Annals of Long Term Care

The American Geriatrics Society’s commitment to professionalism, the advancement of knowledge, and advocacy make me proud that I've been a member of the Society for nearly 25 years.

As a clinical geriatrician, I value my association with the AGS, as it most closely represents my focus on the health and well-being of older adults. The Society has been integral to building and enhancing our profession in many ways, such as by supporting its state affiliates, publishing leading journals and educational materials on aging and health, developing practice guidelines, supporting research, and advocating for public policy that enhances healthcare for all older Americans and their families.

In order to increase the awareness and reach of geriatrics within the community, in 1997 I founded and continue to serve the Connecticut Geriatrics Society (CGS), a recognized state affiliate that has benefited from a close working relationship with the AGS. CGS has attracted geriatrics care professionals from varied disciplines, and our members have benefited from educational resources, national representation, and promotion of AGS initiatives, opportunities for clinical collaboration, grant support, and public policy direction—all made available and promoted by our national organization. Our AGS state affiliate, like the Society’s other affiliates, serves a much needed role in helping to sustain, support, and promote our professional values, and offers members an opportunity to network. I was privileged to co-chair the Council of State Affiliate Representatives (COSAR) for two years and represent our interests as a board member of the AGS.

As the Associate Physician Editor of Clinical Geriatrics, one of the AGS’ peer-reviewed journals provided to members, I am able to continue to reach out to geriatrics healthcare and primary care professionals, and provide updates on some of the more important issues that impact the care of older adults and promote wellness for this ever increasing population segment.

My previous work with the AGS Clinical Practice Committee and ongoing participation in other groups has enabled me to have a role in clinical practice guideline development and in setting the stage for AGS' role in key clinical and other issues confronting all professionals in our discipline.

In addition, AGS' assistance in working successfully with both state and national legislators has been beneficial in obtaining much needed support in our efforts to drive public policy in the right direction—both toward high-quality care for our patients and for the critical growth and support needed by our profession, especially given the current economic and practice environment.

Last, but not least, I share a camaraderie with my colleagues in the AGS, many of whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years, and look forward to seeing friends and associates at our national meetings. In my experience, and as has been demonstrated in survey data, geriatricians are among the most content of healthcare professionals, and highly value their career choice. I benefit not only from the state-of-the-art knowledge shared at these meetings, but also from the opportunity to meet others and discuss practical issues confronting us all as we attempt to deliver high-quality care within a rapidly evolving and much more challenging healthcare environment.