Dr. Theeke’s research emphasizes the development of interventions that target loneliness as a psychosocial stressor that impacts overall health. Her pilot data indicate that loneliness is a significant problem for rural older adults and that it is associated with poor health perception and diminished quality of life. Her research will examine the efficacy of a story-sharing intervention on diminishing loneliness and its negative sequelae, including physiological stress measures, chronic illness measures, and quality of life. Dr. Theeke’s long-term goal is to maintain a research focus on the interaction of psychosocial factors, health, and quality of life for older adults. Dr. Theeke’s work is derived from her clinical practice in gerontology and family practice.