News at the URAI

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Robert McCann, MD, Retiring as CEO of Accountable Health Partners

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

After serving for more than a decade as CEO of Accountable Health Partners (AHP), Robert McCann, MD, will retire on Dec. 31. McCann was instrumental in shaping AHP into a thriving network, fostering collaboration between community and academic providers, and building trust across diverse stakeholders. His legacy includes more than 20 years as chief of Medicine at Highland Hospital, advancing geriatric and palliative care and mentorship. Chad Teeters, MD, will serve as AHP's interim CEO.

Read more

Three Ways You Can 'Check Your Health' with WDKX, University of Rochester

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

In case you missed it: The University of Rochester and local radio station WDKX have teamed up to launch season two of the "Check Your Health" show. The show includes weekly episodes that invite listeners to learn more about community health topics that matter most to them, along with helpful community and UR Medicine resources.

Shaun Nelms, EdD, the University's VP for Community Partnerships and host of the show, sees this collaboration as an important opportunity to strengthen our institution's commitment to health equity. "WDKX is not only the sole Black-owned radio station in our area but is also a trusted source of information for our community. With the highest Nielsen rating in our market, WDKX plays a crucial role in sharing the University’s work with the community while also providing valuable feedback to guide our practices. I’m proud that the University remains committed to building and nurturing meaningful partnerships with valued community organizations to further our health equity efforts," said Nelms.

The first season of the show included 18 episodes highlighting a variety of topics, including teen suicide and prevention, eye health, and healthy lifestyle choices. Season two kicked off Oct. 7 with an episode on flu, COVID, and RSV with Infectious Diseases Specialist Brenda Tesini, MD. Upcoming episodes will feature maternal health, smoking cessation, HIV/AIDS awareness, and more. The effort also includes "Check Yourself Health Moments," a rotating roundup of on-air PSAs that provide an hourly health tip for listeners.

The live show airs on 103.9 FM at 10 a.m. Thursdays now through April 2025. Listeners can also tune in via the livestream or listen to podcast recordings of each episode at wdkx.com. Topics for each episode are reviewed and selected by an internal leadership team including:

• Shaun Nelms, EdD
• Telva Olivares, MD, interim senior associate dean for Equity and Inclusion
• Wendy Parisi, MS, senior director of the Health Equity Program Support Office (HEPSO)
• and Edith Williams, PhD, MS, director of the Center for Community Health & Prevention (CCHP) and the Office of Health Equity Research

"Prioritizing equitable healthcare requires truly engaging our community and ensuring people are aware of the resources and information available to help them live and feel their best," said Olivares. "Highlighting health topics that are top of mind for our community is one important way we can continue to do our part to make health equity a reality for those we serve."

As season two continues to hit airwaves, below are three ways you (and your colleagues, friends, and loved ones) can support this initiative.

1. Tune in to the show on Thursdays at 10 a.m. (now-April 2025)
   Listeners can tune in to the radio broadcast at 103.9 FM or join the livestream at wdkx.com.
2. Visit WDKX's "Check Your Health" page for an archive of podcast recordings
   Missed an episode? Catch up on all past episodes online. Links to the recordings will also be periodically shared in the URMC This Week e-newsletter on Wednesdays
3. Like, comment, and share WDKX and UR Medicine social media posts 
   Look out for social posts on Facebook and Instagram with reminders for upcoming episodes and links to the podcast recordings.

Have feedback or questions? Email HEPSOProgramOffice@URMC.Rochester.edu.

This article originally appeared in URMC Today newsletter.

New Study Compares Gene Sequencing Across Species to Understand Aging and Dementia

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Vera Gorbunova, PhD, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of Biology and codirector of the Rochester Aging Research Center, and M. Kerry O’Banion, M.D., Ph.D. a professor of neuroscience and of neurology, received a five-year, $18M grant from the National Institute on Aging that will examine gene mechanisms responsible for long life, drawing on the latest findings to pursue novel interventions for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Read the full story.

UR Medicine Builds Stellar Reputation as Age-Friendly Health System

Monday, October 14, 2024

The UR Aging Institute (URAI) is leading the transformation of URMC into an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS). Strong Memorial and Highland Hospital have already achieved the highest level of age-friendly recognition. “URMC is taking a multi-pronged approach to its AFHS transformation,” said Dr. Annette Medina-Walpole the Paul H. Fine Professor of Medicine, chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Aging, and director of the University of Rochester Aging Institute. “We have convened an expert team of interdisciplinary health professionals across hospitals and care settings to put the 4Ms of age-friendly care into practice by developing pathways and tracking of older adults to ensure that they receive the highest level of care.” 

In May, the University of Rochester Medical Center became first in the nation to earn the elite Age-Friendly Health System status for our Center for Perioperative Medicine (CPM.) It’s the highest honor a center can receive for providing exceptional care for the aging population.

Read the full story here: UR Medicine Leads Nation in Transforming Care for Aging Adults

Also in May, Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s Specialty Care Clinic became the first oral healthcare provider in the nation to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Participant.

Read the full story here: Eastman Institute is First in U.S. to be Named an Oral Health Age-Friendly Health System Participant.

In August, Mary Bonnet, MD, from Geriatrics & Aging, was named a Next Generation Leaders Fellow by the American Hospital Association. The prestigious 12-month fellowship will assist Dr. Bonnet in disseminating the Age-Friendly Health System initiative across URMC.  Other URMC faculty who have participated as Next Generation Fellows include Jennifer Muniak, MD and Ciandra D’souza, MD.

Starting in 2025, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established new guidelines for the treatment of hospitalized older adults, that includes a new Age Friendly Hospital Measure. Hospitals that participate in Medicare’s Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program will be required to report on whether hospitals have protocols in place to: 1) elicit patient health care goals, 2) responsibly manage medications, 3) implement frailty screening and intervention (including for cognition and mobility), 4) assess social vulnerability (e.g. social isolation, caregiver stress, elder abuse) and 5) designate age-friendly leadership. As one of the largest health systems in Upstate New York, URMC will play a key role in advancing this new AFHS quality initiative and is well positioned to continue its age-friendly transformation across all hospitals and sites of care.

Today, there are more than 3,000 U.S. health care systems and programs that hold Age-Friendly designations, including Strong Memorial, Highland, Noyes and Jones Memorial hospitals, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, The Center for Perioperative Medicine, UR Medicine Geriatric Group, Specialized Oncology Care and Research for our Elders Clinic at Wilmot Cancer Center, and Finger Lakes Health.

Communicating Science Program Helps Researchers Hone Presentation Skills

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

In June, the University of Rochester hosted the second annual "Communicating Science Research Partnerships" event, aimed at helping investigators sharpen their presentation and communication skills to secure grants and additional research opportunities. Researchers practiced conveying complex scientific ideas in ways that resonate with laypersons, potential funders, and policymakers.

More than 50 attendees including UR donors, advancement team members, and fellow researchers participated in the event. UR Aging Institute member Brian McGarry, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Geriatrics, and Aging, was one of five presenters. He’s a physical therapist and health services researcher with an interest in the economics of aging. McGarry’s research focuses on the Medicare system, and how public policies affect the costs and quality of care. His work helps us understand how people can better navigate vital health services.

The Communicating Science program addresses a common challenge: conveying the importance and impact of research projects beyond academic circles to garner support from funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the community.

Each presenter received feedback from the advancement team and past donors on how to make their presentations more engaging and easier to understand.

“It was a really fun experience to get outside of the science bubble and think about how we are framing our research,” said McGarry. “We want to communicate our findings in a way that resonates with the average person and make people more aware of the fantastic work we are doing at the University and the Aging Institute.”

The other four presenters shared research from the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, the Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Ophthalmology, and the Department of Surgery and Oncology. 

By helping researchers better articulate why their work matters, the University of Rochester hopes to inspire future collaborations and attract outside funding for ongoing and new projects.

“It’s important that people appreciate the high impact that our work has,” explained McGarry. “While there are good public funding systems, they can be slow and inefficient so we’re often strapped for resources. We need to communicate the value of our work effectively so we are well-positioned for potential donor opportunities.”

Human Genetics Researcher to Study Age-Related Diseases for URMC

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Hongbo Liu, PhD recently joined the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Biomedical Genetics Department as an Assistant Professor. He leads a pioneering research lab focused on unraveling the genetic basis of age-related diseases. His lab is committed to understanding how the aging process can be slowed or modified through genetic interventions, with the overarching goal of enhancing the quality of life.

Liu brings extensive expertise in bioinformatics, epigenetics, and human genetics. He received his PhD from the Harbin Institute of Technology and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania between 2018 and 2024. During his time at Penn, Liu made notable contributions to understanding kidney disease genetics, including mapping the genetic architecture of kidney function and identifying over 500 genes associated with chronic kidney disorders.

“I was attracted to the University of Rochester because of its outstanding research environment in aging and genetics,” Liu explained. “Epigenetic modifications of the human genome are fundamental to the aging process, offering opportunities to develop new treatments aimed at promoting healthy aging. The University of Rochester Aging Institute and the medical school provide strong support for exploring these exciting new possibilities.”

Pilot Awards Fund Research Focused on Aging and Health Equity

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Meet the recipients of the 2024-2025 Pilot Awards.

Building Social Connections for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia from Underserved Communities

Principal Investigator – Sandhya Seshadri, PhD, MA, MS

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are 6.9 million Americans living with dementia in the United States (2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures). The majority of persons with dementia are cared for by unpaid family members. Health inequities and the lack of access to clinical care and support can make caregiving more challenging for Black caregivers from underserved communities. With limited support, these caregivers may experience significant social disconnectedness and loneliness that is often associated with negative physical and mental health.

Dr. Seshadri and a team of co-investigators will use funds awarded by the Office of Health Equity Research (OHER) Pilot Study, co-funded by the UR Aging Institute, to decrease social isolation and loneliness among Black caregivers by developing an intervention that is scalable across marginalized Black communities.

“We are delighted to receive the OHER Pilot Study award,” said Seshadri. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to address the issues of social isolation and loneliness among dementia caregivers in the City of Rochester. By collaborating with [community partner] Reverend Phyllis Jackson, we will be best prepared to develop an intervention that meets the needs of these caregivers and well poised to apply for funding for a larger study through the National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Aging.”

“The UR Aging Institute is delighted to partner with the Office of Health Equity Research to fund new research initiatives in support of aging and health equity,” added Annette (Annie) Medina-Walpole, MD, URAI director and chief of the Division of Geriatrics & Aging.

The Role of Aged Bone Marrow Stromal Microenvironment in Hematological Malignancies

Principal Investigator – Jeevisha Bajaj, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Genetics

The overall incidence of aggressive blood cancers such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is increasing with our aging population. Given that the survival outcomes of patients over the age of 70 is less than 5%, there’s a significant need to better understand aging related changes that promote disease initiation and therapy resistance. 

Jeevisha Bajaj, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics, received a pilot award to research this. “Besides Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s, the biggest risk for the aging population is cancer, and blood cancer is among the most significant,” Bajaj explained. “The biggest problem we are trying to solve is how to find ways to help older patients respond to cancer growth because the therapies and treatments that exist for younger patients are too toxic for older people.” 

Dr. Bajaj and a team of co-investigators are collecting bone marrow cells from mice to determine if blood cancer behaves more aggressively in older cells compared to younger ones. If the data reveals significant age-related differences, it could pave the way for developing new, less toxic treatments specifically for older adults.

The impact of Child Maltreatment on Accelerated Brain Aging and Cognitive Decline in Middle Adulthood: A Prospective MRI and Behavioral Study

Principal Investigators – Elizabeth Handley, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and David Dodell-Feder, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Department of Neuroscience

Child maltreatment increases risk for chronic diseases of aging. Stress-related wear and tear to many biological systems may explain these effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of adding neuroimaging and cognitive assessments to an ongoing long-term study of the impact of child maltreatment on health in adulthood. 

Dr. Handley and Dr. Dodell-Feder received a Pilot Award to advance their research on the long-term health effects of childhood maltreatment. 

“The goal of this work is to uncover the biological processes driving aging-related disease progression,” said Dr. Handley. “We ultimately want to develop interventions to slow down and even reverse some of these aging processes.”

Dr. Handley's research has tracked a diverse group of individuals from the Rochester area as they’ve aged from childhood into their 30s. With the new funding, investigators are using neuroimaging (MRI) and cognitive assessments to better understand brain aging. 

“This will tell us whether or not the ‘brain age’ is significantly different from their chronological age,” Handley explains. “For example, does a 32-year-old’s brain look like that of a 38-year-old because of childhood trauma? That’s really critical information to know.”

Much of Handley’s work is done at the Mount Hope Family Center, a partner of the University of Rochester’s psychology department that provides treatment for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. 

Learn more about funding opportunities at the URAI website.

Renowned Ant Expert Joins UR Department of Biology

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Karl Glastad, PhD is on a mission to use ants to solve the world’s problems. His research is centered on the biology of ant aging, a useful model for understanding human aging. 

Glastad joined the University of Rochester's Department of Biology as an Associate Professor in January after spending seven years as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. 

“Ants live in sophisticated societies which are actually closely related families (colonies). But within these families you have drastically different types of individuals – which we call castes – whose physiologies are specialized for different jobs within the colony.” explained Glastad. “These castes typically exhibit extreme differences in behavior, physiology, and lifespan. For example, many queen ants can live more than 20 years compared to less than a year for most worker ants.  The cool part is that these massive lifespan differences aren’t genetic, they’re determined by the colony. As a human, it’s like you live your normal lifespan, but your sibling lives for more than 1,000 years because they were fed differently. So, ants have already ‘hacked’ lifespan. My lab’s goal is to figure out how.”

Glastad also explores various aspects of ant behavior including how the ant blood brain barrier controls behavior differences between castes, building on a finding he made during his postdoctoral work.

While earning his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech, Glastad worked as a consultant for the movie Ant-Man which was filmed by Marvel Studios in Atlanta. He worked with the props department providing ants for several scenes, spent time on set, and worked with several of the actors. “Working with famous people because I study ants was surreal,” said Glastad, whose fascination with ants started when he was just six years old. Glastad has already co-authored more than thirty published works.

As Glastad begins his work at the University of Rochester, he’s excited to explore new frontiers in the lab, the classroom, and out in the community. “I was drawn to the University of Rochester for several reasons including the Department of Biology's wide scope of expertise, ranging from evolutionary biology to genomics,” explained Glastad. “I appreciate the department's interdisciplinary approach, which aligns well with my research interests. I also love nature and Rochester has great access to outdoor environments that are ideal for my work and lifestyle.”

Glastad earned his bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University in Texas, where he grew up.

Three URAI Faculty Members Earn National Geriatrics Honors

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

This year, three University of Rochester faculty members were recognized with national awards for their aging-related work.

William Hall, M.D.,, professor emeritus of medicine, received the American Geriatrics Society’s Nascher/Manning Award for Lifetime Achievement at the organization’s annual scientific meeting. "Dr. Hall has made unparalleled contributions to the field of geriatrics,” said AGS President Donna Fick, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, AGSF, FGSA, FAAN. “He has left an indelible mark on clinical care of older adults, education of geriatrics health professionals, and development of the next generation of academic geriatricians who are pursuing careers as clinician educators and aging researchers.” Read more about the award on the AGS website.

Melissa Loh, B.Med.Sci., M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O., M.S., assistant professor of medicine, was named an Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year by the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Loh was recognized for her commitment to improving outcomes for older adults with blood cancers through patient and caregiver research. Read more about her award-winning work on the AGS website.

Dallas Nelson, M.D., professor of medicine, was named Medical Director of the Year by the American Medical Directors Association Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care. Dr. Nelson was recognized for her leadership, teamwork, and for forming a collaborative of medical directors to develop standards of care for common infections, clinical education, and antibiotic stewardship tools for local skilled nursing facilities. Read more about her award on the PALTmed website.

Congratulations to all our 2024 award winners!

Cleaning Up the Aging Brain: UR Scientists Restore Glymphatic System

Thursday, August 15, 2024

In a study in Nature Aging led by Maiken Nedergaard, professor of Neurology, and Doug Kelley, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, researchers restored the brain's waste-clearing process in aging mice, offering potential treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using existing drugs.

Read the full story

Mary Bonnet Named Next Generation Leaders Fellow

Friday, August 9, 2024

Mary Bonnet, MD, from Geriatrics & Aging, was named a Next Generation Leaders Fellow by the American Hospital Association. The prestigious 12-month fellowship will assist Dr. Bonnet in disseminating the Age-Friendly Health System initiative across URMC. This fellowship is supported by her Geriatric Academic Career Award, an HRSA funded K award in interprofessional geriatrics education.

Health Chats Promote Vital Living with Aging Latino Community

Monday, July 1, 2024

In early 2022, Maria Quiñones-Cordero, PhD, from the UR School of Nursing partnered with leaders from the Ibero American Action League to launch a bi-monthly series of health talks for Rochester’s aging Latino community. Charlas de Salud (which means Health Talks in English) provides participants with valuable information and resources to live healthier and happier lives. Local health care experts deliver the educational sessions in Spanish to eliminate language barriers and promote health equity.

Health Talks have become an important part of Ibero’s older adult services offering, particularly its Centro de Oro (gold center/senior center) program, which the agency describes as a unique gathering place for individuals 60 years of age and older that meets their social and cultural needs.

Delivering health talks at Centro de Oro is one of many ways that Maria Quiñones-Cordero practices community outreach. The clinical psychologist and assistant professor of clinical nursing leads the Latino Engagement sub-core of the National Institute on Aging-funded Rochester Roybal Center for Social Ties and Aging Research (STAR). Because of her commitment to community health improvement and health equity, she won the Junior Faculty Award at the 15^th annual Satcher Awards, hosted by the URMC Center for Community Health and Prevention.

“I started volunteering at Centro de Oro in 2018,” said Quiñones-Cordero. “A lot of participants wanted to learn more about health and wellness but there were no Spanish-speaking health care professionals coming into the center to educate them. I’m fluent in Spanish and have expertise in mental health and cognitive health, so in January of 2022, I started bringing health talks into the center.”

Quiñones-Cordero hosted six bi-monthly Health Talks at Centro de Oro that first year covering topics including normal changes in mental abilities as we age, factors that affect brain health, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias, depression, and stress management.

Building on a Successful First Year

By the end of year one, leaders at the University of Rochester Aging Institute offered to partner with Quiñones-Cordero to help connect more health care experts with the community. Ida Earner, MS, RN, CCRN, joined the Health Talks program as co-facilitator. Earner is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner; Co-Champion for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the UR Division of Geriatrics; and Community Engagement Liaison for the UR Aging Institute. The Rochester native went to elementary school in the same building where Ibero now hosts Centro de Oro Health Chats—the Trent and Pamela Jackson R-Center on North Clinton Avenue.

“You never forget your roots,” said Earner. “I grew up in the city of Rochester and I’m the daughter of migrant workers. My father had diabetes and many complications with the disease, so I’ve always been sensitive to health care disparities. Factors like language barriers, transportation, access to care, education, financial resources, all of the things that marginalized populations struggle with disproportionately.”

As a DEI Champion for the UR Division of Geriatrics, Earner’s mission aligns perfectly with the Aging Institute’s: To promote vitality in aging by transforming care and communities through discovery, learning, collaboration and innovation.

“The Aging Institute connects community programs, educators, clinicians, and researchers to the aging-related resources they need,” said Annie Medina-Walpole, M.D., Chief of the Division of Geriatrics & Aging and Founding Director of the UR Aging Institute. “We promote health, independence, engagement, and enable individuals to live their best lives.”

In 2023, Health Talks at Centro de Oro focused on “the 4M's” for an age-friendly health system. The 4Ms are a widely accepted set of evidence-based elements to organize the care of older adults: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. According to HANYS “the 4Ms are essential components of high-quality care for older adults, and when implemented together, result in significant improvements.” In addition to the 4Ms, there were Health Talks about vision loss and how to prevent falls.

Back by Popular Demand — Ibero Doubles Number of Health Talks in 2024

By the end of 2023, the Health Talks were so well received by attendees that Ibero asked Maria Quiñones-Cordero and her partners at the Aging Institute to increase the frequency from bi-monthly to monthly.

“Our Health Talks are making a great impact,” said Quiñones-Cordero. “Attendees are more aware of resources in the community, particularly Spanish-speaking resources. We've seen an increase in the number of referrals to Spanish-speaking care providers including one of our neurologists who presented at Centro de Oro. And there have been similar increases in referrals to our Spanish-speaking mental health clinics.”

Topics for 2024 include diabetes, dementia, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, elder abuse, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Facilitators from the Aging Institute collaborate with Ibero staff to determine which topics should be repeated each year based on relevance and applicability to participants.

Making Health Chats Fun and Interactive

In addition to sharing important health-related information with the Centro de Oro community, Quiñones-Cordero and Earner are intentional about making Health Talks fun and interactive. They leave plenty of time for discussion and they walk around the room for one-on-one conversations. So, if anyone is uncomfortable asking questions in front of the whole group, they can engage in a more private conversation.

“Being sensitive to people's comfort-level and privacy is important,” explained Earner. “And nobody likes to sit and just listen,” she added. “So, I thought we would incorporate a game at the end of every session. Attendees really love it. It’s a great way to assess for learning and see if attendees have questions.” 

One of the most popular games uses a traffic light theme. The facilitator describes a scenario where an individual must decide whether to talk to a health care provider or not. A “red light” response means the individual is in an emergency situation and should talk to a provider right away. A yellow light response is less urgent but still worth consulting with a provider. And a  green light response means there’s no need to contact a health care provider.

Real-life Impact

Health Talks at Ibero’s Centro de Oro have become a key touchpoint between health care professionals and Rochester’s aging Latino community. For some attendees, it’s a fun and engaging way to learn how to maintain a healthy and active life. For others, the impact is more profound.

After one Health Talk about depression last year, a participant told the facilitator she was contemplating suicide. Based on the conversation that followed this disclosure and the information shared during the Health Talk, the participant made an appointment at a mental health clinic. A few months later, the participant’s mental health had improved.

At another Health Talk, an attendee was the primary caregiver for a family member who was  showing signs of dementia. She shared that her loved one was not receiving the care she needed due to language barriers between the caregiver, her family member, and the health care provider. The presenter that day was a Spanish-speaking neurologist who booked an appointment with her loved one and diagnosed her with dementia a few weeks later. In this case, attending a Health Talk resulted in a dramatic improvement in the quality of care a patient received from health care professionals.

Building Trust and Relationships

Perhaps the greatest benefit to participants is that they now have a way to get to know health care providers who (literally) speak their language. This goes a long way toward building trust between patients and providers. Historically, there have been a lot of trust issues between patients and health care providers, especially for people that feel disconnected because of language barriers.

“Finding health care professionals who are willing to come out to the community and be a resource is critical,” said Quiñones-Cordero. “Some health conditions like depression are highly stigmatized in the community and people don't want to talk about them, or they just don't understand enough to make informed decisions about how to care for themselves. Going out and talking about these issues really opens up an opportunity for people to get educated, ask questions, and make better informed decisions about how to proceed with care.”

It's a win-win for all who are involved. “I always leave there with a full heart,” said Earner. “We're there for them but they certainly are changing us for the better as well.”

Center for Perioperative Medicine First to Earn Age-Friendly Honor

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

The Center for Perioperative Medicine (CPM), part of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, is the first perioperative program in the nation to earn the elite Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence status for its redesign of care for older adults who need surgery. It is the highest recognition a center can receive for providing exceptional care for this high-risk population.

“This is a tremendous point of pride,” said Michael Eaton, MD, chair of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, “We’re extremely proud to be the first institution to receive this honor and lead the way for other perioperative programs to recognize and manage the challenges our aging patients’ experience. The depth of planning and care provided to this rapidly growing population is critical to positive outcomes and quality of life.”

The Age-Friendly Health System is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. At every level of care and in every setting, the systems work with patients to follow the 4Ms of high-quality care: what Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

The U.S. population 65 years and older is expected to nearly double to an estimated 83.7 million by 2050 and experts say health systems are not equipped to reliably provide evidence-based care to older adults at every care interaction. The Age-Friendly initiative is tackling this critical issue by supporting healthcare providers to follow an essential set of evidence-based practices that align with what matters to the older adult and their caregivers.

“We totally redesigned how we care for aging patients who need surgeries to provide the best possible outcomes,” said Marjorie Gloff, MD, CPM director.

Heather Lander, MD, Katlyn McBride, MD, and Renee Robinson, DNP, with support from Annette Medina-Walpole, MD, director of the University of Rochester Aging Institute, led CPM’s effort and received the Age-Friendly participant designation in January. The team demonstrated consistent use of the principles and earned the highest recognition earlier this month.

The innovative perioperative program includes presurgical assessments, patient and provider education, prehabilitation, and optimization efforts to tailor care throughout the presurgical, post-operative and recovery processes.

“We take a holistic approach, considering not only patients’ medical problems but also their diet and nutrition, risk for falls, home support, and vulnerabilities to determine if they are ready for surgery,” said Lander, a 2020 Geriatric Faculty Scholar and current UCSF Tideswell Scholar. “We serve as another set of eyes providing an extra review and checkpoint for older adults preparing for surgery.”

Collaboration and smooth transitions of care at every step help support the patients, McBride said. “Aging patients often need time-sensitive treatments that can be life changing.”

Today, there are more than 3,000 U.S. healthcare systems and programs that hold Age-Friendly designations, including Strong Memorial, Highland and Jones Memorial hospitals, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, Strong’s Geriatric Fracture Center, UR Medicine Geriatric Group, Specialized Oncology Care and Research for our Elders Clinic at Wilmot Cancer Center, and Jones Memorial Medical practices in Andover, Belmont, Bolivar, and Wellsville’s Loder, Martin and North Main streets sites.

Yeates Conwell Weighs in on How Volunteering Affects Your Brain

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Yeates Conwell, MD, director of the Office for Aging Research and Health Services, spoke to BrainHQ about why volunteering benefits both brain and overall health. "When you're volunteering, so many things can get better, because it exercises so many of one's physical, emotional, and mental faculties at once. People who volunteer are able to improve their energy and enjoy an overall better quality of life."

Read the full article

William Hall Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from American Geriatrics Society

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

William Hall, MD, professor emeritus from Highland Hospital, will receive the prestigious Nascher/Manning Award for Lifetime Achievement at the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting in May. He is recognized for his contributions, mentorship, and leadership in the field.

Read more about this award.

Geriatrics Division Has Strong Presence at Conference, Nelson Receives Prestigious Award

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Faculty members from the division of Geriatrics & Aging showcased their expertise at the annual meeting of the American Medical Director’s Association Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (AMDA PALTC), marking a notable presence and garnering accolades. Beyond contributing as speakers during sessions, the division had much to celebrate.

Jennifer Muniak, MD, and Katlyn McBride, MD, won first place in the Case Series/Case Reports poster category. Tim Holahan assumed his role as chair of the AMDA Public Policy Committee, solidifying the division’s influence in shaping industry policies.

And Dallas Nelson, MD, received the esteemed Medical Director of the Year award for her outstanding leadership of the UR Medicine Geriatrics Group. (Read the AMDA press release on her achievement, and watch this video featuring Nelson.) “I am honored to have received this recognition on a national level for the great work we are doing locally in the Rochester region,” she said. Nelson was also elected as secretary of the Board of Directors.

Jennifer Muniak presents her poster at AMDA

Dallas Nelson receives the Medical Director of the Year Award at AMDA

Division chief Annie Medina-Walpole, MD, said “Dr. Dallas Nelson has clearly demonstrated excellence as a medical director at the University of Rochester, both locally and nationally. Her leadership and contributions to the care of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, particularly during the pandemic, are commendable and noteworthy. She is well deserving of this prestigious award!”

Presentations by Speaker:

Timothy Holahan presents
at AMDA

• Brian McGarry, PhD: Award-Winning Research Sponsored by the Foundation for PALTC
• Jennifer Muniak, MD: Getting to Person-Centered Care for Older Adults with Obesity in PA-LTC
  • Poster: Implementing Ketamine in PA-LTC for a Patient with Chronic Pain (With Katlyn McBride, MD)
• Timothy Holahan, DO: Ethical Considerations in Applying Artificial Intelligence to Post-acute and Long-term Care
  • General Session III: Health Policy Update- Member of public policy committee panel
  • The Confident Trial: A Study to Increase Long Term Care Vaccine Confidence
• Sarah Howd, MD: Common Challenges in Assisted Living and How to Navigate Them, Parts 1 and 2
• Suzanne Gillespie, MD: The inside scoop: Secret to success across stages of a PA LTC
• Dallas Nelson, MD: Age-Inclusive Telehealth: What Is It and How Can We Achieve It?
  • Coding Changes that Impact Your PALTC Practice
  • General Session III with Holahan

Further details on each speaker and presentation can be found in the online conference program.

URAI Attends Rochester Summit on Senior Estate Planning

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Staff of the University of Rochester Aging Institute (URAI) participated in the 2024 Roc Senior Summit Estate Planning event on February 10, 2024. The all-day event was hosted by LaShay Harris, Rochester City Council VP; Martha Hope, Founder & CEO of Senior Expressions; Malik Evans, Mayor, City of Rochester. Also in attendance was NYS Assembly member, Demond Meeks.

Held at the downtown Joseph Floreano Convention Center in Rochester, NY, the summit aimed to provide local older adults important information about estate planning. Topics included: Health Care Proxies, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, and Identity Theft. Information was distributed by way of speaker discussions and use of vendor tables, where education was provided verbally and via handouts. URAI staff provided information on the 4 M's of quality care available at our Age-Friendly healthcare system. Ida Earner, NP volunteered as a member of the panel discussion portion of the event.

The URAI thanks the following Geriatrics & Aging division staff for their support of DEI efforts and attendance at this event: Carol Buonaugurio, NP; Seema Dahake, MBBS; Ida Earner, NP; Kariann Laba, PA; Rajaletchumy Sathasivam, MD; and Darakhshan Shamsie, MD.

Members of URAI at the 2024 Roc Senior Summit Estate Planning event

URAI Partners with IBERO American Action League for Health Talks

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

The University of Rochester Aging Institute (URAI) is partnering with Maria Quinones-Cordero, PhD, Director of Latino Engagement Core, Roybal Center for Social Ties & Aging, and Raquel Serrano, Director of Elder Services at IBERO American Action League, to present "Charlas de Salud 2024." These "Health Talks 2024" will take place about monthly at a local older adult senior center, "Centro de Oro." This is a community educational center that is able to overcome access to language needs for these predominately Spanish-speaking older adults.

On Wednesday morning, February 28, 2024, URAI kicked-off our year with the topic of "Diabetes," presented in Spanish by Ida Earner, NP, who shared information from resources including CDC, NIH, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Education included review of diabetes and the different types (e.g., prediabetes). We talked about the higher risk of certain racial and ethnic groups developing diabetes, including Hispanics. We discussed common symptoms and complications. Prevention and management of diabetes was taught using "El Metodo del Semaforo" or the "Traffic Light Method" that teaches older adults about foods that should be consumed in small quantities (Red light), in moderation (Yellow light) or foods that are the healthiest option (Green light). The older adults at the center then participated in an interactive game at the end of the presentation where they were challenged to place food names into the appropriate traffic light container to assess for learning.

This discussion and interactive game format was an effective and fun way to deliver health education to these older adults, many who face transportation, language and other barriers to receive health education in their community.

M. Kerry O'Banion Identifies Path to Preventing Cognitive Decline After Radiation

Thursday, January 4, 2024

M. Kerry O'Banion, MD, PhD, professor of Neuroscience, and other researchers found that microglia—the brain's immune cells—can trigger cognitive deficits post-radiation, making them a potential key to averting it.

Read the full story.