Kennedy Berner is a PhD student in Social Gerontology at Miami University and a graduate research assistant at the Scripps Gerontology Center. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and a Master’s in Health Informatics from the University of Findlay. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Kennedy taught graduate-level courses in health informatics at Findlay and will transition into a new instructional role at Miami this fall, where she will teach at the undergraduate level. Her research centers on empowering older adults in care planning and decision-making, with particular interests in advance care planning, serious illness communication, and patient autonomy. She is currently developing an educational guide to support older adults as they navigate end-of-life care conversations, with the goal of making complex topics more accessible and actionable. Kennedy is especially interested in improving care experiences for underserved populations, including veterans, through better communication and inclusive practices. Her work is grounded in a commitment to dignity, clarity, and choice for individuals facing serious illness.
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