December 7, 2009

Dear Colleague:

The Institute of Medicine report entitled, "Retooling for an Aging
America: Building the Health Care Workforce" (published in April, 2008)
outlines a broad based strategy for increasing the geriatrics competency
of all health professionals, and especially all physicians who care for
older adults, no matter their specialty or practice site.  Here in West
Virginia, the geriatrics faculty from all three medical schools has
collaborated on the development and implementation of a model for
increasing the ability of primary care practitioners to care for older
adults and to be more effective teachers.    The product we have
developed, "AGES", stands for Advanced Geriatrics Educators Skills, and
we are happy to report that we will be presenting this evidence based
curriculum for the 6th time in March of 2010.  The curriculum is
specifically designed for physicians, physician assistants, advanced
practice nurses and nurse practitioners, and clinical pharmacists who
are actively caring for elderly patients in a variety of care settings,
and who are interested in or actively precepting and teaching health
professions students, co-workers or staff.  AGES will be held on March
26 (beginning at 1:00 pm through March 28, concluding at noon, 2010 at
the Bridgeport Conference Center.

Course completers will:
ü      Demonstrate competency in evidence-based knowledge and skills
for advanced geriatrics clinical practice
ü      Demonstrate knowledge of the major geriatric syndromes including
dementia, depression, urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, and delirium,
and discuss methods used to manage these problems
ü      Identify psychosocial and ethical issues as they relate to the
care of geriatric patients and formulate an approach to these problems
ü      Improve their ability to teach the basic principles of
geriatrics to health professions students and practitioners
ü      Demonstrate competency in primary care geriatric medicine
practice and clinical teaching in both a cognitive and objective
structured clinical examination.

A full brochure to register for AGES will be mailed in early January,
2010.  The early bird registration fee is $350 if paid by February 06,
2010, with a full registration fee of $400 due by March 12, 2010, which
covers the costs of materials, testing and the certification.   If two
or more faculty from the same institution attends, there will a $50
reduction in the cost of the registration fee for each participant.
Scholarships are available; please contact the WVGEC to apply for a
scholarship. The WVGEC, as part of support from HRSA Grant D31HP08832,
will pay the cost of the lodging and meals for both days of the
conference.  You can not afford to let this opportunity pass.

As the Director of the West Virginia Geriatric Education Center and a
member of the AGES Advisory Committee I would like to invite you, your
faculty colleagues, and your graduating primary care residents to attend
the 6th Annual AGES training event.  If you have any questions, please
do not hesitate to contact the GEC staff Nancy Daugherty, Program
Coordinator or Mary Annie, Administrative Assistant at 304-347-1208 or
304-347-1295

Sincerely,
[cid:387094421@07122009-0D15]





Mark A Newbrough MD, Program Director
WV Geriatric Education Center


Robert C. Byrd HSC @WVU-Charleston Division * 3110 MacCorkle Avenue *
Charleston, WV 25304 (304) 347-1208 * Fax (304) 556-3824 *
[log in to unmask] *
www.hsc.wvu/charleston/geriatrics<http://www.hsc.wvu/charleston/geriatrics>