volunteer CNA in a residential facility for adults with disabilities in Chicago. I was attracted to the Geriatric Health Services Lab because of my previous work with therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy, which is also what initially drew me to occupational therapy. In my free time, I love to go for runs and watch college hockey!

I am an OTD student from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a major in exercise science and a minor in psychology. My research at Elon focused on the role of music in physical rehabilitation. I am excited to explore a multifaceted approach to occupational therapy, such as hippotherapy, in the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab. In my free time, I love to play the piano and guitar, spend time outdoors, and explore Madison.

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the GHSRL. I went to the University of St. Thomas where I earned my bachelor’s degree in exercise science. My research interests include neurological conditions common in the geriatric population and how community engagement impacts their progression.

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I received my Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Health Equity. I also completed certificates in Disability Rights & Services and Athletic Healthcare. Having passions for advancing accessibility and understanding evidence-based approaches to patient and family-centered care, I look forward to learning valuable experience in the GHSRL! Outside of school, I enjoy running, sipping on a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends.

I am an OTD student here at UW Madison. I am from Andover, MN and I completed my bachelor’s degree in Movement Science at Winona State University. I am passionate about helping people of all ages do the things they want and need to do in everyday life. I have worked with various populations spanning from pediatrics to geriatrics. Within the Geriatric Health Services Lab, I am interested in researching individuals who have Dementia and their caregivers and I’m also interested in researching aging in place. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, spending time outside, and finding new coffee shops!

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the GHSRL. I graduated from Winona State University with a major in movement science and minors in psychology and nutrition. My research interests include learning more about the geriatric population and how to support older adults and their families in the community. I am passionate about helping others maintain their independence and live their lives to the fullest! Outside of school I love to go on walks, go to concerts, and spend time with my friends and family.

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the GHSRL. I went to University of Wisconsin – Madison for Human Development and Family Studies. My research interests include play across the lifespan, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and aquatic occupational therapy. Outside of school I am passionate about exploring Madison, spending time with my family, and finding new ways to move my body!

I’m currently an OTD student and a member of the GHSRL. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology here at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I’m passionate about incorporating new methods of independence to promote quality of life, and my research interests include athletic and sports rehabilitation, aging in place, and equine-assisted therapy. Outside of my studies, I love going for bike rides and running, spending time with friends and family, and attempting to play new instruments, currently on the guitar!

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the GHSRL. I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with my bachelor’s degree in animal sciences. My research interest is animal-assisted occupational therapy, so I am excited to learn more about hippotherapy in this lab. In my free time, I love spending time with my dogs, exploring new places, and hanging out with my friends and family.

I am an Occupational Therapy Doctorate student and a member of the GHSRL, from Denver, Colorado. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family studies on the Pre-Occupational Therapy track. My research interests include Geriatric Populations and how to equip their caregivers with the tools they need to support their loved one. Specifically, I am excited to help individuals learn how to gain independence back or adapt to new ways of life based on their disability or impairment. In my free time, I like to attend concerts, go on walks around my neighborhood, and watch college football!

I am an OTD student and a member of the GHSRL. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Wayne State University, with minors in Exercise and Sport Science as well as Art History. My research interests include exploring the role of family caregivers in aging populations and how to support both the caregiving network and the care recipient. I am extremely passionate about studying the various barriers that different groups of people, such as immigrants, experience in these situations as well as increasing health literacy in these populations.

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab. I received my Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed certificates in Global Health and Gender & Women’s Studies. My research interests include aging in place and accessibility for aging populations, caregiving, and equine-assisted therapy. I am passionate about ensuring equitable access to services, promoting mental health, and fostering inclusive communities. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, reading, trying new coffee shops, and attending yoga classes.

I am an occupational therapy doctoral student and a member of the GHSRL. I am thrilled to be continuing my studies here at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where I earned my B.S. degree in Kinesiology in the winter of 2024. My research interests include exploring nature-based & equine-assisted therapies across the lifespan, caregiver-patient relationships, and promoting home safety for older adults. I am passionate about spending quality time with family & friends, jogging, watching Wisconsin sports, traveling, and playing with my dog, Lady Belle!

The goal of this study is to build upon our previous ARHAT research and utilize emerging technologies by offering a guided full-home assessment.

The goal of this study is to adapt and test the Care Partner Hospital Assessment Tool for hospital-based dementia care. Findings from this pilot randomized controlled trial will enable future efficacy trials to advance the implementation of the decision-support tool that can enhance caregiving preparedness to improve health outcomes after hospital discharge.