AGS' commitment to professionalism, advancing knowledge, and advocacy make me proud that I've been a member of the Society for over 25 years. - Barney Spivack, MD, FACP

As a clinical geriatrician, I value my association with the AGS, as it most closely represents my focus on patient care. The Society has been integral to building and enhancing our profession, among other ways, by supporting its state affiliates, publishing leading journals and educational materials on aging and health, developing practice guidelines, supporting research, and advocating for public policy that not only enhances healthcare for older Americans but also improves the practice of geriatric medicine.

In order to increase the awareness and reach of geriatrics within the community, in 1997 I founded and continue to be active in the Connecticut Geriatrics Society (CGS), a recognized state affiliate that has benefited from a close working relationship with the AGS. CGS has attracted geriatrics care professionals from varied disciplines, and our members have benefited from educational resources, national representation and promotion of AGS initiatives, opportunities for clinical collaboration, grant support, and public policy direction - all made available and promoted by our national organization. I was privileged to co-chair the Council of State Affiliate Representatives (COSAR) for two years and represent our interests as a board member of the AGS.

As the Associate Physician Editor of Clinical Geriatrics, one of the AGS peer-reviewed journals provided to members, I am able to continue to reach out to geriatrics health care and primary care professionals and provide updates on some of the more important issues that impact our care of older adults.

My previous work with the AGS Clinical Practice Committee and ongoing participation in other groups has allowed me to have a role in clinical practice guideline development and in setting the stage for AGS' role in key clinical and other issues confronting those of us who care of older adults.

In addition, AGS' assistance in working successfully with both state and national legislators has been beneficial in obtaining much needed support in our efforts to drive public policy in the right direction - both toward high quality care for our patients and for critical growth within our profession.

Last, but not least, I share a camaraderie with my colleagues in the AGS and look forward to seeing friends and associates at our national meetings. I benefit not only from the state-of-the-art knowledge shared at these meetings, but also from the opportunity to meet others and discuss practical issues confronting us as we attempt to deliver high quality care within a much more challenging healthcare environment. All told, I can think of no other professional association that has been as rewarding as the AGS and its affiliates and I look forward to many more years as a productive and proud AGS member.

Barney S. Spivack, MD, FACP, AGSF, Medical Director, LifeCare, Inc., Shelton, CT www.lifecare.com