Sherry M. Cummings, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Nashville Campus
and Associate Professor

Courses Taught:

Clinical Social Work Practice With Individuals (SW 521)
Psychopathology (SW 524)
Clinical Social Work Practice With Groups (SW 525)
Social Gerontology (SW 566)

Research Interests:

Aging and mental health; caregiver issues; gerontological social work education.

President, The Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW): http://www.agesw.org/

Selected Publications:

Cummings, S. M., Chapin, R., Dobbs, D., & Hayes, J. (2004). Assisted living facilities’ response to residents’ mental health needs: A study in two states. Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 10, 151-162.

Cummings, S. M., Adler, G., & DeCoster, V. A. (2005). Factors influencing graduate social work students’ interest in working with elders. Journal of Educational Gerontology, 31,643-655.

Husaini, B., Cummings, S., Kilbourne, B., Sherkat, D., Roeback, H., Levine, R., Cain, V, & Craun, C. (2004). Group therapy and depression among elderly women: An analysis of outcome by race. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 543, 295-319

Cummings, S. M., Kropf, N. P., Cassie, K. M., & Bride, B (2004). Evidenced Based Treatments for older adults. Journal of Evidence Based Social Work,1 (4), 53-81.

Cummings, S. M. & Cockerham, C. (2004). Depression and life satisfaction in assisted living residents: Impact of health and social support. Clinical Gerontologist, 27, 25-42.

Cummings, S. M., Bride, B. & Rawlins, A. (In press). Alcohol abuse among older adults: A review of recent empirical research. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work Practice, 1 (4).

Research Projects, Funded Research, Grants and Awards:

Center for Mental Health and Aging, University of Alabama, 2003-2004 - “Caregivers of Older clients with Severe Mental Illness”.

Faculty Development Award, 2004 -“Service Needs and Perceptions of Service Adequacy Among Older Persons with Severe Mental Illness”. University of Tennessee.

John A. Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar, 2001-2003. To support growth in development as a researcher, leader, and educator in gerontology and to support the study “Efficacy of a Geriatric Inter-Disciplinary Mental Health Team in the Community Mental Health Center Setting”. Principal Investigator

John A. Hartford Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education Grant, 2002-2004- grant to develop and disseminate aging-related curriculum materials for use in undergraduate and graduate social work education. Principal Investigator

Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability grant, 2001 - “Administrators of Assisted Living Facilities/Homes for the Aged Perceptions”

 

193 Polk Ave., Suite E - Room 265
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 782-6153
Fax: (615) 248-8823
scumming@utk.edu

B.A., Villanova University
M.S.W., University of Maryland
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Vita (PDF)

Personal site: http://web.utk.edu/~scumming/