Dr. Katarina Friberg Felsted is an Associate Professor in the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program in the College of Nursing at the University of Utah, and holds a PhD in Nursing Research as well as an MS in Gerontology. Dr. Felsted is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Health & Kinesiology in the College of Health.
In 2022, Dr. Felsted ended her 2-year presidency of Sigma Phi Omega, the international academic honor and professional society of gerontology.
In 2020, Dr. Felsted, in collaboration with Dr. Jackie Eaton, received one of four seed grants from GSA-AGHE, funded by AARP, to promote Age-Friendly University principles on campus. This grant was completed in March 2022.
Drs. Felsted and Eaton are now pursuing the Age-Friendly University Global Network Endorsement at the University of Utah.
In 2019, Dr. Felsted was awarded the Rising Star Early Career Faculty Award from the Gerontological Society of America's Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education. She was also named one of the Nursing Alumni Scholar 2019 List of People Shaping the Nursing Profession by the College of Nursing Jonas/Veteran Healthcare Scholars.
In 2018, Dr. Felsted was appointed the Faculty Fellow of the Utah Geriatric Education Network (UGEC), of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). Katarina has a strong commitment to excellence in teaching in higher education, and has earned her Higher Education Teaching Specialist designation through the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at the University of Utah.
As a gerontological researcher, Dr. Felsted's scholarly emphases include age-friendly university networks, the use of complementary and integrative therapies to treat chronic conditions in older adults, and the impact of gerontology in higher education.
Dr. Felsted has published a book, several book chapters, and over 20 articles in various scholarly and academic journals. She has given over 50 presentations at national and international conferences as well as many invited lectures and speeches.
Dr. Felsted serves as the Wellness and Integrative Health Ambassador and Liaison on the Health Sciences campus for the College of Nursing. Dr. Felsted also co-founded the Wellness Committee in the College, which contributed to the incorporation of “Fostering Wellbeing” as one of the five values of the College of Nursing.