Top regional experts to discuss care for booming aging population

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Health care leaders from The Eden Alternative, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and University at Buffalo will share their insights during a panel discussion on Nov. 3 at Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace in Buffalo.

As 10,000 aging baby boomers qualify for Medicare every day, “Improving the Health Status of the Community: Person-Centered Care for our Aging Population” will explore the clinical, social and economic challenges of caring for the elderly in a compassionate, yet sustainable manner.

Larry Zielinski, executive in residence for health care administration in the UB School of Management, will moderate the event. Zielinski previously spent 25 years in the industry, including terms as president of two health care organizations.

The event, presented by the American College of Health Care Executives, UB Center for Successful Aging, UB School of Law and UB School of Management, will feature the following experts:

• Kathy Hagen, project administrator, The Eden Alternative, an organization dedicated to creating well-being and quality of life for Elders and their care partners. Hagen oversees grant projects and large training events, as well as other projects within the organization. She creates comprehensive, detailed project plans including budgeting and resource allocation, and manages timelines, expense tracking and financial reporting.
• Shirley Johnson, RN, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of nursing and patient care services, Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Johnson is a nationally recognized leader in oncology program administration and has successfully marshaled legislative support to impact cancer care delivery and has achieved collaborative relationships with physicians and allied health colleagues.
• Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for health policy and clinical professor in the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. A nationally recognized authority on medicine and outspoken advocate for the uninsured and affordable health coverage, Nielsen advises UB leadership, faculty and staff on health care reform to prepare them to lead the transformation of health care delivery in Western New York.
• Bruce Troen, MD, professor and chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine in the Department of Medicine, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, geriatrician with UBMD Internal Medicine, and physician-investigator with the Veterans Affairs Western New York Health Care System. An American Geriatrics Society Fellow, Troen is director of the UB Center for Successful Aging, co-director of the UB Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, and director of Geriatric Services at Erie County Medical Center. His research has focused on frailty, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, osteoporosis and bone loss.

The panel discussion is part of the UB School of Management’s growing portfolio of health care management programs, partnerships and events. The school also offers dual and collaborative programs that combine an MBA with another graduate degree in several health-related fields, an Accelerated MBA for Medical Residents and Fellows program, an MBA health care management concentration and a variety of non-credit-bearing programs.

The event is open to the public and will begin at 8 a.m. for registration and networking, followed by the panel discussion from 8:30-10 a.m. To register, visit caringfortheaging.eventzilla.net. Tickets are $20 for students, $50 for ACHE members and $60 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Larry Zielinski at ljzielin@buffalo.edu or 716-645-2305.