Shivani Kaushik, PhD, MSSW

Focus:

End-of-life care; loss and grief; bereavement; aging; correctional health care; and qualitative methods

Biography:

Dr. Shivani Kaushik has significant clinical experience as a medical social worker, with a special interest in end-of-life care and aging. Having resided in cities such as Montreal, Vancouver (BC), New York City, and Boston, she is well-versed in supporting diverse and vulnerable populations. She also possesses a great interest and vast knowledge in working with and supporting individuals who have experienced loss and/or anticipatory grief. With her extensive practice experience in end-of-life and bereavement care practices, she has transcended this knowledge to explore end-of-life care interventions in correctional settings, specifically peer-support programming. Dr. Kaushik published the first systematic review of compassionate release policies in the United States (2023) and has shared her knowledge at 30 (and counting) national and international conferences. Dr. Kaushik also served as a VPR Research Fellow at Colorado State University and is excited to join FIU’s Social Work team to continue her plight to enhancing end-of-life care for all.

Education:

• Colorado State University, Ph.D.
• Columbia University, MSSW
• University of Calgary, BSW
• McGill University, BA

Publications:

Kaushik, S., & Currin-McCulloch, J. (2023). Dying for a change: A systematic review of compassionate release policies. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 19(1), 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijph-11-2021-0110

Kaushik, S., & Currin-McCulloch, J. (2022). Louisiana State Penitentiary: A textual analysis of correctional staff views on end-of-life care. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 28(4), 220–226. https://doi.org/10.1089/jchc.20.09.0077