Each year, the AGS celebrates researchers, clinicians, educators, and trainees who have made outstanding contributions to the care of older adults. Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients, who were honored at the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.
Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine who are focused on the Care of Older Adults
Brienne Miner, MD, MHS and Melisa Wong, MD, MAS, AGSF received the 2025 Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine who are focused on Care of Older Adults.
"Both Drs. Miner and Wong embody the spirit of the Arti Hurria Memorial Award through their dedication to advancing the care of older adults through its incorporation into their respective specialties,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “Dr. Miner’s research in sleep health and Dr. Wong’s research in geriatric oncology are shaping the future for all of us as we age and we are honored to recognize their contributions at #AGS25.”
Brienne Miner, MD, MHS is an Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine in Geriatrics at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.
Dr. Miner completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Yale University including serving as chief resident, followed by subspecialty training in geriatrics and sleep medicine, and a postdoctoral fellowship in geriatric clinical epidemiology and aging-related research. Her research, funded by GEMSSTAR and Beeson awards from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), focuses on the evaluation and management of sleep deficiency in older persons. She uses both self-reported and objective measures — including devices such as gold-standard polysomnography, actigraphy, and encephalography-measuring headbands — to evaluate sleep comprehensively. Her work, published in leading aging and sleep medicine journals such as the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) and the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (JCSM), supports combining self-reported and objective measures as the best method to evaluate sleep. Ultimately, she aims to decrease the burden of sleep deficiency in patients and their care partners through interventions to promote sleep health.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Miner has served in leadership roles in aging and sleep societies, including as Chair of the AGS Junior Faculty Special Interest Group and of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation’s Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers. She is a past recipient of the AGS New Investigator Award, a Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging scholar, and currently serves on the JAGS editorial board.
Melisa Wong, MD, MAS, AGSF is a Research Scientist II in the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) and Associate Adjunct Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Dr. Wong is a thoracic medical oncologist and geriatric oncology clinician- investigator who completed her residency in internal medicine at UCSF, followed by fellowships in medical oncology and aging research. Her research aims to transform cancer care for older adults — to help patients clarify their goals and values in the face of uncertainty and to support oncologists to keep these truths at the core of the care they provide. As an NIA Beeson K76 Scholar, Dr. Wong adapted and pilot tested the Best Case/Worst Case (BC/WC) communication tool from geriatric surgery to geriatric oncology to support shared decision making for older adults with cancer. She also developed the infrastructure for a multicenter prospective cohort study of older adults with lung cancer with serial geriatric assessments to develop risk prediction tools for functional and cognitive decline.
Dr. Wong, an AGS Fellow, was also a 2022-2023 UCSF Pepper Center Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core Scholar. Amongst a plethora of honors and awards, her research paper ‘“You have to be sure that the patient has the full picture’: Adaptation of the Best Case/Worst Case Communication Tool for Geriatric Oncology” received the Journal of Geriatric Oncology’s Dr. Arti Hurria Best Paper Award for 2021-2022. As one of Dr. Hurria’s geriatric oncology mentees, Dr. Wong is especially honored to continue advancing the field that Dr. Hurria dedicated her career to.
Thomas & Catherine Yoshikawa Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Clinical Investigation
Nancy Schoenborn, MD, MHS is the 2025 recipient of the Thomas & Catherine Yoshikawa Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Clinical Investigation.
Dr. Schoenborn is a national leader in the study of individualized care of medically complex older adults that considers each person’s health status and personal preferences. Her pioneering work has identified the disconnect between common concepts and language used in scientific research and guidelines (such as life expectancy) and patient perspectives, which then negatively impacts care. She has, in turn, bridged this disconnect by studying and incorporating patient preferences for how to communicate sensitive topics such as life expectancy and discontinuation of preventive services. Her work has examined decision making from the clinician and the patient perspectives and has focused on the critical role of communication in facilitating patient-centered care. She is currently leading an interdisciplinary project to study how to more broadly message about the harms of cancer over screening to the public as well as the ethics of using persuasion in health communication.
“Dr. Schoenborn’s research is transforming the way we approach cancer screening and other critical health decisions for older adults,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “By prioritizing communication about personal preferences, Dr. Schoenborn is helping to ensure that older adults receive care aligned with their personal values. Her work on eliciting patient perspectives to promote individualized care in arenas such as cancer screening, deprescribing medications, de-intensification of treatment, and using artificial intelligence to improve care, exemplifies the Yoshikawas’ commitment to advancing geriatrics through innovative and ethically grounded clinical investigation.”
Dr. Schoenborn has been widely recognized for her contributions to geriatrics and aging research. The NIA awarded her an R03 grant (2015-2018) for early-career specialists transitioning to aging research (GEMSSTAR) and a Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (2018-2024). She was among the inaugural cohort of Multiple Chronic Conditions Scholars in 2019, sponsored by the Healthcare Systems Research Network and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independent Centers AGING Initiative. She also was named a T. Franklin Williams Scholar by the AGS Health in Aging Foundation and the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (2015-2018). Her achievements within the American Geriatrics Society include receiving a New Investigator Award (2016), being honored as the Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year (2019), and receiving Best Paper and Best Poster Awards (2022). The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine awarded her the Clinician Scientist Award in 2016.
The Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Award
Christine K. Wanich Bradway, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, AGSF was honored as the 2025 Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Awardee, in recognition of her significant contributions to the education of health professionals in geriatrics care. A distinguished educator, clinician, and researcher, Dr. Bradway has dedicated over 30 years to improving care for individuals with urinary incontinence, severe obesity, chronic conditions, and dementia through the education of students and health professionals. A nationally and internationally recognized leader in gerontological nursing, Dr. Bradway has shaped the field through her expertise in incontinence education and innovative geriatrics care models. This prestigious award recognizes her dedication and excellence in geriatrics education, reaffirming Dr. Bradway’s role in shaping the future of health care for all of us as we age.
Currently serving as a Professor Emerita of Gerontological Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Dr. Bradway continues to mentor nursing PhD students, teach in Penn’s International Master of Public Administration Program, and volunteer with several community organizations focused on improving care for older people.
“Although her early nursing career was in high-level trauma and intensive care, she found her true calling in primary care geriatrics as a nurse practitioner,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “Over the years, Dr. Bradway has brought her expertise to a wide range of clinical settings, from long-term care to community-based primary and specialty care, all while shaping the next generation of geriatric clinicians through her leadership in education and research. As faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, she directed the Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program as well as critical courses for adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners and PhD students and provided leadership for the LIFE (PACE model) program. Her work as Co-PI for the Geriatric Education Center of Greater Philadelphia reflected her deep commitment to advancing interprofessional geriatric education and improving care for older adults. Dr. Bradway’s career is a testament to the power of early experiences shaping a lifelong dedication to the field, and her impact on geriatrics education and clinical practice is truly remarkable."
An active AGS member since 1985, Dr. Bradway has played an important role in advancing the Society’s mission through her leadership in committees, mentorship programs, and scholarly contributions. Over the course of four decades, Dr. Bradway has served on various AGS committees and workgroups and has also served as the Chair of the 2022 AGS Annual Meeting, contributed as a reviewer for AGS publications, serves as an Associate Editor for JAGS, and has been an active participant in the Care Transitions, Women in Geriatrics, and Nurses’ Special Interest Groups.
Her commitment to education and scholarship is evident through her extensive involvement in AGS Annual Scientific Meetings, where she has presented research, chaired symposia, and reviewed abstracts and proposals. Her research and clinical expertise have informed numerous publications in JAGS and the Annals of Long-Term Care, directly impacting the care of vulnerable older adults. As a mentor in the AGS Mentoring Program since 2011, Dr. Bradway has guided countless students and early-career professionals, furthering AGS’s mission to support the next generation of geriatrics experts.
The Nascher/Manning Award
Marie A. Bernard, MD, AGSF, former Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity at the National Institutes of Health, is the recipient of the prestigious Nascher/Manning Award this year. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Bernard has played a pivotal role in advancing research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease, fostering multiple perspectives in the biomedical workforce, and shaping national health initiatives that impact older adults.
“Dr. Bernard’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the future of geriatrics and ensuring that research and healthcare reflect the populations we serve,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “Her work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has driven systemic change, promoting a broad range of perspectives in clinical research and workforce development. She embodies the dedication and impact that the Nascher/Manning Award recognition seeks to honor.”
Dr. Bernard, who retired from federal service in late 2024, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, advocacy, and scientific advancement that will continue to shape the field of geriatrics for generations to come. As the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity (COSWD) at NIH, Dr. Bernard spearheaded efforts to ensure that numerous viewpoints were represented in biomedical research. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Director of the NIA, working closely with the NIA Director to oversee approximately $3.1 billion in research focused on aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Key among her accomplishments as COSWD includes her establishing systematic outreach to institutions that had not received much NIH funding, including rural institutions, to foster enhanced awareness and communication about NIH opportunities. As NIA Deputy, she co-led the NIH Inclusion Governance Committee, assuring that there was appropriate inclusion of populations representative of the U.S. in clinical trials. Under her leadership, NIH developed the Inclusion Across the Lifespan Policy that mandates that children and older adults be included in clinical trials.
Dr. Bernard has been a tireless advocate working within NIH and beyond. When she was NIA Deputy, she co-chaired two of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ “Healthy People 2020” objectives: “Older Adults” and “Dementias, including Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Before joining NIH in 2008, Dr. Bernard was the Donald W. Reynolds Chair in Geriatric Medicine and founding chairperson of the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. She also served as Associate Chief of Staff for Geriatrics and Extended Care at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Her University of Oklahoma efforts led to a $32 million endowment from the State and the Reynolds Foundation for geriatrics and aging research and training.
Dr. Bernard graduated from Bryn Mawr College and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She did internal medicine residency training at Temple University Hospital where she also served as chief resident. She received additional training from the Geriatric Education Center of Pennsylvania, the AAMC Health Services Research Institute, and the Wharton Executive Development program.
The David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is this year's David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award recipient in recognition of her unwavering commitment to geriatrics and improving healthcare for older Americans. Throughout her distinguished career, Congresswoman Schakowsky has been a steadfast advocate for policies that strengthen the geriatrics workforce and enhance the quality of care for all Americans as they age.
“Congresswoman Schakowsky has played a pivotal role in shaping policies that support geriatrics education and workforce development,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “Her leadership in advancing critical programs like the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and the Geriatrics Academic Career Award (GACA) epitomizes Dr. Solomon’s lifelong commitment to community service and the advancement of knowledge in caring for older adults. We are honored to recognize her with this award.”
A long-standing champion of the importance of health professionals having the knowledge and skills to care for older Americans, Congresswoman Schakowsky has spearheaded multiple legislative efforts to address the shortage of healthcare professionals with training in geriatrics and gerontology. In the 115th Congress (2017-2018), she introduced the Geriatrics Workforce and Caregiver Enhancement Act (H.R. 3713) to reauthorize key workforce training programs under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act. In the 116th Congress, she introduced the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 2781) and then successfully advocated for its inclusion in the COVID-19 stimulus package that was passed in 2020. That legislation extended authorization of the GWEP and GACA programs through 2025. Due to her efforts, these critical programs, offered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), continue to provide essential support for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and clinician-educators who are dedicated to ensuring the health care workforce is prepared to care for older Americans.
“We are immensely grateful for Congresswoman Schakowsky’s dedication to ensuring we all receive the quality care we deserve as we age,” said AGS CEO Nancy Lundebjerg, MPA. “Her tireless advocacy has strengthened the geriatrics workforce and advanced policies that improve the lives of millions of older Americans and their caregivers daily.”
The David H. Solomon Memorial Public Service Award celebrates the legacy of David H. Solomon, MD, AGSF, a renowned geriatrician committed to community service and advancing knowledge about the care of older individuals.
Clinician of the Year Award
Rebecca Conant, MD, is the 2025 recipient of the Clinician of the Year Award. Dr. Conant is Professor of Medicine in the Geriatrics Division at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Medical Director of the UCSF Care at Home Program.
"Our 2025 Clinician of the Year, Dr. Rebecca Conant, embodies the very best of geriatric medicine," said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. "As a visionary leader, educator, and clinician, Dr. Conant has transformed the landscape of care for older adults, expanding access to high-quality, person-centered medicine. Her leadership in developing innovative care models, advancing medical education, and mentoring future generations of geriatricians has strengthened the field in immeasurable ways. Through her unwavering dedication, she has not only improved healthcare delivery but also shaped a more compassionate and equitable future for us all as we age."
A pioneering leader in home-based geriatric care, Dr. Conant founded the UCSF Housecalls Program in 2001 to provide primary care, palliative, and end-of-life care to frail, homebound older adults in San Francisco. Under Dr. Conant’s leadership, the program transitioned into UCSF Care at Home in 2015, expanding its reach to serve over 600 older adults in 2024. Both as a clinician and Medical Director, Dr. Conant has spearheaded innovative approaches to improving home-based care, including electronic medical record integration, transitional care programs, and in COVID-19 response efforts. Dr. Conant also played a pivotal role in securing UCSF’s participation in the GUIDE program, a national initiative supporting caregivers of dementia patients.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Conant is a dedicated educator and nationally recognized expert, mentoring medical students, fellows, and interdisciplinary teams in home-based geriatric medicine. A Professor of Medicine at UCSF who has devoted over 90% of her effort to clinical care for over 20 years, she is an expert whom others turn to for guidance and support in caring for medically and socially complex older adults. A widely published author and sought-after media expert, Dr. Conant continues to shape the future of home-based geriatric care through research, advocacy, and clinical excellence. She was recognized as a 2022 Master Clinician at UCSF and received the 2024 Housecall Physician of the Year Award by the American Academy of Home Care Medicine.
Dr. Conant received her undergraduate degree from Harvard and Radcliffe College in Massachusetts and her MD from UCSF. She completed residency in Internal Medicine as well as her fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at UCSF. An AGS member since 2000, Dr. Conant has presented at previous AGS Annual Scientific Meetings, winning the Presidential Poster Award in 2010. AGS is honored to recognize her with the Clinician of the Year Award for her exceptional clinical career dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, person-centered medical care for older adults, pioneering innovations in home-based geriatrics, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians.
The Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Surgical & Related Medical Specialties
Anaïs Rameau, MD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, is the 2025 recipient of the Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for
Emerging Investigators in the Surgical and Related Medical Specialties.
“Dr. Rameau is a trailblazer in geriatric dysphagia research, combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge artificial intelligence to improve the detection and treatment of swallowing disorders
in older adults,” said AGS Chair Mark A. Supiano, MD, AGSF. “Through pioneering work and national leadership roles, Dr. Rameau is shaping the future of otolaryngology and enhancing care for aging populations. Her dedication to improving the lives of older adults through early detection of unsafe swallowing and the development of innovative diagnostic and screening tools exemplifies the spirit of the Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award, which honors emerging researchers making a meaningful impact on aging-focused care within their specialty.”
Dr. Rameau, a distinguished otolaryngologist and researcher committed to advancing care for older adults, is working to address the challenges of swallowing dysfunction. Specializing in laryngology with a focus on geriatric dysphagia, she has made significant contributions to the field, including the development of innovative tools to detect and manage swallowing impairments. Her NIH Beeson Career Development Award-funded research employs acoustic biomarkers to enhance early diagnosis and intervention for swallowing difficulties, with the ultimate goal of reducing morbidity and mortality associated with aspiration and malnutrition. Dr. Rameau has published extensively on swallowing disorders and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical otolaryngology, including pioneering applications in video-laryngoscopy and acoustic analysis. Her leadership roles and international recognition underscore her influence in advancing clinical and technological solutions that improve outcomes for older adults.
The first otolaryngologist to receive the prestigious Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging, Dr. Rameau is currently serving as Director of New Technologies and Chief of Dysphagia in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. A fellow of the esteemed Triological Society, Dr. Rameau holds multiple national leadership positions, including Chair of the Dysphagia Committee of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association and President-Elect of the American Society for Geriatric Otolaryngology. Internationally, Dr. Rameau has been invited to present research in countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. Additionally, she is an alumna Young Leader of the prestigious French-American Foundation.
Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator of the Year Award
Omar Amir, MD, MS, is the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator Award. Dr. Amir is the Director of the Age-Friendly Acute Care Unit at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital in New York City where he is dedicated to implementing geriatric standards of care according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Geriatric 4Ms model. In his clinical and programmatic leadership roles, he has successfully implemented several quality-of-care initiatives including projects to optimize discharge efficiency and improve safe transitions of care for older adults, facilitate early patient mobilization and reduce pressure ulcer incidence, improve nutrition support to frail older adults and enhance workplace safety and well-being. He is universally regarded by his trainees as an excellent teacher, mentor, and role model. While attending the Harvard Macy Program for Educators in Health Professions, he developed an interprofessional team-based geriatrics curriculum for rural Indian Health Service providers in South Dakota. He has championed this model as a way to extend geriatrics expertise to a vulnerable and underserved population, with a combination of direct clinical care and remote education.
In addition to mentoring residents, fellows, and faculty, he serves as co-faculty advisor for the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai where he mentors new students who have been inducted into the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society and advises them on their capstone service projects on humanism in medicine. Among his many accomplishments and honors, he was chosen as a Stanford Medical Scholar and inducted into the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2011 and won the Student Recognition Award for Service in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2006.
The Outstanding Junior Clinician Education Manuscript Award
Eva Szymanski, MD and Jessica Zuo, MD, both Assistant Professors of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania and staff physicians at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, have been recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Junior Clinician Education Manuscript Award for their work on “Implementation of a Geriatric Assessment SmartPhrase: A Multi-Institutional Pilot Study” published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2024.
Recognizing that as the aging population grows, geriatric assessment is becoming an essential clinical skill, Drs. Szymanski and Zuo integrated a geriatric assessment called SmartPhrase (which are note templates in the electronic health record) into inpatient and outpatient geriatrics rotations. Trainees reported significant improvements in their knowledge, confidence, and ability to perform a geriatric assessment. Many also noted its positive impact on clinical practice and continued to use the SmartPhrase beyond their geriatrics rotation, highlighting its broader applicability across different medical settings.
Dr. Eva Syzmanski cares for older adults in geriatric primary care, outpatient consultative geriatric assessment and memory care, and inpatient geriatric care, and is creating new multidisciplinary geriatrics clinics at local and regional levels. Her goal as an educator is to train future geriatricians and empower clinicians to apply geriatrics principles to their own practices, regardless of field. Her scholarly interests include creating innovative geriatric curricula and experiences for trainees, especially in geriatric assessment, memory care, and transitions of care. She is heavily involved in geriatrics education at Penn and is building a national presence by leading multi-institutional projects.
As faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jessica Zuo co-directs the Aging andTransitions of Care curricula for the Internal Medicine residency. She works with colleagues to optimize residents’ geriatrics experience, in addition to directly teaching trainees in primary care, long-term care, and inpatient geriatrics settings. Dedicated to improving the geriatrics pipeline, she remains involved in the high school summer program that first introduced her to geriatrics, the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy. Her scholarly work focuses on teaching geriatric assessment to trainees, transitions of care, and program evaluation.
The Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year Award
The American Geriatrics Society is proud to recognize Clark DuMontier, MD, MPH, as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year for his pioneering work in integrating geriatrics into oncology. Dr. DuMontier is a geriatrician and clinical researcher at VA Boston, NE GRECC, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He co-directs the Older Adult Hematologic Malignancy Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and founded the VA Boston Geriatrics Oncology Clinic, which has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System.
His research has addressed a critical gap in oncology: the underrepresentation of older adults in clinical trials and the need for better assessment measures beyond traditional cancer metrics. His work has shown that functional status, mobility, frailty, and multimorbidity significantly influence patient outcomes, independent of tumor stage or genetics. To support oncology teams in incorporating these measures, he has explored innovative approaches, including virtual frailty assessments and electronic health measures that can be found in existing data within the electronic health record. He has also led the development and dissemination of new definitions of over- and undertreatment that center on geriatric assessment and older adults’ values, goals, and preferences.
Dr. DuMontier was the lead author on the first randomized controlled trial assessing geriatrics consultation in older patients with blood cancers. His findings have been published in the field's leading journals and cited by national oncology guidelines. He is currently supported by a VA Career Development Award and has received additional early career and pilot funding from the NIA, National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Cancer Society. A dedicated AGS member since medical school, he recently served as president of the AGS Cancer and Aging Special Interest Group and currently serves as a member of the VA Research Special Interest Group.
The Outstanding Junior Research Manuscript Award
Dr. James Deardorff, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), was honored with the 2025 Outstanding Junior Research Manuscript Award for his original investigation “Development and External Validation of Models to Predict Need for Nursing Home Level of Care in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Dementia,” published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2023. Dr. Deardorff’s prognostic study aimed to develop models to predict the need for nursing home level of care among older adults with probable dementia. Two models were created - one using proxy reports and another using self-reports. Through this study, he found that relatively simple models can predict with moderate discrimination and excellent calibration the need for nursing home level of care in community-dwelling older adults with probable dementia. These models can aid patients, families, and caregivers in planning for future care needs.
His geriatrics research interest began during medical school through the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program and continued throughout his Internal Medicine residency at Duke, Geriatrics fellowship at UCSF, and T32 aging research fellowship at UCSF. His research focuses on improving clinical care for older adults through prognostic information. He has developed multiple prediction models for community-dwelling older adults with dementia, including a mortality prediction model and models to predict the need for nursing home level of care. These models provide individuals with a broad range of prognostic risk estimates that may help guide discussions about clinical decision making and future planning. He is currently supported by NIA GEMSSTAR R03 and UCSF KL2 awards to develop prognostic models for older adults admitted to skilled nursing facilities.
The Outstanding Mid-Career Clinician Educator of the Year Award
The American Geriatrics Society is honored to recognize Renee Flores, MD, EdD, FACP, MHSA, AGSF as the 2025 Outstanding Mid-Career Clinician Educator Awardee for her outstanding contributions to geriatrics education. A dedicated geriatrician and educator, Dr. Flores has made a profound impact on medical training by inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals to embrace the complexities and rewards of caring for older adults.
Dr. Flores has played a pivotal role in shaping geriatrics education, serving as Associate Program Director and later Program Director for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Her leadership has guided numerous trainees toward careers in geriatric medicine. Recognized for her dedication to teaching, she was inducted into McGovern Medical School’s Academy of Master Educators in 2019 and has consistently received glowing evaluations of her teaching, focused on geriatric medicine, Age-Friendly care, and ethics.
With an Executive Doctor of Education Degree (EdD) in Professional Leadership with an Emphasis on Health Science Education, Dr. Flores is deeply committed to advancing geriatric healthcare through education. Along with technical skills and clinical knowledge, she emphasizes empathy, resilience, and commitment to service as essential components of medical training. As a faculty member of the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, she is a leader in narrative medicine education, developing unique programs for medical students in philosophy, ethics, religion, law, aging, and end of life.
Dr. Flores is passionate about innovative teaching methods, including simulation-based learning and case discussions, to engage students and enhance critical thinking. She is committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive learning environment that prepares students to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for older adults. Her dedication to mentorship and curriculum development continues to shape the future of geriatrics.
Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Awards 2025 Recipients
Lolita Sai Nidadavolu, MD, PhD; Rebecca Rodin, MD, MSc; Surbhi Singhal, MD; and Nathan Stall, MD, PhD all received 2025 New Investigator Awards.
Dr. Nidadavolu is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, clinician scientist, and memory disorder specialist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM). She received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University and received a joint MD-PhD at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine training at Brown University and a clinical and research fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at JHUSOM studying the role of chronic inflammation in the development of frailty and cognitive impairment. She joined faculty at JHUSOM in 2021 and her research encompasses basic science and translational studies focused on contributions of age-related immune system changes to physical and cognitive decline. Her innovative research is focused on the development and characterization of novel circulating biomarkers (specifically circulating cell-free DNA) that can predict both future cognitive and physical decline and response to interventions promoting resilience in vulnerable older adults.
Dr. Rodin is an Assistant Professor in the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research focuses on pain management and quality of life for older adults with serious illness using national survey and Medicare claims data. Her work is supported by an NIA GEMSSTAR R03, an American Cancer Society R03, and two Older American Independence Center (OAIC) pilot awards. Her prior work on the impact of bereavement on functional decline and mortality in older adults with serious illness was published in JAMA Network Open, with additional publications in JAMA Internal Medicine and Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Rodin is an MSTAR research mentor and serves on the Early Investigator committees for OAIC and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Her 2025 AGS abstract is the first to show that in the year following hip fracture, older adults with dementia spend over 1 month more in post-acute care/nursing facilities than those without dementia.
Dr. Singhal is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of California Davis. She participated in the NIA’s prestigious Butler-Williams Scholars Program and serves on the Analytics Core and the Junior Board for the Cancer and Aging Research Group. Dr. Singhal is a rising leader in geriatric oncology, dedicated to improving the care and quality of life for older adults with advanced cancer. Her research focuses on addressing the unique vulnerabilities of this population by integrating geriatric assessment and supportive care interventions into oncology practice. Through her innovative work, Dr. Singhal has highlighted the critical role of nutritional impairment in predicting quality of life trajectories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care approaches. With her vision and dedication, Dr. Singhal is poised to make transformative contributions, bringing key geriatric principles to the field of oncology, improving outcomes for older adults with advanced cancers.
Dr. Stall is a practicing geriatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada and an early career researcher with the Women’s Age Lab at Women’s College Hospital and the Department of Medicine at the
University of Toronto. His work has had a profound impact on geriatric medicine, aging research and the care of vulnerable older adults. He graduated with a PhD from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto in 2022. He is among the few Canadian geriatricians to hold a PhD, and has published over 130 papers, many in leading journals. His studies on dementia care, drug safety, family caregiving, and COVID-19 and nursing homes have influenced health policy and clinical practice, exemplifying his leadership in geriatric medicine. Dr. Stall’s dedication to advancing the field of geriatric medicine through impactful research, mentorship, and advocacy makes him an ideal recipient of the prestigious New Investigator Award. His contributions have already transformed the landscape of aging and long-term care, and his trajectory promises even greater achievements.
Clinical Student Research Award
Gabrielle Katz is the 2025 Clinician Student Research Award recipient for her submission, “Provision of Air Conditioning and Mortality During Extreme Heat in Nursing Homes: A Case Crossover Study in Ontario, Canada.” Examining whether extreme heat was associated with an increased risk of mortality in Ontario nursing homes with and without air conditioning, Ms. Katz’s work will be important in guiding the implementation of cooling technology in nursing homes and other congregate settings for older adults, especially as climate change leads to more frequent extreme heat events. Ms. Katz has an impressive research background, including two first-author reports for the Ontario COVID-19 Science Table and a first author publication in JAMA Health Forum. A second-year medical student at the University of Toronto, Ms. Katz’s passion for geriatrics, research, and leadership positions her to be a promising leader in geriatric medicine and aging research.
Scientist-in-Training Research Award
The 2025 recipient of the Scientist-in-Training Research Award is Aastha Relan, a Master’s student in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. In her recent study, “Capturing Clinically Meaningful Change in Frailty during Inpatient Rehabilitation using the Fit-Frailty App,” Ms. Relan is advancing frailty assessment and management through digital health solutions for older adults. Under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, Ms. Relan contributed to several projects at the Geriatric Education and Research in Aging Sciences (GERAS) Centre for Aging Research, including a multi-site prospective cohort study on frailty in inpatient rehabilitation. As a co-design collaborator, her work on validating the Fit-Frailty app aims to explore the use of frailty as an outcome measure of treatment response. Ms. Relan’s research interests also include virtual frailty interventions, such as GERAS Dance, demonstrating her commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion for underserved older adults.
Over the past 2 years alone, she has presented at 9 high impact conferences. She has been awarded over $94,000 in funding and honors, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-funded EPIC-AT Fellowship and CAN-TAPTALENT Master’s Award. Ms. Relan is well-positioned as a future leader in geriatrics research and AgeTech innovation.
The Edward Henderson Student Research Award
Belinda Tang, a fourth-year medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University, is the recipient of the 2025 Edward Henderson Student Research Award in recognition of her remarkable contributions to geriatrics through her research, advocacy, and leadership. As an undergraduate at Cornell University, she co-led a student group promoting engagement with assisted living communities. After college, she coordinated research addressing gaps in care for older adults in safety-net settings and helped launch GoldenTalk, a 24-hour helpline combating social isolation during COVID-19. At SUNY Upstate Medical University, she has served as president of the Geriatrics Interest Group, initiated community services for older adult refugees, and led discussions at the Association of American Medical Colleges on integrating geriatrics into medical training. Her research accomplishments include MSTAR participation, posters and oral presentations at AGS Annual Scientific Meetings, and two first authored JAGS publications regarding medication use and a novel healthy aging intervention for older adults. Ms. Tang’s leadership, research, and advocacy underscore her transformative impact and potential to lead advancements in geriatric care and education.
Choosing Wisely Champion Award
The Choosing Wisely® Champions program helps expand the Choosing Wisely® campaign by highlighting stories of people whose leadership in choosing tests and treatments wisely has inspired others to promote high-quality, person-centered care. For the 2025 award, the AGS congratulates Omar Amir, MD, MS. As the Director of the Age-Friendly Acute Care Unit at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, Dr. Amir prioritizes implementing geriatric standards of clinical care based on the IHI’s Geriatric 4Ms model. He teaches rotating Internal Medicine trainees on the 4Ms model through interdisciplinary rounds, bedside teaching sessions, and afternoon case or topic-based didactics. This rotation is highly regarded for its unique and innovative educational value, particularly for Dr. Amir’s emphasis on an evidence-based approach to discussing treatment goals with patients and families, focusing on What Matters Most.