Katarina Friberg-Felsted PhD, MS, FAGHE, FGSA, has been appointed as Assistant Dean of the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Utah College of Nursing — effective August 1, 2024. Her expertise as a leader, educator, and researcher will be instrumental in advancing the program’s mission to prepare the next generation of leaders in the field of aging.
“Dr. Friberg-Felsted's leadership as Interim Assistant Dean has significantly advanced our mission and programs, enabling our graduates to promote lifelong wellness, healthy aging across the life course, and a meaningful quality of life for individuals and their families,” said Marla De Jong, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN, Dean of the College of Nursing. “I am confident that her continued leadership as Assistant Dean will further develop the college’s capabilities in advancing the field of aging and improving health and quality of life throughout the life course.”
Friberg-Felsted worked alongside Associate Professor Jackie Eaton to achieve the University of Utah’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) designation. She has held various roles, including ambassador, chair, chair-elect, and member on numerous committees and boards, and was most recently appointed to the editorial board of the journal, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education.
Friberg-Felsted teaches three courses and oversees several hundred students in the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Health & Kinesiology within the College of Health. Her accolades include being a Fellow in the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, the Gerontological Society of America, and the Academy of Health Science Educators, as well as a Distinguished Educator in the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.
As a researcher, Friberg-Felsted focuses on age-friendly university networks, the use of complementary and integrative therapies to manage chronic conditions in older adults, and the broader impact of gerontology on higher education. Her innovative research will continue to drive the program’s initiatives and support its mission to enhance the quality of life for aging populations. Friberg-Felsted has authored a book and several book chapters, numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and given over 70 presentations regionally and nationally.
“I am honored to accept the role of Assistant Dean and continue my work with the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program,” said Friberg-Felsted. “I am passionate about and dedicated to fostering an environment where students from all backgrounds and disciplines can thrive. I look forward to the opportunity to advance the field of gerontology and shape the future of aging research and education.”
Friberg-Felsted holds a PhD in Nursing Research with a focus on cancer, aging, and end-of-life care from the University of Utah. For her dissertation research, she compared mindfulness-based stress reduction with the health enhancement program for urge urinary incontinence in older women. She also earned a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Utah, completing a project on wellness programs for senior living communities. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Composition from Brigham Young University and is a Higher Education Teaching Specialist, a designation awarded by the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at the University of Utah.