INSPIRING the next generation of specialists and researchers
The Masonic Chair in Geriatric Medicine at The University of Queensland
Improving health in our later years starts with medical practitioners who understand the particular physical challenges of ageing. We support The University of Queensland in changing perceptions and increasing knowledge.
Better care for older people with complex conditions is one of the final medical frontiers. It calls for open minds and empathy. Today’s medical students will change possibilities for tomorrow’s elders.
Funding the Masonic Chair in Geriatric Medicine at The University of Queensland (UQ) was the foundation initiative of Aegium Foundation and, over 30 years later, it remains a pivotal part of our strategy to improve the experience of ageing in Queensland.
Professor Len Gray took up the position of Chair and Director of the Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine in 2002 and continues to lead a vibrant and innovative department focused on future need.
There are opportunities for our philanthropic partners to sponsor a lecture series and become more involved in this vital work.
Meet Professor Len Gray
Professor Gray is in inspirational figure with a big-picture vision of both the challenges society faces with an ageing population and also the individual’s constraints and potential in older age.
He was formally trained in both medicine and health administration and uses this dual perspective to rethink both the systems and medical care that often have to address more than one area of physical and cognitive decline in order to help older people maximise their potential and outcomes. Before taking on his current role at UQ, Professor Gray held senior management positions in the public health system in Victoria, in general management and aged care services.
Achievements
Aegium Foundation’s support has achieved the following advances for geriatric medical training in Queensland:
- We founded and continue to support the Masonic Chair in Geriatric Medicine at The University of Queensland.
- We helped develop a specialist 6-week course in geriatrics within UQ’s medical course – about 40 students completed this course in 2015.
- We have helped increase the number of PhD students in geriatric medicine.
“Recent studies show that good geriatric care can make an enormous difference. Older adults whose health is monitored by a geriatrician enjoy more years of independent living, greater social and physical functioning and lower presence of disease... increased satisfaction, spend less time in the hospital, exhibit markedly decreased rates of depression and spend less time in nursing homes”
Article in International New York Times 24 September 2015
About geriatricians
- Geriatric medicine is a fascinating field that requires diverse knowledge – and demand is growing.
- The University of Queensland has one of the top geriatric courses in Australia.
- Geriatricians do a medical degree, fours years of postgraduate study, a 1-year internship and five years practice before being fully qualified.
- Women often excel in the communication skills needed and appreciate the flexible hours of a community geriatrician role.
- Each year, 8-10 graduates at UQ choose a geriatric medicine specialisation.
- Postgraduate students at UQ have the opportunity to be be involved with the Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine – one of the most successful geriatric medicine research organisations in Australia.
Aegium supports initiatives that have big potential but sometimes only a little funding...
Support the Aegium Foundation and help us change the way we experience old age.