Johnson-Turpin Center: Executive Leadership

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Jung Kwak, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Interim Director of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing 
Associate Professor

Interim Director of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing and Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, Dr. Jung Kwak is a gerontological researcher whose work focuses on improving dementia care and caregiving through psychosocial interventions, palliative care research and health professions education.

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Gayle Timmerman, PhD, RN, CNS, FNAP, FAAN

Interim Co-Director of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing 
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs 
Professor

Interim Co-Director of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and a Professor in the School of Nursing, Dr. Gayle Timmerman's research focuses on mindful eating and self-management interventions to improve dietary habits and health outcomes, particularly among individuals with chronic conditions such as kidney disease.

Jacki Hecht

Jacki Hecht, RN, MSN

Project Coordinator of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing 

Jacki Hecht is a masters’ level oncology clinical nurse specialist with over 35 years of experience in clinical and community health promotion research. Ms. Hecht is internationally known for her expertise as a motivational interviewing (MI) trainer. She has served as the Managing Director of the Center for Health Equity Research at UT Austin School of Nursing where she has developed and delivered numerous Community-based wellness projects and Community Health Worker (CHW) trainings to address physical and mental well-being. She has also dedicated over 20 years to Behavioral Medicine at The Miriam Hospital and Addictions Research at Butler Hospital in Providence, RI where she has designed, delivered, and provided training for numerous research studies involving MI and health promotion. 

Kelli Plack

Kelli Plack

Administrative Assistant of Johnson-Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing