SUNY Upstate Geriatrics

Aging & Geriatrics topics on our very own 'Informed Patient' podcast. What a wealth of information from local researchers, providers and many more.

HealthLink on Air Categories | The Informed Patient Podcast | SUNY Upstate Medical University

What to take along and what to leave at home | The Informed Patient Podcast | SUNY Upstate Medical University Advice from Jay Brenner, MD, Upstate emergency physician

Our May Spotlight is the wonderful Kristin Hall.

Kristin works in our front office as one of our administrative assistants and is often the first face our patients see when entering our clinic. Kristin was nominated by her colleagues for her kindness and helpfulness. Kristin has been extremely helpful to those she works with and will offer guidance and assistance without batting an eye. She is very pleasant with all staff, but especially with our patients when they check in and out. She ever fails to go above and beyond to help others.” Thank you for all you do for us, Kristin.

Join us to see our new space! Details in comments.

As of June 9, 2023

The office of University Geriatricians is seeing patients at the Nappi Wellness Institute. What a wonderful new space for our patients!

Our new office is in the building at the corner of East Adams St and Sarah Loguen St, across from Upstate University Hospital.

Upstate receives top accreditation for its emergency care of older adults | Upstate News | SUNY Upstate Medical University A Level 1 emergency department must incorporate about two dozen best practices along with providing interdisciplinary geriatric education, and having geriatric appropriate equipment and supplies available.

Our April Spotlight!

Stephanie McGrath, NP works primarily on the ACE Team at our Downtown Campus, acting as the face of Geriatrics in the hospital. Her focus is educating the staff on the importance of appropriate Geriatrics care in the Inpatient setting. Stephanie participates in numerous committees including the team responsible for our designation as an Age Friendly Institution. In clinic Stephanie is lauded by her patients for her respectful and patient demeanor and for going above and beyond with their care. We are grateful to have you Stephanie!

Happy National Doctor Day to our colleagues from SUNY Upstate Geriatrics!

We want to take a moment to recognize our Physician Team: Dr. Brangman, Dr. Bishop, Dr. Berg, Dr. Iraqi, Dr. Varghese, Dr. Tambe, Dr. Mehra, Dr. Pudney, and Dr. Nazim. Their extensive knowledge on the aging process and the specifics of Dementia Care make for an extremely knowledgeable team that is known statewide. Their care and compassion for their patients is well known and make them the primary source for Geriatrics Care in the region.

Happy Social Work Day!

In honor of National Social Work Appreciation Day, we want to take a moment to recognize our Social Workers: Karen Clark, Allie Jardin, and Jaclyn DeRito. Their tireless dedication to our patients and their caregivers is beyond compare! They are always working to increase their education and establish relationships with services available in the community to help support those we care for. Thank you for all that you do for those we serve!

Megan Schuler's is our spotlight to start the spring and she has been nothing but wonderful since joining our clinical trials team in 2020. Megan came to us with 15 years of experience as an LPN. This is what co-workers have to say about her:

"Megan is an extremely kind and compassionate person. She is caring and thoughtful with both her co-workers and study patients, always going out of her way to make people smile... She is such an asset to the team and is a great mentor to those around her... She exemplifies what it means to be a research coordinator and is a shining example to us all.”

Happy St Patrick's Day from us to you! Yesterday our staff donated food to our local food pantry - we couldn't love our community more.

On Saturday, our research team spoke with members of Grace Episcopal Church. They talked about what research is and how participating in research can help medical conditions, including memory concerns. They also talked about the importance of diversity in research.

If you would like to learn more, please visit: www.upstate.edu/erc

RESEARCHERS PROBE HOW AND WHY THIS CHANGE OCCURS: Empathy -- responding to the feelings and needs of others -- is sometimes lost in people who have dementia. Postdoctoral researcher Hannah Phillips, PhD, explains what she and her colleagues learned from their study of this phenomenon. https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2023/022323-phillips-podcast.php

Phiillips led graduate students in the lab of Wei-Dong Yao, PhD, at Upstate.

Beyond the Doctorate Day! Congratulations to Akifa Nazim (Geriatrics Fellow) and Marrium Qureshi (Pharmacy Resident) on their poster "Impact of a Pharmacist Driven Vaccine Program on Vaccination Rates and Outcomes in a Transitional Care Unit (TCU)"🤩

Childless seniors face decisions on caregivers | The Informed Patient Podcast | SUNY Upstate Medical University Interview with Upstate geriatrics chief Sharon Brangman, MD

Upstate study shows links between insomnia and dementia | Upstate News | SUNY Upstate Medical University Dr Roger Wong and Margaret Lovier, MPH, say sleep disturbances are a public health problem that needs to be addressed.

We are sending our love this month to Jeff Owens, PA!

Jeff is our monthly spotlight and joined our team in 2021. He has an incredible energy about him and cares deeply about his patients. Here is what people are saying about Jeff: “Jeff is incredibly patient and listens to me. I value Jeff’s position of authority as a medical expert in guiding us with my mom’s care. Jeff listened to me and took my suggestions to not agitate my wife. Jeff was very concerned, answered all my questions and treated me with great respect”

On Racism & Ageism: Ramona Rhodes, Sharon Brangman, Tim Farrell, and Nancy Lundebjerg In today’s podcast we talk about the intersection of racism and ageism with Ramona Rhodes, Sharon Brangman, Tim Farrell, and Nancy Lundebjerg.

Jaclyn DeRito is our January, 2023 spotlight!

Jaclyn is part of our social work team and has worked in various settings; home care, independent living, assisted living and long-term care. Recently, Jackie was nominated by her colleagues for her effort in working with a family in crisis. She was able to assist this family with an application for long term care facility, coordinated with the facility on their acceptance and facilitated the move of this patient into the facility all within 72 hours!

We are so lucky to have Jackie on our team.

Assessments, adjustments can help older adults remain at home | The Informed Patient Podcast | SUNY Upstate Medical University Interview with Upstate geriatrics chief Sharon Brangman, MD

We take the patient experience seriously. This recognition is an honor and illustrates the hard work of the SUNY Upstate Geriatrics team.

It's COOKIE WEEK at SUNY Upstate Geriatrics and it's only MONDAY! Our staff knows how to cookie.

Our very talented Heidi Buckman and others recently created this wreath for thehearth.net.

We can't say enough about our December spotlight, Betsy Holden.

What people are saying: "She makes patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visit. She’s also involved in advancing care for our geriatric patients, is part of the Age Friendly committee and has assisted the team with becoming classified as a level one Age Friendly institution. Her dedication to our geriatric patients is inspiring”

Upstate Public Health on Twitter “Interested in ? Come hear about our efforts with and at the poster session, 1-2pm today Nov 6! https://t.co/Q7b0ZmxAi2”

Dr. Andrea Berg is our November Spotlight! This month, Dr. Berg celebrates her 9th anniversary with the department! In July, she was named Fellowship Associate Program Director demonstrating her knowledge and skill in educating future geriatricians. In addition to her role as educator she is an exemplary physician receiving the following praise from her patients: “Dr. Berg really cares about her patients. I can sense when a doctor is in a hurry or is just going through the motions, doing the minimum, and rushing to see the next patient. That IS NOT the case with Dr. Berg. One can sense her true concern”. Congratulations to a truly deserving provider!

This Tuesday, 10/25 11am, join SUNY Upstate Geriatrics for a community forum, in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association and Interfaith Works.

-Share your experience with memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease
-Let us know how to best serve YOUR community in Central New York
-Provided: resources and representatives from each organization, research opportunities, food/refreshments

Experts from across the country talk candidly about the challenges still face amid . Hear what SUNY Upstate's Dr. Brangman says on this issue.

Watch: What Experts Advise for Seniors Living Under the Long Shadow of Covid For older people, the pandemic is as taxing and worrisome as ever. Experts in geriatric care, mental health, social services, and infectious disease joined a KHN-Hartford Foundation panel to talk a…

We are so proud of our who received recognition at 's nursing excellence celebration! L to R: Betsy Holden, Leanne Torres and Alyssa Grzeskowiak, standing with Sharon Brangman.