Holly Jean Coward, MD is the director of the Geriatric Evaluation Clinic.

The Geriatric Evaluation Clinic serves frail patients, 60 and older, who face complex medical, social and psychiatric problems. Patients are usually referred by their primary care physicians. The clinic provides comprehensive assessment and evaluation by an experienced interdisciplinary team. For appointment information, call 919 – 966 – 1459.

Team Approach - Our clinic may run differently than other clinics you have visited because we use a team approach. This information sheet has tips to help prepare you for your visit with us so you will better know what to expect.

Telephone Interview - You may receive a call one week before your visit from either a the nurse practitioner, or a pharmacist, or your doctor. We want to understand your needs and your family’s needs. We want to gather information to share with the team so you don’t have to answer too many of the same questions.

Length of Appointment - You will be seen by a team of health care professionals who specialize in the care of older patients. The team may include a doctor, a nurse practitioner, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a pharmacist, and a social worker. The visit may take longer than you are used to. Please plan to be here for 2 to 3 hours. You might want to bring a snack and a drink.

Bring all your medications with you - Please bring all the medicine you are taking (including vitamins, herbal supplements, and non-prescription medications) to all your visits at the clinic.

Medical Records and Referral Letter - Please bring your medical records from outside the UNC Hospitals system. You can send these records to the clinic before your visit by completing and signing the enclosed Medical Release Form, sending it to your current health provider, and having them mail or fax us your records. If you have asked your primary care doctor from outside UNC Hospitals to refer you to the clinic, please be sure that your doctor has mailed or faxed a written referral before your appointment. Our fax number is (919) 843-9355.

Family Members - We would like family members to join you in the visit, if possible. During the appointment, you and your family will have time to speak individually to members of the health care team.

Location - The clinic is located in the medicine clinic on the 3rd floor of the Ambulatory Care Clinic (ACC) at UNC. This is located off Mason Farm Road, which can be reached from South Columbia Street. Wheelchairs are available at the front door.

For further information, please call 919-966-5945 extension 251.

Nurses at the Geriatric Evaluation Clinic work together to help patients who come to the clinic.

Link to Ambulatory Care Center at UNC Hospitals

Last updated 8/16/2007.