2020 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD is an invited speaker for the Health Sciences Presidential Symposium at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting. The presidential symposium on “The Past, Present and Future of Health Sciences Research” will showcase junior and senior researchers’ perspective on how their science began, ways their research … Continued

Maureen Dale, MD, took the reins of the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s Fellowship program in 2020, following in Dr. Margaret Drickamer’s footsteps as Program Director. Dale’s passion for geriatrics, patient care, and mentoring the next generation of Geriatricians stand out to colleagues and Fellows. You’ve been Associate Director of the Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine since … Continued

Through a third round of funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), UNC’s Medical Students Training in Aging Research – MSTAR – program will continue as a National Training Center from 2020 through 2025.

Publications, promotions, awards, research, presentations, and more – enjoy this recent roundup of Division of Geriatric Medicine Faculty News, including a video on UNC Geriatrics’ most recent Carolina Care Excellence Award!

The Center for Aging and Health is a sub-recipient of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for North Carolinians” (BOLD NC) funding, partnering with the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services (grant PI) and NC Division of Public Health to bring a public health, coordinated, systematic approach … Continued

Lindsay Wilson, MD, MPH, the John W. Foust Medical Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor, is the Division of Geriatric Medicine’s newest Associate Professor. She recently received the Foundation Phase Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, recognizing a faculty member from the Foundation Phase curriculum who significantly contributed to the education of Foundation Phase students through their energy, dedication, … Continued

The American Society of Clinical Oncology honored Hyman B. Muss, MD, FASCO, the Mary Jones Hudson Distinguished Professor of Geriatric Oncology at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, with the 2020 Allen S. Lichter Visionary Leader Award for his career-long dedication to improving the care of older patients with cancer.

Due to Covid-19, UNC Health outpatient clinics are “seeing” fewer patients physically. Though most facilities remain open to patients needing an in-person visit, the coronavirus crisis rapidly accelerates the use of telehealth via virtual visits between providers and patients. Providers are adjusting to new ways of working, as they finetune their work-from-home technology and get … Continued

“More than half of older adults are exposed to polypharmacy and the unfortunate thing is that those people are more susceptible to side effects and they’re more vulnerable to drug-drug interactions. It’s important for physicians, patients, and caregivers to realistically discuss the benefits a medication can and can’t provide, and to have a plan for de-escalating or stopping certain medications.”

UNC Geriatrics Specialty Clinic’s Social Worker Bryan Godfrey speaks with WRAL’s Liisa Ogburn on why older adults seek primary care providers with geriatrics expertise. “Our providers are physicians with certifications in internal or family medicine, but they also have specialized training in geriatrics. This means they are especially attuned to the challenges older adults often face and particularly skilled in helping patients and families prepare for the road ahead.”

A recent study from Assistant Professor Joshua Niznik, PhD, PharmD, Division of Geriatric Medicine, in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society suggests de-prescribing Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEls) as a reasonable approach to lowering polypharmacy and risk of serious falls or fractures without increasing risk for all-cause negative events in nursing home residents with severe dementia. Co-authors … Continued

Meredith Gilliam, MD, MPH, was recently interviewed on WRAL on the topic of falls prevention for older adults. According to NC’s Division of Public Health, one quarter of North Carolinians 65 and over will fall in a year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in older adults, causing 1,094 deaths, 18,771 … Continued