News/Press Releases

• New @AmerGeriatrics President G. Michael Harper (@GMHarperdoc) promises to lead the AGS in its efforts to combat discrimination and bias in healthcare for all Americans as we age. #Geriatrics http://ow.ly/jGgH50J0yHE

New York (May 5, 2022)— G. Michael Harper, MD, AGSF, will step into the role of President of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) when healthcare is still facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on our communities. But he’s also at the forefront of positive change, stepping into a leadership role and continuing his long service as a prominent voice advocating for the Society’s vision to contribute to our communities and maintain our health, safety, and independence as we age. He is taking the helm as the AGS ramps up its efforts to achieve a collective future that is free from discrimination and bias.   

• At #AGS22, @AmerGeriatrics and #geriatrics experts casts a wide net for social & scientific innovations shaping better care for us all as we age. http://ow.ly/H6OV50IZluC

New York (May 4, 2022)– Researchers presenting at this year’s American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22) held May 12-14 in Orlando, Florida represent excellence in geriatrics scholarship, with this year’s selection drawn from a pool of more than 900 submissions. Highlights from this year’s prestigious AGS22 Plenary Paper Session (Thurs., May 12 9:30-10:15am) include: 

• .@AmerGeriatrics opposes policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ Individuals. http://ow.ly/rqqy50IYg5W

New York (May 3, 2022) —The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) stands against discrimination, harassment, prejudice, systemic injustice, and violence targeting any individual for their identity. We have long called for healthcare policies that require equal treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals, regardless of age, and for recognition of the preferred name and gender identity of transgender individuals, regardless of legal or biological gender status.  

The AGS opposes policies that discriminate against persons who are LGBTQ+ such as the recently enacted Florida law that prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and laws enacted in Texas, Alabama, and Utah that discriminate against transgender individuals. We believe that legislation, orders, or policies that single out or target groups or individuals—implicitly or explicitly—impede the progress we have made, and directly stigmatize and isolate already vulnerable populations. Our members know first-hand the negative impact that a lifetime of discrimination has on the health, well-being, and quality of life of older people.  

• . @AmerGeriatrics welcomes its newest class of fellows—a select group of experts recognized for their deep commitment to the AGS and to advancing high-quality, person-centered care for us all as we age. http://ow.ly/6rak50IXr2Z

New York (May 2, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today honored 20 leading health professionals who joined the newest class of AGS Fellows—a select group of experts recognized for their deep commitment to the AGS and to advancing high-quality, person-centered care for us all as we age.

“Collectively, these new fellows are being honored for their active participation in the work of AGS, and for their contributions to advancing the field through scholarly activities, advocacy, teaching and excellence in patient care,” noted incoming AGS President G. Michael Harper, M.D. The fellows will be formally recognized at the 2022 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting (#AG22; May 12-14).

This year’s fellows hail from across the country and reflect the dedication to geriatrics education, clinical care, and research indicative of our Society’s commitment to quality care for us all as we age. They include:

• .@AmerGeriatrics Honors Expert & Emerging #Geriatrics Leaders at #AGS22 http://ow.ly/kKat50IVGOz 

New York (April 29, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) annually honors researchers, clinicians, educators, and emerging health professionals who have made outstanding contributions to high-quality, person-centered care for older people. This year’s award recipients include more than 20 leaders representing the breadth of disciplines championing care for us all as we age. 

Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine Who are Focused on the Care of Older Adults 

• Anil Makam, MD, MAS (University of California, San Francisco)  

Choosing Wisely® Champion Award 

• Lee A. Lindquist, MD, MPH, MBA (Northwestern University)  

Clinical Student Research Award 

• Dallas Mindo-Panusis (University of California, San Francisco)  

Clinician of the Year Award 

• . @AmerGeriatrics names Dr. Jerry C. Johnson with prestigious Nascher/Manning Award in Geriatrics at #AGS22 http://ow.ly/wqau50ILSz8

New York (April 20, 2022 )—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) will this year honor past AGS President Jerry C. Johnson, MD, AGSF, of the University of Pennsylvania with the prestigious Nascher/Manning Award, given biannually at the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22 will be held in Orlando May 12 – 14, pre-conference day May 11). Having previously served as Chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine from 2001-2018, Dr. Johnson is now a Professor Emeritus at this institution and he remains committed to health professionals in training through teaching and mentorship. He joins an elite cadre of geriatrics healthcare professionals recognized with the Nascher/Manning Award since its inception in 1987.

• Today, @AmerGeriatrics announces Dr. Lauren Southerland (@LSGeriatricEM) of @OhioStateEMRes, @OSUCOM_WIM as recipient of the #AGS22 Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Surgical and Related Medical Specialties http://ow.ly/GOLU50ILRti 

New York, NY (April 19, 2022)—Advancing care for older people across health specialties, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the AGS Health in Aging Foundation today announced that Lauren Southerland, MD, of Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center will receive this year’s Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Surgical and Related Medical Specialties. Presented at the AGS 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22), held May 12 – 14 in Orlando, Florida, the award will recognize Dr. Southerland for pioneering multidisciplinary geriatric models of care for older adults who have emergency healthcare needs.
 
“Since its inception, the AGS has worked to advance the care of older adults and to ensure that all our practitioners are skilled in delivering the specialized health care older adults require as they age. In particular, emergency care for our patients has its own unique challenges,” said AGS President Peter Hollmann, MD, AGSF. “Pioneering leaders like Dr. Southerland are making great strides to ensure that our patients receive the treatment they need when they are taken to the ED.”
 

• Today, @AmerGeriatrics awards Dr. Anil Makam (@AnilMakam) the Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine focused on #Geriatrics #AGS22 http://ow.ly/s61z50IKIOT

New York, NY (April 15, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the AGS Health in Aging Foundation announced today that they will confer one of their newest honors on Anil N. Makam, MD, MAS, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. Dr. Makam will receive the fifth Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine Who are Focused on the Care of Older Adults at the AGS 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22), held May 12 – 14 in Orlando, Florida (pre-conference day May 11).
 
“Across his body of work, Dr. Makam’s cutting-edge research is at the intersection of geriatrics, hospital medicine, and post-acute care, specifically focusing on the role of long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs),” noted AGS President Peter Hollmann, MD, AGSF. “Like the namesake for this award, Dr. Arti Hurria, his passion is evident in his work—in his case, for evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal of the clinical scientific literature.”
 

• Today, the @AmerGeriatrics names @UCSFGeriatrics 's Dr. Helen Kao #Geriatrics Clinician of the Year #AGS22  http://ow.ly/uMse50IGUf

New York (April 13, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today named Helen S. Kao, MD, as its 2022 Clinician of the Year. Dr. Kao, who is Medical Director of Clinical Innovations at Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care, and Adjunct Professor at UCSF School of Medicine, will be honored at the AGS 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS22) May 12-14 in Orlando.
 
“Our 2022 Clinician of the Year, Dr. Helen Kao, is an exceptional physician who provides exemplary care through many different care settings with a holistic, patient-centered focus,” said AGS President Peter Hollmann, MD, AGSF. “Dr. Kao’s colleagues have noted that the heart of her practice is preserving the rights and dignity of older adults and supporting their ability to lead lives that are as full and healthy as possible. Even further, she focuses on exploring new technology and other innovations to make care accessible to marginalized people,” added Dr. Hollmann.
 

• Congratulations to Dr. Mitchell Heflin of @DukeGeriatrics on being awarded with the 2022 Dennis W. Jahnigen Award for his work advancing geriatrics education. He will receive the award at #AGS22 

  http://ow.ly/v5bQ50IGFy

New York (April 11, 2022)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today announced that Mitchell T. Heflin, MD, MHS, will be honored with the 2022 Dennis W. Jahnigen Award for his dedication to advancing health professions education that enables health care providers in a variety of settings to care effectively for older adults. Dr. Heflin, a tenured Professor of Medicine, is Vice Chief for Education in the Division of Geriatrics and Associate Dean for Interprofessional Education and Care at the Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing.
 
As a Principal Investigator on a prestigious Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Dr. Heflin made lasting connections with many agencies that support older adults. In addition, he has mentored and supported scores of fellows and junior faculty from multiple specialties and professions who aspire to become advanced clinicians and educators.