2026 Leon and Josephine Winkelman Memorial Lecture

About the Presenter

Dr. Namkee Choi, PhD, will be delivering the 2026 Leon and Josephine Winkelman Memorial Lecture.

Choi’s primary research focuses on depression in late life and improving access to depression treatment for low-income homebound older adults. Her earlier NIMH-funded study (R34 MH083872) was the first to test feasibility and efficacy of delivering problem-solving therapy (PST) for homebound older adults via home-based, low-cost videoconferencing methods. This project (tele-PST) was evaluated very successful in terms of its potential for both clinical and cost effectiveness. In her next NIMHD-funded research (1R01MD009675), Choi and her team compared clinical and cost effectiveness of tele-behavioral activation (tele-BA) by bachelor’s-level counselors to that of tele-PST by licensed mental health clinicians, both aging-service integrated, for depressed homebound older adults. In the face of professional mental health provider shortages, this study provided empirical data for the potential for lay mental health providers and teledelivery for older adults who are underserved by the existing mental health service system. In her current research (2R01MD009675; 2021-2026), Choi’s team is testing clinical and cost effectiveness of integrated tele-BA and fall prevention by lay counselors/coaches.

Her other areas of research include suicide in late life, impact of substance misuse on older adults, mental health and substance abuse treatment use, disparities in health status and healthcare utilization, minority aging, and technology and aging services.

Choi had served on the editorial boards of several gerontology journals and as an expert reviewer for many journals in gerontology, mental health, substance misuse, and social work. She has published extensively in gerontology, mental health, and substance misuse journals.

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About the Leon and Josephine Winkelman Memorial Lecture Series:

The Leon and Josephine Winkelman Lecture Series was established at the University of Michigan School of Social work by the Winkelman brothers - Stanley J., John, Frederick R., and Henry R. - as a memorial to their parents.

The lecture series provides a forum for the presentation of new and emerging knowledge from the social sciences and the helping professions in the field of gerontology and for the discussion of the applications of such knowledge to the development of social policy, the organization and management of social welfare services, and the delivery of social work services.

This is a hybrid event. CE will only be offered to those who attend in-person.