by Cheryl Phillips, MD, AGS President and Chief Medical Officer at On Lok

I joined the American Geriatrics Society for several reasons.

First, AGS was, and is, the organization that provides me with the most up-to-date, pertinent and relevant information about geriatrics research, education, practice and models of care. AGS is my center for knowledge and understanding of geriatrics.

Secondly, AGS was and is the center of my peer networking. It's an organization of likeminded people who understand what I do.

Thirdly, AGS is an important agent for crucial public policy change. Participating in public policy advocacy to improve older adults' access to quality healthcare is important to me.

For similar reasons, I'm also a member of the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) and am past president of AMDA. AMDA focuses on the world of the physician in the nursing home, while AGS has a broader, interdisciplinary focus that expands to include the health of all seniors. The two overlap. I'd never give up my membership in either organization. They complement one another.

Membership in the AGS affords numerous benefits - free subscriptions to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and other AGS publications, discounts on publications and admission to the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, access to the AGS members-only Web site, opportunities to play leadership roles in the organization, and more. If you'd like to share your reasons for being an AGS member in this new column, please contact Erin Weller at eweller@americangeriatrics.org.