Program for Wednesday April 29, 2026

Additional fee session

Sponsored by the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) 

The role of the geriatrics fellowship director is complex and involves a variety of activities and responsibilities. This session will present topics of interest and practical instruction for both new and seasoned fellowship directors. 

Additional fee session

Sponsored by the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Among Older Adults Special Interest Group and the Achieving Health Equity Among Diverse Older Adults (AHEAD) Special Interest Group

Moderator: Alison A. Moore, MD, MPH

This is an interactive, interprofessional pre-conference session aiming to provide health professionals with the knowledge and skills to be able to discuss cannabis with their older adult patients and/or care partners, as well as assess for risky use and apply harm reduction strategies. Learning Objectives: (1) list different formulations of cannabis, including their pharmacology, and appreciate the history of cannabis use and how its legal status affects the availability of research data and use stigma; (2) provide education to patients and caregivers regarding the use of cannabis, including its potential benefits and harms based on the literature available; (3) screen for and diagnose risky cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and list the next steps in management; and (4) organize a cannabis-related clinical assessment they can apply to their clinical practice.

The History of Cannabis Use and Its Epidemiology of Use Among Older Adults
Benjamin H. Han, MD, MPH

Pharmacology and Formulations of Cannabis
Kimberly J. Beiting, MD

Evidence Behind the Benefits of Cannabis
Vassiliki Pravodelov, MD, FACP

Harms of Cannabis
Deepika E. Slawek, MD, MPH, MS

Cannabis Use Disorder: Diagnosis, Next Steps in Management, Treatment, and Harm Reduction
Andrea J. Landi, MD, MPH

Cannabis for Medical Use Part 1: Outpatient Clinical Assessments
Justina Groeger, MD, MPH

Cannabis for Medical Use Part 2: Special Geriatric Considerations
Zachary J. Palace, MD, CMD, FACP

Cannabis for Medical Use Part 3: Management of Common Clinical Scenarios
Justina Groeger, MD, MPH & Alison A. Moore, MD, MPH

Additional fee session

This preconference will provide the most up-to-date information on the latest diagnostic tools (biomarkers, technology), therapeutics, and models of care in Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.

Sponsored by the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) 

Co-Chairs: Caitlin Jones, MD & Priscilla Yee, MD

The mission of the Acute Care SIG is to improve hospitalization outcomes for older adults through improvements in clinical care, dissemination of research findings, and promotion of health professional education.

Co-Chairs: Benjamin H. Han, MD, MPH; Kimberly J. Beiting, MD; Justina L. Groeger, MD, MPH 

The mission of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use (ATOD) Among Older Adults Interest Group is to address the dramatic increase in older adults with unhealthy substance use and substance use disorders. This SIG brings together an interdisciplinary group of professionals with clinical, educational, and/or research interests in reducing the harms of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in older adults. Our group also focuses on national collaboration to provide education and research in the care of older adults with substance use disorders.  

Co-Chairs: Ariela R. Orkaby, MD, MPH & Min Ji Kwak, MD, MS, DrPH
 

The mission of the Cardiovascular Diseases and Aging Special Interest Group is to provide an official forum for AGS members who are dedicated to providing high-quality and safe care for older adults with cardiovascular diseases. The members will engage in activities (1) disseminating the up-to-date evidence in geriatric cardiology; (2) collaborating on various research projects; (3) discussing the current challenges and solutions in care for older adults with cardiovascular diseases in real-world practice; and (4) networking nationally and internationally. The forum is open to AGS members from diverse backgrounds. 

Co-Chairs: Julia Hiner, MD & Carrie Rubenstein, MD, AGSF
 

The mission of this SIG is to improve the lives of older adults affected by elder mistreatment through clinical care and prevention, education, research, resource-sharing, and advocacy efforts. Our members include national leaders, health professionals, educators, researchers, and learners-in-training. We strive to spearhead elder mistreatment (including elder abuse, neglect, exploitation) initiatives in our communities, country, and globally, and raise awareness for issues surrounding elder mistreatment, while also serving as a networking group for colleagues.

Chair: Saket Saxena, MD 

The Geriatric Emergency Department (GER-ED) Special Interest Group brings together all health professionals interested in improving the care of older adults in Emergency Departments. We review the challenges older adults face in EDs and work on creating collaborative models of care to sustain the development of Geriatric EDs and Age Friendly Initiatives in Emergency Departments. Please join us to explore growing opportunities to advance the care of older adults in Emergency Departments.

Chair: Carl H. Burton, MD
 

The mission of this SIG is to increase awareness for considering the needs of older gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons and to foster a more formal analysis and observation of these needs.

Co-Chairs: Mona Gupta, MD & Lauren Mazzurco, DO 

This SIG promotes awareness of palliative care issues in the geriatrics community and hopes to identify and build on synergies that exist between geriatrics and palliative care.

Co-Chairs: Joshua D. Niznik, PharmD, PhD & Cara McDermott, PhD, PharmD, MSc 
 

The Polypharmacy SIG is dedicated to issues related to medication use in older adults. Our goal is to facilitate education and discussion on this topic, both within the group and for a wider audience.

Co-Chairs: Megan Young, MD; Timothy W. Farrell, MD, AGSF; Liron Danay Sinvani, MD, AGSF; Maile Karris, MD; Suvi Neukam, DO

The mission of the SIG is to support Tideswell scholars and leaders in geriatrics through mentorship, networking, continued leadership training, and scholarship with the ultimate goal of a commitment to enhancing the care of older adults through clinical work, research, and education.

View the most current research in geriatrics. Authors will be available to discuss the presented findings in the chat and answer questions.