Message from the Director

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 projected to continue into the 21st century, with the fastest growing segment of our population being those older than 85.

This demographic shift is reshaping the 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 prepare physicians to practice in an environment where half of their patients are 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 integrated into the basic science and clerkship curricula for students and the training of residents. A one-year clinical fellowship in Geriatric Medicine began in 2008 for physicians wanting to become geriatricians. The Division is building its national reputation in elder mistreatment research and interventions to address the needs of other vulnerable senior populations. In conjunction with UT’s School of Nursing and School of Public Health, we offer workshops and training programs throughout the community.

We continue to expand our services and training programs to meet the needs of the diverse community of Houston.

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