Meeting the Needs of an Aging Society and Providing Top-Quality Care for Older Adults
The College of Nursing Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence (HCGNE) originated from a significant ($300,000) grant, awarded by The John A. Hartford Foundation in 2012. For more than 12 years, the Hartford Foundation also supported faculty development and curricular change in the nation’s schools of nursing, including pre-doctoral and post-doctoral Hartford Scholarships. Dr. Ginette A. Pepper was the original Director of the CON HCGNE, followed by Dr. Linda Edelman, who retired in January 2025. Dr. Cathy Maxwell, who came to the CON in July 2024, now leads the HCGNE.
The University of Utah has a longstanding legacy of excellence and commitment to caring for older adults. The CON HCGNE now serves as a repository and resource for information and programs focused on improving the lives of aging adults in Utah and beyond. Visit this site regularly to stay informed about University of Utah activities, programs, resources, and valuable information on aging.
Our Goal
The goal of the University of Utah Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence is to serve as a repository and resource for information and programs that will ultimately improve the lives of aging adults. Our goal will be accomplished through regular postings of articles and information of interest to educators, clinicians, researchers, and the public. Additionally, one-hour virtual monthly meetings (held on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. [MT]) are open to University of Utah faculty and staff, as well as external individuals interested in staying informed about current events, research, and information related to aging. Each meeting will feature three 15-minute segments:
- Research on the Horizon: A presentation by U of U scholars and researchers (or invited speakers) who are conducting studies and other work related to aging.
- The Gero-Interprofessional Exchange: A presentation about one of the U of U initiatives to promote age-friendly care and excellence in gerontology education.
- The Biology of a Longer Life: Presented at an accessible level, this short segment focuses on the field of geroscience (the biology of aging), aiming to advance a broader understanding of the factors that influence aging at the cellular level.
The first monthly HCGNE meeting will be on January 21, 2026, at 8:00 am, with subsequent meetings every month (3rd Wednesday). A meeting agenda will be posted here in advance of the meeting. Click here for the Zoom link.
Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program
The Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program (GIP), housed in the College of Nursing, offers educational programs in aging, including a Master of Science degree, a Minor, and Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in Gerontology to students of all backgrounds. All fields and disciplines benefit from interdisciplinary gerontological education and expertise. Led by the GIP Assistant Dean, Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted, the GIP uses research, coursework, and service activities to establish graduates’ expertise in aging studies. GIP degrees and certificates launch multiple career paths and generations of leaders in the field of aging.
Education Programs
For students pursing a PhD, MS, or RN-BS in nursing, the Hartford Center provides specialty curriculum, along with the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program, for students who wish to specialize in geriatric care. Students can apply and be accepted to specialty cohorts with whom they progress through the program. Many courses in the PhD and RN-BS programs can be completed online.
Geriatric Specialty Cohort
Aging in Utah Today
