Merger enhances highly ranked geriatrics program

Updated 10:00 AM August 16, 2004

Merger enhances highly ranked geriatrics program

By Nicole Fawcett
UMHS Public Relations

In an effort to strengthen aging initiatives on campus, the University has merged its Institute of Gerontology (IoG) with the Medical School's Geriatrics Center. The combination will integrate U-M's internationally recognized clinical, educational and research programs, which are expanding knowledge of the aging process and addressing the health care concerns of older adults.

Founded in 1987, the Geriatrics Center is the umbrella organization for geriatric patient care, education and research at U-M Health System. The IoG, founded by the State of Michigan in 1965, became the nation's first state-funded center on aging and has remained a leader in gerontological research.

"We are building on a rich history of University of Michigan leadership in aging and research. This merger of the Institute of Gerontology with the Geriatrics Center strengthens the University's commitment and represents a major step forward, which will keep the University of Michigan at the forefront of research in basic science of aging and its translation to improve the health and well being of the rapidly aging population," says Dr. Jeffrey Halter, director of the Geriatrics Center and professor of internal medicine at the Medical School. With the merger, Halter also will serve as IoG director.

The IoG will become the research arm of the Geriatrics Center, strengthening the collective research capabilities in geriatrics and gerontology in multiple areas. The merger will allow U-M to pool significant human, financial and space resources.

Geriatrics Center researchers will work to develop a better understanding of the factors that regulate the rate of aging in multiple cell and tissue types, and that contribute to the increased vulnerability of older adults to disease and disability. Bringing together the two major centers of aging will allow U-M to expand its focus on biogerontology (the biology of aging), integrative muscle and skeletal research, health services, health policy and behavioral research, and clinical research.

"Biogerontology research will be an increasingly important focus for our Medical School in the years ahead. The combination of the Institute of Gerontology with our own Geriatrics Center will greatly strengthen our capabilities in this area. We are delighted to see this happen," says Dr. Allen Lichter, dean of the Medical School.

"The Institute of Gerontology has established itself as one of the nation's top research institutions in the areas of biogerontology and social aspects of aging," says Fawwaz Ulaby, vice president for research. "Merging the institute and the Geriatrics Center provides an opportunity to closely couple the research findings of the Institute of Gerontology to the clinical studies of the Geriatrics Center. It's a natural fit."

The merger will strengthen U-M's education programs in aging and geriatrics for health professionals by bringing together the IoG's highly regarded research training program with the Geriatrics Center's innovative clinical education experiences.

In addition, the Geriatrics Center, through its Turner Geriatric Clinic, will continue to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary geriatric assessment, as well as ongoing primary care for older adults, and the Turner Senior Resource Center will offer programs designed to improve and enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families.

Merger enhances highly ranked geriatrics program

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