20th Annual ME Geriatrics Conference a huge success

The Department of Geriatric Medicine sponsored the 20th Annual UNE/ME Geriatrics Conference, along with the UNE/Maine Geriatric Education Center, in Bar Harbor, Maine on June 10 & 11, 2010.

The conference has approximately 200 attendees from across the state who work with older adults or provide services, programs, training related to health care and older adults. The keynote presenter for this year's conference was Marc B. Hahn, DO, Sr. VP for Health Affairs and Dean College of Osteopathic Medicine. His presentation was entitled "Health Policy and the 1st Congressional District of Maine in the United States," and it was ranked as one of the top presentations of the conference.

Also presenting from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine was Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph D. and Kelley Duffy, MS, who conducted a workshop on falls that was entitled "Functional Fitness and Falls: an Upright Approach."  Attendees reported this conference as the "go to" conference in geriatrics in the state.  [see photo of ME Geriatrics Conf Planning Committee]

Also presenting at the ME Geriatrics Conference was Sue Stableford, MPH, MSB, Director, UNE Health Literacy Institute, her topic was "Health Literacy and Plain Language: Effective Elder Health Communication." Ms Stableford was sponsored by the UNE/ME Geriatrics Education Center. Cynthia Robertson, MD, MA, UNECOM Adjunct Faculty and Medical Director, Bingham Area Health Center, Bingham, ME,  provided a plenary presentation on "Communicating Bad News."