The University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has been named a National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE) in recognition of their commitment to gerontological nursing. NHCGNE is dedicated to optimal health and quality of life for older adults and recognizes nursing schools across the country that have demonstrated commitment to the field.

Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the UTK College of Nursing, tells TNToday.UTK.edu, “With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 years old daily, the demands for health care and caregiving for our aging population will continue to increase for many years to come. Designation as an NHCGNE demonstrates our commitment to research, practice, and education in the area of aging, dementia, and caregiving.”

Several faculty members in the UTK College of Nursing are conducting cutting-edge research on caregiving for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Through a partnership with the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Clinic at UT Medical Center, researchers are addressing the needs of Tennessee and rural populations in Appalachia to determine how to best optimize clinical care for the region and develop models of care.

As a member in the NHCGNE, UTK’s College of Nursing will have access to leaders in the aging and gerontological nursing field, in addition to educational resources designed to strengthen its partnerships and programs. Karen Rose, UTK McMahan-McKinley Professor of Gerontology, tells TNToday.UTK.edu, “The needs of Tennesseans mirror the needs of patients with dementia and their family members across our country. Our goal is to produce real-world solutions to the challenges that many people face when dealing with aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.”

See also
Nurses of the Week: West Carolina University Nursing Students Provide Services at Free Rural Health Care Clinic in Eastern Tennessee

To learn more about the UTK College of Nursing and its work in gerontological nursing, visit here.

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