Geriatrics

Monday, Wednesday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment call, 713.798.3967.
For more information, visit the section of Geriatrics website: http://www.bcm.edu/medicine/geriatrics

Our Services Our Team Location

The section of Geriatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, part of the department of Medicine, is dedicated to training medical professionals within the specialty of geriatrics on the clinical impact of aging, enhancing the health of the elderly in our community, and fostering research to advance the care of older patients.

We provide clinical care in a teaching setting through Geriatric Medicine Associates (GMA), a non-profit group that is committed to improving the health of older persons through preventive health services, comprehensive assessments and long-term care. Patients come to us for our expertise in aging, our reputation for compassionate, unhurried care, our patient advocacy and our inclusion of family members as vital participants in the treatment plan.

Through our educational mission, GMA's goal is to enhance the quality of life for older people through an emphasis on healthy aging, preservation of function and independence, memory care, and a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and care delivery.

The section of Geriatrics is addressing the needs of the aging population through the Huffington Center on Aging (HCOA) at Baylor College of Medicine, recognized as one of the most advanced centers on aging research in the nation. HCOA conducts basic and clinical science research, promotes superior healthcare at affiliated hospitals and other institutions, and provides medical education and training. The center was established in 1988 through the generous support of Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington. Advances in healthcare result in a longer lifespan, and our elderly population continues to grow at a rapid rate. The center will respond to the healthcare needs of older people with progressive care methods and expansive thinking.

We welcome all patients seeking a doctor specializing in geriatrics - from younger, fairly healthy people to those with more complex needs such as memory loss, depression, functional decline, social issues and chronic medical conditions. All of our patients share a common desire to be listened to and cared for, and GMA is dedicated to meeting those needs. Our patients are active members of their healthcare team, working with our clinicians to develop personalized healthcare plans that address their current and long-term needs.

Our Services

Our physicians, geriatric nurse practitioner and social workers offer a variety of clinical services to older patients, including:

Comprehensive geriatric assessment
In-hospital consultation
Comprehensive long-term care
End-of-life symptom control
Coordination of determination of competency
Medication education and compliance
Wound care program
Falls analysis and prevention
Functional assessment
Advance directives counseling
Long-term care information
Patient, family and caregiver counseling
Community resource information
Screening for dementia and depression
Education on dementia and related issues
Research on early detection and treatment of memory problems
House calls

Program highlights include:

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment - GMA offers a unique, comprehensive assessment of older persons in an outpatient setting. The assessment is especially valuable to those whose physical, functional or emotional status has become challenged. Patients are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team including geriatricians, a geriatric nurse practitioner, a geriatric social worker and fellows in geriatric medicine. Recommendations for ongoing care are provided based on their findings. The assessment is available on a consultation basis or as a first step in ongoing primary care.
In-Hospital Care - GMA practitioners deliver the primary medical care for established patients who need hospitalization or evaluation at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital or The Methodist Hospital. The team also routinely provides consultative services for established patients who are admitted to the hospital for surgical or other specialty services. Inpatient geriatric consultations are performed, at the request of other physicians, for any older patient who may have multiple medical conditions, dementia, functional impairments or wound care needs. The team frequently assists other physicians with complicated placement and psychosocial concerns, palliative care needs and end-of-life issues.
Long-Term Care - GMA providers treat residents in a small group of selected long-term care settings. Patients needing skilled nursing and therapy services after hospitalization are cared for at hospital-based and community-based skilled nursing facilities. Primary and specialty geriatric care is delivered on-site to residents of several local nursing homes and Alzheimer's care facilities. Selected personal care homes and assisted living facilities are additional sites where homebound and frail elderly residents are routinely seen by the geriatric team. In these settings, the focus is on preservation of function and maintaining quality of life when addressing the medical issues.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care - Working as a team, GMA providers coordinate medical, social and hospice services for patients and families facing terminal illnesses. Pain management and control of other symptoms is a priority in ensuring optimal patient comfort. Assistance is provided in establishing advance directives, selective resuscitation status and designating a power of attorney. Care plans are individualized to the needs of the patient and family, with a focus on maximizing quality of life and comfort.
Social Work Consultation - GMA social workers provide screenings for dementia and depression, and assess both functional and psychosocial needs. Education for patients and families regarding memory loss, behavioral management and community resources is available. Information regarding long-term care options, financial matters and advance directives is an integral part of the social work assessment. Psychotherapy for patients, families and caregivers is also available.
House Calls - House calls are offered to select patients in the geographic area who are no longer able to seek medical care in the office or clinic setting because of physical or emotional limitations. Care is tailored for this setting, with the understanding that diagnostic testing is more limited in homes, and homebound patients and their families face unique challenges. House calls may be used temporarily, until someone is again able to return to the outpatient clinic, or it may be used as a permanent way to receive health care.
Research - GMA clinicians have developed an in-depth research program in the areas of memory and mood. Protocols include early detection of memory loss and function using novel techniques. Additionally, some persons may be eligible for experimental medication trials targeting memory.

Our Team

George Taffet, MD, is associate professor of Medicine and chief of Geriatrics in the department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Taffet is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine. He attended medical school at Brown University in Providence, RI. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, fellowship training in geriatric medicine and research training in cardiovascular sciences.

Rashmi Jaitly, MD, is an assistant professor of Medicine in the Geriatrics section at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Jaitly completed her medical education at Calcutta National Medical College in West Bengal, India. Her extensive training includes an internship in internal medicine at Calcutta National Medical College and an internal medicine internship at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New York City. Dr. Jaitly has also completed a residency in psychiatry at Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, India, a residency in neurology at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, a residency in adult and child psychiatry at Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi and a residency in internal medicine at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Boston, Mass. Her medical experience also includes geriatrics and wound care fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine. A board-certified physician, Dr. Jaitly specializes in wound care.

Geraldine Salmeron, MD, FACP, is an assistant professor of Medicine in the Geriatrics section at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Dr. Salmeron is a BCM graduate and completed an internship in medicine, a residency in internal medicine and clinical fellowship in rheumatology at the College. Her postdoctoral training also includes an additional two-year research fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Salmeron is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. Her interests include geriatric education for BCM medical students, transitional care from hospital to home, long-term care and assisted living. Dr. Salmeron is available for select home, assisted living and skilled nursing continuity visits. She also provides hospital coverage for Geriatric Medicine Associates (GMA) clinic patients.

Sarah Selleck, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, specializes in geriatrics with clinical interests in palliative care. She is board certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Selleck earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. She completed residency training in internal medicine and fellowship training in geriatrics at Baylor College of Medicine.

Eileen Shult, RN, GNP-C, is a geriatrics instructor in the Margaret M. and Albert B. Alkek Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Ms. Shult is a board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner, medical surgical nurse and healing touch practitioner. She earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Ms. Shult specializes in palliative care, pain management and integrative therapy.

Elizabeth Vaughan is an instructor of Medicine in the Geriatrics section at Baylor College of Medicine. A licensed clinical social worker, Ms. Vaughan earned a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in gerontology from the University of Houston. Her extensive professional experience in the Houston area includes tenures as a clinical social worker for Memorial Hermann Hospital, Bayshore Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)’s Geriatric Medicine Associates. She has also served as a case manager for Sheltering Arms Senior Services and a caseworker for the city’s Adult Protective Services office. At BCM’s Geriatric Medicine Associates, Ms. Vaughan provides private counseling for patients and families. Her clinical specialties include alleviating the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on the family system.

Susan Williams, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certification in geriatric medicine. She specializes in geriatrics with clinical interests that include dementia and delirium, preventive health and osteoporosis. Dr. Williams earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. She completed residency training in internal medicine and a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Hours of Operation

Monday, Wednesday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, call 713-798-3967.

For More Information

Visit the department of Geriatrics website: http://www.bcm.edu/medicine/geriatrics

Location

Geriatric Medicine Associates
Baylor Clinic
6620 Main St.
12th Floor, Suite 1250
Houston, Texas 77030

The courtesy and professionalism was extraordinary and the kindness was overwhelming.