Dr. Sharon E. McKenzie recently joined the FSS, Social Work Unit, as Lecturer. She was a tenured faculty at Kean University, NJ where she taught in the Recreation Administration and Recreational Therapy degree programs. She holds a PhD in Education with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, Gerontology, and Complimentary and Holistic Therapies from the University of Minnesota. Her current research includes examining the use of therapeutic activities and other psychosocial interventions to ameliorate memory loss in older adults; the role of care giving in communities and using an interdisciplinary approach to dementia caregiving.

She currently serves as a member of the editorial boards of the International Journal of Reminiscence and Life Review, Activities, Adaptation, and Aging Journal, and guest reviewer for the Caribbean Social Work Journal. Local community affiliations in Jamaica includes Alzheimer’s Jamaica, the Source Farm Ecovillage in St. Thomas, and the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey-Union Chapter (JON-J). Certifications include Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Certified Alzheimer’s Practitioners (CDP), Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional, and a Master Certified Health Coach.