2005 Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Awards

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Dennis W. Jahnigen, MD
The late Dennis W. Jahnigen was a leading educator and geriatrician. He was the driving force behind the American Geriatrics Society/John A. Hartford Foundation Project: Increasing Geriatrics Expertise in Surgical and Related Medical Specialties (Geriatrics-for-Specialists). This initiative grew out of Dr. Jahnigen's insight into the importance of including geriatrics training in all specialty areas as the growing numbers of people over 65 years were increasingly a prominent component of nearly all clinical practice in this country.

Long recognized as an extraordinary teacher, with many awards from students and faculty, Dr. Jahnigen authored many articles or chapters and edited many books related to improving the health care of the elderly.

At the time of his death, in 1998, Dr. Jahnigen was the Goodstein Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Director of the Center on Aging at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC). Under his leadership, the UCHSC Center on Aging was designated a John A. Hartford Foundation Center of Excellence, and was selected to participate in the Foundation's multi-site, multi-year program, Geriatrics Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT). He was also President of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) in 1997-1998.

The Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Program is a fitting tribute to Dr. Jahnigen, who is remembered with respect and reverence for his dedication to improving the care of the elderly and his vision, courage, brilliance and integrity.

Purpose
The Jahnigen Scholars program offers two-year career development awards to support junior faculty in the specialties of anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, thoracic surgery, and urology. The award is intended to allow individuals to initiate and ultimately sustain a career in research and education in the geriatrics aspects of his/her discipline.

Each grant will provide two-year support of $75,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits and/or the costs of doing research. In 2005, due to funding guidelines from the supporting foundations, we are instituting a requirement that each scholar's institution provide a minimum match of $25,000 per year. The application should delineate the source of the matching funding and the line item budget should provide information on the allocation of the matching funds in support of the Scholars work. Up to ten awards will be given in 2005. The Jahnigen Award may not be used to support indirect costs.

Background
The overall project addresses the urgent need to create a structure for developing leaders in geriatrics in academic surgery and related medical specialties. In time, it is hoped that this group of committed Jahnigen faculty will lead an advance in the way each discipline cares for older patients by improving the knowledge base, educational activities and clinical care.

In June 2000, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published a special article entitled, "A Statement of Principles: Toward Improved Care of Older Patients in Surgical and Medical Specialties." The statement, developed by leaders from each of the ten specialties targeted under this initiative, has appeared in a number of participating specialty publications. It sets forth the demographic and workforce issues that will impact on the provision of health care to older adults in the coming decades and presents a set of objectives accompanied by recommendations for achieving them. (The complete "Statement of Principles" may be found online at http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/statement.pdf.) The Jahnigen Awards have been created in response to the recommendation that we must "encourage junior physicians and surgeons to become interested in the geriatric aspects of their discipline as a career focus, including funding career development awards for junior faculty in surgical and medical specialties" in order to "ameliorate the shortage of academic geriatricians and geriatrically oriented specialists who are needed to accomplish many of the objectives set forth in the Principles."

Eligibility and Application Procedures
Nominations for the Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Program are to be made by the individual's departmental chair in any one of the following specialties: anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, thoracic surgery, or urology. Departments may submit one application. Institutions may submit more than one application.

To be eligible, a candidate must:

Be a physician who is a US citizen or permanent resident
Be certified or board eligible to practice in one of the following targeted specialties: anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, thoracic surgery, urology
Have a primary academic appointment in a US institution in one of the specialty departments listed immediately above.
Have completed his/her training (residency and/or fellowship) on or after June 30, 1995. Exceptions to this limit will be considered for compelling reasons and must be reviewed and approved prior to application submission. Such exceptions should be requested and justified in a letter to AGS received by November 5, 2004, so that, if approved, a competitive application can be prepared and submitted on schedule.

For each Jahnigen Career Development Scholar application, two senior faculty members at the candidate's institution must be selected to serve as mentors to help guide the scholar's research and career planning and provide access to organizations, programs, and colleagues helpful to the applicant's efforts. Although more than two mentors may be selected, at least one must be from the department in which the candidate has a primary appointment and at least one must be from the geriatric medicine program within the same institution.

Letters of endorsement, including specific information on institutional support for the Jahnigen Scholar applicant, should be provided by the dean, the relevant department chairperson, and each mentor. In addition, three letters of reference should be provided by other faculty members and/or senior professionals with whom the applicant has worked and who are well acquainted with the candidate's capabilities, accomplishments, commitment and aspirations.

Selection Guidelines
Nominations will be reviewed and selections made by a Review Committee on the basis of the following:
1. General merit of the proposed research and the anticipated impact on research in the field
2. Evidence of the strength of the candidate's interest in pursuing a career in the geriatrics aspect of his/her specialty and that the role of the geriatrics mentor will facilitate this pursuit.
3. Evidence of departmental and institutional support.
4. Strength of the research environment. Applicant institutions must have a rich and comprehensive research environment, allowing for mentoring in such areas as statistics, experimental design, epidemiology, controlled clinical trials, bioethics, and organ-system-related clinical and laboratory research methodology.
5. Qualifications and commitment of the mentors. The specialty mentor should be recognized as an accomplished investigator in the proposed research area with experience in fostering the development of academic researchers.
6. Evidence of the strength of the specialty residency and department and of the geriatrics division or department.
7. Feasibility of carrying out the proposed program, based on time, commitment, and evidence of dedication on the part of the candidate.
8. Awards are not transferable to another institution.

IRB Approval
Please note that funds will be distributed only after the appropriate IRB approval is in place in the institution.

Reporting Requirements
Awardees will be required to submit twice yearly a brief annual narrative report on the progress of their research and career plans. Sponsoring institutions will be required to provide twice yearly documentation of funds expended.

Program Management
Management of this program, including the application and review processes, distribution of funds, and annual auditing of scientific progress and use of funds, will be conducted by the American Geriatrics Society, to which all inquiries and correspondence should be addressed. Annual retreats attended by Jahnigen Scholars and established academic leaders in the surgical and related medical specialties will be held to foster the broad development of geriatrics. The annual meetings will be organized, conducted and supported by the American Geriatrics Society.

Timetable
December 7, 2004: Deadline for receipt of completed applications
April 1, 2005: Announcement of the fourth cohort of Jahnigen Scholars
May 13 - May 14, 2005: Meeting of Jahnigen Scholars
July 1, 2005: Start of the Scholars programs

Requests for applications and all inquiries should be addressed to:
Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Program
Ellen Baumritter
The American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, New York 10118
Phone: (212) 308-1414
Fax: (212) 832-8646
Email: ebaumritter@americangeriatrics.org

Review Committee Members
Applications will be reviewed by the members of the AGS Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Committee consisting of representatives from each of the specialties.

The 2002 Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars
2002 Jahnigen Scholars Abstracts

Jonathan Bean MD, MS, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Weighted Vest Training in Mobility Limited Elders

Deborah J. Culley, MD, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Mechanisms of Persistent Post-anesthetic Cognitive Impairment with Aging

Alan Dardik MD, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Effects of Aging on Endothelial Cell Responses to Hemodynamic Forces

David S. Friedman MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Vision Restoration in Assisted Living Residents

Enrique Garcia-Valenzuela, MD, PhD, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Stem Cell Therapy for Age-related Retinal Disease

Kennon Heard, MD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Acute Drug Toxicity in Elderly Patients: A National Study of Overdoses, Adverse -Drug Reactions and Poisoning

Sandhya A. Lagoo-Deenadayalan, MD, PhD, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, Aging and the Immune Response to Surgical Stress

Stephen Meldon, MD, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
An ED-Based Falls Prevention Screening and Referral Program

Larissa V. Rodriguez MD, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
Autologous Adipose Derived Stem Cells for the Reconstruction of the Atrophic Aging Female Urethra: Tissue-Engineering Techniques for the Treatment for Stress Urinary Incontinenc

Khaled J. Saleh, MD, MSC, FRSCS, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Effectiveness of Revision Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Study

The 2003 Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars
2003 Jahnigen Scholars Abstracts

Jayakrishna Ambati, MD, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Novel Mouse Models of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Susan M. Day, MD, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Development of a Problem-Oriented, Computer-Based Geriatric Curriculum

Brooke H. Gurland, MD, Maimonides Medical Center/Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Brooklyn, New York
Multidisciplinary Pelvic Floor Evaluation for Women with Lower Tract Dysfunction, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, and Defecation Disorders

Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Developing Quality Indicators to Improve the Care in Geriatric Surgery Patients

Laura W. Lee, MD, University of Virginia Health Systems, Charlottesville, Virginia
The Effect of a Hip Stretching Program on the Gait of Elderly People Who Have Had Hip Fractures

Stacy Lindau, MD, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Sexuality, Intimacy, and Social Life in Older People with Life-Threatening Illness

Manish N. Shah, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Prehospital Screening to Prevent Injuries and Illness

Edward Weaver, MD, MPH, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Sleep Apnea and Perioperative Complications in Geriatric Patients

Scott T. Wilber, MD, Summa Health System/Northeastern Ohio Universities, Akron, Ohio
Prediction of Short-Term Functional Decline and Service Needs in Older ED Patients

David Yuh, MD, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Assessing the Efficacy of a Neuroleptic, Benzodiazepine and 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist Regimen in the Treatment of Postoperative Delirium in Geriatric Patients After Cardiac Surgery

List of 2004 Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars
2004 Jahnigen Scholars Abstracts

Charles Cha, MD, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Effects of Aging on Tumor Angiogenesis in GI Malignancy

Joseph C. Cleveland, Jr., MD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
The Effect of Age Upon Myocardial Production

Edward V. Fehringer, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear Prevalence and Correlation with Shoulder Function in Patients 65 Years and Older

Lisa J Gould, MD, PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Mechanisms of Impaired Wound Healing in the Elderly

Leanne Groban, MD, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The Role of GH/IGF-1 in Diastolic Heart Failure of Aging

Badrinath Konety, MD, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Profiling Post-operative Risk in Elderly Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention for Bladder and Other Urologic Cancers

Patrick Kortebein, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
Resistance Exercise & Prostate Cancer: Effects on Muscle & Quality of Life

Karen L. Miller, MD, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Gynecologic Surgery, Fall Risk, and Functional Outcomes in Older Women

Kevin Terrell, DO, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Computer-Assisted Decision Support to Increase the Safety of Prescribing to Older Adults in the Emergency Department

Stephen Tsang, MD, PhD, Columbia University, New York City, New York
A Genetic Dissection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

ABOUT THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the leading clinical society devoted to the care of older adults. The AGS promotes high quality, comprehensive and accessible care for America's older population, including those who are chronically ill and disabled. The organization provides leadership to health care professionals, policy makers and the public by developing, implementing and advocating programs in patient care, research, professional and public education and public policy.
Its members include primary care physicians, geriatricians, surgeons and other specialists, nurse practitioners, social workers, physician assistants, physical therapists, pharmacists, and others from the US and around the world who are dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people.

The American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, New York 10118
Telephone: (212) 308-1414, Fax: (212) 832-8646
Website: http://www.americangeriatrics.org

ABOUT THE JOHN A. HARTFORD FOUNDATION
Founded in 1929, The John A. Hartford Foundation is a committed champion of health care, training, research and service system innovations that will ensure the well-being and vitality of older adults. Its overall goal is to increase the nation's capacity to provide effective, affordable care to its rapidly increasing older population.

The John A. Hartford Foundation
55 East 59th Street
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 832-7788, Fax: (212) 593-4913
Website: http://www.jhartfound.org

ABOUT THE ATLANTIC PHILANTHROPIES
The Atlantic Philanthropies work globally to identify and support leaders, institutions, and organizations dedicated to learning, knowledge-building and solving pressing social problems. The Atlantic Philanthropies have a longstanding interest in aging.

The Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) Inc.
125 Park Avenue, 21st floor
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 916-7300, Fax: (212) 922-0360
Website: http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org

Applications and Inquiries
To receive an application and/or information, please complete the following form and submit it directly over the internet or mail or fax it to Ellen Baumritter, ebaumritter@americangeriatrics.org at:

Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Awards
The American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, New York 10118
Fax: (212) 832-8646

If you have a specific questions, please contact Ellen Baumritter, by email at: ebaumritter@americangeriatrics.org, by phone at: (212) 308-1414, by fax at: 212-832-8646, or by mail at: The American Geriatrics Society, The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801, New York City, NY 10118.