Dear
Louise
March 2009, Volume 3, Number 3
A publication of the University of Utah Center on
Aging
phone: 801.585.9540
email:
aging@hsc.utah.edu
News and Events
Reminder-2009 Spring Research Retreat-March 23 and 24,
Alumni Hall, HSEBPlease remember to attend our Spring
research retreat. A flyer with the retreat schedule may be
downloaded
here.
An Open Invitation to Join the New Utah Geriatrics
SocietyThe Utah Geriatrics Society (UGS) has been
formed as a state affiliate of the American Geriatrics Society
(AGS). Tony Morrison, Ph.D. has taken the lead on its creation. The
AGS has granted UGS provisional status for two years until it
becomes incorporated, drafts bylaws and elects officers.
All CoA members are encouraged to join UGS now - especially since
membership fees for the first year are waived. There are
currently close to 40 members representing a wide range of
disciplines. One of the main objectives of the state affiliate is to
serve in the advocacy role on behalf of the elderly in policy issues
regarding health care. It will also be involved in geriatric
education for health care providers working in partnership with the
Utah Aging Alliance. Please click here and join TODAY.
There will be a brief and informal (UGS) meeting at the end of
the Center's poster session reception on March 23 (approximately
6:00 to 6:30 pm.) in Alumni Hall. Please come to find out more about
the UGS plans for the coming year, volunteer to serve on one of its
committees, or give suggestions on educational topics. We hope to
meet you then.
Deadline for 2009 Pilot Grant Program Call for Proposals
is March 31The application deadline for proposals for
the Center’s 2009 pilot grant program is March 31, 2009. The
complete request for proposals with detailed application information
may be downloaded from the Center’s home page, http://aging.utah.edu
CoA Faculty Member Receives Geriatrics
AwardPaul LaStayo, PT, PhD, CHT received the 2009
Excellence in Research Award from the American Physical Therapy
Association for his commitment to academic excellence in the field
of geriatrics. LaStayo leads The Skeletal Muscle Exercise Research
Facility (SMERF). The SMERF is focused on muscle, movement and human
performance; specifically how muscles adapt and how these changes
help or hinder human function in daily life and across the lifespan,
following injury or disease, and in sport.
Senate Bill 111 (Geriatric Loan Forgiveness)
PassesSB 111 created a mechanism within the existing
Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program to create a loan
forgiveness program for health care professionals who obtain
specialty training in geriatrics.
This bill was recommended
by the Commission on Aging's Health Care Committee, which recognized
that Utah is already facing shortages of health care professionals
in nursing, medicine, social work, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, and other related disciplines, and that these shortages
will become worse as Utah's aging population grows. Although the
bill created the program, funding was not requested given the
financial challenges facing the State this year. You can read the
text of the bill by clicking
here.
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 About our logo: The bristlecone
pine tree (Pinus longaeva) -
the earth’s oldest inhabitant
with a life span of 4,000 years -
is found only in Utah and
five other western states.
Its extraordinary longevity and
ability to adapt and
survive in extremely harsh
environmental conditions
above 10,000 feet embodies the
investigative spirit
and mission of the Utah Center on
Aging.
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If you
have questions about the University of Utah Center on Aging, please
visit us online at http://aging.utah.edu
801-585-9540 or aging@hsc.utah.edu
Best,
Mark
A. Supiano, MD
Executive Director - Center on
Aging
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