Erica Kathryn Husser

Erica Husser is a gerontologist and assistant research professor with the Hamer Center for Community Design in the Stuckeman School, College of Arts and Architecture. Her work focuses on individual, intergenerational, community, and public health with emphasis on organizational and social infrastructure that connects people and serves to strengthen healthy living and community resilience in the face of unstable and changing environmental conditions. Husser uses qualitative research methods and community-engaged research design to identify and address local needs.

Husser holds certificates in Climate Change and Health (from the Yale School of Public Health), and Mental Health First Aid. At the Hamer Center for Community Design, she leads the Healthy Environments Action Lab (HEAL), bridging health and well-being with design through research, student initiatives, and community engagement.

• Ph.D. in Human Development, Virginia Tech
• Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Virginia Tech
• M.S. in Human Development, Virginia Tech
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Victoria, (Victoria, British Columbia)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Kitt-Lewis, E., Husser, E. K., Behr, G., Brant, K., May-Cole, R., & Boltz, M. (under review). Leveraging Community Health Workers for Assessing and Addressing Climate-Related Environmental Health Risks and Emergency Preparedness. Journal of Primary Care and Health
• Rubio, O., Husser, E. K. (Co-Author), Wright, R., Berish, D. E., Whitaker, J., Boltz, M., & Fick, D. M. (2025). “I must be the one to change; he's doing the best he can”: Care Partner Evaluation Results from a 4-Part, In-Person, Dementia Community Education Program. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(2), 295-311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020295
• Husser, E. K. & Kitt-Lewis, E. (2024). Knowledge is power: Protecting older adults against high and sustained heat events. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(7), 3–5. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20240618-01
• Dhliwayo, R., Trivedi, S., Ngo, L., Fick, D. M., Inouye, S. K., Boltz, M., Leslie, D., Husser, E. K., Shrestha, P., & Marcantonio E., R. (2023). Factors associated with disagreement between clinician app-based ultra-brief Confusion Assessment Method and reference standard delirium assessments. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1(9). https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18690
• Husser, E. K. (2023). A jarring question to help unravel what really matters. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(10). https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20230915-03
• Sheber, M., McKnight, M., Liebzeit, D., Seaman, A., Husser, E. K., Buck, H., Reisinger, H., S., & Lee, S. (2023). Older adults’ goals of care in the emergency department setting: A qualitative study guided by the 4Ms framework. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.13012
• Kuzmik, A., Hannan. J., Boltz, M., Shrestha, P., Husser, E. K., Fick, D.M., Marcantonio, E.R. (2023). A pilot study testing the iOS UB-CAM delirium app. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18252.
• Berish, D., Husser, E., Knecht-Fredo, J., Sabol, J., Garrow, G., Hupcey, J., & Fick, D. (2022). Collaborating toward equity in Pennsylvania: The Age-Friendly Care, PA project. Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.14073.
• Leslie D. L., Fick, D. M., Moore, A., Inouye, S. K., Jung, Y., Ngo, L. H., Boltz, M., Husser, E., Shrestha, P., Boustani, M., Marcantonio, E. R. (2022). Comparative salary‐related costs of a brief app‐directed delirium identification protocol by hospitalists, nurses, and nursing assistants. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17789
• Marcantonio, E. R., Fick, D. M., Jung, Y., Inouye, S. K., Boltz, M., Leslie, D. L., Husser, E. K., Shrestha, P., Moore, A., Sulmonte, K., Siuta, J., Boustani, M., & Ngo, L. H. (2022). Comparative Implementation of a Brief App-Directed Protocol for Delirium Identification by Hospitalists, Nurses, and Nursing Assistants: A Cohort Study. Annals of internal medicine, 10.7326/M21-1687. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.7326/M21-1687.
• Emery-Tiburcio, E. E., Berg-Weger, M., Husser, E. K., Tumosa, N., Golden, R., L., Newman, M. H., Morley, J., Knecht-Fredo, J. M., Hupcey, J. E., Fick, D. M. (2021). The Geriatrics Education & Care Revolution: Diverse Implementation of Age-Friendly Health Systems. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17497.
• Armstrong, B., Habtemariam, D., Husser, E. K., Leslie, D. L., Boltz, M., Jung, Y., Fick, D. M., Inouye, S. K., Marcantonio, E. R., Ngo, L. (2021). A Mobile App for Delirium Screening. Journal of The American Medical Informatics Association Open. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab027.
• Husser, E. K., Fick, D. M., Boltz, M. Shrestha, P., Siuta, J., Malloy, S., Overstreet, A., Leslie, D. L., Ngo, L., Jung, Y., Inouye, S. K., Marcantonio, E. R., (2021). Implementing a Rapid, Two-Step Delirium Screening Protocol in Acute Care: Barriers and Facilitators. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 00: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17026.
• Motyl, C. M., Ngo, L., Zhou, W., Jung, Y., Leslie, D., Boltz, M, Husser, E., Inouye, S. K., Fick, D, Marcantonio, E. R. (2020). Comparative Accuracy and Efficiency of Four Delirium Screening Protocols. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(11): 2572–2578. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16711.
• Husser, E. K., Roberto, K. A., & Allen, K. R. (2020). Nature as nurture: rural older women’s perspectives on the natural environment. Journal of women & aging, Special Edition, 32(1), 44-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2019.1681889.
• Wenxiao, Z., Long, N. H., Inouye, K. S., Gallagher, J., Husser, E. K., Fick, D. M., & Marcantonio, E. R. (2019). Does a year have 6 months or 12? Implications for delirium detection among hospitalized older general medicine patients. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(3), 354–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4704-3.
• Husser, E. K., & Roberto, K. A. (2009). Older women with cardiovascular disease: Perceptions of initial experiences and long-term influences on daily life. Journal of Women & Aging, 21, 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952840802633529.
• Allen, K. R., Husser, E. K., Stone, D. J., & Jordal, C. E. (2008). Agency and error in young adults’ stories of sexual decision making. Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, 57, 517-529. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2008.00519.x
• Roberto, K. A., Gigliotti, C. M., & Husser, E. K. (2005). Older women’s experiences with multiple health conditions: Daily challenges and care practices. Health Care for Women International, 26, 672-692. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399330500177147

Book Chapters

• McDermott-Levy, R. & Husser, E. K. (in press). Climate Change and Health of the Older Adult. In Pillemer, K., & Ayalon, L. (Eds), Aging and Climate Change. Briston, UK: Policy Press.
• Roberto, K. A., & Husser, E. K. (2007). Social relationships: Resources and obstacles to older women’s health adaptations and well-being. In T. J. Owens, & J. J. Suitor (Eds.), Advances in life course research: Interpersonal Relations across the life course (pp. 383-410). New York: Elsevier Science. DOI: 10.1016/s1040-2608(07)12014-1

Presentations

• Husser, E. K., Garrow, G., McShane, M., Brant, K. P., Thompson, J. R. & Kitt-Lewis, E. (May 19, 2026). Engaging and Empowering Communities for Age-Integrated and Climate Ready Health and Social Services Systems. Presentation, Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. & Kitt-Lewis, E. (May 18, 2026). Emergency Preparedness, Age-Friendly Transformations, and the Role of Community Health Workers in Pennsylvania. Poster Presentation, Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Kitt-Lewis, E., Messner, E., Modene, R., Husser, E. K. (May 18, 2026). Caring for Patients and Planet: Nursing Led Supply Waste Reduction. Poster Presentation, Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (May 18, 2026). Health and Well-being. Networking Session Facilitator, Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. & Buck, P. (April 24, 2026). Climate Change and Aging: Influences on Older Adults’ Health and Preventive Actions to Protect Against Harm and Promote Resilience. Invited presentation to the Foxdale Village Retirement Community, State College, PA.
• Husser, E.K., Kitt-Lewis, E. Behr, G., McShane, M, & Boltz, M. (November 15, 2025). Age-Friendly and Climate Ready? The Importance of Climate Change to Age-Friendly Transformations. Paper presentation as part of a symposium at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.4319
• Garrow, G., Husser, E. K., Kitt-Lewis, E., Boltz, M., Davis, K. & Brandt, K. (October 9, 2025). A Community-Based Approach for Assessing Environmental Health Readiness among Community Health Centers in PA: Survey Results and Pathways Forward. PACHC Annual Conference & Clinical Summit, Lancaster, PA.
• Husser, E. K. & May-Cole, R. (October 6, 2025). Extreme Weather Events & Emergency Preparedness. Invited Presentation to the Quarterly Meeting of the Pennsylvania Association for Area Agencies on Aging, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K., Kitt-Lewis, E., Boltz, M., Davis, K., Brandt, K., Garrow, G., May-Cole, R., Noss, K., & Yordy, K. (May 19, 2025). Resilience and Equity in Addressing Climate Health (REACH): Survey Results from PA Federally Qualified Health Centers and Area Agencies on Aging. Poster Presentation, Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Nicoles, R. & Husser, E. K. (May 19, 2025). Bridging Research and Action: Climate Data & Tools. Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. & Rank, J. (May 6, 2025). Exploring Good Stewardship: Reciprocity as a Core Principle for Environmental Wellness Later in Life. Interactive presentation, the Centre County Geriatric Interest Network Conference, Port Matilda, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (March 27, 2025). Climate Change & Health: Why it Matters. Invited presentation for the Penn State Center for Nursing Research Seminar Series, State College, PA
• Husser, E. K. & Brant, K. (December 13, 2024). The Importance of Social Infrastructure for Strengthening Community Preparedness and Adaptation to the Health Challenges Associated with Climate Change. Invited presentation for GreenGov & Penn State Sustainability Webinar Series, online. Recording available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpxgxf6iyZo
• Berish, D. E., Knecht-Fredo, J., Husser, E., Fick, D. M., Boltz, M., Sabol, J., Garrow, G., & Hogue, A. (November 2024). Participant Evaluation of 4Ms Education Delivered by Age-Friendly Care, PA Using Project ECHO: 2020-2023, Poster Presentation, Annual Scientific Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, Seattle, WA USA, peer-reviewed/refereed. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.2936
• Husser, E. K. (July 26, 2024). Viewing Climate Risk and Preparedness through the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework. Invited presentation for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Region 3 (PA, DE, MD, WV, VA, and DC) and HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity webinar, Heat, Health and Equity: Impacts to Older Adults, Tools & Promising Practices, online. Recording available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96neIx8wC0
• Husser, E. K. & Knecht-Fredo, J. (July 22, 2024). Considerations for Age-Friendly Health Systems and Communities: Preparing and Protecting Older Adults from Influences of Climate Change. Invited presentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Working Group on Climate Change, online.
• Husser, E. K. (June 11, 2024). Age-Friendly Health Systems Implementation for Nursing Homes and Schools. Invited presentation to the Pennsylvania Teaching Nursing Home Collaborative, online.
• Husser, E. K. (May 14, 2024). Viewing Climate Risk and Preparedness through the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework. Poster presentation, Second Annual Penn State Climate Change Solutions Symposium, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (April 4, 2024). Understanding challenges and opportunities to address Environmental Determinants of Health among some of our most vulnerable community members: older adults. Invited presentation for a Primary Health Network (PHN) Project EHCO series, virtual.
• Husser, E. K. & May-Cole, R. (October 6, 2025). Extreme Weather Events & Emergency Preparedness. PA Association of Area Agencies on Aging October Membership Meeting, Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (November 11, 2023). Living with Dementia: An Interdisciplinary Community-Based Education Series to Empower Care Partners. Symposium Chair, Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Tampa, FL.
• Erica K. Husser, Rollin Wright, Janice Whitaker, Diane Berish, Olivia Rubio, & Fick, D. (November 11, 2023). Living with Dementia: Community-Based Care Partner Education Evaluation Results. Paper presentation as part of a symposium at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Tampa, FL.
• Whitaker, J., Berish, D., Rank, J., McGraw, M., Husser, E. K. (November 11, 2023). Memory Café Provides Intergenerational Engagement for LWD Care Partners’ Loved Ones. Paper presentation as part of a symposium at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Tampa, FL.
• Wright, R.M., Whitaker, J., Rubio, O., & Husser, E. K. (May 4, 2023). “Living with Dementia”: Comprehensive Dementia Education & Training for Care-Partners to Improve Skills and Preparedness​. Paper presentation, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
• Husser, E. K., Berish, D. E., & Garrow, G. (April 6, 2022). Age-Friendly Care PA: Collaborating Toward Equity. BHW All Grantee and Stakeholder Meeting, HRSA Health Workforce & Dept of Health and Human Services, Online, 189 in attendance, peer-reviewed/refereed, Invited. National.
• Husser, E. K., & Rubio, O. (July 5, 2022). Nursing and the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Care: An Opportunity for Intergenerational Growth and Connection. Poser presented at the inaugural meeting of the Pennsylvania Intergenerational Network (PIN), University Park, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (January 20, 2022). Understanding the Age-Friendly Care Movement in Pennsylvania. Invited presentation for the Penn State Intergenerational Think Tank, virtual.
• Berish, D. E., Husser, E. K., Garrow, G., & Knecht, J. (November 12, 2021). Engaging Isolated and Underserved Older Adults in 4Ms Care: Age-Friendly Care PA A Collaborative for Age- and Dementia Friendly Care. Symposium presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), virtual.
• Husser, E. K. (2021, August). What Matters: Spirituality and Health. Invited presentation for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program – Coordinating Center, peer sharing webinar series, virtual.
• Husser, E. K. (2021, March). Understanding Why Nature Matters to Older Rural Women. Invited presentation for the Penn State College of Nursing, Center for Geriatric Nursing (CGNE) Collaborative Seminar Series, virtual.
• Husser, E. K., Fick, D. M., Hupcey, J. E., Berish, D., Knecht-Fredo, J. M. (2020, November). Age-Friendly Care, PA: A Collaborative for Age- and Dementia-Friendly Care, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), virtual.
• Shrestha, P., Husser, E. K., Berish, D., Ngo, L., Boltz, M., Inouye, S. K., Marcantonio, E., Fick, D. M. (2020, November). Clinicians' Knowledge and Attitudes About Delirium Detection and Management. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, virtual.
• Husser, E. K., Shrestha, P., Gallagher, J., Boltz, M., Inouye, S. K., Boustani, M., Marcantonio E. R., Fick, D. M. (2018, November). Implementing a two-step delirium identification protocol with hospitalized older adults: A focused ethnography. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
• Malloy, S., Zhou, W., Ngo, L., Gallagher, J., Husser, E., Inouye, S., Fick, D. M., Marcantonio E. R. (2018, November). Creating a Cross-Walk Between Two Commonly Used Proxy-Based Measures of Cognitive Impairment: IQCODE and AD8. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
• Husser, E. K. (2015, December). Consideration of Sex as a Variable in Biomedical Research. Paper presented to leadership at the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and the Office of Extramural Research (OER), NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD.
• Husser, E. K. (2011, March). National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Glue Grants Assessment. Paper presented to meeting of NIGMS expert panel, NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD.
• Husser, E. K. (2008, February). Journey toward dissertation: The importance of mentorship and agency. Invited presentation for the McNair’s Scholars Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Husser, E. K. (2008, February). Rural older women’s perceptions of the natural environment. Invited presentation for The Graduate Women’s Research Series, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Husser, E. K., Gigliotti, C. M., & Roberto, K.A. (2007, November). Health, spirituality and environmental concern: Older women’s perspectives on the natural environment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA.
• Husser, E. K., Allen, K. R., Stone, D. J., & Jordal, C. E. (2007, November). From waiting it out to working it out: Students as sexual decision makers. Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Council on Family Relations, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Husser, E. K. (2007, February). “If you don’t take care of it, it don’t take care of you”: Older women’s perceptions of the natural environment. Poster presented at the annual Virginia Tech Graduate Student Association Research Symposium, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Husser, E. K., & Roberto, K. A. (2007, November). Symptoms of coronary heart disease: Older women’s treatment seeking behaviors. Poster presented at the Dean’s Forum on Health, Food, and Nutrition, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Roberto, K. R., & Husser, E. K. (2007, November). Rural older women: Managing daily health challenges. Poster presented at the Dean’s Forum on Health, Food, and Nutrition, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
• Husser, E. K. & Roberto, K. A. (2006, November). “It was like an elephant sitting on my chest”: Older women’s experiences with coronary heart disease. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Dallas, TX.
• Husser, E. K. & Roberto, K. A. (2006, February). Using computer assisted learning to inform nutrition specialists about working with older adults. Resource exchange presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Indianapolis, IN.
• Roberto, K.A., Husser, E. K. , & Gigliotti, C. M. (2005, November). ‘I don't do things like I use to’: Multiple ways in which older women reconcile daily life with chronic health conditions. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, FL.
• Husser, E. K. & Jarrott, S. E. (2005, November). Neighbors growing together: VT intergenerational programs [Motion picture]. Video presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, FL.
• Husser, E. K. (2005, October). Aging and the natural environment. Poster presented at the annual meeting of Grantmakers in Aging, Baltimore, MD.
• Roberto, K.A., Gigliotti, C. M., Husser, E. K., & Kemp, A. J. (2004, November). Rural older women’s experiences with chronic health problems: Daily challenges and care practices. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C.

• Healthy Environments Action Lab (HEAL), Hamer Center for Community Design
• Penn State Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
• Tressa Nese and Helen Discovich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE)
• Penn State Nese College of Nursing Sustainability Council
• Age-Friendly Universities, Penn State
• Gerontological Society of America
• Penns Valley Conservation Association

• Resilience and Equity In Addressing Climate Health