Division of Geriatric Medicine

Leadership

Name: Susan M. Parks, MD
Positions:
  • Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine
  • Professor
Position: Department of Family & Community Medicine

Mission

To improve the lives of older persons by partnering with all patients, all families, and all communities.

Vision

Model excellence in collaboration, inclusion and person- centered healthcare.

What is Geriatric Medicine?

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging. There is no specific age cutoff to be considered “geriatric”.  There are certain conditions or syndromes that occur more commonly as people get older including memory loss (dementia), falls and depression.  Geriatricians are doctors that specialize in care of older people and helping manage these specific syndromes and other medical issues.

Education & Research

Geriatric Fellowship Program – Fellowship Director, Kristine Swartz, MD.  This program has had over 80 graduates since its inception in 1991.  The geriatric fellowship program has achieved national prominence through our leadership at the American Geriatrics Society and Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (AGS/ADGAP).  Our Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program has two fellows per year.  The fellows work across the full spectrum of Geriatric care sites.

Research: Our Division is committed to excellence in research in Geriatrics. Please see our current list of Division research and scholarly activities for more information.

The Division of Geriatric Medicine Clinical Programs

Jefferson Center for Healthy Aging - Our outpatient clinical practice is dedicated to providing team-based, primary care for older patients.  Our interprofessional-team includes: physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, care coordinators, behavioral health consultants, and clinical pharmacists with expertise in geriatrics.

Memory & Aging Programs

  • Memory Evaluation Consultation 
  • Home Visit Program – Complex Care @ Home and Primary Care @ Home
  • Healthy Aging Program – a free workshop series open to the community

Pride at the Jefferson Center for Healthy Aging - This first-in-the-nation program provides inclusive, affirming, and medically competent primary care designed for LGBTQIA+ adults age 55 and older.

Geriatric Consultation Service - An inpatient service at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Hospital for the Neurosciences.  This service specializes in delirium reduction, falls prevention and deprescribing.

Geriatric Oncology Cebtwer of Excellence - Geriatricians from our Division work collaboratively with medical oncologists and an interprofessional team.  The team assesses patient benefits/risks for a variety of oncology treatment options.

The Hill at Whitemarsh - Our Division provides medical services and medical direction at The Hill at Whitemarsh, a continuing care retirement community in Lafayette Hill, PA.