Closing Session and Remarks

Dr. Farkas is a Professor (Clinical) at Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University, authoring or co-authoring over 165 journal articles and book chapters, 4 textbooks, and 10 multimedia training packages for professionals and peers.

As a member of the founding group that established the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, under the direction of Dr. William A. Anthony, Dr. Farkas has worked in various capacities in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery, including contributing to developing the knowledge base and competencies that make up the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. She currently is, or recently has been the Principal Investigator or the co-Principal Investigator of 5-year Federal grant awards on various topics: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging Among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses; Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Psychiatric Disabilities; Integrated Scaling Up Approach for Employment Interventions; Center for Knowledge Translation on Employment Research and Preventing and Addressing Multiple Stigma and Prejudice in the Workplace for People with Psychiatric Disabilities.

She has developed and delivered innovative training, consultation and organizational change strategies to support programs and systems in their efforts to adopt psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery innovation both in the U.S. and in more than 30 countries around the world. She is currently on several International Advisory Boards; serves as the President for the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR); a past President of the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (NARRTC); Past Chair of the International Network of Recovery Colleges; a Visiting Professor at several European universities; a member of the W.H.O. Expert Panel on Rehabilitation and Schizophrenia and a peer reviewer for numerous professional journals, among other roles.

Dr. Farkas has been recognized with multiple awards from the field as an educator, innovation leader and advocate/ researcher, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from NYAPRS. She received the National Commendation Award from NARRTC for “pioneering scientific advances that have helped transform research on mental health and rehabilitation systems and being at the forefront of a paradigm shift that has helped practitioners, families, and society, as a whole, to see capacity and potential in all people, including those with psychiatric disabilities”.

Bailey Rickels is the adult injury prevention coordinator for the University of Iowa Health Care Level 1 Trauma Center. She graduated with her Master of Public Health with an emphasis in community and behavioral health in 2021 from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. She graduated with her bachelors degree in criminal justice with minors in legal studies, psychology, and writing in 2018 from Mount Mercy University. She currently serves as the co-director on an ACL falls prevention grant and is certified as a health education specialist, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention instructor, Seated Tai Chi instructor, and Stepping On facilitator. Bailey has a passion for working with older adults in her community and beyond.

Amanda Krisher, MSW, LCSW, brings over 15 years of direct practice and program management experience to the National Council on Aging where she serves as the Associate Director for Behavioral Health in the Center for Healthy Aging. A seasoned professional in the older adult care industry, she previously was the Senior Director for a live virtual training program for older adult care professionals and a clinical social worker for a community health program and hospice organization. She received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore and is a Licensed Certified Clinical Social Worker in Maryland and Virginia. As a leader in older adult care, she has presented at national conferences and statewide meetings.