At the Obesity Society’s recent Obesity Week in Dallas, TX, associate professor Dr. John Batsis presented research, moderated sessions, and was included as part of the Coffee with Professors Q&As. Dr. Batsis chaired and moderated a joint symposium and on the four-step KAER framework. The steps include: Kickstart the conversation in primary care, Assess the … Read more

“Helping people, solving problems, and getting to know people more deeply.” Those are Dr. Lindsay Wilson’s reasons for becoming a doctor. When asked why she chose geriatric medicine, Dr. Wilson says, “I love the relationships I have with my older patients, who often treat me like family. I also love that teaching is a big … Read more

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared Saturday, October 7, 2023 to be Ageism Awareness Day. To that end, the NC Department of Health and Human Services has joined with the American Society on Aging (ASA) to spotlight ageism. Read Governor Cooper’s Proclamation on Ageism Awareness Day. This day is chance to bring attention to … Read more

Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD (Division of Geriatrics) has been appointed by Innovation in Aging as Associate Editor for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy. Innovation in Aging is a journal of the Gerontological Society of America that publishes translational research of innovative theories, methods, interventions, evaluations, and policies relevant to aging adults. The journal was recently recognized … Read more

If you go to the fifth floor of the recently opened Roper Hall, you’ll find Room 5227F. A small plaque by the door of this clinical exam room reads, Through the generosity of a grateful patient in honor of Ellen Parker Wilkes, ANP-BC. Wilkes, an Adult Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Geriatric Medicine says, … Read more

For Dr. Meredith Gilliam, UNC-Chapel Hill is home. She completed her undergraduate studies, MD, and MPH here. She also met her husband here. Before coming to medical school, she considered being a chemist and a teacher (she even taught middle school English classes in Japan). But her career path led her into geriatric medicine. When … Read more

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength affects almost 15 percent of adults 60 and over. Also known as sarcopenia, clinicians often prescribe home-based exercise programs as a remedy to this loss. However, once clinicians assign the exercises, they face a major obstacle: patient compliance. A new Bluetooth-enabled device is designed to help overcome this … Read more

On September 7, staff from the Center for Aging and Health represented the UNC School of Medicine at the Duke Caregiver Community Event. The goal of the daylong event was providing caregivers access to education, support, and resources. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, conference organizers included the Alzheimer’s Association and the Dementia … Read more

When caring for older adults, falls prevention is a crucial issue. According to the CDC, falls is the leading cause of injury death for among adults 65 and older. In 2020, emergency departments recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls. And the annual cost medical costs associated with older adult falls is $50 billion. … Read more

Since she was small, Dr. Maureen Dale always wanted to be a doctor. At age four, her physician father started teaching her to ‘read’ chest x-rays. Even though she considered other careers along the way, medicine has always been the frontrunner.

After completing both her undergraduate studies and medical school at the University of Virginia, Dr. Dale came to UNC-Chapel Hill. Here, she completed a Residency in Internal Medicine followed by a Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has selected Dr. Adrian Austin to join the 2023 Butler-Williams Scholars Program. Presented by the NIA Office of Special Populations, the program offers opportunities for junior faculty and researchers to gain additional experience in aging research. It also helps these researchers to expand their networks and polish their grant … Read more

In 2011, the first Baby Boomers reached the age of 65. According to Dr. Luke Rogers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch, the 65-and-older population has grown by over a third since 2010. And no other age group has grown so quickly. As more Americans enter their later years, there is an increasing … Read more