In 2015, Fulton County, Georgia awarded four inaugural Elder Cares Scholarships to Emory University School of Medicine students. These renewable scholarships offer medical students the opportunity to pursue critical training opportunities that will equip them to provide high-level, dignified care to seniors. Over the next 15 years, the Atlanta area will see a rapid increase in adults aged 60 and older. Through these scholarships, Fulton County hopes to encourage more medical students to commit to providing primary care to older adults. All of the Elder Care Scholars expressed an interest in working with older adults, and their year-long projects strengthened and refined their career goals.
The Elder Cares Scholarship allowed Jonathan Gillig (15M) to continue his volunteer work at two homeless shelters that take care of seniors, providing free medical screenings, primary care, medications, and personal hygiene products to the most vulnerable. Dr. Gillig also spent last year educating seniors at a local nursing home on the importance of being checked for osteoporosis and taking vitamin supplements to reduce their risk of fragility fractures. Justin Kappel (17M) used his Elder Cares Scholarship to explore innovative models of primary care, including a mobile clinic that makes house calls to elderly patients and patients with disabilities and a direct primary care (DPC) clinic, which uses a monthly membership model rather than billing insurance through a traditional fee-for-service arrangement. Samantha Lammie (17M) explored the complicated overlap between physical and mental health through her work with elderly immigrants and depression. And Maureen McCamley (15M) worked with geriatric patients in five different clinical settings, ranging from assisted living to outpatient care.
We are delighted to announce that three Emory medical students have been named Elder Cares Scholars for 2016-17.
For more information on the Fulton Co. Elder Cares Scholarship, contact Courtney Harris (Courtney.harris@emory.edu)
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