GMercyU Hosts PA House of Representatives Committee Meeting for Aging & Older Adult Services

More than 10 Pennsylvania State Representatives of the Aging & Older Adult Services Committee gathered at Gwynedd Mercy University for an informational meeting on the importance of gerontology specialty for the aging population, led by four experts in the field.

The four presenters included Mary Reilly, MS, the chair of GMercyU's Behavioral & Social Sciences Division; Mark Simone, MD, the Director of the Geriatric Co-Management Program at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; Firas Saidi, MD, CMD, the President of the Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PMDA) and Medical Director of both Pennswood Village and BAYADA Home Health Care; and Ilene Warner-Maron, PhD, RN, NHA, FCPP, the former President of Eastern Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

These four experts shared their insight into the field of gerontology and geriatrics, focusing on topics such as the programs and education offered to those pursuing a gerontology degree, the increasing aging population and current shortage of geriatric doctors, the challenges that are contributing to the shortage, as well as potential opportunities to encourage and support future gerontologists.

Following the presentations, the representatives had the opportunity to ask questions and determine what can be done from a policy-maker perspective to address the various barriers and contributing to the shortage of geriatric doctors.

The representatives in attendance included: Thomas Murt (District 152, Committee Chair), Steve Samuelson (District 135, Democratic Committee Chair), Steven Malagari (District 53), Mark Gillen (District 128), Meghan Schroeder (District 29), Pamela DeLissio (District 194), Tim Hennessey (District 26), Stephen McCarter (District 154), Melissa Shusterman (District 157), Wendi Thomas (District 178), Danielle Friel Otten (District 155), and Lower Gwynedd's own Liz Hanbidge (District 61).

For more information and upcoming meeting dates for the Aging & Older Adult Services Committee, please visit the PA House of Representatives website.