Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine

Dr. Ronald Adelman

Ronald D. Adelman, M.D., Co-Chief

Dr. Mark Lachs

Mark S. Lachs, M.D., M.P.H., Co-Chief

The Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine has developed a rich array of clinical, educational and research programs that promote excellence in geriatrics and palliative medicine within the medical institution and community at large. Designated a National Center of Excellence by the John A. Hartford Foundation, the division's outstanding health practitioners and faculty are committed to providing the highest level of comprehensive interdisciplinary care to adults of all ages, improving the quality of life for patients and their families, teaching geriatrics and palliative medicine to clinical trainees, and advancing knowledge through scientific research.

Geriatric Medicine

Inpatient Care

The Division provides care to older patients through two inpatient care services at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. There is an ACE Unit (Acute Care for Elders), which delivers state-of-the art inpatient medical services employed by highly trained staff who have expertise in aging and use an inter-professional team approach. There is also a Geriatrics Consultation Service, which provides expert consultation throughout the hospital and continuity of care for hospitalized geriatric patients of the Center on Aging.

Outpatient Care

The Center on Aging, which is a freestanding outpatient practice and the centerpiece of the division's outpatient clinical activities, provides interdisciplinary outpatient geriatric primary medical care. Members of the care team include internists, geriatricians, a gero-psychiatrist, a geriatrics social worker and geriatrics nurse practitioners. Through its EGL House Call Program, the division provides primary care medical services to homebound older adults, who for reasons of chronic disease or mobility impairment cannot travel to the Center.

NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC)

The division is home to the NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) which is a leader in developing innovative and effective responses to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation through an unprecedented level of collaboration and coordination between government, non-profit agencies, and financial institutions.

Palliative Medicine

Inpatient Care

The Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation Service consists of an interdisciplinary team that provides supportive care to adult inpatients and their families in the areas of symptom management and medical treatment for those with advanced chronic illness and at the end-of-life. The Palliative Care Consultation Team provides patients and families with information needed to make informed and difficult care choices, and it offers psychosocial, emotional and spiritual support.

Outpatient Care

The Outpatient Palliative Care Consultation Team (physician, nurse practitioner, social worker) offers a collaborative approach in outpatient settings that includes oncology and other disciplines to provide patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of serious illness. The specialized multidisciplinary team provides an extra layer of support to the patient's primary physician, patients and families. The team's goal is to alleviate physical, emotional and spiritual suffering with services available to patients receiving active treatment, and to patients who are no longer candidates for therapy.

Through the Bereavement Program, individual and family counseling and other support services (e.g., support groups, comprehensive assessment and referrals) are provided to those coping with the loss of a loved one.