President’s Message – Fred Rubin, MD – October 2016

As President, I am pleased to report that our organization is strong, active, and hard at work. Thank you for your continued support. Your membership supports our award-winning programming for healthcare professionals in our region, sustains our philanthropic efforts in supporting medical students, residents, and fellows, and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the education and training of learners in Geriatrics.

2016 has been a productive year. I hope you had the opportunity to attend one or all of the programs offered. The last program of the year (Fall Program) will take place November 1 at the University Club in Oakland. This year’s program includes a panel presentation featuring Jack Cahalane, PhD; Steven M. Handler, MD, PhD, CMD; and Andrew Watson, MD, MLitt, FACS, who will discuss new applications of Telemedicine for care of the elderly. The program promises to be outstanding. Mark your calendar and join us on November 1 as the evening is both educational and social, and is a perfect opportunity to network, socialize, and reconnect with colleagues, while benefiting from a quality presentation. This also is an opportune time to recruit a member by extending an invitation to attend the program and to join us in our professional efforts.

A recap of highlights from this year include:

• The Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine and International HELP conference: Both conferences yielded a robust attendance, and comments and evaluation scores were superlative. Both are premier educational events, held “in our own backyard,” providing outstanding and timely education to all geriatric healthcare professionals. The conference is designed by the PAGS-WD planning committee, which is made up of a consortium of your colleagues, including those from the community, academic, and payor sectors.
• Controversies in Geriatrics Medicine Program – In its second year, the program has exceeded expectations and continues to attract a large audience. What sets this case-based presentation apart from other programs is the focus on audience participation through interactive discussion from panelists and audience members.
• Geriatrics Teacher of the Year Award – Initiated in 2016, this award recognizes outstanding teachers for their dedication and commitment to geriatric education and who have made significant contributions to the education and training of learners in Geriatrics. The call for nominations will begin October 1, with the awards presentation to take place during the dinner symposium at the 2017 Clinical Update.
•  David C. Martin Award – Named after Pittsburgh’s first full-time geriatrician, this award provides financial support for medical students and other trainees who have had scholarly work accepted for presentation at the national meeting of the American Geriatrics Society. A student may receive up to $1,500 for travel, registration, and hotel costs. Since its inception, the society has granted more than $79,000 to awardees.
•  Resident and Fellow interest remains strong, with recruitment of 8 new Resident and Fellow members this year. This brings the total number of Resident and Fellow members to 30. The society waives membership dues for the length of training. We hope this initiative will be a pipeline to bring young physicians into our organization.
• As a part of the Society, your commitment is a testament to our efforts and mission: to educate, communicate, and engage health care professionals in the provision of quality health care for all older persons. I look forward to seeing you November 1.
  Fred Rubin, MD