AGS’ History

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) was founded by a small group of physicians in 1942 “to encourage and promote the study of geriatrics” -- the branch of medicine dedicated to the promotion of health and the prevention and treatment of disease in later life.

Early on, the AGS focused primarily on improving clinical care for older adults. But it soon expanded its mission. In 1953, the Society began publishing the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society -- recently named one of the 100 most influential medical and biology journals of the last 100 years -- and began playing a leading role in promoting and influencing medical research concerning the elderly. The Society, which publishes seminal texts such as the Geriatrics Review Syllabus and Geriatrics at Your Fingertips, also plays essential roles in: promoting medical education that prepares healthcare providers to meet seniors’ unique healthcare needs; educating the public about those needs; and advocating for public policy aimed at improving the quality of elder care.

In 1999 the Society established the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) to further advance aging research, educate the public and legislators about elder healthcare, and encourage the public to advocate for quality elder care. The Association of Directors of Geriatrics Academic Programs (ADGAP), established in 1990, became a supporting organization of the Society in 2002.  AGS now counts over 6,000 geriatrics healthcare providers – including geriatricians, geriatrics nurse practitioners and physician assistants - as members.