OU-COM Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology

For over a decade, OU-COM participated in The Southeastern Ohio branch of the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center (WRGEC). The OUCOM-WRGEC served a 22-county area in Appalachian Ohio and was dedicated to improving health care for older adults by providing education, training and consultation to faculty, health-care professionals and paraprofessionals practicing in underserved rural settings. The Center collaborated with the Area Health Education Center, area hospitals, home health agencies and long-term care facilities to plan and implement educational programs. Because of a cut in grant funding, the WRGEC dissolved, but many of the programs continue and the Geriatric Education Center remains, under the direction of Ellen Peterson, BSN.