Dr. Harriet Cohen of TCU’s social work department receives national honor

Fort Worth, TX

10/23/2006

By: Cacy Barnard

Dr. Harriet Cohen, TCU assistant professor of social work, is one of 12 geriatric social work professionals nationally to be named a 2006 Hartford Faculty Scholar by the Gerontological Society of America. The distinction provides Dr. Cohen with benefits and guidance aimed to foster her professional development and $100,000 in funding over the next two years, which she will use to conduct research and for professional development.

“I am very excited and honored that someone has confidence in me and is willing to support my research interests for which I have a great deal of passion,” said Dr. Cohen.

Her selection as a Hartford Scholar recipient directly reflects her expertise as a social work educator, researcher and practitioner with older adults and the value of her research project titled “The Phenomenology of Forgiveness in Older Holocaust Survivors.” The project will address the gaps in our understanding of the nature of forgiveness, situated within a personal and cultural framework as expressed in the life stories of older Holocaust survivors.

The Hartford Faculty Scholar program is committed to the well-being of older adults in society by increasing the number of adequately trained geriatric social workers. With a growing aging population, the program and its developments play a key role in meeting the prominent needs of social workers.

“From this research we may learn how the process of forgiveness may assist older adults in responding to traumatic life events and may enhance psychological well-being,” explained Dr. Cohen.

Among Dr. Cohen’s other areas of research are spirituality with midlife and older women, older lesbian and gay family issues and preparing social work students to work with older adults.

Prior to coming to TCU in 2005, she held positions in the social work departments at the University of North Texas and University of Georgia, gaining years of experience in education. Previous positions with the Atlanta Alzheimer’s Association, Jewish Family and Career Services and Tampa Jewish Social allowed her to directly impact services to older adults and their families. Her duties ranged from administrative work to programming and clinical experiences.

Additionally, Dr. Cohen works as a diversity trainer with the National Coalition Building Institute and the Ally training programs at the University of North Texas, helping to fight oppression. She is also involved with the Social Work Baccalaureate Program Directors Association, where she serves on the Educators and Friends of Lesbian and Gays Committee and the Gerontology Committee.

Dr. Cohen holds a doctorate in adult education and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Georgia. She also has certificates in women’s studies and qualitative research from the University of Georgia.

For more information about the Hartford Faculty Scholars Program, visit www.geron.org/hartford/facsholarsprg.htm. For more information about TCU’s department of social work, visit www.socialwork.tcu.edu.