Gerontology

Nancy Orel, Ph.D., LPC 

218 Health Center
(419)372-7768
norel@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Dr. Orel came to BGSU in 2000. Dr. Orel received her BA in Psychology from Bowling Green State University in 1978, her MA in Guidance from the University of Toledo in 1983, and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Toledo in 1999. Dr. Orel was previously an assistant professor of Gerontology at Lourdes College, and served as Assistant to the Editor at the Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision.

As a licensed professional counselor, Dr. Orel's professional experience includes over 15 years of clinical experience working with older adults. She was the Executive Director of the Washtenaw County Council on Aging, former member of both the Turner Geriatric Clinic Advisory Board and the Eastern Michigan University Gerontology Advisory Board.

Dr. Orel's teaching and research interests include qualitative studies exploring grandchildren's perceptions of grandparent-grandchild relationships, and grandchildren's perceptions of multigenerational care giving. Her current research interests include studies in gerontological counseling, and investigating the impact of disruptive life events (e.g., care giving, divorce) on retirement patterns among women of the Baby Boom generation.

Charlie Stelle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

229 Health Center
(419)372-8304
cstelle@bgsu.edu

Dr. Stelle received his Bachelor of Science in Studies in Aging in 1994 and his Master of Science in Administration of Aging Organizations in 1996 from the University of North Texas. He received his doctorate in Family Studies with an emphasis in aging families from the University of Connecticut in 2000. Dr. Stelle has received certificates for training in gerontology from both the University of North Texas and the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Stelle was an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University before joining the gerontology faculty at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Stelle’s past research experience includes work in the areas of social support networks of older adults and spousal loss.

Dr. Stelle’s current research interests include issues of older men and masculinity, social roles and transitions in later-life individuals and families, social support networks of midlife and aging adults, and patterns of grief and adaptations to bereavement.

Wendy K. Watson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

220 Health Center
(419) 372-1057
wwatson@bgsu.edu

Dr. Watson received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston in 1990. She received her Master of Science in 2000 and her Ph.D. in 2006, both in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. Dr. Watson served as a graduate instructor at Texas Tech University from 2002-2005 and also taught in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Bowling Green State University during 2006 and 2007. She joined the Gerontology Faculty at BGSU in 2007.

Dr. Watson’s dissertation explored issues of dating, sexual decision-making, sexuality, and remarriage for women in their sixties and seventies. Current projects and research interests include sex and sexuality, dating and remarriage, women’s identity development, and HIV/AIDS prevention for older adults. 

Patrick J. Doyle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

221 Health Center
(419) 372-9537
doylepj@bgsu.edu

Dr. Doyle graduated summa cum laude from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2007. He received his Master of Arts in Applied Sociology in 2010 and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.   

Dr. Doyle has over 15 years of applied experience in long-term care settings as a volunteer, employee, researcher, and educator. Dr. Doyle’s research has focused on understanding how organizational, environmental, clinical, social, and cultural factors influence the experiences and quality of life of people with dementia living in nursing home and assisted living settings. Much of his research has integrated people with dementia as meaningful participants in scientific inquiry. Through his research, he has developed an extensive knowledge of the unique concerns related to the ethical collection of valid and meaningful data from people with dementia.

Dr. Doyle was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County between 2011 and 2012. During this time, Dr. Doyle taught ‘Social Problems’ and ‘Contemporary Problems related to Aging in Society.’ Currently, Dr. Doyle is teaching the undergraduate and graduate sections of ‘Health and Aging’ and ‘Aging, Individual, and Society’ at Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Doyle serves on multiple national committees related to aging including, but not limited to, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education ‘Accreditation Task Force’ and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ‘Non-pharmacological Approaches to Dementia Care Research Group.’ Dr. Doyle is also an active member of the Gerontological Society of America, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, and Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education.