University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center (UNE- MGEC)
Under the grant, health systems and professional networks will partner to develop, implement, disseminate, and evaluate evidence-based best practice geriatric education, training, curricula, and resources throughout Maine. The UNE-MGEC will address priority health education needs of Maine’s health workforce, health professions faculty and students, community organizations, and older adults and their families.
UNE-MGEC Activities
Among the activities of the UNE-MGEC are: education on community resources, geriatric assessment, care giving, health promotion, prevention of abuse and financial exploitation of older adults, oral health and health literacy. A newly developed Interdisciplinary Team Work Institute will train health professionals to care for patients with common and complex geriatric issues.
The UNE-MGEC also draws talented staff and program innovations developed throughout UNE, which has long been recognized as a leader for its commitment to geriatrics programs, and for training at state and national levels.
History and Current University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center (UNE-MGEC) funding
The University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center is one of several national Geriatric Education Centers (GEC) funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Over the past several years the Maine Geriatric Education Center has gone through several funding cycles. Until 2002 the Maine Geriatric/Gerontology Education Center was part of the Harvard Upper New England Geriatric Education Center (HUNEGEC). Objectives of the (HUNEGEC) were directed at upper New England as a whole, with certain sub-objectives being unique to Maine.
In 2003 the University of New England received its own funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to establish the Maine Geriatric Education Center (Maine GEC). The Maine GEC was developed to implement a more extensive set of objectives to focus on the unique needs of Maine’s older adults. The Maine GEC operated from 7-03 through 12-06. Until UNE received a new grant award in September 2007, the Maine GEC activities/products were housed under the Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network.
In September 2007 the University of New England was awarded a $650,000, three-year grant from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to support activities of the University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center (UNE-MGEC).
UNE-MGEC Core Team
Jacquelyn Cawley, DO
Vice President, Clinical Affairs
Center for Community Health Innovation and Research
Judith A. Metcalf, APRN, BC, MS
Director, UNE-MGEC
Charlotte Paolini, DO
Medical Director
Sue Stableford, MPH, MSB, Director
Health Literacy Institute
Center for Health Policy, Planning & Research
Kathryn Thompson, PhD, RD
Distance Education Coordinator