EXPERTISE
Gerontology
Intimate Partner Violence
Chronic Illness Management
Health Outcomes
Interprofessional Education
FACULTY PROFILE
Dr. Renee A. Garbe (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Governors State University. She obtained her MSW from the University of Iowa’s School of Social Work in 2012 and her PhD in Social Work from Arizona State University in 2021. Her research agenda focuses on issues impacting older adults and social work practice in healthcare. She is particularly interested in the impact of gender-based violence, such as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), over the life course on the health and mental health outcomes of older adult women.
She is also interested in the impact of social determinants of health on later-life IPV experiences, health outcomes, and mental health outcomes. Her previous practice experience as a licensed medical social worker in a nonprofit accountable care organization influences her research and teaching interests. She had the privilege of working on an interdisciplinary, collaborative healthcare team across several medical facilities that served a variety of ages, from infants in the neonatal intensive care unit to older adults in palliative and hospice care. Related to these areas of research, practice, and interprofessional education, she teaches human behavior in the social environment, social work in healthcare, and aging policy and practice courses.
She brings her pedagogical approach of experience and reflection in all aspects of her teaching. She invites students to meet with her individually to discuss her clinical experiences working within multidisciplinary healthcare settings. Students are welcome to meet with her to not only discuss issues related to their enrolled classes, but also any general questions or concerns related to achieving success in their degree or in the field of social work.
As a first-generation college graduate, she welcomes opportunities to talk with students about the complexities of navigating the completion of a college degree. She strives to create a classroom environment that is structured and supportive of students’ experiences, which provides framing for students to value their current and future clients’ experiences and engage in informed, self-aware, and self-reflective practice.
Curriculum Vitae