On March 5, during its annual conference, the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) will recognize outstanding individuals and programs that have greatly contributed to the field of mental health care for older adults. Award recipients include researchers, clinicians, educators, and a mental health services outreach program. Awards will be presented in Savannah, Georgia, during the opening plenary session of the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting, which runs March 5-8 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center and the Westin Savannah Harbor.

Recipients of the 2010 AAGP Awards are:

AAGP Distinguished Scientist Award
Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD

Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, considered one of the world’s foremost translational neuroscience researchers in Alzheimer’s disease research, was named the AAGP 2010 Distinguished Scientist. Each year, the association chooses a member for his or her original scientific contributions to the field of geriatric psychiatry and mentorship of the careers of successful contributing junior researchers in the field. Dr. Cummings was nominated for the AAGP Distinguished Scientist Award for his contributions to the current understanding of the behavioral aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementing disorders, his work to advance clinical trial designs and drug development methodology, and his mentoring of future leaders. At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Cummings is the Augustus S. Rose Professor of Neurology; professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences; director, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research; director, UCLA Alzheimer’s Disease Center; and director, Deane F. Johnson Center for Neurotherapeutics. He is a highly regarded mentor in the area of dementia research, geriatric neuropsychiatry, and behavioral neurology, and has trained 40 fellows with backgrounds in psychiatry and neurology. “I am extremely honored to be chosen by my colleagues to receive the Distinguished Scientist Award from AAGP,” Dr. Cummings said. “The AAGP leads the nation in scientific and political policies related to the best behavioral care of older patients, and I am deeply gratified this great organization will recognize my research contributions with this award.” Each year the Distinguished Scientist is invited to present a session as part of the AAGP Annual Meeting. Dr. Cummings will present during the Research Awards Paper on Saturday, March 6, 2:45 pm-4:15 p.m.

AAGP Barry Lebowitz Early Career Scientist Award
Kara Zivin, PhD

Kara Zivin, PhD, has been named the 2010 Barry Lebowitz Early Career Scientist for her paper titled “Cost-related medication nonadherence among beneficiaries with depression following Medicare Part D.” The award is presented for the best, unpublished paper by an early career investigator. Dr. Zivin is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry, and a Research Investigator with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, National Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), HSR&D Center of Excellence, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her geriatric psychiatry research agenda focuses on how geriatric depression influences health and social outcomes, such as retirement and mortality, in late middle-aged and older adults. “I am honored to receive the AAGP Barry Lebowitz Early Career Scientist Award, truly a highlight in my career to date, and important recognition for an early career scientist,” Dr. Zivin said. “I am grateful for the support that I have received from my mentors and colleagues in Michigan and Massachusetts, the Summer Research Institute in Geriatric Psychiatry, and AAGP, all of whom demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the career development of junior investigators.” She added, “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to conduct high-quality, policy-relevant research that will improve the mental health and quality of life of older adults.” Dr. Zivin will present her paper Saturday, March 6, during the Research Awards Paper Session, 2:45 pm-4:15 pm.

AAGP Member-in-Training Research Award
Dallas P. Seitz, MD, FRCPC

The 2010 AAGP Member-in-Training Research Award is being awarded to Dallas P. Seitz, MD, FRCPC, for his paper “Effects of Cholinesterase Inhibitors on Postoperative Outcomes of Older Adults with Dementia.” The award goes to the best unpublished, original research primarily performed by a member-in-training. Dr. Seitz is in his second year of a fellowship at Baycrest Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he is completing a combined clinical and research fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. As part of his fellowship, he is enrolled in the master’s of science clinical epidemiology program in the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Following his fellowship, he will assume a full-time faculty position in geriatric psychiatry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he will continue his clinical and research career. “It is an honor to be selected by the AAGP for the Member-in-Training Research Award,” Dr. Seitz said. “This is a great opportunity for me to present my research and meet other researchers at the AAGP Annual Meeting.” Dr. Seitz will present his paper Saturday, March 6, during the Research Awards Paper Session, 2:45 pm-4:15 pm.

AAGP Educator of the Year Award
James M. Ellison, MD, MPH

AAGP has named James M. Ellison, MD, MPH, of McLean Hospital, in Belmont, Massachusetts, as the 2010 Educator of the Year, acknowledging his contributions in curriculum/ program development, teaching, leadership, mentoring, trainee and faculty development, and educational publications. At McLean, Dr. Ellison is the clinical director, Geriatric Psychiatry Service; an associate psychiatrist; and director, Memory Disorder Clinic. He is also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ellison is known for his psychopharmacology lectures and consultations, and is described as an enthusiastic scholar, a dedicated geriatric psychiatrist, and a talented writer. He has taught trainees and junior faculty and has fostered the writing and publication of works in geriatric psychiatry by both junior and peer colleagues. He helped to revise the Post Graduate Year II geropsychiatry rotation for McLean/Massachusetts General Hospital residents and contributed to the teaching of Harvard South Shore residents (Post Graduate Year I) rotating through the service. “It is a great honor for me to be named the 2010 AAGP Educator of the Year and to join a list of past recipients whom I hold in high esteem,” said Dr. Ellison. “Accomplishment in teaching, as much as achievement in learning, is a lifelong process and I look forward to further development as an educator.”

AAGP Clinician of the Year Award
Alan P. Siegal, MD

Alan P. Siegal, MD, of Hamden, Connecticut, was named the 2010 Clinician of the Year for his passion for providing excellent mental health care to older patients, counseling family members and caregivers, educating the greater medical community, and volunteering to further the understanding of late-life mental illness. Dr. Siegal is director of Geriatric and Adult Psychiatry, LLC, and, working with five APRNs, three social workers, two research associates, and six administrative staff, is committed to providing excellent care to his patients in six nursing homes, six assisted living facilities, and an outpatient office. He is known for his remarkable finesse in dealing with complex medical patients with psychiatric problems and multiple medications. Dr. Siegal is also an associate clinical professor in the department of psychiatry at Yale University. Additionally, he works to educate primary care physicians, family practice physicians, and long-term care providers to ensure that older adults with mental illness receive appropriate care. With enthusiasm and warmth, Dr. Siegal devotes his time, energy and expertise to his work and many volunteer activities. “I am humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers as AAGP’s Clinician of the Year,” Dr. Siegal commented. “For the past 27 years I have tried to improve the lives of the patients and families that have allowed me to participate in their care. It has been a deeply rewarding and enriching experience, and I am flattered to be acknowledged by my colleagues.”

Award for Diversity
Iqbal “Ike” Ahmed, MD

The 2010 AAGP Award for Diversity, created to recognize special service or attention to the mental health care needs of elderly minority or under-served populations, will be presented to Iqbal “Ike” Ahmed, MD, of the University of Hawaii. Dr. Ahmed is a professor of psychiatry at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, where he is also the director of neuropsychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology. He is also an attending psychiatrist on the geriatric psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine consultation services at Queen Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Ahmed is a leader in the geriatric psychiatry field in publications about cultural issues in geriatric psychiatry, addressing cultural competence, acculturation, and the unique needs of culturally diverse, older adults. He has chaired influential committees within AAGP and in the American Psychiatric Association that have moved the discipline towards greater cultural awareness. Dr. Ahmed served as editor and contributing author on the American Psychiatric Association’s Ethnic Minority Elderly Curriculum, 2006. He is also a skilled educator and mentor, as well as an outstanding clinician with particular expertise and interest in addressing the mental health care needs of the elderly, underserved, and minority populations. “This award represents the recognition of work accomplished not just by me, but by a number of my colleagues, mentees, and trainees who have collaborated with me in teaching and writing about the socio-cultural factors that impact the evaluation and treatment of our ethnic minority elderly,” Dr. Ahmed commented.

GMHF/AAGP Deirdre Johnston Award for Excellence and Innovation in Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Services
OASIS Program of San Mateo County Health System

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF) and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) have named the OASIS Program (Older Adult System of Integrated Services) of San Mateo County’s Health System in California as the winner of the GMHF/AAGP Deirdre Johnston Award for Excellence and Innovation in Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Services. The Foundation and Association are presenting this award to the OASIS Program for the program’s innovative, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive mental health care for homebound, vulnerable older adults. Diane C. Dworkin, LCSW, clinical services manager for OASIS, will present information about the award-winning program on Monday, March 8, during the session titled Model Programs Providing Mental Health Service in the Home, 9:15 am -10:45 am.

Founded in 1978, the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (www.AAGPonline.org) is a national organization representing and serving its members and the field of geriatric psychiatry. AAGP’s mission is to enhance the knowledge base and standard of practice in geriatric psychiatry through education and research and to advocate for meeting the mental health needs of older Americans.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (www.GMHFonline.org) was established by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry to raise awareness of psychiatric and mental health disorders affecting older adults, eliminate the stigma of mental illness and treatment, promote healthy aging strategies, and increase access to quality mental health care for the elderly.

To learn more about AAGP’s Annual Meeting, March 5-8, 2010, in Savannah, Georgia, please visit www.AAGPmeeting.org.

Contact: Kate McDuffie
301.654.7850 ext. 113
kmcduffie@aagponline.org

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