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My name is Dr. Kathleen “Dr. Kat” Wiggins. I am originally from Louisiana, so I love good Creole food. The following is just a little bit about me.
I received my AA degree in Nursing (RN) from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. I received my bachelor’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in health service administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills. My MBA is from the University of Phoenix with an emphasis in Health Care Management. I also received my master’s degree in Gerontology/Aging Services Management and Social Work from the University of Southern California. I completed my Doctoral degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. My dissertation study was Facility Administrators’ Assessment of Quality of Long-Term Care in Southern California Facilities: A Qualitative Study. My study was to find the most effective strategies to utilize limited resources and ultimately improve the quality of eldercare.
My professional experience includes a significant tenure as a state employee with the Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing Division in Woodland Hills and Riverside, California. In this role, I oversaw Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly and Adult Residential Facilities, ensuring their compliance with the regulations and guidelines set by the DSS. I also served as a Program Supervisor with the Department of Aging and Adult Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
I am primarily interested in conducting qualitative research in the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on gerontology and the quality of care. I am interested in investigating the healthcare experiences of aging populations and the various factors that impact the quality of care they receive. Using qualitative methodologies, I seek to identify important details of interactions between patients and healthcare providers and evaluate how well healthcare policies are meeting the specific requirements of older persons. This strategy enables me to understand the complexities of healthcare delivery, guaranteeing that the opinions and experiences of this significant demographic, along with other demographics, are fully understood and effectively dealt with in healthcare environments.
I love to shop, travel, and play the piano. I also love Football and Basketball. If you catch me at a game, don't be afraid to say hi! That said, I am a massive Saints and Lakers fan, so I am always open to discussing sports. I love movies as well. I am an enormous fan of Marvel, Star Wars, and John Wick. When I am not teaching, I am typically watching movies with my son!