Sarah Bogolub is a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work with a research focus on healthcare access and equity among diverse older adult populations. She completed her BS in Psychology in 2010 and her MSW in 2014, focusing on gerontology and migration/immigration studies. Additionally, she received a Master of Public Policy and Master of Bioethics in Health Policy at Loyola, which enhanced her understanding of policy implementation, resource allocation, and ethical dilemmas in healthcare. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Case Manager (CCM) with over 10 years of experience in direct practice and case management working with older adults and individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds. Her current role is as a Medical Management Specialist at Health Care Service Corporation, where she provides care coordination for older adults and individuals with disabilities through Medicaid-funded home and community-based waiver programs. Her academic research is informed by her clinical experience in non-profit and managed care organizations, which drives her commitment to addressing systemic inequities, with particular interest in reducing barriers to healthcare access for older adults, especially those faced by marginalized populations.
Her capstone project examines how social work leaders can develop more effective tailored interventions through the use of a comprehensive framework integrating feminist, critical disability, and intersectionality theories, participatory action, and community-based involvement to reduce healthcare access barriers, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for diverse older adults.
DSW Showcase Student Presentation
Sarah Bogolub
Sarah Bogolub, MSW, LCSW, Doctor of Social Work-Doctoral Candidate
Bridging the Gap: Addressing Healthcare Access Barriers for Diverse Older Adults Through an Integrated Framework Incorporating an Intersectional, Participatory Approach to Case Management in Healthcare
Concentration - Administrative Leadership
- Monday, April 28, 2025 -
- 1:00 pm
Abstract
Intersecting barriers affecting healthcare access disproportionately impact older adults in the United States, leading to inequities such as cultural and language differences, health literacy issues, lack of social support, isolation, economic disparities, relationships with healthcare providers, and the necessity for community-based solutions. This capstone presentation emphasizes how these barriers are exacerbated for individuals in marginalized groups and those with multiple intersecting identities. Case management social work is critical in addressing healthcare equity for older adults by ensuring access to services. However, established healthcare frameworks have not successfully addressed the barriers older adults face, the impact of intersectionality, and the importance of including older adults in the process. This capstone project explores the intersection of healthcare access barriers and systemic inequities faced by diverse older adult populations through integrating feminist, critical disability, and intersectionality theories. The integrated theoretical framework was used to create a resource guide for social worker case managers, facilitating a collaborative approach to identifying barriers and developing interventions for older adults through participatory action research (PAR). The guide includes a stratified risk assessment that enables case managers to address the barriers that older adults face through self-assessment, individual characteristics, health severity needs, cultural considerations, and lived experiences. This research aims to empower older adults and provide actionable solutions for social work professionals to bridge healthcare gaps and enhance their overall quality of life.