Elaine T. Jurkowski, MSW, PhD, is Professor and Interim Director, Southern Illinois University Carbondale's School of Social Work, where she holds a joint appointment with the Department of Health Education. Her published research articles have focused on the topics of health disparities, access to mental health and health care services, aging, and disability issues. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, HRSA, The Hartford Foundation, the Health and Human Services Administration, the Administration on Aging, and the Illinois Department on Aging. Dr. Jurkowski has