Durham GRECC

- Exercise/Physical Activity/Nutrition
- Osteoporosis/Falls/Fractures
- Immunizations/Infections/Immunology and Drugs
- Care Innovations/Models

- Immunogenicity, safety, efficacy and functional impact of zoster, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in older adults
- Characterizing physical resilience and developing a prediction tool for shared decision making in adults with advanced renal disease
- Predicting recovery from orthopedic surgeries
- Protein supplementation interventions to restore physical function in obese older Veterans
- Examining implementation, health, and utilization outcomes from a national exercise program.
- Reducing fractures and mortality in Parkinson’s Disease with zoledronic acid
- Exercise interventions to improve function and mental health (e.g., PTSD) in older adults
- Medication use patterns and development of a deprescribing intervention
- Developing improved animal models of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

- VHA Dementia Education and Training Committee
- Gerofit training in exercise assessments and implementation
- “Focus on Function” Geri Scholars clinical practicum
- Pharmacy benefits management and training on use of the recombinant zoster vaccine
- Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, Advanced Geriatric Fellows, and Associated Health Trainees in Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Audiology/Speech Pathology, Chaplaincy and Psychology
- Elder Care in Hospital (ECHo) Geriatric Nursing Quality Scholars Program

- Gerofit is a VHA best practice model of care undergoing national dissemination based on outcomes associated with reduced risk of institutionalization
- Integrating geriatrics principles throughout the health care system in surgery through Preoperative Optimization of Senior Health (POSH)
- The care of hospitalized Veterans through the supervised inpatient walking program (STRIDE) and the nursing-led Elder Care in Hospital (ECHo) program
- Chronic disease care including kidney disease (Renal Silver)
- Addressing geriatric conditions including a home-based dementia caregiver program (COACH)
- Falls and osteoporosis treatment (VISN 6 Bone Health Service) and telehealth fall prevention (FAME)

Herpes Zoster Clin Geriatr Med https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27394022/
Association of Neurocognitive and Physical Function With Gait Speed in Midlife JAMA Newt Openhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31603488/
The 5Ts: Preliminary Development of a Framework to Support Inclusion of Older Adults in Research J Am Geriatr Soc https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30693952/
Pilot randomized controlled trial of exercise training for older veterans with PTSD J Behav Med https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31264055/
Association of Sensory and Cognitive Impairment With Healthcare Utilization and Cost in Older Adults J Am Geriatr Soc https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30924932/
Durham GRECC
Durham VA Medical Center
508 Fultons Street
Durham, NC 27705
Phone 919-286-6932
Fax 919-286-6823
Affiliations
Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
GRECC Director
Kenneth E. Schmader, MD
Associate Director, Research
Miriam Morey, PhD
Associate Director, Education and Evaluation
Connie Bales, PhD
Associate Director, Clinical
Barrett Bowling, MD
Administrative Officer
Harry Babwah
Harry.BabwahJr@va.gov