Dr. Sterns is interested in the quality of life of older adults in long-term care facilities. As a NIA pre-doctoral trainee, Dr. Sterns completed her dissertation research on the factors that impact the health and psychological well-being of older adults shortly following institutionalization. Using resident interviews, this study examined anticipatory socialization before moving to long-term care, stressors experienced in the institutions after moving, and internal and external resources that were available to the new residents to help them respond to a major change in their lives.

Dr. Sterns hopes to continue as a member of the full-time faculty after completion of her post-doctoral training and to build on her previous research to improve the quality of life of older adults. Currently, she is involved in mentored post-doctoral research that includes studies of culture change. Her primary fellowship mentor is Susan Allen, who has a long history of studying home care issues among people with chronic conditions and disabilities. Her secondary mentor is Susan Miller, a gerontologist and epidemiologist who pursues health services and policy research, and whose work has focused on NH and hospice care.  In addition to her post-doctoral work at Brown, she is teaching research methods at Rhode Island College.

Dr. Sterns is an active member of the Gerontological Society of America, American Geriatric Society, Toastmasters International, New York State Society on Aging, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the American Public Health Association.

Dr. Sterns holds a BA (Magna Cum Laude) from Case Western Reserve University in Gerontological Studies and Communication Disorders; a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University. The doctoral program has a focus on aging, medical sociology, and methodology. In 2005, she received the Marie Haug Student Award in Recognition for Excellence in Aging Studies from Case Western Reserve University. 

Selected Publications:

Sterns. S. (2007). Transitioning to Long-Term Care. VDM Verlang publishing.

Deimling, G., Sterns, S., Bowman, K., Kahana, B. (2007). Functioning and Activity Participation Restrictions among Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors. Cancer Investigation, 25(2): 106-116.

Sterns, S., Kahana, E. (2006). Institutional Constraints on Residents in Long-term Care Facilities for the elderly. Research in the Sociology of Health Care, 24.

Deimling, G. T., .Sterns, S., Bowman, K. F., Kahana, B. (2006). Functioning and Perceived Activity Restrictions among Older Adult, Long-term Cancer Survivors. Cancer Investigation.

Deimling, G., Bowman, K., Sterns, S., Wagner, L., Kahana, B. (2005). Cancer-related Worries and Psychological Distress among Older Adult, Long-term Cancer Survivors.  Psycho-Oncology, 25(4): 306-320. Published online www.interscience.wiley.com

Deimling, G. T., Sterns, S., Bowman, K. F., Kahana, B.  (2005). The Health of Older adult, Long-term Cancer Survivors. Cancer Nursing, 28 (6): 415-424.