The University of Louisville Geriatrics Symposium, sponsored by the Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging, is a regional resource for up-to-date training and information regarding the care of older adults. The annual event is part of Optimal Aging Month during September and will be held Friday, Sept. 18, from 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. at the Founders Building on UofL’s Shelbyhurst campus, 312 N. Whittington Parkway.

This year’s event is titled “Maximizing Independence for Optimal Aging.” Cost to attend is $150 for physicians; $125 for all other health care professionals; and $35 for medical residents and students. Continuing education credit is available. Registration is available on the conference website.

The world’s population, including in the United States, is aging at an exponential rate. Currently there are only 7,162 allopathic and osteopathic certified geriatricians in the United States. This translates to one geriatrician for every 2,620 Americans over 75 years old.

The projected increase in the number of older Americans is expected to change this ratio to one geriatrician for every 3,798 older Americans in 2030. Due to the projected shortfall of experts in geriatrics to provide for the rapidly aging U.S. population, it is necessary for all providers to have some exposure and ideally expert training in geriatrics principles in order to fulfill the increasing need to provide care for older adults.

The University of Louisville Annual Geriatrics Symposium is a daylong event that  offers an interdisciplinary audience immersion in geriatric training skills. The symposium presents the most updated skills training and theories on varied topics related to the care of the geriatric patient. It is designed for a broad multidisciplinary audience including physicians, nurses, dentists, nurse practitioners, social workers, long-term care professionals, in-home care providers to elders and anyone involved in the care of elder Americans.

Speakers include:

• David Morris, Ph.D., Interim Chair and Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Belinda Setters, M.D. , Director, Mobile Acceptable Clinical Evidence Unit  and Transitional Care, Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville
• Kathy Shireman, R.N., Director of Clinical Services, Episcopal Church Home, Louisville
• Demetra Antimisiaris, Pharm.D., Associate Professor, UofL Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Christian Furman, M.D., Vice Chair, Geriatric Medicine and Professor, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, UofL Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine, and Interim Medical Director, UofL Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging
• Amelia R. Kiser, M.D., Assistant Professor, UofL Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow, Ky.
• Mike Mansfield, D.M.D., Assistant Professor, UofL Department of General Dentistry and Oral Medicine
• Benjamin Mast, Ph.D., Vice Chair and Associate Professor, UofL Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
• Laura Morton, M.D., Assistant Professor, UofL Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine
• Daniela Neamtu, M.D., Assistant Professor, UofL Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine
• Gustavo Oliveira, D.D.S., Assistant Professor, UofL Department of Dentistry and Oral Health
• Mary Romelfanger, R.N., Associate Director, UofL Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging

Romelfanger is course director of the conference. For more information, visit the conference website.

_{Posted 09-16-15}