Geriatrics
AT MOUNT SINAI Fall 2022
A Vision for the Future of Geriatrics: R. Sean Morrison, MD Ellen and Howard C. Katz Chair of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Since its founding as the nation’s first department of geriatrics in 1982, the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine within the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has transformed clinical care for older adults and medical training for the clinicians who treat them. Today, The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the third consecutive year, and it continues to lead the field as the U.S. population ages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, baby boomers will be older than age 65, one in every five Americans will be of retirement age, and, for the first time in U.S. history, adults over 65 will outnumber individuals under age 18. R. Sean Morrison, MD, Ellen and Howard C. Katz Chair of the Brookdale Department, believes that the future of
providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
medicine lies in rethinking health care models. “We need to redesign
The Brookdale Department has the largest, most comprehensive
a health care system that focuses on the needs of older adults and
fellowship program in the country and has trained one in five
their caregivers, rather than on the needs of middle-aged adults,
specialists nationwide. It has transformed the way such clinicians
which is where it’s focused now,” he says.
are trained by incorporating geriatrics and palliative care into the
The Brookdale Department has created many of the clinical models of care replicated across the country, including the Mount
curriculum. The training begins in medical school and has shifted its emphasis to training not just skilled clinicians, but leaders in the field.
Sinai Visiting Doctors and Hospitalization at Home programs,
“One of the biggest challenges the medical community faces is
which provide in-home care from a team of doctors, nurses, social
addressing disparities and access to care,” says Dr. Morrison.
workers, and other professionals. There has also been an emphasis
“How do we do that? First, we must continue to train clinicians who
on creating programs that treat older adults with multiple chronic
mirror the population that we’re caring for. We must identify through
conditions in community settings, including outpatient practices,
research the specific needs of patients and families to ensure that
nursing homes, and Veterans Administration hospitals.
there’s equitable access to care for them. And finally, we must
“Our outpatient practices and inpatient models essentially integrate
continue to work on health care reform.
geriatrics and palliative care into the DNA of medicine,” says Dr.
“As we look to the future,” he says, “our goal is to continue to grow
Morrison. “That’s the direction we want to continue in over the next
the Brookdale Department and to ensure that we are providing
five to ten years.” Palliative care is specialized medical care for
the highest quality of care for the people in our community while
people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on
serving as a national model for others.”