AGS 2007 Annual Meeting A Crowd Pleaser

Dr. Todd Semla, AGS President, with the winners of
the 2007 Presidential Poster Awards.

A near record 2,700 geriatrics health care providers, researchers and educators gathered in Seattle in May for the AGS' 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting.

"It's great to be here with all of you at this very successful meeting!" said 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee Chair Steven L. Phillips, MD, opening the session.

More than 600 geriatrics researchers and clinicians presented cutting-edge scientific papers and posters, symposia, core curriculum sessions, and workshops during the meeting, which ran May 2 through 6.

Highlights of the event included the State-of-the-Art, Outstanding Scientific Achievement for Clinical Investigation Award, and Public Policy lectures. Dr. Joseph Hanlon, winner of the 2007 Henderson State-of-the-Art Award, delivered the first, on medication-related adverse events in older patients. Outstanding Scientific Achievement for Clinical Investigation Award-winner Dr. Eric Coleman lectured on new approaches to improving the quality of care transitions. To a packed house, Dr. Peter Hollmann delivered the Public Policy address, "How Physicians Get Paid By Medicare: Past, Present and Future."

Among the many well attended sessions were symposia exploring cutting-edge evidence linking the metabolic syndrome to cognitive decline and dementia; and the role of multidisciplinary teams in addressing elder mistreatment. An open conversation regarding policy with clinical leaders from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and an overview of NIA research initiatives, funding and training opportunities also drew crowds. So did the meetings' eight paper and four poster sessions, the Presidential Reception and annual Evening With Friends benefit for the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's Student Researcher Fund. (See related story)

During the annual meeting, Dr. Todd Semla took the helm as AGS' new President, and outgoing President Dr. Jane Potter became Chair of the Society's Board of Directors. Dr. John Murphy was named President-Elect, Drs. Sally Brooks, Jeffrey Escher, and Peter Rabins were named members of the Board, and Dr. Escher was also named Co-Chair of the Council of State Affiliate Representatives. (See related stories)

The Society presented several awards to outstanding researchers, clinicians, educators, and advocates of quality health care for older adults during its annual awards ceremony. Among others, it presented AGS' Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Award -- which honors an individual whose leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of geriatrics education at medical and health professional schools -- to Dr. Steven Counsell. AGS' Clinician of the Year Award, which honors a clinician whose dedication to patients and the advancement of quality geriatrics care is truly noteworthy, went to Dr. Rebecca Elon. (See related story on additional awards)

The 2008 annual meeting runs from April 30 through May 4 in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.americangeriatrics.org.