معرفی
Dr. Rebecca Utz is Professor of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Utah, with adjunct appointments in Family & Consumer Studies and the College of Nursing (Gerontology). She serves as Senior Associate Dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Science and has been a faculty member since 2004. Her interdisciplinary work bridges sociology, gerontology, and health services research with practical applications for family caregivers.
Dr. Utz earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan (2004) following a Master's degree in gerontology (long term care administration) from Miami University. Her academic path reflects integration of theoretical sociological perspectives with applied gerontological knowledge.
Her research centers on health and aging in America, specifically examining how families manage end-of-life and chronic disease care transitions. As a lifecourse sociologist, she investigates bereavement/widowhood, family caregiving dynamics, and develops supportive interventions for caregivers, particularly in dementia care, respite services, and advance care planning. Her work consistently emphasizes community-engaged approaches that directly address caregiver needs.
Dr. Utz's recent scholarship reveals an evolving trajectory toward technology-enhanced interventions for caregivers, with growing emphasis on digital inequality considerations, rural-urban disparities in caregiving resources, and innovative approaches to advance care planning for dementia patients. Her research increasingly examines how family structure influences end-of-life care experiences and outcomes.
Her significant contributions have been recognized through numerous honors:
- Distinguished Teaching Award (2017, University of Utah)
- Distinguished Mentor Award (2016, University of Utah Graduate School)
- W. Fred Cottrell Distinguished Alumni Award (2016)
- Fellow, Gerontological Society of America (2012)
- Superior Research Award (2012)
- Superior Teaching Award (2010)
As an educator, Dr. Utz teaches research methods, epidemiology, population studies, and families & health courses while mentoring numerous students in hands-on research experiences. Her substantial grant portfolio includes major projects like 'The Center for Dementia Respite Innovation' and 'Leading End-of-Life Dementia Care Conversations,' demonstrating sustained funding for impactful caregiver research.
Dr. Utz actively contributes to research infrastructure through leadership in the Consortium for Families & Health Research and the Family Caregiving Collaborative. She serves on the Utah Special Committee of Family Caregiving and influences national policy as a delegate to the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, effectively bridging academic research with practical applications for family caregivers.
