Member Profiles

How did you become involved with the AGS?

I’m not a geriatrician—my field is urology—but I’ve been involved in geriatrics since the mid ‘90s. I joined the AGS in 1998, and became a fellow of the society in 2012. The AGS has launched and plays key roles in a wide range of programs that improve healthcare for older adults, and this is important to me.

I first got involved with the society after my mother, who had Alzheimer’s, moved to a long-term care facility. I discovered that the urologic care there was poor. I said something to the nursing home, but was, essentially, told to stay out of it because I wasn’t “on staff.” So I went to the American Urological Association and spoke with the then-Secretary of the organization about what had happened. I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, “How interesting! The American Geriatrics Society has called, looking for someone to represent urology in its Geriatrics for Specialists Initiative (GSI).” That’s how I became the GSI’s urologic representative.

What do you value about AGS membership?

I’ve attended every one of the AGS’ annual meetings since becoming a member. To learn more about geriatrics, I made a point of going to the meetings’ educational sessions. They were invaluable. The personal contacts are important; I’ve gotten to know a number of nationally prominent geriatricians very well and personally. Other benefits are all the resources the AGS has created, including Geriatrics at Your Fingertips, and the Geriatrics Syllabus for Specialists.