Pioneering Research Advances Geriatric Care: Honoring Dr. Arti Hurria’s Legacy
In a significant stride towards enhancing the care of older adults, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has honored two distinguished emerging leaders in the field, Dr. Brienne Miner and Dr. Melisa Wong, with the prestigious Arti Hurria Memorial Award. This accolade highlights their groundbreaking contributions to geriatrics and their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for elderly populations. The announcement was made on April 7, 2025, as AGS gears up for its annual scientific meeting scheduled for May 8–10, 2025, in Chicago. Both awardees embody the essence of Dr. Arti Hurria’s vision—integrating geriatrics into all medical specialties to address the complexities of aging in contemporary healthcare settings.
Dr. Brienne Miner serves as an Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine in Geriatrics at Yale School of Medicine. Her background combines a robust clinical experience with extensive research capabilities. After completing her residency at Yale, where she notably excelled as chief resident, Dr. Miner pursued further subspecialty training in geriatrics and sleep medicine. She later engaged in a postdoctoral fellowship focused on geriatric clinical epidemiology. Dr. Miner’s research trajectory was profoundly shaped by her experiences with patients presenting sleep disorders in the Geriatric Assessment Clinic at Yale, a situation that underscored the intricacies of managing sleep disturbances among older adults.
Dr. Miner’s research, which has been financially backed by GEMSSTAR and Beeson awards from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), concentrates on the multifaceted evaluation and management of sleep deficiency in older individuals. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies, such as polysomnography, actigraphy, and innovative encephalography-measuring headbands, she investigates sleep patterns from both self-reported and objective perspectives. Her findings advocate for a comprehensive approach to assessing sleep disturbances, allowing clinicians to devise targeted interventions aimed at alleviating sleep deficiency in older patients and their caregivers.
Throughout her career, Dr. Miner has also established herself as a leader within various aging and sleep societies. Notably, she has held significant positions like Chair of the AGS Junior Faculty Special Interest Group and of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation’s Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers. Her accolades include recognition as a past recipient of the AGS New Investigator Award and a Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging scholar, and she actively contributes to the academic community as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
In parallel, Dr. Melisa Wong stands as a notable figure in the field of geriatric oncology. Her experience encompasses substantial training after she completed her residency in internal medicine at UCSF. Following this, she pursued specialized fellowship training in medical oncology and aging research. Dr. Wong’s research initiatives are centered on redefining cancer care protocols for older adults, emphasizing the necessity of aligning treatment options with patients’ personal goals and values amidst complex medical decisions.
As a recognized NIA Beeson K76 Scholar, Dr. Wong demonstrated her innovative research capabilities by adapting the Best Case/Worst Case (BC/WC) communication tool for geriatric oncology. This tool enhances shared decision-making processes among oncologists and their older adult patients by clearly presenting potential treatment outcomes, thereby fostering informed choices. Additionally, Dr. Wong spearheaded the development of a multicenter prospective cohort study that involves comprehensive geriatric assessments of older adults diagnosed with lung cancer. This initiative seeks to create risk prediction tools that aid healthcare practitioners in anticipating functional and cognitive declines among their patients.
Dr. Wong’s contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, as reflected by her recent accolades, including her induction as a Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society in 2023 and the recognition of her research paper, which adapted the BC/WC communication tool for geriatric oncology, awarded as the Dr. Arti Hurria Best Paper for 2021-2022 by the Journal of Geriatric Oncology. Her professional journey is deeply connected to Dr. Hurria’s legacy, as she was mentored by Dr. Hurria herself during her formative years in geriatric oncology.
The Arti Hurria Memorial Award, presented annually, seeks to recognize emerging investigators within internal medicine who are spearheading innovative work focused on elderly care. This accolade serves not only to honor Dr. Hurria’s impactful career but also to inspire upcoming generations of medical professionals to prioritize geriatrics within their respective fields.
The AGS Annual Scientific Meeting serves as a vital platform for sharing advancements in geriatrics, bringing together over 2,600 professionals from diverse healthcare backgrounds. This year’s meeting promises to facilitate a rich exchange of knowledge, centered around the latest clinical research, emerging care delivery models, and educational practices in the domain of aging. By fostering collaboration among attendees, including nurses, pharmacists, and internists, the meeting aims to advance both understanding and competency in geriatric care.
Moreover, AGS and its affiliated Health in Aging Foundation continue to champion public health efforts aimed at empowering individuals with the knowledge necessary to advocate for high-quality care for older adults. By providing reliable resources and facilitating access to educational opportunities, they ensure that healthcare professionals remain well-equipped to address the unique healthcare needs of an aging population.
As the conversation surrounding geriatric medicine evolves, it becomes increasingly clear that both research and practice must adapt. The work of individuals like Dr. Miner and Dr. Wong is indicative of a promising future where the integration of geriatrics into every medical specialty becomes a norm rather than an exception. By continuing to honor the vision set forth by Dr. Hurria, the AGS positions itself at the forefront of this transformation while inspiring a new generation dedicated to elevating the standards of care for older adults.
In celebrating the achievements of Dr. Miner and Dr. Wong, we not only recognize their professional accomplishments but also acknowledge the impact of their work on the lives of countless older adults and their families. It is through their dedication, innovation, and passion for geriatric medicine that we can hope to witness a future where age-related health concerns are managed with the utmost care and attention to individual needs.
As we look ahead to the AGS 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, anticipation builds around learning more about their groundbreaking research and engaging with other leading figures in the field. The meeting promises to be a crucible of scientific exchange and collaborative innovation that will continue to shape geriatrics research and practice in years to come.
In conclusion, the recognition bestowed upon Dr. Miner and Dr. Wong signifies a pivotal moment in geriatrics research, accentuating the importance of innovative approaches to aging-related healthcare. Their work not only contributes to advancing the field but also embodies a larger movement toward the compassionate care of older patients, a mission that resonates deeply within the medical community and society at large.
Subject of Research: Geriatric care advancements in sleep health and oncology
Article Title: Pioneering Research Advances Geriatric Care: Honoring Dr. Arti Hurria’s Legacy
News Publication Date: April 7, 2025
Web References: https://www.americangeriatrics.org/media-center/news/HealthinAging.org
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Keywords: Geriatrics, Aging, Sleep Health, Oncology, Internal Medicine, Clinical Research, Health Care, AGS Annual Scientific Meeting.
