In the 20th century, the total US population increased 3-fold while the population of those older than 65 increased 10-fold. This trend is project to continue into the 21st century, with the fastest growing segment of our population being those older than 85.

This demographic shift is reshaping public’s expectation of medical care. Communities rely on their medical centers to provide services that meet the unique needs of the elder population and to training physicians to practice in an environment where half their patients will be over the age of 65. The Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, established in January 2007, provides a comprehensive program that effectively targets the geriatric and palliative needs of Houstonians through service, education and research.

This division brought together the clinical expertise of physicians trained at distinguished institutions throughout the country with varying research and clinical interests. The division has established inpatient and outpatient services at both the LBJ and Memorial Hermann Hospitals to serve diverse sectors of the community. The principles of geriatric medicine and palliative care are being incorporated into the basic science and clerkship curricula for students and the training of residents and we are in the process of developing a geriatric fellowship. The Division will expand on its national reputation in elder mistreatment research and intervention to address the needs of other vulnerable senior populations. In conjunction with UT’s nursing school and school of public health, we offer workshops and training programs throughout the community.

We hope to continue to expand our services and training programs to fit the needs of the diverse community of Houston and look forward to servicing you.

 

Carmel Bitondo Dyer, MD, AGSF, FACP
Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Chair in Gerontology
Professor and Executive Vice-Chairman of Internal Medicine
Director, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston