Meet the Instructor

David La Fazia

Assistant Teaching Professor, UW School of Social Work

David La Fazia is a social worker with more than 30 years of experience working with older adults and their family caregivers. He’s the director of the UW Certificate in Gerontology program and co-chair of the clinical social work specialization at the University of Washington School of Social Work, where he earned his Ph.D. in social welfare.

La Fazia’s research has focused on serving vulnerable and underserved populations, especially LGBTQ+ older adults and caregivers. He’s studied interventions for treating mood, behavioral problems and sleep disturbance in older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. He also helps assisted living residences, agencies and organizations implement programs to improve the lives of persons with dementia and their family, nonfamily and chosen caregivers. La Fazia's clinical social work experience includes serving Providence Health System in assisted living, nursing center, sub-acute rehab, adult day health and the community of retired nuns at St. Joseph Residence.