UNC’s Zimmerman honored with career achievement award

by Matthew Smith

A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work faculty member is once again being recognized for her impact, this time by one of the field’s most prominent organizations.

Sheryl Zimmerman, a university distinguished professor and the School’s associate dean for research and faculty development, has earned the 2024 Distinguished Career Achievement Award from the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). She will be presented the award at SSWR’s annual conference in January.

The prestigious honor recognizes Zimmerman’s scholarship, research, innovation, professional impact and major contributions to the field’s knowledge development. Founded in 1994, SSWR includes more than 1,800 members from 16 countries, representing more than 200 universities and institutions. The society’s representatives include faculty members, research staff and professional students.

“I’m gratified that the research my colleagues and I have conducted has been recognized for its importance,” Zimmerman said. “For too long, the well-being of older adults has taken a back seat to that of other populations.”

Zimmerman received her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before earning her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Before joining UNC in 1997, she held faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. Zimmerman was named a Kenan Flagler Bingham Distinguished Professor in 2009 and is the School’s director for aging research. She also serves as co-director for the Program on Aging, Chronic Illness and Long-Term Care with the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and is the executive director for the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living at UNC (CEAL@UNC).

Research impact

Internationally recognized for her research in long-term care services and support for older adults, Zimmerman’s scholarship combats the oppression and disenfranchisement of vulnerable seniors and their care providers.

Earlier this year Zimmerman was selected to partner on an $81 million dementia care workforce grant in partnership with the University of Michigan. In all, she’s been a part of more than 120 grants, written five books and published 419 peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Her work has been cited more than 25,500 times while being recognized as the highest impact social work scholarship in the field of gerontology.

“Sheryl’s work of more than 25 years at UNC has established the university and the School of Social Work as the preeminent leader in assisted living research in the nation,” Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson said. “Her efforts have brought together experts and institutions from across the country to better the lives of people in assisted living from those seeking care to those providing care. Her collaborative efforts have not gone unnoticed and we’re proud of the work she’s done and will continue to lead.”

Along with her research into advancing the well-being of older adults, her work has consistently focused on the individuals who provide them care. That workforce primarily includes vulnerable populations.

Gary Bowen, former dean of the School, said in his nomination letter for Zimmerman that she’s been instrumental in the success of the School and its students.

“… the breadth, depth and impact of Dr. Zimmerman’s research — in combination with her focus on oppressed and disenfranchised populations, collaborative and translational work, mentorship and editorial leadership, and efforts on behalf of social work — make her a highly deserving and ideal candidate for the SSWR Distinguished Career Achievement Award.”

Leadership and mentorship

In addition to her faculty responsibilities and scholarship achievements, Zimmerman takes on numerous leadership and mentorship roles.

With the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Zimmerman has secured funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Alzheimer’s Association, among others. The center has conducted work in more than 700 assisted living settings over the last 15 years.

“Dr. Zimmerman’s visionary leadership and commitment to partnership have built the Program on Aging, Chronic Illness and Long-Term Care into a globally recognized leader in dementia care research,” said Mark Holmes, director of the Sheps Center. “Furthermore, Dr. Zimmerman’s passion for making a difference in peoples’ lives makes her a valued mentor and wonderful colleague who shares her experience and wisdom with the next generation of researchers.

“I could not be happier to see her honored with this award. It is much deserved for a pillar of the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research community of scholars.”

Zimmerman has made it a priority to guide her fellow colleagues and the next generation of social workers. She’s mentored more than 60 students during her career and has served as the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine/Journal of the American Medical Directors’ Association.

Despite the career achievement designation, Zimmerman is looking forward to what comes next.

“At this point in my career, I’m optimally positioned to be the bridge between the research, practice and policy worlds,” Zimmerman said. “It’s not research for research’s sake; it’s research to truly make a difference.”

Zimmerman will be presented the award on Jan. 13. Learn more about this year’s SSWR conference.

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