My research interests involve examining the integration of the primary care clinics with behavioral health consultants and/or social workers. My research will look at the role of the social worker to help improve patient wellness and reach health outcomes. My research will focus on social services necessary for treating the whole person. I hope to identify specific tasks that the behavioral health consultant/social worker performs that are consistently noted to be useful in the setting by other healthcare providers and patients, such as referrals for entitlement programs. 

I have worked for over 20 years in health care. Specifically, I have worked with adults, adolescents, and children on acute mental health units of a general hospital, as a behavioral care manager. My work activities included reviewing clinical information to identify patient and family needs, reviewing the patient’s diagnosis, and developing a plan for discharge that included coordinating continued care with community providers. 

Research interests

• Health care
• Mental health
• Wellness
• Coordinated care