Section Highlights
- The section has expanded clinical reach with new geriatric faculty at Vallbona Health Center and palliative care specialists now embedded at Ben Taub Hospital, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center (BSLMC), and Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC), enhancing care access for seriously ill and aging patients across multiple systems.
- Dr. Leanne Jackson launched the “Last Writers” program, pairing medical students with palliative care patients to co-author personal memoirs, deepening student empathy and creating meaningful legacies for patients and families.
- Two of the section’s clinics, Vallbona Geriatrics and BSLMC Senior Care, earned national Age-Friendly Health System recognition under the leadership of Drs. Julia Reyser and Susan Williams, while Drs. Anita Major and Cristina Murdock led clinical innovation efforts in ICU delirium screening and outpatient optimization.
- Faculty received national recognition for research and leadership: Dr. Eberechi Onyemkpa was named a Cambia Foundation Sojourns Scholar, and Dr. Astrid Grouls secured ALS Foundation funding to study fatigue in neurodegenerative illness.
- Research efforts include the PAUSE trial led by Dr. Mary Garcia at MEDVAMC to enhance veteran surgical outcomes, and international work on cancer survivorship presented by Dr. Elizabeth Kvale.
- The geriatrics fellowship remains one of the nation’s largest, strengthened by palliative training partnerships with MD Anderson and Texas Children’s. Dr. Katie Hicks created a communication skills workshop for Ben Taub ICU interns, while Dr. Robert Roush marked the 35th year of his signature “Art of Presentation” course.
“I have had wonderful opportunities to focus on the care of hospitalized older adults and how we can improve systems of care to improve outcomes for older adults. I love the Geriatrics Section because of the friendly, caring faculty and the opportunity to work with amazing fellows. We all relish the opportunities to share our love for geriatrics with all learners.”
Meet our Section Chief
Dr. Elizabeth Kvale joins the Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine as the new chief.
Education
We offer a one-year program for physicians designed to develop leadership skills for successful academic careers as clinicians, investigators, educators and administrators in geriatrics.
Research
Our section is addressing the needs of the aging population through the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine, recognized as one of the most advanced centers on aging research in the nation.
Healthcare
The Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine manages the care of the aging patient through its Senior Care Clinic.