ABOUT

“Geriatrics” is one of those words that means different things to different people.

A university student has said, “the study of old people.” A woman on a train said, “Well, being geriatric is being cranky like my eighty-year old father."

A health professional has said, “geriatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical problems of the elderly.”

All are partly right and partly wrong.

Since geriatrics is also concerned with health promotion, a more complete definition of geriatrics might be this: “geriatrics is a branch of medicine concerned with health promotion and disease prevention and treatment in the elderly.”

No definition of “geriatrics” will ever be perfect.

For example, who are the elderly.. .what criteria do we use to differentiate an elderly person from a non-elderly person? Traditionally, society has informally used age 65 as the start of old age, because for years, that was the criterion used by the Social Security Administration to define the elderly.

Who are the elderly? What criteria do we use to differentiate an elderly person from a non-elderly person? Traditionally, society has informally used age 65 as the start of old age, because for years, that was the criterion used by the Social Security Administration to define the elderly.

But this definition of the elderly may need to be revised. People today live longer and with better life quality than ever before. The Merck Manual of Geriatrics, for example, estimates that 35 million Americans were age 65 or older in the year 2000. The manual estimates that more than 75 million Americans will be 65 or older by 2040. The fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the "oldest old"- those persons 85 or older. The manual estimates more than 57,000 Americans were age 100 or older in 1996 and projects the number to grow to 447,000 by 2040.

Since people age 85 and older have markedly higher health care costs, the booming elderly population is expected to increase health care costs and create unique social problems in the years ahead.

Geriatric professionals, such as this society, look forward to meeting these challenges. This website is dedicated to their work.

HISTORY

The Eastern Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society had its inception as an expanded activity of the Committee on Geriatrics of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Charles H. Ewing, MD, who is a Fellow of the College and active in the American Geriatrics Society, discussed with the American Geriatric Society (AGS) the development of a local affiliate. The concept took shape with discussions in the Philadelphia area on September 12, 1989 at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. A preliminary educational meeting on November 8, 1989, also at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, followed this. The initial formal Eastern Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society (initially, the Delaware Valley Geriatrics Society meeting took place on March 7, 1990 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Under Dr. Ewing's leadership, the Eastern Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society (EPGS) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. An initial constitution and bylaws were developed, officers elected, and an application made to the American Geriatrics Society. The Society began as the Delaware Valley Geriatrics Society and expanded its name to the Eastern Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society on April 7, 2005. This change provided a better geographic description of the Society and enhanced cooperation with the western part of Pennsylvania. The EPGS was approved and became the ninth affiliate of AGS in 1991. With the approval of the affiliate the Section on Geriatrics transferred all of its activity to EPGS, as the primary professional geriatrics organization in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. At that time, the EPGS, also included southern New Jersey and northern Delaware, and embraced the Geriatric Education Centers in the Philadelphia area at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, developed a strong relationship with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and state and local agencies concerned with the lives and care of older patients.

The EPGS dedicated itself to bettering the care and quality of life of the elderly. The initial Board consisted of twenty professionals who represented a variety of professional disciplines. Membership was open to all individuals associated with legitimate and respected disciplines who were involved with the provision of quality care and well being to the elderly. The EPGS was the first affiliate to recognize the need for interdisciplinary participation and that the management of care for our older patients required an integrated team approach.

The purposes of the EPGS as outlined in the corporate bylaws were and are:

1. To promote and maintain the high standards of healthcare for the elderly.

2. To assist in the education of other healthcare personnel in issues of particular concern regarding the elderly.

3. To foster professional and public awareness concerning issues in Geriatric Medicine.

4. To encourage and promote research in the broad fields of geriatrics and gerontology.

5. To serve as a forum for the discussion of issues pertaining to geriatric medicine by concerned health professionals.

6. To act as a resource to professional and lay organizations, government agencies, and community programs in the areas of care to the elderly.

7. To foster the above objectives in cooperation with the American Geriatrics Society and coordinate activities with other professional societies and interested groups regarding issues in geriatrics.

The initial goals of the EPGS were to serve three main areas including the following.

1. Public Policy. Serving as an instigator or supporter of initiatives aimed at assuring that the best interests of the elderly are served. Functioning as an information source regarding the appropriateness of current policies relating to gerontology and geriatrics.

2. Education. By providing periodic educational programs in the various disciplines of geriatric care for members of EPGS, their guests, and the public at large, as the need arises.

3. Public Relations. By providing a newsletter and other information for members, keeping them abreast of activities of the EPGS and new developments in geriatrics.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shifa Auti, DPT
Elizabeth A. Cwiklinski, MSW, MBA
Brian Duke, MHA, MBE
Seyi Effraim
Barry Fabius, MD
Allen Glicksman, PhD
Todd H. Goldberg, MD
Grace Harrison, NHA
David R. Hoffman, Esq.
Nicol Joseph, DO, CMD
Meg F. Lang RN-BC, MSN, CCM, CPHRM, CHPC
Jeanine Maguire, PhD, MPT, CWS
Michele Mathes, JD
Kristine Mulhorn, PhD
Donna Raziano, MD
Victor Lane Rose MBA, NHA, FCPP, CPASRM
Melissa Rosenberg
Shawn Thomas
Cherian Verghese, MD, MRCPsych (UK), CPI
Pam Walz, Esq.

OFFICERS

President
Brian Duke, MHA, MBE
President Elect
Donna Raziano, MD, MBA
Secretary
Meg Lang, RN-BC, MS, CNLCP, (D)ABDA, CRRN, CCM, LNCC

PAST PRESIDENTS

1990-1992 Charles H. Ewing, MD
1992-1994 Kevin, J. Ennis, MD
1994-1996 Jerry C. Johnson, MD
1996-1997 Katherine E. Galluzzi, DO
1997-1998 Evelyn P. [Evi] Mahairas, PhD, LCSW
1998-1999 Todd Goldberg, MD. CMD
1999-2000 Arthur E. Helfand, DPM
2000-2001 Grace E. Wert, RN, MSN
2001-2002 Christine Peterson, CRNP, RN
2002-2003 Alan P. Berg, PhD, MD
2003-2004 Julian Katz, MD
2004-2005 Jean S. MacFadyen, PhD, RN
2005-2006 Ilene Warner-Maron, PhD. RNC, CWCN, MA, MLSP, CALA, NHA
2006-2007 Barry Fabius, MD
2007-2008 Gregory Busch, DO, MS
2008-2009 Lesley Carson, MD
2009-2010 Loretta Dahlen, JD, MSN, RN
2010-2011 William Zirker, MD
2011-2014 Andrew Rosenzweig, MD
2014-2017 David Hoffman, JD, FCPP
2017-2022 Victor Lane Rose, MBA, NHA, FCPP, CPASRM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ilene Warner-Maron, PhD, RN, NHA, FCPP (2019-present)

Dr. Warner-Maron has over 40 years of experience in long-term care including roles as a nurse’s aide, staff nurse, director of nursing, administrator, wound specialist, quality consultant and as a federal monitor. She is certified in wound care, gerontological nursing and assisted living administration and focuses on the improvement of the quality of care through clinical, educational, and administrative interventions. She is one of the leading experts in nursing home litigation and uses this experience to address issues of falls, pressure ulcers, medication errors and other issues that have become central to malpractice actions. Dr. Warner-Maron currently teaches at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and the University of Delaware.