Her educational background is in clinical psychology with an emphasis in gerontology. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, she was on faculty at the University of California, Los Angeles as an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics, Borun Center for Gerontological Research (1998-2006). Her current clinical appointments include staff member at the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging and the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Administration.