Barbara earned her undergrad degree from Brandeis University, and Master of Social Work from Boston College.

Barbara is a long-term staff member at Massachusetts General Hospital and has been a staff member of the MGH Department of Social Work, and became the founding social worker for the MGH Geriatric Medicine Department, through which she designed and directed a program for vulnerable older adults in the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital.  She has expertise in the continuum of care from community to acute care and post-acute care options for older adults.

She has frequently been recognized for her work. For example, Barbara wrote the DVD and accompanying workbook for Alzheimer’s caregivers entitled Family Matters-Coming Together for Alzheimer’s. Additionally, in 2007, she was the recipient of the Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award through the MGH-affiliated Kenneth B. Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Barbara is a frequent speaker to local community groups, college students, and social work students, and participates in panels regarding the challenges of living with Alzheimer’s and caregiving.