Current AGS Newsletter

AGS 2026 Q2 Newsletter

American Geriatrics Society Newsletter (2026: Volume 57, Number 2)

The #AGS26 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting highlighted the strength and vibrancy of the AGS community, bringing members together from across the country to share knowledge, spark new ideas, and celebrate achievements in research, service, and scholarship. From engaging pre-sessions and dynamic plenaries to cutting-edge research presentations and meaningful moments of recognition, the meeting offered something for everyone. Attendees connected, collaborated, and celebrated the collective impact of geriatrics professionals. To explore highlights from the meeting, browse #AGS26 across social media or follow AGS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky, and X.

At the AGS Members’ Business Meeting, Nicole Brandt, the Annual Meeting Program Chair, warmly welcomed attendees and AGS treasurer Ramona Rhodes provided an update on the AGS finances. Outgoing AGS Board Chair Mark Supiano reflected on his years of service at the AGS and ADGAP, conveying his gratitude for the support of the AGS community. Outgoing AGS President Paul Mulhausen also expressed his pride and appreciation to have been given the opportunity to lead the Society over the past year, acknowledged the service of outgoing Board and Committee members, and applauded members who made extraordinary contributions through their work on AGS committees. Alison Moore, incoming AGS President, recognized this year’s cohort of new AGS Fellows, remembered colleagues who have recently passed away, and shared her enthusiasm for the Annual Meeting and the opportunities ahead.

Innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to advancing care defined #AGS26, with more than 650 research studies presented throughout the meeting. Participants embraced the virtual format, engaging actively through live chats, session discussions, and ongoing conversations that extended across the platform and beyond. The energy and commitment to improving care for older adults were evident in the dynamic and interactive environment that resonated across the AGS community over the course of the week. 196 of the poster presenters were trainees. Support from the AGS Health in Aging Foundation enabled approximately 91 of these trainees to participate, helping expand access to valuable learning and engagement opportunities.

Dr. Alison Moore hosted the #AGS26 Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated excellence across the AGS, highlighting the outstanding work of award recipients from a variety of disciplines and career stages. (You can learn more about our 2026 awardees on page 10).

Dr. Ariel Green, MD, MPH, PhD, AGSF, this year’s Thomas and Catherine Yoshikawa Award recipient, gave an informative and inspirational lecture entitled Aligning Medications with What Matters Most: Challenges and Opportunities in Advancing Person Centered Deprescribing. Dr. Green championed thoughtful, person-centered prescribing to ensure that every older adult is on the right medications, at the right doses, for the right reasons.

Dr. Alison Moore opened the #AGS26 Plenary Paper Session by welcoming Dr. Andrew Zullo, PharmD, PhD to the virtual stage for a presentation of his work on Sacubitril/Valsartan Use across Transitions between Community, Hospital, and Skilled Nursing Facility Settings. He was followed by Dr. Ariel Green, MD, PhD, MPH, who presented her research evaluating the effectiveness of ALIGN, a pragmatic pharmacist-led deprescribing intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment in primary care. Dr. Christopher Santostefano, MPH, RN wrapped things up with a presentation about his research that aimed to validate measures of hospitalization, death, and hospice care between skilled nursing facility EHR data and Medicare claims. All of the abstracts can be accessed here.

One of the standout moments from the meeting was the Henderson State of the Art Award Lecture featuring Todd P. Semla, MS, PharmD, FCCP, AGSF. With more than 40 years of experience in the study and application of medication use in older adults, Dr. Semla’s career has been dedicated to leading the advancement of safe, effective, and patient-centered pharmacotherapy. Throughout his presentation, Pharmacotherapy for Older Adults: A Historical and Futuristic Look at Progress, a steady stream of con gratulatory messages, applause and accolades poured in for Todd, reflect ing the deep respect he has earned across the community. His passion and expertise shined as he chronicled key advances in pharmacotherapy for older adults, expounded on evidence-based interventions that have improved medication safety and outcomes, and detailed the expanding roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in optimizing medication use for aging populations. The outpouring of recognition underscored both his impact and the wide reach of his contributions.

Rachelle E. Bernacki, MD, MS, AGSF; Ashwin A. Kotwal, MD, MS; Mandi Sehgal, MD; and Andrea N.W. Schwartz, MD, MPH made their debut as the new hosts of the highly regarded literature review session. The engaging session, which featured the hosts as “sharks” in the inaugural AGS Literature Review Shark Tank panel discussion (blueberry coffee anyone?), focused on the year's most important published papers in geriatrics and on the significance of findings and application to patient care. The session’s chat took on a life of its own, transforming into a virtual poetry slam of sorts between presenters and the audience. The spirited exchange added a layer of fun and spontaneity, showcasing the dynamic, real-time engagement the virtual platform makes possible.

If you missed a session or want to revisit a favorite topic, don’t fret! On-demand access will be available to all educational sessions through the #AGS26 Annual Meeting Platform through December 31, 2026, including the Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony! And for those who were unable to attend #AGS26 live, it is not too late to purchase access to #AGS26 on demand, view sessions, and earn CME! Evaluations and claims for CME and Nursing CE will be accepted through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

As we look back on the success of #AGS26, attention also turns to next year’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, GA, taking place Thursday, May 20 through Saturday, May 22, with a preconference day on Wednesday, May 19. With all of the connections and momentum that culminated from #AGS26, there’s also a shared sense of anticipation across the AGS com munity for the next chance to come together, exchange ideas, and continue strengthening the professional relation ships that make this network so special.

Join us in person next year for the 2027 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, GA! May 20-22, 2027 (Pre conference Day: May 19)

Nancy or the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA) to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). It’s always a wonderful meeting – providing an opportunity to hear about NIA priorities and the research that it is funding and network with diverse leaders from across the country (including AGS members serving on NACA -- Sanjay Asthana, MD, Sharon Inouye, MD, MPH, AGSF, and Susan L. Greenspan, MD). At the 158th NACA meeting, Cynthia Boyd, MD, MPH, AGSF, delivered the scientific lecture with a focus on deprescribing (available in the archived Webcast of the public meeting). We also heard from NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes who shared the Director’s status report – which is chock full of information and found here.

I traveled from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA to attend a summit convened by the American College of Physicians. AGS and ADGAP Board member Steve Barzci, MD, FAASM also attended for a day of learning and networking focused on how we can work across specialties on enhancing recruitment into primary care. The meeting covered a range of topics including implementing new technologies, rethinking training, redesigning systems, and improving how special ties and primary care partner together. I left encouraged by the organization al commitment to making changes that will lead to us all having access to the workforce that we need as we age. An unexpected bonus was the opportunity to catch up with Colleen Christmas, MD, FACP, who became chair of the ACP Board of Governors in April at the start of the meeting and to see Lisa Walke, MD, MSHA, AGSF for a lively dinner the night before.

I am grateful to leaders like Steve, Colleen, and Lisa who take time from their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of all of us as we age. Other AGS members who were out on the road in April include Robert Zorowitz, MD, MBA, AGSF, CMD and Rebecca Masutani, MD, MHA attending the CPT Editorial Panel and Audrey Chun, MD, Michael Perskin, MD, and Lisa Price, MD attending the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). Our participation in these meetings (which are coordinated by the American Medical Association) supports our continued efforts to develop, value, and implement new payment codes that support quality care for all Americans as we age.

Speaking of AGS members who advocate on behalf of programs and policies that support all of us as we age, Ken Schmader, MD has been serving as our representative to the Summit Adult Vaccine Recommendations Review (SAVRR) Council convened by the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS). NAIIS established SAVRR to ensure that clinicians have access to and implementation sup port for credible, evidence-based recommendations. In its most recent meeting, the Council focused on developing recommendations for the upcoming respiratory viral season.

Not all engagement with policy requires travel. I am excited about the upcoming publication of two important AGS position statements in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS). In May, Cal Burton, MD, the lead author, signed off on the final proof of the American Geriatrics Society Position Statement: Advancing the Healthcare of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and More Older Adults. We are so grateful to Cal and our writ ing group members (see below) for their work on this statement. We could not have created it without their knowledge, energy, commitment, and passion for ensuring that LGBTQI+ older adults have access to high-qual ity healthcare that meets their needs. Working with their co-authors, Ankur Bharija, MD, Ariba Khan, MD, MPH, AGSF, and Peter Abadir, MD finalized Generative AI in the Care of Older Adults: A Position Statement from the American Geriatrics Society. Once published, our AGS statement will be the first geriatrics-focused framework to address the ethical, clinical, and systems-level implications of GenAI in the care of older adults, translating foundational geriatrics principles into actionable guidance for clinical use, health system governance, and technology development. The authors (see below) tackled an area that is rapidly evolving – so much so that they were editing to reflect new developments right up until the point of submission.

American Geriatrics Society Position Statement: Advancing the Healthcare of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and More Older Adults writing group members:
Carl H. Burton, MD,
Maria H. van Zuilen, PhD
Chelsea Namahana Wong, MD
Angela Primbas, MD
Michael Danielewicz, MD
Timothy W. Farrell, MD, AGSF
Rohin Aggarwal, MD, MPH
Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH
Aruna V. Josyula, MD, MPH
Reena Karani, MD, MHPE
Alexia Mary Torke, MD, MS
Bronwyn Keefe, MSW, MPH, PhD
Joseph Shega, MD
Noelle Marie Javier, MD, AGSF

Generative AI in the Care of Older Adults: A Position Statement from the American Geriatrics Society writing group members:
Ankur Bharija, MD
Ariba Khan, MD, MPH
Juliessa M. Pavon, MD, MHS
Ardeshir Z. Hashmi, MD, MBA
Shivani K. Jindal, MD, MPH
Mark Dredze, PhD
Aruna V. Josyula, MD, MPH
William Hung, MD, MPH
Stephanie Nothelle, MD
Neela K. Patel, MD, MPH
Peter M. Abadir, MD

It is wonderful to see AGS members at the forefront of changing how clinicians and systems care for older adults across research, clinical care, and education. This column highlights a few of the ways our members are using their talent and energy to create a world where all of us age with dignity and in good health. A huge thanks to all the members I mentioned in this column and gratitude for how each of you work day in and day out on behalf of older adults. My heartfelt congratulations to the many AGS awardees who are profiled in this issue. Together we are changing the world.

Our outgoing committee members also have graciously given much of their time and talent to the AGS. Our sincere thanks to:

Ina Li, MD from the Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committee;
Kathryn Denson, MD and Jason Garbarino, DNP, RN, CNL from the AGS/ADGAP Education Committee;
Timothy Farrell, MD, AGSF; Isao Iwata, MD; and Luke Kim, MD, CMD, FACP, Med, AGSF from the Ethics Committee;
Brooke Salzman, MD from the Ethnogeriatrics Committee;
Carl Christian Bergman, MD, CMD, AGSF and Ariba Khan, MD, MPH, AGSF from the HSI-TC Committee;
Maryjo Cleveland, MD, AGSF; Lauren Gleason, MD, MPH, AGSF; and Kamal Wagle, MD, MPH, CMD, AGSF from the Public Education Committee;
Robert Schreiber, MD, AGSF from the Public Policy Committee;
Brian McGarry, PhD and Michael Perskin, MD from the Quality Performance and Measurement Committee; and
Daniel Forman, MD, FACC, FAHA and Alayne Markland, DO, AGSF from the Research Committee.

Our Outgoing Committee Service Awardees

Our Outstanding Committee Service Awardees are members who have made extraordinary con tributions through our committees. Congratulations to:

Nimit Agarwal, MD, FACP, AGSF from the Clinical Practice & Models of Care Committee;
Maryjo Cleveland, MD, AGSF from the Public Education Committee;
Ariba Khan from the HSITC Committee;
Lena Makaroun, MD, MS from the Research Committee,
Michael Perskin, MD from the Quality & Performance Measurement Committee; and
Elizabeth Foy White-Chu, MD, CWSP, AGSF the Public Policy Committee;
Michi Yukawa, MD, MPH, AGSF from the Ethnogeriatrics Committee; and
Yael Zweig, AGPCNP-BC and Timothy Farrell, MD, AGSF from the Ethics Committee

Alison Moore, MD, MPH, FACP, AGSF

Professor of Medicine and Chief of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care University of California, San Diego

Q. What inspired you to become a geriatrician?

A. A few things inspired me to become a geriatrician. First, I have an inherent love of older adults which goes back to my childhood and my close relationship with my grandmothers. That interest deepened in college, where I focused my independent work and my thesis on aging—from studying theories of aging to conducting research on successive lifecycles of cellular slime molds—well before I fully under stood geriatrics as a field.

During residency in general internal medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, we saw patients in one clinic for primary care and another for any other discipline we wanted. I chose geriatrics. We also were required to conduct research. My primary care clinic preceptor was David Reuben, who had just returned from a year at UCLA studying geriatrics; my geriatrics clinic preceptor was Peter Hollman, who had a private practice; and I conducted geriatrics research with Becky Silliman, who was a geriatrician at an affiliated hospital. All three of them went on to be division chiefs of geriatrics and/or leading researchers in geriatrics and/or policymakers related to geriatrics and/or AGS Presidents! These experiences, with these mentors, were influential in my decision to pursue a career in geriatric medicine.

Q. Can you tell us something about your career? Or give us highlights of your career?

A. Well, being AGS President is the top of course! But starting with my fellowship years, I would say being at UCLA for both fellowship in the VA-UCLA Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology and the UCLA Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program gave me an amazing start. I was able to train with giants in the field such as David Reuben, Joseph Ouslander, John Beck, David Solomon, and Al Siu. During this time, I conducted my first randomized controlled trial to assist primary care physicians to identify and address common issues in older adults—such as hearing and vision impairment, mobility challenges, and cognitive changes.

I joined the faculty at UCLA and, as a clinician-scientist, developed and tested interventions to address unhealthy substance use in older adults and diverse populations. I also developed a love for mentorship, research administration, and leader ship during my UCLA years through roles in the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program, the UCLA/CDU Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), and UCLA’s Claude Pepper Center. During this time, I was actively engaged as an AGS member through the Research Committee, the Geriatrics Review Syllabus, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use among Older Adults SIG, and more.

These experiences set me up for a successful recruitment to UCSD in 2016 to be division chief, where I was given resources to expand the Division of Geriatrics from six faculty to today’s Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care with 36 faculty, a GWEP, and Alzheimer’s Disease focused RCMAR. Since being at UCSD I was elected to the AGS Board of Directors — another major career highlight! I also received the UC San Diego Health Sciences Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award and was named the Director of the UCSD Stein Institute for Research on Aging.

I have been exceedingly fortunate to have had outstanding opportunities, mentorship, and the privilege of leading programs to improve the care of older adults, conducting research focused on older adults, mentoring geriatricians and gerontologists, and most of all, caring for older adults who have taught me how to age as well as I can.

Q. What do you look forward to most about being AGS president this year?

A. The AGS has been an important part of my career for decades, and I am excited to have this opportunity to represent and help lead the organization as president. It’s a true privilege to help shape how we support our members, advance care for older adults, and advocate on their behalf. I value this opportunity to work alongside so many great members, leaders, and staff and the chance to connect with new colleagues across the field as we work together to elevate the mission and impact of AGS.

Q. What advice would you give to new AGS members?

A. Explore! Take advantage of all the opportunities that AGS has to offer you. Attend the Annual Scientific Meeting—it’s always a remarkable event and invaluable experience, offering both learning and meaningful connections.

One of the easiest ways to network and get involved is by joining a Special Interest Group— there’s a wide range to choose from, and they’re a great way to quickly get engaged.

I also encourage new members to take advantage of AGS’s mentorship program. In this program you work with dedicated mentors who provide guidance, facilitate other connections, and help build lasting professional relationships. The online mentoring pro gram makes it easier than ever to tailor a mentoring relationship based on your needs – whether it be a long-term mentorship that you are looking for, or a quick consult on a specific topic.

Stay engaged through resources like MyAGSOnline, again a great way to make new connections, ask questions, or share advice. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is also a great resource to help you stay up to date and provides opportunities to get involved. Most importantly, don’t be shy—this is an incredibly welcoming organization, and there are countless ways to get involved and make an impact.

Q. What do you do to have fun?

A. I’m very curious, so I find a lot of joy in exploring— whether that’s new ideas in my work or activities outside of it. I’ve always stayed active through sports, from swimming, rowing, and squash earlier in life to pickleball, yoga, and strength training now. I also enjoy creative pursuits like embroidery, gardening, and other hands-on projects.

Spending time with my family and friends is very important to me. My husband Arthur and I now do the New York Times crossword puzzle together most evenings, and we are lucky to have two daughters who are both at the start of their professional careers: Lilla in clinical psychology and Annalie in medicine. My father, John, now 95, has often accompanied me to my professional meetings. He has been to the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting on numerous occasions, which makes my memories of them even more special. I get together regularly with my friends, many of whom are my colleagues, to eat, attend cultural events, and play.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many of you during the #AGS26 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting this spring. Even across screens and time zones, the energy of our AGS community was unmistakable. As I moved from plenaries to paper sessions to Special Interest Group meetings—trying to keep up with the wonderfully active session chats—I was reminded again and again how geriatrics professionals bring both intellectual curiosity and heart to every conversation. Frankly, some of the chat discussions were lively enough and so rich in content that they deserved their own CME credit!

One of the greatest joys of #AGS26 for me was seeing the remarkable level of engagement throughout the meeting. The thoughtful questions, encouragement shared among colleagues, spirited discussions during sessions, and packed virtual gatherings all spoke to the strength of this community and our shared commitment to improving care for older adults. Whether attendees were presenting groundbreaking research, attending their first AGS meeting, reconnecting with collaborators and friends, or enthusiastically contributing to the chat alongside presenters, there was a palpable sense of connection and purpose throughout the week.

I was also deeply inspired and honored to be part of the many moments of recognition and celebration woven throughout the meeting. Honoring awardees, welcoming new AGS Fellows, and celebrating the accomplishments of trainees and early career professionals served as powerful reminders of the talent, compassion, and leadership that continue to shape the future of geriatrics. Our community thrives because of people who are willing to mentor, innovate, advocate, and show up for one another.

One of my favorite parts of the meeting was being able to introduce the presenters of the Plenary Paper Session, who showcased innovative research aimed at advancing the health and well-being of older adults. The session featured Andrew R. Zullo, PharmD, PhD, who shared his research on angiotensin receptor-nepri lysin inhibitor (ARNI) use across care transitions; Ariel R. Green, MD, PhD, MPH, who evaluated the effectiveness of ALIGN, a pragmatic pharmacist-led deprescribing intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment in primary care; and Christopher M. Santostefano, MPH, RN, who talked about his study which aimed to validate measures of hospitalization, death, and hospice care between skilled nursing facility EHR data and Medicare claims.

Another highlight of #AGS26 for me was hosting the Awards Ceremony. Even in a virtual setting, the sense of admiration and appreciation for this year’s honorees came through loud and clear. Hearing about the extraordinary work being done across research, clinical care, and education was both inspiring and humbling—as were the remarks made by G. Michael Harper, MD and Veronica Rivera MD, AGSF—our 2026 Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Awardee and Clinician of the Year, respectively. They clearly exemplified the values and purpose behind the awards they received. Shining a spotlight on colleagues whose dedication and innovation are improving the lives of older adults every single day is truly at the heart of this Society, and it was a joy to help celebrate their contributions. Their work is a powerful reminder of the depth of talent, compassion, and leadership within the AGS community—and of why this field continues to be such a remarkable place to learn and grow.

Rachelle E. Bernacki, MD, MS, AGSF; Ashwin A. Kotwal, MD, MS; Mandi Sehgal, MD; and Andrea N.W. Schwartz, MD, MPH smashed it out of the ballpark as hosts of the literature review session, which marked the beginning of a new chapter following an enormously beloved 10-year run by their predecessors – Ken Covinsky, MD, MPH; Alex Smith, MD, MS, MPH; and Eric Widera, MD. Taking the reins of a session so well known for its humor, insight, and famously creative parody songs could not have been an easy task, but our new hosts rose to the occasion beautifully. They brought fresh energy, new perspectives, and a wonderfully engaging style that sparked one of the most dynamic chats of the entire meeting filled with clever commentary, haikus, and thoughtful ideas from presenters and attendees alike.

Of course, none of this would have been possible with out the extraordinary AGS staff team working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the meeting running smoothly. Coordinating a fully virtual meeting of this scale requires creativity, flexibility, technical expertise, and no small amount of grace under pressure. Their dedication and good humor helped create an experience that felt welcoming, seamless, and genuinely engaging from beginning to end.

As I reflect on #AGS26, I feel both grateful and energized by what we are building together. At a time when healthcare continues to evolve rapidly, our AGS community remains grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to supporting older adults and the professionals who care for them. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your AGS President. I am beyond excited for the year ahead and for all that we will continue to accomplish together.

The Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule (effective as of 1/1/2026) includes a number of coding and payment changes that better recognize the comprehensive, complex care that geriatrics health professionals provide to older adults. The changes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized in this rule reflect long standing AGS advocacy for increased reimbursement for geriatrics health professionals who bill on the Medicare fee schedule. These are big wins for AGS, our members, and our patients.

Most notably, the G2211 visit complexity add-on code – which recognizes the clinician as a continuing focal point for all needed healthcare services – can now be billed with the home or residence evaluation and management visits code family in addition to office visits. This expansion of G2211 represents a significant win for clinicians who provide care for patients in the home. With an additional reimbursement of approximately $16 per eligible home visit, this extension of G2211 to home and residence visits aims to ensure fair reimbursement while recognizing the additional work inherent in caring for medically complex older adults.

Also, for 2026, CMS permanently removed the frequency limitations on furnishing Subsequent Inpatient Visits, Subsequent Nursing Facility Visits, and Critical Care Consultation Services via telehealth allowing clinicians to use their professional judgement to determine whether they can safely furnish a service via telehealth. CMS will also permanently allow teaching physicians to have a virtual presence in all teaching settings in instances where the teaching physician, resident, and patient are in different locations. Under telehealth services, CMS also finalized for 2026 allowing physicians to supervise non-physician providers, known as “direct supervision”, via audio-video telehealth.

Unfortunately, the CY 2026 fee schedule is not all good news. For 2026, CMS has finalized a site of ser vice differential adjustment, which will result in reduced practice expense payments for facility-based services. For geriatricians who practice exclusively in these settings, this could result in a 9 percent decrease in Medicare payments. AGS has urged CMS to reconsider this policy, expressing concern about maintaining access for those beneficiaries in skilled and long-term care nursing facility settings.

Underutilization of the Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) Codes

In 2025, a new payment bundle was introduced, the Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) codes that allow advanced primary care practices to bill monthly management fees without the administrative burden of tracking minutes. With reimbursement ranging from $15 to $110 per member per month depending on patient complexity, these codes represent a substantial financial opportunity for geriatrics practices. However, the codes have been underutilized in their first year. New for 2026, Medicare created add-on codes to the APCM codes for psychiatric collaborative care management (99492-99494) and Behavioral Health Care Management (99484) that will not require tracking time.

Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) requirements include:

Comprehensive care management with systemic needs assessment
Patient-centered care plan available electronically n 24/7 access for urgent care needs
Care coordination across settings and providers n Enhanced patient communication options
Population health management strategies
Participation in quality reporting (MSSP or MIPS MVP)

Most geriatrics practices already meet the criteria for advanced primary care and have the infrastructure to satisfy requirements like 24/7 access, care plan documentation, and care coordination. While these codes do require patient consent and can involve copays, they provide essential revenue to support the comprehensive care teams our patients need. By maximizing appropriate reimbursement, we can sustain and expand the comprehensive, person-centered care that defines our specialty and improves the lives of older adults.

STAY CURRENT on the latest coding updates with these helpful resources available to AGS Members:
“Coding Updates for 2026” recorded webinar – available here.

2026 edition of Geriatrics at Your Fingertips® “Coding in Geriatrics” chapter – available here.

The 2026 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting virtual platform features educational sessions focused on coding and payment models, including “CPT Coding: Basic Principles and Practice” and “CPT Coding: Beyond Basic E/M.” Register for on-demand access and additional educational content here.

Each year, the AGS celebrates researchers, clinicians, educators, and trainees who have made outstanding contributions to the care of older adults. Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients, who were honored at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.

Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine who are Focused on the Care of Older Adults

Thomas Cudjoe, MD, MPH, MA is the 2026 recipient of the Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in Internal Medicine who are Focused on the Care of Older Adults. Dr. Cudjoe is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology with joint appointments at the John Hopkins University Schools of Public Health (Epidemiology) and Nursing.

“Dr. Cudjoe’s dedication to advancing the care of older adults and strengthening the foundation of aging research truly embodies the spirit of the Arti Hurria Memorial Award,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF. “His research examining the health effects of social isolation among older adults is impactful, helping to illuminate one of the most pressing yet underrecognized challenges in aging. His commitment to mentoring junior scholars and fostering the next generation of aging researchers further amplifies his contributions, and we are honored to recognize his work at #AGS26.”

Dr. Cudjoe completed his residency in internal medicine at Howard University Hospital and fellowship in geriatric medicine at Johns Hopkins. His personal experiences as a caregiver, along with his clinical interactions, guided his research path, where he is focused on understanding the influence of social connection on health and on developing and implementing interventions that address social isolation in older adults. His contributions on the epidemiology of social isolation are highly cited and leveraged by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in its toolkit on social isolation (https://www.nia.nih.gov/ctctoolkit) as well as in studies examining the influence of social isolation on key health outcomes, including dementia and homebound status.

The recipient of a National Institute on Aging (NIA) GEMSSTAR award and currently a K23 and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Amos award grantee, Dr. Cudjoe has also had his work published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), JAMA Internal Medicine, Nature Aging, and has been highlighted in the New York Times and on National Public Radio. He has received numerous awards, including the 125 Living the Hopkins Mission award and the Army Humanitarian Service Medal, and has contributed to multiple National Academies’ discussions on social isolation.

Dr. Cudjoe’s clinical practice is focused on providing home-based care to older adults. He has served in many leadership and mentoring roles, including in his current positions as the Director of Community Engagement, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology and as the Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Aging T32 Training program. He is a past chair of the AGS Junior Faculty Research Special Interest Group and currently serves on the JAGS editorial board

Thomas & Catherine Yoshikawa Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Clinical Investigation

Dr. Ariel Green, MD, MPH, PhD, AGSF, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, is the recipient of the 2026 Thomas and Catherine Yoshikawa Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Clinical Investigation. Dr. Green is an internationally recognized leader in deprescribing research, with a longstanding goal of optimizing medication use for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, particularly those with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Her work focuses on developing and implementing evidence-based, patient- and care partner-centered strategies to improve older adults’ health outcomes by reducing potentially inappropriate medication use. Her research port folio spans pragmatic clinical trials, pharmacoepidemiology, and mixed-methods approaches, including qualitative and survey methods to elicit the values, preferences, and priorities of older adults and their care partners.

“Named for Dr. Thomas T. Yoshikawa and his late wife, Catherine—whose enduring commitment to AGS and the field continues to inspire—the Yoshikawa Award recognizes emerging scholars advancing geriatrics through innovative and ethically grounded clinical investigation. Dr. Green exemplifies that spirit in her work to advance the science and practice of medication optimization for older adults— ensuring that treatment decisions reflect what matters most to patients and their care partners while driving meaningful, lasting change in clinical care,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF.

Dr. Green has recently worked on projects such as a full-scale effectiveness trial of “ALIGN: Aligning Medications with What Matters Most,” a pragmatic, pharmacist-led deprescribing intervention for patients with cognitive impairment in primary care. Dr. Green is currently building upon her previous work to develop and pilot a patient portal-based version of ALIGN.

Widely recognized for her contributions to geriatrics and aging research, Dr. Green has garnered several peer reviewed grants as Principal Investigator, including a K23 and R01 from the NIA, pilot awards from the NIA’s IMPACT Collaboratory and the U.S. Deprescribing Research Network, and a Demonstration Project grant from the IMPACT Collaboratory. Dr. Green is an active member of the AGS community and, among her many contributions, currently serves as Chair of the Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committee. Her achievements within the Society include receiving Fellow status in 2023, the Junior Investigator of the Year award in 2022, the Choosing Wisely Champion Award in 2016, and an AGS Outstanding Committee Service Award in 2014.

At the 2026 AGS Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting she delivered the Yoshikawa Award lecture on “Aligning Medications with What Matters Most: Challenges and Opportunities in Advancing Person-Centered Deprescribing.”

The Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Award

Dr. G. Michael Harper, MD is the 2026 Dennis W. Jahnigen Memorial Award recipient in recognition of his lasting impact on geriatrics education through leadership, mentorship, and innovative program development. A past President of the American Geriatrics Society, Dr. Harper has dedicated his career to ensuring that all health professionals are competent to care for older adults regardless of specialty or discipline. With this award, AGS honors his deep commitment to geriatrics education and mentorship and recognizes his leadership in develop ing the programs and professionals who will care for us all as we age.

Dr. Harper, a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, is nationally recognized as a mentor, educator, and leader. At UCSF, he teaches medical students, residents, and geriatrics fellows as well as practicing clinicians, community health workers, and family caregivers on a host of topics that are important in preparing the healthcare workforce to care for all of us as we age. Dr. Harper is an advisor in the UCSF Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging Program (ELIA) where he mentors a small group of education scholars from across the country in a one-year leadership program designed for geriatrics health professionals in the early stages of their career who are seeking to develop leadership skills.

“Dr. Harper truly embodies the spirit of Dr. Dennis W. Jahnigen, who was an acclaimed teacher and whose clinical skills, and heartfelt, compassionate concern for older adults flourished in the many students who benefited from his teaching and mentorship,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MPH, FACP, AGSF. “Dr. Harper is an amazing colleague who has cultivated a national legacy through years of exceptional teaching, mentorship, and innovative program development. Notably, Dr. Harper organized the first annual Fellowship Directors Conference in 2007. This meeting, which takes place before the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, consistently draws over 100 fellowship program directors, associate and assistant program directors, and fellowship coordinators for a day devoted to collaboration, networking, and learning. He was also instrumental in developing national standards for geriatrics training and played a key role in bringing geriatrics fellowship programs into the NRMP Fellowship Match. These contributions reflect Dr. Harper’s enduring commitment to advancing geriatrics education, reaching learners nationwide, and strengthening care for all of us as we age.”

Dr. Harper has transformed geriatrics education at both the local and national levels as evidenced by the growth and expansion of UCSF’s Geriatrics Fellowship Training Program and the longstanding success of AGS’s Fellowship Directors conference. He has been involved in numerous publications that guide the education and practice of geriatrics health professionals. An inaugural recipient of the Geriatrics Academic Career Award from the Health Services and Resources Administration, and a recipient of numerous teaching awards and honors, including induction in the UCSF Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators, his lasting impact on geriatrics education is perhaps best reflected in the voices of his mentees, who consistently describe him as a thoughtful, humble guide—demonstrating the profound influence a dedicated educator can have across generations of health professionals and patient care.

At AGS, Dr. Harper has been a staunch advocate for integrating geriatrics principles across health professional education with the goal of ensuring that the health care workforce is prepared to care for older adults. An AGS member for 30 years, Dr. Harper has held multiple roles at the Society in addition to serving as President and Chair of the Fellowship Group. These include serving as a member of the Education and Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committees, and, as a Board member, co-chairing the Junior Faculty Task Force, which established new ways for AGS to recognize junior faculty for the work that they do. He was Co-Chief Editor of the tenth and eleventh editions of the Geriatrics Review Syllabus (GRS10 and GRS11) and the GRS Audio Companion. He served as the lead editor for the recently released AGS "Alzheimer’s Disease: New Diagnostic Technologies and Treatments" online curriculum and currently co-chairs the Geriatrics-for-Specialists Initiative Council.

Clinician of the Year Award

Dr. Veronica Rivera, MD, AGSF, Associate Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is the 2026 recipient of the AGS Clinician of the Year award.

"Dr. Rivera’s dedication to the culturally competent care of diverse older adults and her significant contributions to geriatrics healthcare in the community are inspirational,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF. "Her clinical work in geriatrics and family medicine illustrates great passion for meeting the health care needs of complex, vulnerable older adults in the out patient setting, as evidenced by the two thriving geriatrics practices that she maintains with excellent patient satisfaction scores and quality metrics. As an outstanding clinician, she advances geriatric care in the community through the programs she has developed and the collaborations she has established, while also serving as a highly sought-after consultant to community health programs and a champion of leveraging technology to improve care for older adults in primary care settings.”

With the older adult population outpacing the growth of the geriatrics workforce, Dr. Rivera works to infuse age friendly care beyond specialty settings and into the larger primary care workforce. She advocates for geriatricians to serve as key partners—providing support to primary care clinicians, in person or electronically, as needed—to help manage the care of older adults with complex needs. To this end, she provides primary care and geriatrics consultation at the Family Health Center of Harlem, a community health center where she also oversees the geriatrics curriculum for their family medicine residency program. As a Master Clinician and Medical Director at Mount Sinai, her goal is to share best practices and tools in geriatrics with the large network of primary care sites across the Mount Sinai Health System.

Since 2019, Dr. Rivera has served as the Director of the Coffey Geriatrics Practice at the Martha Stewart Center for Living. In this key leadership role, she supervises interprofessional teams and develops innovative models of care in the ambulatory setting, including electronic consults and telehealth visits for patients. She maintains an active primary care and geriatrics consultation practice for medically com plex older adults and also precepts medical students and geriatrics fellows. Dr. Rivera received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MD from Jefferson Medical College. She completed her Family and Community Medicine residency and her Geriatrics Medicine fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. AGS is honored to recognize her with the Clinician of the Year Award for her exceptional clinical career dedicated to strengthening community-based health programs, leveraging technology to improve the care of older adults, and integrating age friendly principles beyond specialty settings.

The Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Surgical & Related Medical Specialties

Dr. Cameron J. Gettel, MD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, is the 2026 recipient of the Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Surgical and Related Medical Specialties. The award recognizes Dr. Gettel for his cross-cutting work in geriatrics, emergency care, and care transitions.

“Dr. Cameron J. Gettel’s dedication to improving the lives of older adults truly exemplifies the spirit of the Jeffery H. Silverstein Memorial Award, which honors emerging researchers making a meaningful impact on aging-focused care within their specialty,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF. “His work advancing emergency care for older adults focuses on developing patient-reported outcome measures and interventions to improve care transitions and clinical outcomes for older adults – particularly those living with cognitive impairment. This work will have a profound and positive effect on the future of healthcare for all of us as we age."

An emerging national leader in geriatric emergency care whose work is transforming how older adults experience acute care transitions, Dr. Gettel has a research portfolio that spans patient — and caregiver — reported outcome measurement, care fragmentation, rural-urban disparities in access, ED boarding, and the financial burden of acute care for older adults. His work has directly shaped qual ity measurement and policy at the national level, including contributions to CMS’s Hospital Star Ratings program, the GUIDE Model, and the first emergency medicine-specific MIPS Value Pathway. In addition to his role as Assistant Professor in the Yale Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Gettel is a Clinical Investigator at the Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. A recipient of both a National Institute of Aging (NIA) GEMSSTAR R03 and a Beeson Award (K76), he is currently developing innovative 12 AGSNEWS | SPRING 2026 digital health interventions to improve ED-to-community transitions for persons living with cognitive impairment and their care partners.

Dr. Gettel also serves as a Co-Director of Yale Emergency Scholars (YES) Program at Yale School of Medicine where he mentors early-career researchers, including trainees interested in geriatrics-focused research. In 2023, he presented his abstract “An Outcome Comparison Between Geriatric and Non-geriatric Emergency Departments” at the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting Plenary Paper Session, having been chosen as one of the top three submissions of over a thousand abstracts. He was honored with the Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Award that same year. Dr. Gettel has also received a Yale OAIC Pepper Center Scholar Award, an NIA-funded IMPACT Collaboratory Career Development Award, and an Alzheimer's Association Advancing Research on Care and Outcome Measurement (ARCOM) Award.

AGS/ADGAP Outstanding Geriatric Medicine Education Coordinator of the Year

Linda Ferrie is the first ever recipient of the AGS/ADGAP Outstanding Geriatric Medicine Education Coordinator of the Year Award. This award recognizes individuals who have actively participated in developing geriatrics medical education initiatives, while they manage their primary responsibility of coordinating a Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program at their institution.

“I am thrilled we are honoring Ms. Ferrie with our inaugural AGS/ADGAP Outstanding Geriatric Medicine Education Coordinator of the Year Award,” said AGS Board Chair Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF. “This award celebrates leaders who, often behind the scenes, shape the future of our field. Through her vision and dedication, Ms. Ferrie has defined and elevated the role of Education Program Coordinators in geriatric medicine and beyond. She has fostered strong professional relationships nationwide and helped countless medical students, residents, and fellows become stronger clinicians by ensuring we prepare the next generation to care for all of us as we age. We are proud to honor her outstanding contributions to our field.”

Ms. Ferrie has served as the Education Program Coordinator for the Mayo Clinic Geriatric Medicine Fellowship for almost twenty-five years. While working second shifts as a factory worker, Linda went to school in the mornings with the goal of eventually securing a position with the Mayo Clinic. Proving successful, Ms. Ferrie has since made her mark on geriatrics education locally and nationally through years of leadership, mentorship, and dedication. Over the course of her career, Ms. Ferrie has served multiple terms as the chair of the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education’s Education Program Coordinator Council; participated in numerous committees, workgroups, and task forces; mentored a myriad of aspiring education program coordinators, program directors, education administrative assistants, and more. Mayo has recognized her with multiple awards, including the Education Program Coordinator of the Year Award in 2021.

On the national level, Ms. Ferrie has helped to develop assessment tools for certification with added qualifications in Geriatric Medicine during her time on the Training Administrators for Graduate Medical Education (TAGME) board. Ms. Ferrie was also instrumental in the development of the American Geriatrics Education Administrator Coordinator Team (AGE-ACT), a national leadership initiative for program coordinators supporting Geriatric Fellowship programs. In her role as Chair for AGE-ACT, she spearhead ed the development of an annual coordinator workshop that is held during the AGS/ADGAP Annual Education Conference, which fosters professional development, collaboration, and best practice sharing among coordinators nationwide.

Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator of the Year Award

The 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator Award is Dr. Anna Pendrey, MD, DABOM, Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and Associate Clinical Director of the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic. Dr. Pendrey has made significant contributions to geriatrics, with a particular focus on obesity care, cognitive health, and the overall well-being of older adults. Her research, including the landmark review on FDA-approved anti-obesity medications in older adults, has advanced understanding of age-specific efficacy, safety, and individualized treatment strategies, shaping both clinical practice and policy. Dr. Pendrey has also led quality improvement initiatives, such as enhancing advance directive completion in older adults, earning national recognition from the American Geriatrics Society. As an educator, she has consistently received outstanding student evaluations, demonstrating her commitment to training the next generation of physicians in patient-centered, evidence-based geriatric care. Dr. Pendrey founded the Geriatrics Track at the IU Family Medicine Residency Program; the Geriatrics Student Interest Group at the IU School of Medicine where she also serves as an advisor; as well as the Geriatrics Clinic and Brain Clinic in the Family Medicine Residency Program. Her extensive record of invited presentations, publications, and leadership roles in national and international forums has established her as a respected voice in the field. Through her research, education, and advocacy, Dr. Pendrey continues to improve the quality of care, functional outcomes, and quality of life for older adults nationwide.

The Outstanding Junior Clinician Education Manuscript Award

The 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Junior Clinician Education Manuscript award is Dr. Catherine Dawson, MD, Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Medicine; investigator at the New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center; and Medical Director of the Interprofessional Geriatrics Clinic at the VA in Bedford, MA. She is being recognized for her work on “The State of Geriatrics Education at US Medical Schools: A National Survey of Medical Education Deans” published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2025.

Her nominated manuscript illuminates how leaders of medical school curricula perceive geriatrics. To unearth these perceptions, Dr. Dawson and her colleagues designed and disseminated a national survey to Medical Education Deans at all 191 accredited allopathic and osteopathic US medical schools in 2021. With an impressive response rate of 73%, they concluded that there are gaps between the current and desired state of geriatrics education at the national level. The potential impact of Dr. Dawson’s work is far-reaching, given its insights into leadership priorities and motivators on a national scale, which can springboard action plans for feasible curricular change.

The Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year Award

The American Geriatrics Society recognized Dr. Matthew Growdon, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the University of California, San Francisco Division of Geriatrics, as the 2026 Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year. An emerging leader in geriatric medicine, Dr. Growdon’s geriatric health services and imple mentation science research is focused on improving the quality and safety of prescribing for older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment and social vulnerability. Dr. Growdon’s research has already contributed substantially to the understanding of the epidemiology of medication use by community-dwelling people with dementia (PWD) in the US, attitudes towards potential deprescribing among PWD, and the role of hospitalization in driving use of psychotropic medications by PWD. He is currently supported by a NIA Beeson K76 and other awards and has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, including work in JAGS concerning polypharmacy among older adults with dementia that was featured in NEJM Journal Watch. In 2024, he was awarded the AGS New Investigator Award for his submission "eConsultation for Deprescribing among Older Adults: Evaluating Barriers to and Facilitators of Implementation" which elicited clinician perspectives on barriers to and facilitators of using eConsults for deprescribing among older adults within a large university health network to develop a deprescribing eConsult intervention. A member of AGS since 2018, he has served on the AGS Research Committee, participated in the JAGS Junior Reviewer Program, and has served as an MSTAR research mentor. His long-term goal is to be a leading clinical researcher developing effective pre scribing practices, guidelines, and policies for older adults with cognitive impairment and social vulnerability.

The Outstanding Mid-Career Clinician Educator of the Year Award

Dr. Angela Beckert, MD is the 2026 Outstanding Mid-Career Clinician Educator, recognized for her outstanding contributions to geriatrics education. Dr. Beckert is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Division of Geriatric & Palliative Medicine) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Program Director of the MCW Medicine and Geriatrics Combined Residency/Fellowship. As Program Director, Dr. Beckert maintains the educational curriculum and clinical performance for up to eight Medicine-Geriatrics residents and fellows each year. Additionally, she trains and mentors stu dents, residents, and fellows within her clinics at Froedtert Hospital and the Milwaukee VA.

Dr. Beckert is a remarkable educator and mentor. She was a participant in the UCSF Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging program and co-leads the AGS-supported ACGME AIRE (Advancing Innovation in Residency Education) pilot project to create a national Medicine-Geriatrics residency and fellowship program model. Dr. Beckert is also an associate editor of Aquifer Geriatrics, the AGS-supported national online geriatrics curriculum. She is a co-investigator of a HRSA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) award with a focus on creation of “Geriatric Fast Casts”, podcasts <10 minutes long highlighting geriatrics focused content. Dr. Beckert is known for her cheerful presence, willingness to tackle challenges, and her generous mentorship of faculty and learners alike.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing her leadership and excellence in clinical education such as the G. Richard Olds Award for Mentorship in Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2025 and the Outstanding Medical Student Teacher for M4 Ambulatory Internal Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2024. Her dedication to mentorship, innovation in education, and commitment to training the next generation of geriatricians exemplify the very best of geriatrics education.

Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Awards 2026 Recipients

Leah V. Estrada, PhD, RN; Natalia Festa, MD, MHS, MBA; Kerry Sheets, MD, MS, and Mfon Umoh, MD, PhD all received 2026 New Investigator Awards.

Leah Estrada, PhD, RN is an Assistant Professor in the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a Nurse Scientist in the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at the Mount Sinai Health System. Her work is focused on identifying and addressing disparities in dementia care for underserved populations. Her passion for her aging research is driven from personal and professional experiences as a daughter of immigrants, a first-generation college student, and care giver. She has received seven competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Palliative Care Research Center, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She has 23 publications in aging, 12 of which are first author. She is a rising leader in the field of aging research and well on her way to establishing an independent research career and making significant contributions in aging.

Natalia Festa, MD, MPH, MBA, a geriatrician and Assistant Professor at Yale University, has established an innovative research program at the interface of health services research and gerontology. Her work is defined by its methodological depth across two distinct, high-impact domains: first, poli cy-relevant spatial analysis of nursing home outcomes, supported by an NIA R03 GEMSSTAR and Claude D. Pepper OAIC Scholar Award; and second, the science of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) measurement, for which she is supported by the NIA-funded Geriatric Emergency care Applied Research (GEAR) Network. Her abstract introduces the first severity-stratified predictive models to identify undiagnosed dementia in the emergency department, achieving excellent overall and robust severity-specific discrimination. Her findings reveal that the predictors of underdiagnosis are not static but evolve with the natural progression of ADRD. This research provides a scalable instrument to lessen the substantial burden of underdiagnosis within the emergency department.

Kerry Sheets, MD, MS is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and practicing geriatrician at Hennepin Healthcare, a safety-net healthcare system in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She completed medical school at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, an internal medicine residency and chief residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and a geriatric medicine fellowship at Hennepin Healthcare. Her research focuses on active lifespan and the intersections of cognitive and physical function in older adults. An early-stage investigator, Dr. Sheets was awarded a Scholar award from the Minnesota Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training and Research Program. She also received a pilot study award from the NIA Alzheimer’s Diagnosis in Older Adults with Chronic Conditions Consortium to determine the effects of kidney function on serum levels of brain-derived tau, a novel blood based biomarker of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Sheets has presented her research at international meetings and conferences, including at the 2024 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting.

Mfon Umoh, MD, PhD is a rising star in geriatrics, making significant strides in understanding and improving cognitive health among older adults. Her journey began at the University of Pennsylvania and continued through an MD/PhD pro gram at Emory University, residency, and geriatric medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Umoh has a robust research portfolio. She has published on delirium, dementia, and social isolation, contributing valuable insights to address cognitive decline in aging populations. Dr. Umoh has demonstrated exceptional leadership by mentoring trainees and has been actively engaged in the American Geriatrics Society and the American Delirium Society. Her innovative projects, sup ported by competitive grants from the Hopkins Economics of Alzheimer's Disease and Services Center, and K12 Clinical Research Scholar program, delve into the biological and social determinants of cognitive health. Dr. Umoh is poised to advance the field of geriatrics, with a clear dedication to enhancing cognitive outcomes in older adults.

Clinical Student Research Award

Kourtney Kanja is the AGS 2026 Clinician Student Research Award recipient for her submission, “Partnered Sexual Activity and Sexual Problems in Older Adults with Late Life Functional Impairments: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey.” Through this study, she found that, although older adults with functional impairments are less likely to engage in sexual activity, nearly half of men and women with functional impairments were engaging in partnered sexual activity and had high rates of specific sexual health problems. Kourtney’s work suggests that clinicians should ask all older adults about sexual health, and to probe for specific problems that are more common in men and women with functional limitations. Kourtney is a second-year medical student at the University of Hawaii, and Vice President of the GeriPal interest group. She also participated in the MSTAR program at UCSF in the summer of 2025.

Scientist-in-Training Research Award

The 2026 recipient of the AGS Scientist-in-Training Research Award is Noorain Mamdani, a Master’s student in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University, for her submission “Co-Designing an Augmented Reality (AR) System for Fall Prevention: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.” Under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou at the Geras Centre for Aging Research, Noorain is researching an augmented reality based balance training system designed to support safe aging-in-place. Her research involves working closely with older adults and healthcare providers to ensure that the technology is accessible, usable, and aligned with their needs. Noorain has presented her work at several nation al conferences and is supported by competitive funding, including the CIHR-funded Canada Graduate Scholarship and AGE-WELL Master’s Fellowship. Noorain is motivated by a strong commitment to compassionate, equitable care for older adults and hopes to continue contributing to the field of geriatrics as a future clinician-scientist focused on developing practical, evidence-based solutions that improve quality of life for older adults.

The Edward Henderson Student Research Award

Martin Viola, a fourth-year medical student at Harvard Medical School, is the 2026 recipient of the Edward Henderson Student Research Award. As a premedical student, Martin served on a NIH-funded trial of a psychotherapy intervention for surrogate decision-makers in the ICU and led multiple analyses on suicidal ideation, bereavement, and patient-centered outcomes in the con text of end-of-life care. He has also investigated disparities in end-of-life care provided to individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities and has produced educational videos highlighting best practices for this population. Since starting medical school, Martin has co-developed a didactic session for incoming medical students on engaging family caregivers, co-led his school’s geriatrics and palliative care interest group, and has worked with Dr. Andrea Schwartz on projects investigating the “long toenail sign” as a marker for functional decline among older adults. He hopes to work as a primary care physician and researcher dedicated to improving care for older adults, family caregivers, and those at the end of life.

Choosing Wisely Champion Award

Dr. Priya Mendiratta, MD, MPH, AGSF, CMD Choosing Wisely Champion Award.

Dr. Priya Mendiratta has advanced Choosing Wisely in clinical practice through her longstanding commitment to deprescribing, fall prevention, and high-value geriatric care across outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care settings. She has played a major role in the development and dissemination of society recommendations and consistently educates clinicians through recurring grand rounds, faculty development sessions, and interprofessional teaching and in long term care.

As Vice Chair of Education and Program Director at UAMS, she has embedded Choosing Wisely recommendations throughout the curricula for fellows, residents, medical students, advanced practice providers, and multiple health care teams. Dr. Mendiratta has conducted direct measurement of Choosing Wisely recommendations through multiple quality improvement initiatives, including polypharmacy reduction work, the implementation of STEADI within the electronic health record and clinical practice, and structured long-term care medication reviews. She has demonstrated strong leadership of Choosing Wisely efforts across nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and inpatient geriatrics services, and her recent quality improvement project with geriatrics fellows, submitted as an abstract to the American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting, evaluates the education application of these measures across varied clinical settings. Her national engagement with the American Geriatrics Society, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, and ADGAP extends her impact through presentations, dissemination of clinical guidelines, and mentorship of emerging clinicians

Tell us a bit about your journey and how you became interested in geriatrics?
I’ve always felt a natural connection to older adults, shaped in large part by the close relationship I had with my grandparents growing up. I remember visiting them in Western Kentucky about once a month, spending time in the kitchen with my grandmother or playing card games – especially one called Rook. I was often surrounded not just by my grandparents but by their friends as well, listening to their stories and enjoying their company, which made me very comfortable around older adults from an early age. During medical school, I realized that not everyone shared that same ease or enthusiasm, and I began to see this as a meaningful opportunity to make a difference.

My training at the University of Louisville coincided with the launch of a new geriatrics fellowship program, and being part of an emerging field was incredibly exciting. Geriatrics offered the chance not only to care for older adults but also to help shape the field itself through early contributions to research and education. That combination of personal passion and professional opportunity ultimately led me to pursue a career in geriatrics.

What is your favorite part of working with older adults?
What I love most about working with older adults are their stories. It’s like experiencing living history. For example, I recently cared for a patient who had fled Europe with her family as a baby during the Holocaust. Hearing her story, and the many others my patients have shared, is just incredible. These interactions have helped make history come alive for me in a deeply personal way.

I’m continually struck by how appreciative my older adult patients generally are to me. Whether in clinic or with veterans at the VA, their kindness, resilience, and perspective stand out.

That combination of rich life experience and genuine gratitude makes caring for older adults especially gratifying to me.

What's you most proud of in your career?
I’m especially proud of the work I’ve done in geriatric palliative care, helping patients and families navigate end of-life decisions. One of my greatest achievements is helping to get a piece of legislation called the MOST (Medical Order for Scope of Treatment) form passed in Kentucky. The MOST form documents individuals' wishes for their end-of-life care including treatment preferences and goals of care. Because of my extensive background in geriatrics, I was able to provide valuable testimony before the Kentucky House and Senate health committees in support of this legislation. Once passed, the focus shifted to implementation with the creation of MOST Coalition, which is a group whose goal is ensuring that people across the Commonwealth of Kentucky are aware of the form, understand how to use it, and can apply it in practice so that patients’ end-of-life wishes are respect ed. Providing high-quality end-of-life care requires more than the efforts of a single physician—it depends on having effective systems in place. I am so proud to have contributed to addressing this system issue by helping to get the MOST form passed.

What are you working on now?
I am proud to be running for the position of State Senator of Kentucky. As a geriatrics and palliative care physician, I realize that the communication skills I use with patients can also be applied to shaping policy and educating legislators.

Testifying before state health committees about the MOST form showed me the importance of having doctors involved in healthcare decision-making at the state level. I have seen firsthand how good policy can improve people’s lives. I have served as a Health and Aging Policy Fellow from 2022 – 2023 in Washington DC where I worked with Senator Elizabeth Warren on her health team and oversight team, and I am currently a member of the Prospect City Council in Kentucky.

Piece of advice to share with someone who is considering a career in geriatrics or just starting out?
Geriatrics is fun, meaningful, and incredibly flexible—you can do hospital work, clinic visits, nursing home care, or home visits. The variety keeps the work fresh, and patients are deeply appreciative. It’s a career you can grow with throughout your life.

We need more smart, passionate people in geriatrics, especially in aca demic roles where you can make a real impact through research, teaching and leadership. Take advantage of professional development opportunities, seek out strong mentors, and be proactive in shaping your path. The field is challenging, exciting, and full of possibilities—you can truly make a difference.

Your favorite experience with AGS that you would like to share?
I truly enjoyed serving as ADGAP President from May 2019 to May 2023, taking over from Dr. Susan Parks who had transitioned to Board Chair. Working with Sue and AGS CEO Nancy E. Lundebjerg taught me so much and they were such great mentors and role models. During my tenure, which took place during the height of COVID, we embraced innovation, experimenting with virtual meetings and new ways to connect, which made the experience even more rewarding.

A personal favorite memory goes back further—my first AGS meeting as a geriatric medicine fellow in 2000. It was the first time I truly felt like a geriatrician. I found my tribe by connecting with like minded colleagues. Running for Senate has reinforced for me the importance of professional organizations in creating community, support, and change – and AGS does just that.