The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) proudly announces that Todd P. Semla, MS, PharmD, FCCP, AGSF, will deliver the prestigious Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture during the AGS 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, held virtually on April 30. Dr. Semla’s remarkable career spans over forty years dedicated to the optimization of medication use in older adults, influencing the field of geriatric pharmacotherapy with groundbreaking research, education, and clinical guidance.
Dr. Semla’s expertise lies in the intricate balance between utilizing pharmacological interventions and safeguarding against potential risks in elderly populations. His work has significantly contributed to the advancement of patient-centered medication management strategies, focusing on minimizing adverse drug reactions while ensuring therapeutic efficacy. Through his comprehensive approach, Dr. Semla has educated interdisciplinary teams encompassing pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and social workers, thereby enriching geriatrics care frameworks.
Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF and current AGS President, underscores Dr. Semla’s transformative impact on geriatrics. Dr. Semla’s early advocacy for interprofessional collaboration led to the inclusion of diverse healthcare disciplines as voting members within AGS in 1997, an innovation that substantially broadened the Society’s reach and effectiveness. His leadership roles culminated in becoming the Society’s first pharmacist president in 2007, highlighting his profound dedication to advancing the field.
Central to Dr. Semla’s contributions is his stewardship of the AGS Beers Criteria®, an evidence-based guideline identifying potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults. Since 2012, he has co-chaired expert panels responsible for periodic updates of these criteria in 2012, 2015, 2019, and most recently in 2025. His leadership in this domain has been instrumental in shaping clinical policies aimed at reducing drug-induced complications in geriatric care.
A notable facet of Dr. Semla’s recent work includes the development of the 2025 “Alternative Treatments to Selected Medications in the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria®,” a clinical resource designed to offer safer and equally or more effective substitutes for PIMs. This tool is particularly critical in guiding therapeutic decision-making by integrating pharmacological innovations with geriatric-specific safety considerations, marking a new era of precision in prescribing practices.
For nearly three decades, Dr. Semla has also served as a co-author of “Geriatrics At Your Fingertips” (GAYF), a clinical compendium that condenses the latest geriatrics research into an accessible format for healthcare providers. This resource is heralded for its practical utility in real-world clinical settings, supporting improved outcomes by facilitating evidence-based medication choices tailored to the complex needs of older adults.
At the forthcoming Henderson Lecture, Dr. Semla intends to explore the historical trajectory and future directions of pharmacotherapy in aging populations, anchored by insights from the seminal 1968 Task Force on Prescription Drug Use. This landmark report, the U.S. government’s first dedicated to elderly medication use, laid the foundational principles for modern geriatric pharmacotherapy, emphasizing the urgent need for age-appropriate prescribing protocols.
Dr. Semla will critically examine key milestones in the evolution of geriatric medication management, including the identification of PIMs, the establishment of clinical tools to enhance medication safety, and the expanded roles pharmacists play in multidisciplinary care teams. He will analyze how evidence-driven interventions have transformed medication use, thereby reducing hospitalizations, adverse events, and improving quality of life for older adults.
Emphasizing the integral role pharmacists play in geriatric care, Dr. Semla reflects on how pharmacy professionals have transitioned from dispensers of medication to pivotal clinical partners who assess drug efficacy, monitor interactions, and advocate for patient-centered care plans. His lecture will highlight innovative models that harness pharmacists’ expertise to optimize therapeutic outcomes in complex geriatric populations.
Currently, Dr. Semla holds a clinical associate professorship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and has an extensive background that includes clinical and hospital pharmacy, a geriatrics fellowship, and significant leadership within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His leadership in mental health and geriatrics pharmacy management has fortified medication stewardship programs benefitting thousands of older veterans.
As the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting gathers over 2,600 healthcare professionals from various disciplines in a virtual format on April 30–May 2, 2026, Dr. Semla’s lecture stands out as a culminating event underscoring the vital intersection of pharmacology and geriatric medicine. Attendees will gain insight into not only historical perspectives but promising innovations that will shape the future landscape of aging and medication use.
The AGS continues to champion interprofessional collaboration, recognizing that the complexities of aging require comprehensive care models that incorporate diverse expertise. Dr. Semla’s work exemplifies this approach, offering hope that with continued research, education, and clinical innovation, medication safety and efficacy for older adults can be continually enhanced.
For additional information regarding the Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture or participation in the AGS 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, interested professionals are encouraged to visit the AGS website at www.americangeriatrics.org. The Society remains committed to advancing geriatrics knowledge and improving the health, independence, and quality of life for older adults worldwide.
Subject of Research: Medication use and pharmacotherapy in older adults
Article Title: Todd P. Semla to Deliver 2026 Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture on Advancements in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
News Publication Date: April 17, 2026
Web References:
- American Geriatrics Society: www.americangeriatrics.org
- AGS 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting: https://meeting.americangeriatrics.org/
Keywords: Geriatrics, Pharmacotherapy, Older adults, Medication safety, Beers Criteria®, Interprofessional care, Pharmacy, Evidence-based medicine, Drug therapy, Medication management, AGS, Clinical guidelines
