A few years later, Stefanie moved to Ann Arbor to begin her graduate studies at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.  While in graduate school, Stefanie studied interpersonal practice, health, and aging, and interned in the older adults and neurotrauma rehabilitation programs at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, and at the Turner Geriatric Clinic and Silver Club Memory Program at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.  She received a Master in Social Work and a Specialist in Aging certificate, and was inducted into Sigma Phi Omega – the national academic and professional society in gerontology.

In 2004, Stefanie was appointed counselor/care manager at the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Southfield, MI, where she worked with individuals with memory loss and their care partners.  During this time, she was also an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and at Eastern Michigan University where she taught graduate level courses memory loss, aging, and family dynamics.  In addition, she taught Adult Abuse and Neglect Prevention (AANP) to professional care providers thoughout SE Michigan on behalf of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.

Nearly five years later, the University of Michigan School of Social Work offered Stefanie a management position.  This opportunity afforded her the best of both worlds – teaching clinical social work to students pursuing a career in aging, and managing a unit within the School. Concurrently, Stefanie also provided consulting services to a local gero-psychiatry practice participating in two clinical research trials for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment intervention.

Stefanie began her private practice in geriatric care management in 2013.  She is a member of the Aging Life Care Association™ and the National Association of Social Workers.