Dr. M. Catherine (Katie) Ehlman

Dr. Mary Catherine (Katie) Ehlman is professor of Gerontology, director of the Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness and recipient of the Hershel B. Whitney Endowed Professorship in Gerontology in the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. Ehlman is a licensed Indiana nursing home administrator and is a certified health education specialist. Since 2013, Ehlman has mentored over 40 students in graduate and undergraduate research and training projects. Her own research and scholarship in the areas of nursing home quality and student attitudes about aging have been published in numerous peer-reviewed and refereed publications.

Ehlman's efforts have been awarded more than $10 million dollars in grants, both internally and externally, where she is principal investigator. The most significant award includes the $5 million, five-year federal grant awarded in 2024 from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) for the USI Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). Recently, Ehlman successfully led a $3.7 million dollar 5-year multi-sector HRSA GWEP project ending in June of 2024.  Other recent projects include a CARES Act telehealth-funded initiative, funded by HRSA and connected with the GWEP, in the amount of $90,625. Additionally, Ehlman brought together a regional team to participate as a subawardee with Indiana University Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network funded at $70,000.

The work of the Bronstein Center for the Healthy Aging and Wellness has attracted $2,100,000 (2.1 million) in private foundation funding (Whitney Foundation and Bronstein Foundation). 

At USI, Ehlman helps plan the Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness and was a member of the project leadership team for USI’s MAGIC Project, a collaboration with renowned geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas. She also developed a nursing home administrator residency program resulting in USI becoming the first academic institution in the state of Indiana to create and implement an AIT Residency program. She is the past co-faculty sponsor for two gerontology student groups: STELLAR and Sigma Phi Omega (SPO). In conjunction with high performing students, Ehlman started the SPO chapter at USI.

Outside of the University, Ehlman is a member of the Indiana Governor’s Council on Aging, a member of the Indiana Dementia State Plan Advisory Group, Chair of the Dementia State Plan Workforce subcommittee, and member of the Indiana Multi-Sector Aging Plan Research committee. Ehlman is a current board member of the Charles Ford Home in New Harmony, Indiana, was a 6-year board member for the Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Indiana (SWIRCA & More), and completed consultation and service work with Southwest Regional Nursing Home Collaborative, is a past member of Sigma Phi Omega National Gerontology Honors Society, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, and the Gerontological Society of America, among other councils and advisory boards. Recently, she was also the head coach for the Evansville Harrison High School Girls Soccer Team (2019-2023).

In 2022 Ehlman was recognized with the University of Southern Indiana Faculty Recognition Award from the USI Alumni Association. In 2019, Ehlman was awarded the Dr. Jane Davis-Brezette Faculty Excellence Award in 2019 for her contributions to the success of USI student athletes through mentoring and classroom achievement. In 2017, she received the CNHP Excellence in Teaching award, and in 2016 with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Distinguished Honorary Member for Scholarship, Leadership and Service awarded by the USI NSCS chapter.

Certification/License

• Indiana Health Facilities Administrators License (license #: 14005127A through August 2025)
• Certified Health Education Specialist Certification (Certification #:11054 through March 2025)
• Positive Approach to Dementia Care (PAC) Certified Independent Trainer (Certification # 87; awarded in 2015; annually re-certified through Fall 2018;recertified # 3650 in 2024 through June 2026)
• Positive Approach to Dementia Care (PAC) Certified Independent Consultant (Certification #3748; Certified in 2024 through August 2026)
• Respecting Choices First Steps Certified Facilitator, March 6, 2017
• Respecting Choices Last Steps Certified Facilitator, January 16, 2018
• Respecting Choices Last Steps Certified Instructor, January 16, 2018
• Positive Approach to Dementia Care (PAC) Certified Independent Coach (Certification # 131; through October 2017)
• Missouri Nursing Home Administrator License (retired license #:5237 as of May 2013: held active license for 1999-2013)
• Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Professional Certification (as of 9/2009)

Professional Organizations

• Sigma Phi Omega, Past-President
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, past member
• Gerontology Society of America, member
• International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review, past member