Center for Aging Annual Meeting
L-R Drs. Robert Weech-Maldonado, Lindsey Vedder, Thomas Rando, Robert Mans
The 2009 Center for Aging Annual Meeting was held on Friday, August 28th in the Learning
Resource Center on campus. Dr. Thomas Rando, Professor in the Department of Neurology
and Neurological Sciences with Stanford University and Deputy Director of the Stanford
Center on Longevity was the keynote speaker. Dr. Rando presented a talk on “Stem
Cells, Aging, and the Challenge of Senescent Tissue Repair.”
During the meeting, several faculty members were recognized. Dr. Richard Sims was
recognized for his long-term service as the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Director.
Under Dr. Sims’ leadership, twenty-two physicians have completed the Geriatric Medicine
fellowship training program since 1994. Eight of these have served as faculty members
in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care.
Dr. Linda Jones was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the development
of gerontological nursing educational programs offered by the School of Nursing.
She has also made tremendous contributions to nursing education through her support
of the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit at UAB Highlands and the new Geriatric
Nurse Scholar Program at University Hospital.
Best Abstract Awards were presented to:
- Dr. Robert Mans in the Department of Neurobiology for his abstract, “Simvastatin
Enhances Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in C57BL/6 Mice”
- Dr. Lindsey Vedder in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, “Long-Term
Ovariectomy Prevents Estradiol-Induced Increase in Hippocampal Function”
- Dr. Robert Weech-Maldonado in the Department of Health Services Administration,
“The Relationship between Nursing Home Quality and Financial Performance: Is There
a Business Care for Quality”
Best Poster Awards were presented to the following:
- Dr. Barrett Bowling in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care,
“Chronic Kidney Disease and Functional Decline in Older Adults”
- Dr. Karen Heaton in the School of Nursing, “Obstructive Sleep Apnea Indicators
and Inquiry in Older Farmers”
- Dr. Daniel Smith, Jr. in the Department of Nutrition Sciences, “Metformin Supplementation
and Lifespan in Fischer 344 Rats”