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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2008

Department of Aging Presents 2008 Geriatric Medicine Awards
Recent Grads Help Fill Growing Need for Geriatric Specialists

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Aging presented the 2008 Geriatric Medicine Award to seven recent graduates from Ohio medical colleges and universities. The department honored these outstanding graduates for their dedication and continued interest in geriatric medicine and research.

"Each year, only about 230 new geriatricians are certified nationwide, at a time when our older population is exploding and existing geriatric specialists are looking at retirement themselves," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "Currently in America, there is about one geriatrician for every 2,500 older Americans. It is a priority for the Department of Aging to recognize and thank young professionals who have chosen this field over more lucrative and attractive specialties."

2008 Geriatric Medicine Award Honorees:

• Paul Gunn and Christie Tung - Case Western Reserve University
• Mita Deoras - Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
• Christopher Mitchell - The Ohio State University
• Lauren Wasson - Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Joanna Rosing - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• Irina Vasiliu Overman - Wright State University

Geriatricians are vital to the well-being of seniors. One study showed patients who saw a geriatrics team were a third less likely to become disabled and half as likely to develop depression. They were 40 percent less likely to require home health services.

Geriatrics focuses on managing overlapping chronic conditions, like osteoporosis, diabetes and dementia. Geriatricians work to improve their patients' quality of life and allow them to function independently as long as possible. They manage multiple disease symptoms, develop care plans and coordinate care with other medical disciplines to treat patients.

Geriatricians do a residency in internal or family medicine, followed by a fellowship in geriatrics. While the average income of a geriatrician is less than half that of their colleagues in radiology and orthopedics, geriatric specialist generally report "unusually high job satisfaction," according to a survey published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. A recent independent survey of about 12,000 doctors found geriatrics was the most satisfying of all medical specialties.

Each month, 12,000 Ohioans turn 60. Today's older individuals tend to be healthier and live longer than previous generations, but also tend to have more complex conditions and health-care needs than younger cohorts.

"We hope we can encourage future students to pursue geriatric medicine as a satisfying and gratifying career," said Riley. "We also want to thank Ohio's medical schools for supporting these students in their endeavors."

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.