Vivian J. Miller, Ph.D., MSSA, LMSW

BIOGRAPHY

Vivian J. Miller, PhD, MSSA, LSW is Assistant Professor in Social Work and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Additionally, Vivian currently serves as Director of the Optimal Aging Institute (OAI). Vivian has practice experience working with older adults across the care continuum. She earned her PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and, originally from the Cleveland-area, Vivian is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University's Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) program and Cleveland State University’s Bachelor of Social Work program.  

Vivian’s research extrapolates on her practice experience with a focus in gerontology and social work across three areas:  (1) various factors that facilitate social connection among older adults, such as technology and transportation, (2) social work and social policy to promote the well-being of vulnerable, marginalized older adults (e.g., residents of nursing homes, caregivers, low-income older adults, racially and ethnically diverse older adults), and (3) gerontological- social work education. Vivian has received internal and extramural funding in support of her research; she has numerous articles published in top-tier academic journals including: Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Journal of Social Work Education, Aging & Mental Health, and the Journal of Gerontological Social Work.  

Vivian serves as Board member for the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGE-SW), Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education, and Otterbein Otterbein Pemberville SeniorLife Community. 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Tonui, B., Miller, V.J., & Adeniji, D. (2022). Older Immigrant Adults Experiences with Social Isolation: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta Synthesis. Aging & Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2068131  

Miller, V.J., Fields, N.L., Anderson, K., & Kusmaul, N. (2021). “Please don't let academia forget about us:” An Exploration of Nursing Home Social Work Experiences during COVID-19. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 65(4), 450-464. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2021.1978027  

Miller, V.J., Fields, N.L., Anderson, K., & Kusmaul, N. (2020). Nursing Home Social Workers Preparedness and Coping for COVID-19. Journal of Gerontology: Series B Social Sciences, 76(4), e219-e224. http://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa143