Geriatric Health Services Research Lab Info

Beth Fields, PhD, OTR/L, BCG
I am an occupational therapist, an assistant professor in the Occupational Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, and an affiliate of the Center for Aging Research and Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. My research program addresses two foci: 1) animal-assisted approaches for aging adults with chronic conditions, and 2) systems and methods designed to improve person- and family-centered geriatric care. I have expertise in mixed methods, health systems conceptual frameworks, qualitative methods, and multilevel statistical methods and models. I have published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy; American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias; Families, Systems, & Health; and several other peer-reviewed journals. I am an active member of the American Hippotherapy Association, Gerontological Society of America, and Academy Health. I am committed to growing interdisciplinary collaborations to advance my research efforts and help transform the quality of occupational therapy service delivery.

Maddie Carbery
I am a second-year graduate student in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at UW–Madison and originally from Wheaton, IL. I graduated from UW–Madison in 2018 with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies and certificate in Education and Educational Services. I am interested in studying 1) best practices to educate caregivers of individuals with physical disabilities, and 2) how animals can play a role in the therapy process. I joined the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab in summer 2019. When I am not in lab, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, and caring for my array of succulents.

Weston Dixon
I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Sciences in 2018. I moved to Madison after graduation and worked at a school for children and adolescents with developmental and intellectual disabilities, emotional trauma, and behavioral issues. While working at the school, I realized that I admired the occupational therapists that I would see daily and all the work they were doing in the lives of the students. That experience pushed me to apply to UW-Madison’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. I love hiking and biking especially, but basically any outdoor recreational activity will suffice. I currently live in Madison with my partner and our two dogs while I work my way through the OTD program.

McKenzie Fitzpatrick
I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health and am now attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. As a member of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab, I am interested in learning more about how occupational therapy services can benefit the geriatric population. I am looking forward to gaining lots of experience and knowledge, as well as enhancing my research skills throughout my time in this research lab and the OTD program. When I am not in school, I enjoy attending Wisconsin athletics, spending time with friends, and being outdoors or at my cabin.

Chloe Muntefering
I am an occupational therapist and a PhD candidate in kinesiology- occupational science track. I am native to Flagstaff, AZ. I pursued my undergraduate in Kinesiology at Mississippi State University and my Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University. While practicing as an occupational therapist, I have worked in inpatient, outpatient pediatrics, and home health settings. My research interests include exploring ways to advance occupation-based preventative care and wellness interventions for adult populations.

SeiJin Na
I am a Ph.D. student in Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am interested in developing an optimal design of living environments for older adults in response to global aging. My research objective is to explore the design process for creating human-centered space and develop design guidelines. I am deeply interested in social issues that underlie the relationship between everyday environments and society and its impacts on the residents’ quality of life: health and well-being.
I received my Master of Architecture degree in architecture from Cornell University and my Bachelor of Architecture from Hongik University, Seoul, Korea.

Junha Park
I am a nurse and a second-year PhD student at UW-Madison School of Nursing. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of Korea in 2012. My past experience includes being a registered nursing in the medical intensive care unit at the Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. My program of research focuses on understanding the aging trajectories of people with long-standing physical disabilities and/or chronic conditions and exploring factors related to successful aging among the population.

Catherine Still
I am a first year OTD student and a member of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2020. During my gap year, I worked in home health care and as a mental health practitioner in the Twin Cities. I have not yet decided on a particular setting or population for my future career as an OT, but I have a heart for both geriatrics and mental health. I’m excited to be a part of the GHSRL team and learn more about how advancements in research can improve quality of life for older adults and their carepartners. In my free time I enjoy painting, checking out live music, and exploring all that Madison has to offer!