Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center

• Mobility Research

Sponsors:
Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 7

Purpose:
The mission is to improve care of older veterans through research focusing on mobility, genito-urinary disorders, and end-of-life care for veterans; educate health personnel, veterans, and their families regarding principles of high-quality geriatric care; and develop and evaluate models of clinical services for eligible, older veterans.

Services:
Current research activities of GRECC investigators include studies of:

• Risk factors for mobility loss, car crashes, and falls among community-dwelling older adults;
• Treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence;
• Conservative treatments for stress and urge incontinence in women;
• Quality of care assessment for pain management, depression, and falls in nursing homes;
• Stroke functional outcomes;
• Nocturia among older male nursing home residents;
• Strength training’s impact on muscle morphology and function;
• The quality of care at Life’s End for veterans who are admitted to VA facilities
• To implement innovative education, clinical and research interventions to improve this care throughout the VISN.

GRECC research is supported by a Data Analysis Core and the Muscle Research Laboratory. Clinical components of the GRECC include a Continence Program with clinical demonstration programs in the outpatient clinic, home based primary care, and nursing home; and a mobility and functional assessment service, focusing on physical performance, driving, and fall risk assessment.

Specific education and training projects include:

• Continence education programs
• Mobility training programs
• Scientific seminars
• Mobility and continence journal clubs
• Continuing education programs

Opportunities for Faculty Involvement:
GRECC investigators are eager to develop collaborative research projects. Educational programs are open to all faculty and students. Clinical demonstration sites will serve as sites for eligible patient referral, clinical training, and research.

Primary Contact Person:

Richard Allman, M.D.
Director GRECC 11G
VA Med Center
700 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35233
(tel) (205) 558-7064
(fax) (205) 558-4749

Leaders and Key Staff:

• Richard Allman, MD, Dir
• Kathryn Burgio, PhD, Asso. Dir. Research
• Patricia Goode, MD, Asso. Dir, Clinical Programs
• Lesa Woodby, PhD, MPH, Asso. Dir, Education and Evaluation
• Theodore Johnson, MD, MPH, Dir, Atl Programs
• Dale Strasser, MD, Dir, Atl Research Program
• Richard Sims, MD, Chief, Geriatrics & Medical Dir, Geriatric Assessment Clinic
• Cynthia Brown, MD, Medical Dir, Fall Prevention & Mobility Clinic
• Claire Peel, PhD, PT, Dir, Mobility and Functional Assessment Service
• Marcas Bamman, PhD, Dir, Muscle Res. Laboratory
• David Redden, PhD, Dir, Data and Analysis Core
• Joseph Ouslander, MD, GRECC Continence Investigator
• David Roth, PhD, Biostatistician
• Patricia Parmelee, PhD, Investigator
• F. Amos Bailey, MD, Dir, Palliative Care
• Charlotte Williams, MBchB, Dir, Medical Ethics
• Carol Griffin, MD, Dir, Outpatient Palliative Care
• John Mountz, MD, PhD, Investigator
• Timothy Garvey, MD, Investigator
• Bruce Gibbs, Adm. Officer
• Bianca Brickhouse, Program Support Assistant
• Diann Oden, Office Automation Assistant
• Nancy Bond, Admin Assistant

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