Supporting Optimal Aging for Individuals and Communities |
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The world needs VCU Gerontologists. It is more evident than ever before that we must prioritize building an age and ability inclusive culture. VCU gerontologists are poised to lead the way there through modeling evidence-based practice and person-centered approaches. Dr. Jenny Inker and I are currently working on a grant, funded by the Retirement Research Foundation, to develop an age and ability inclusive toolkit for senior living. Together with LeadingAge, the Eden Alternative and Pioneer Network, we are conducting nationwide interviews of senior living staff to develop a user-friendly toolkit that will be free and accessible to all. Given the colossal impact that long-term care communities faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are more committed than ever to providing education and support to the long-term care workforce. Check out the fantastic work by Dr. Bert Waters, Annie Rhodes and Shannon Arnette with the ECHO project (below).
Behind the scenes, we have been working hard to make more educational opportunities more accessible for more people. We are thrilled to announce the approval of our new 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies in addition to our micro certificate in Foundations and Longevity and Aging, which includes 8 digital badges. Sharing our valuable knowledge with others is critical to growing the discipline of gerontology and preparing qualified professionals to work with older people. To that end, we are delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of three Master of Science in Gerontology graduates and eight Certificate in Aging Studies students!
Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated interim guidance allowing those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop wearing masks and Gov. Ralph Northam endorsed that guidance and extended it to Virginians in his seventh amended Executive Order 72, we are in the midst of planning a return to campus and in-person learning for the Fall 2021 semester. More guidance on updated regulations and requirements will be forthcoming and we are looking forward to having in-person learning opportunities for our students.
The VCU Department of Gerontology faculty and staff are here (even in the summer!) to support your personal and professional journey in gerontology. We love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out and stay connected.
We wish all of you a wonderful summer filled with joy, health and happiness.
-- Dr. Tracey Gendron
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The VCU Health ECHO Nursing Home Project |
Nursing homes have been the epicenter of COVID-19 deaths. In order to make an impact where it is most needed, VCU Health, VCU's Virginia Center on Aging, and VCU Gerontology have teamed up: Every week, the project team hosts calls with 195 nursing homes to discuss topics such as best practices for protecting patients, staff, and visitors, vaccine distribution/vaccine acceptance, testing, visitor policies and more.
Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative telementoring program designed to create virtual communities of learners by bringing together healthcare providers and subject matter experts using videoconference technology, brief lecture presentations, and case-based learning, fostering an “all learn, all teach” approach. VCU joined the network to rapidly deploy a nursing home ECHO project to train and support nursing home staff on best practices for protecting patients, staff, and visitors from coronavirus infection and spread.
The VCU Health ECHO Nursing Home project recruited 135 of Virginia's 273 eligible Nursing Homes, grouped into five cohorts of approximately 27 nursing homes per cohort, and started the week of November 9th. We then assisted the George Mason Universities’ ECHO team, who recruited an additional 60 Virginia nursing homes. In coordination with an Institute for Healthcare Improvement, quality improvement expert, the curriculum is being developed and is presented in 16 weekly 90-minute ECHO sessions for each of the cohorts. The sessions promote collaboration, sharing success stories, and following up on quality improvement projects. Important topics, such as vaccine distribution and strategies for vaccine acceptance, cohort practices, testing, and visitor policies were reviewed with the facilities. The program has initiated new collaborations with nursing homes across many healthcare disciplines and will help foster innovative ways to collaborate virtually in this post-COVID19 virtually connected world. For more information about Project ECHO, visit VCU health: go here.
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Congratulations Graduates! |
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Celebrate our recent graduates -- including our departmental awards. Congratulations!
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MS Graduates
Becky Zenkevich
Kaleb Campbell
Ellie Carpenter
Lauren Burnette
PhD
Gigi Amateau
Certificate Graduates
Gulmira Yermakhanova
Meghan Beard
Tabbitha Bruck
Katie Jones
Alysia Leung
Catie Park
Samantha Stevens
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Alum Spotlight: Shannon Arnette |
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Congratulations to VCU Gerontology alum Shannon Arnette! Shannon Arnette now serves as the Distance Education Coordinator for the Virginia Center on Aging. She provides informational and administrative support for distance learners participating in the VCU Nursing Home ECHO, along with initiatives within the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program.
While earning her Master of Science degree in Gerontology from VCU, she gained the experience of applying research and a gerontological approach to create and modify policies and procedures for quality advancements in corporate and non-profit organizations.
Welcome Shannon!
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New VCU Gerontology Concentration Area: Geriatric Care Management |
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Industry and labor experts report there is an urgent, growing need for more Geriatric Care Managers. Within this rapidly growing field, these professionals play a crucial role for families and individuals during important life moments that impact health, care, and wellbeing.
GCMs perform deeply meaningful work that requires a specific expertise. A rewarding career with flexible options for employment, GCMs make an indelible mark on the families and individuals they help.
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Upcoming Info Session June 17 at noon: Community Based Gerontology |
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Our alumni are changing the world. Join us to learn about the diversity of gerontological work in our communities. From public policy, to dance and art, to death and dying, and beyond.
The career opportunities for VCU gerontologists are wide in scope and practice. You may have heard about the popular desire to "age in place" -- there's so much more to it!
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