University Times

Pitt's Division of Geriatric Medicine has received a $100,000 grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to enhance medical student education in geriatrics.

"This grant will ensure that geriatrics is incorporated into every aspect of the curriculum at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine," said Neil Resnick, professor of medicine and chief, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at Pitt and UPMC Health System. "Such exposure is critical in ensuring that tomorrow's physicians, regardless of their specialty, become aware of the unique considerations in providing optimal care to the older adult."

This award complements a recently received grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation that will develop faculty mentoring, support a coordinator for student training and fund speakers, seminars and an annual student geriatric award, Resnick said.

These grants support a medical education model that other schools can adapt, according to Andrea Fox and Evelyn C. Granieri, associate professors of medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine.

"For the past 10 years, we have been working within the School of Medicine to increase the visibility of geriatrics in the curricular, supracurricular and extracurricular arenas," said Granieri. "We believe this grant will allow us to expand vistas and allow us to interact with more students throughout their medical school years.

The Division of Geriatric Medicine is one of the largest geriatric divisions in the United States and has a community- and clinic-based care network throughout the region. Recently, it was named a national Center for Geriatric Excellence by the Hartford Foundation.

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a non-profit association founded in 1876. AAMC has as its purpose the improvement of the nation's health through the advancement of medical schools and teaching hospitals. The association works with its members to set a national agenda for medical education, biomedical research and health care.