The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has named Judith Lucas, Ed.D., A.P.N., associate professor, and associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing as a fellow for her work in advancing social research policy and practice in the area of gerontology.

Associate Dean Lucas has focused much of her professional work on issues related to safety and the quality of care for geriatric populations living in community home care, assisted living and nursing homes. Her scholarship includes investigations evaluating clinical practice guidelines; Nursing Home (NH) transition programs; measuring long-term care (LTC) resident/family experience and state report cards; depression and psychological services in LTC. Her current research is focused on safety and regulatory factors affecting quality in long-term care (LTC); specifically, prescribing patterns, antipsychotic use and resident outcomes (e.g., injuries, mortality, neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia). Recent collaborative research on the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications (APM) in dementia care has influenced policy and education changes through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state agencies, long-term care organizations and practitioners.
Lucas's studies now examine the effects of recent federal policy changes on reduction of antipsychotic drug use in patients with dementia.

The status of fellow — the highest class of membership within the Society — is an acknowledgment of outstanding and continuing work in gerontology. This recognition can come at varying points in an individual's career and can acknowledge a broad scope of activity. This includes research, teaching, administration, public service, practice, and notable participation within the organization. Fellows are chosen from each of GSA's four membership sections.

The new fellows will be formally recognized during GSA's 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held from November 14 to 18 in Boston, Massachusetts. Full details of this conference are available at www.geron.org/2018.

Associate Dean Lucas has 30+ years of clinical experience, education and scholarship in Gerontology. She is committed to collaborative research that improves practice and health care outcomes for elders. Associate Dean Lucas has provided consultation to NHs, hospitals, and states on needs of older adults, consumer satisfaction, and Geriatric nursing for hospitalized elders. In 2015 she received the College's Faculty Researcher of the Year Award at the University. She serves as both associate professor, and associate dean for undergraduate programs
 in the College of Nursing and as an adjunct associate professor in the Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.