Pennsylvania GeriatricS Society

Rutvi Chaha is a second-year Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She conducted her research at UPMC Montefiore under the mentorship of Dr. Shachi Tyagi, MD, MS, and Dr. Becky Clarkson, PhD, whose guidance was instrumental to her work. Ms. Chaha contributed to data compilation and interpretation of results, as well as supported the abstract writing process.

Her postdoctoral research has focused on urinary incontinence and its broader impact on health and well-being. Specifically, she explored the relationship between bladder dysfunction and overall health in older adults, with the goal of informing more effective interventions.

Ms. Chaha will begin her residency training this summer and plans to pursue a fellowship in geriatrics thereafter. Her long-term career goal is to become a physician-scientist in geriatrics, dedicated to improving health outcomes for older adults. Clinically, she aspires to provide patient-centered care that addresses not only medical needs but also the functional and psychosocial challenges faced by the aging population. Academically, she is committed to integrating research into her clinical practice and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance the field of geriatric medicine.

Abstract: Sleep, Hypertension, and Nocturia: A Pilot RCT Assessing Chronotherapy and Behavioral Sleep Intervention

Anjana Mahesh is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Biological Sciences and Mathematics. She currently works as an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Geriatrics, specifically at the Continence Research Center within the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Ms. Mahesh plans to apply to medical school this summer and hopes to begin her training next year.

Her research was conducted at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, under the mentorship of Dr. Shachi Tyagi, MS, MD, Dr. Rutvi Chahal, MD, and Dr. Becky Clarkson, PhD. This project was largely independent, with Ms. Mahesh taking primary responsibility for designing the study materials, developing the educational intervention, recruiting participants, implementing the study, collecting and entering data, performing data analysis, and writing and submitting the abstract.

Ms. Mahesh has a strong interest in quality improvement, rural medicine, and geriatric care. Her long-term goal is to make meaningful contributions to these fields as a physician, addressing healthcare disparities and advancing patient-centered care for underserved and aging populations.

Abstract: Efficacy of Implementing a Standardized Educational Intervention for Geriatric Patients Discharged with Urinary Incontinence

Joseph Shin is a third-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research was conducted at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System under the mentorship of Dr. Lena Makaroun, MD, MS.

In this project, Mr. Shin reviewed the medical charts of 45 veterans, identifying cases with elder abuse (EA)–related keywords to assess whether documentation marked by ICD-10 codes for EA or social work consultations reflected true clinical suspicion of abuse. He subsequently performed data analysis to evaluate the accuracy and clinical context of these indicators.

Mr. Shin plans to apply for an internal medicine residency. During his fourth year of medical school and his intern year, he hopes to explore various subspecialties within internal medicine. His long-term goal is to become an internal medicine subspecialist with a strong focus on aging—either by completing a separate fellowship in geriatrics or by integrating geriatric care into his subspecialty practice.

Abstract: Accuracy of Diagnostic Electronic Health Record Data for Elder Abuse Identification in a National Health System: A Preliminary Examination

Naomi Shin is a third-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She conducted her research at the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion in Pittsburgh, PA, under the mentorship of Dr. Lena Makaroun, MD, MS.

Ms. Shin was responsible for designing the study methods and protocols, conducting data collection, and performing data analysis, demonstrating strong initiative and ownership throughout the research process.

Her career goal is to become a family medicine physician, with the possibility of pursuing a fellowship in geriatrics. She is particularly interested in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to diverse and aging populations, and in addressing health disparities through both clinical practice and research

Abstract: Characterizing Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Veterans’ Experiences of Elder Abuse and Mistreatment