Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society

Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society – Western Division hosts Virtual Conference for third year in a row.

Over 330 healthcare professionals gathered virtually to attend the 31^st Annual Virtual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine held March 23 – 24, 2023.

This year’s virtual conference attracted attendees from 21 states and representation from Canada, England, and Germany.

Attendees recognized and appreciated the convenience of attending the conference from their home or office, while participating in dynamic educational sessions. An added benefit for all registrants:  the ability to view recorded lectures and download the handout materials, up to 30 days after the conference.

With the fastest growing segment of the population comprised of individuals more than 85 years of age, this conference is a premier educational resource for healthcare professionals involved in the direct care of older people. Presented by the Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society – Western Division, UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Division of Geriatric Medicine and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in Health Sciences, the program offered an evidence-based approach to help clinicians take exceptional care of these often-frail individuals.

Highlights of the meeting included Live Q&A Sessions with presenters. By using the chat feature, attendees had the opportunity to engage with speakers in these informative sessions. New this year: the course provided 10.0 hours of Physical Therapy credit!

Distinguished guest faculty Edward R. Marcantonio, MD, SM, Section Chief for Research in the Division of General Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School gave an Update on Delirium. Paula Leslie, FRCSLT, Reg HCPC, CCC-SLP joined this year from the UK and presented Modern Approaches to Supporting People with Eating, Drinking, & Swallowing Impairments.

Back by popular demand, the Geriatric Cardiology Expert Panel featuring Deirdre O’Neill, MD presented Beware of the Elevated Office Blood Pressure Assessment; Eiran Gorodeski, MD, MPH presented Ideal Heart Failure Care: Pearls for Geriatrics, and Daniel Forman, MD presented Optimizing Functional Status in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease.

Thank you to our Premier Sponsor: UPMC Health Plan, and to our exhibitors who sponsored the program: AHN Healthcare@Home, Community LIFE, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Allegheny Health Network, XerisPharmaceuticals.

The Virtual Exhibit Hall featured 4 exhibitors and offered attendees the opportunity to engage with representatives to learn more about their products and resources.

Congratulations to the winners of the raffle (sponsored by the Society): Carina Antypas, Rebecca Davis, Michelle Govan, Jessica Hutchison, and Mary Whitman. Winners received a $50 Visa Gift Card. 

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Who We Are

As a regional affiliate of the American Geriatrics Society, the organization provides leadership for professionals, policy makers and the public in the area served. The organization aids in the efforts of the American Geriatrics Society in developing, implementing and advocating programs in patient care, research, professional education, public policy and public information for the Pennsylvania and region.

The strategic goals of the PAGS-WD are to:

1. Promote geriatric education for all geriatric healthcare professionals.

2. Provide an active forum and opportunity for networking and engagement with other professionals who share an interest in improving care for the older adults

3. Advocate for programs and public policy, which will improve the
health and well being of older adults.

4. Encourage students and residents to pursue a career in geriatrics.

ANNUAL REPORT