Boustani Named Beeson Scholar
June, 2005

Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH, has joined the Beeson Scholar class of 2005-2008 as the recipient of a Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research. The award is presented to outstanding junior and mid-career faculty committed to academic careers in aging-related research, training and practice. Applicants from the nation's top medical schools and research institutions vie for the award that brings $600,000-$800,000 to the Scholar for a 3-5 year period.

Malaz's Beeson research project is titled “Enhancing Care for Hospitalized Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment.” The project brings together multiple research interests within IU Geriatrics including gero-informatics, improving the safety and quality of care for hospitalized older adults, and developing new models of care for common geriatric syndromes. His local Beeson mentor is Chris Callahan, MD, a Scholar from the Class of 1996 and the only other Indiana University investigator to be named to the Program. Co-mentors are Steve Counsell, MD, and Hugh Hendrie, MB, ChB, DSc.

IUCAR Colleagues Garner AGS Awards
May, 2005

Congratulations to our IU Center for Aging Research colleagues who accepted awards at the American Geriatrics Society's 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting May 11-15 in Orlando, Florida.

Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH, (left) accepted an AGS 2005 New Investigator Award for his abstract, “The Prevalence and Burden of Cognitive Impairment in Hospitalized Older Adults.” His co-authors were Tim Stump, Michael Weiner, Siu Hui and Chris Callahan.

Gretchen Ricketts, BSW, (right) was awarded the Presidential Poster Award for “Aging with GRACE: Effects of the GRACE Intervention on Completion of Advance Directives by Vulnerable Seniors.” Co-authors were Chris Callahan, Amna Buttar, Dan Clark, Tim Stump, Meredith Devlin, Dawn Butler, and Steve Counsell.

Alzheimer's Association Honors Dr. Hugh Hendrie
April 26, 2005 IUSM news release

Congratulations to Hugh C. Hendrie, MD, ChB, DSc, who is the National Alzheimer's Association 2005 medical research honoree. Dr. Hendrie received the award at the 18th Annual Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala May 7 at the Civic Opera House.

The association noted “Dr. Hendrie's professional accomplishments span several decades as a practitioner, researcher, scholar, teacher and mentor. His extensive international research on epidemiology and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in cross-cultural populations earned Dr. Hendrie worldwide recognition as a pioneer in identifying modifiable risk factors for age-related brain diseases.”

Counsell Chairs AGS Public Policy Advisory Group
April, 2005

Steven R. Counsell, MD, has been appointed to serve a three year term as Chair of the Public Policy Advisory Group (PPAG) of the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Counsell has served on the PPAG for the past 7 years including the last 3 years as Vice Chair.

The Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and other concerned individuals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. A goals of the society is to engage in public policy that focuses on the study, accessibility and improvement of culturally-sensitive health care and quality of life for older people, including preventive, rehabilitative, long-term and end-of-life care.

Callahan Leads Depression Publication Showing Successful Treatment Slows Physical Decline in Older Adults
March 14, 2005 IUSM news release

Chris Callahan and the IMPACT Investigators are the first to report that successful treatment of depression in older adults also improves their ability to perform tasks critical to independent living.

Hendrie Earns Peer Recognition for Geriatric Psychiatry Research
March 1, 2005, IUSM news release

Research colleagues Chris Callahan (L) and Malaz Boustani (R), congratulate Hugh Hendrie upon learning he will receive the Senior Investigator Award from the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry at their 18th Annual Meeting in San Diego March 3, 2005.

IU Geriatrics Programs Garner National Recognition
January 27, 2005, IUSM news release

Indiana University's geriatrics education and research missions have been recognized as top tier programs by the National Institute on Aging and by the John A. Hartford Foundation. Read about the new IU-Roybal Center and the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine.

IUCAR Awarded Funding for Edward R. Roybal Center for Translational Research on Chronic Disease Self-Management Among Vulnerable Older Adults
October, 2004

NIA Announces IU as New Roybal Center in October 26, 2004 news release. Co-Directors Chris Callahan (front right) and Dan Clark (center back) celebrate with IU-Roybal research team Steve Downs, Teresa Damush (front row); Paul Biondich, Rich Frankel, Mike Weiner, (back row) and Program Manager Bridget Fultz.