Dr. Katie Greenan receives $25,000 for research program

Assistant Professor of Communication and Faculty Fellow for the Center for Aging & Community Dr. Katie Greenan received a $25,000 donor gift for a pilot program. Greenan will lead a communication program to train and certify healthcare professionals who work with older adults and individuals living with disabilities in the Indianapolis community. 

Greenan designed the program to educate and equip healthcare professionals with the necessary communication skills and strategies to have purposeful conversations with patients about end-of-life decisions, family matters, conflict/management, loneliness, isolation, and mental and sexual health. 

“There is a need to provide skills-based learning to healthcare leaders throughout Indianapolis and the state,” said Greenan. “I aim to enhance and refine healthcare professionals’ communication skills by increasing their ability to connect and engage with patients more effectively.” 

The program will begin in April and consists of 15 hours of communication training. Upon completing course requirements, participants will receive 15 continuing education credits and a certificate in communication training. The Nelle Worthington Fund will cover all program costs for participants. 

“My goal for this project is to provide a foundation to conduct future programs on a larger scale throughout Indiana and beyond,” said Greenan.

Greenan is collaborating with UIndy’s Center for Aging & Community (CAC) and CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions. CAC was launched in 2001 to transform the well-being of older adults throughout Indianapolis and the state. CICOA has carried out a mission of helping older adults and people with disabilities and provides caregiving, meals, transportation, and housing support services.