VA’s Dr. Ilana Stol tapped to lead the charge in shaping national aging policies
Dr. Ilana Stol, a Palliative care and geriatrics physician at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, has been selected as one of 15 fellows for the 2024-25 Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program.
This prestigious fellowship aims to shape the future of health and aging policies by fostering leadership among professionals in the field.
Dr. Stol’s selection for this year-long fellowship reflects her dedication to improving the care of Veterans and all Americans through innovative policy solutions. The program provides a unique opportunity for fellows to develop the skills and experience necessary to influence health policy at the national level.
“This recognition of Dr. Stol’s work is well-deserved and highlights her commitment to advancing the field of geriatrics and palliative care,” said Dr. R. Scott Lake, Chief of Geriatrics and Extended Care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. “She has been instrumental in establishing the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System as a national leader in the provision of innovative geriatric care models for Veterans. This includes the VA’s only freestanding Acute Care for Elders Unit and the Geriatric Interdisciplinary Veteran’s Evaluation or GIVE clinic.”
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program, now in its 16th year, offers a rich curriculum focused on current policy issues, communication skills development, and professional networking. Fellows engage in a series of orientations and workshops designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy-making process, particularly in the context of aging and health care.
Dr. Stol will join a network of 193 current and alumni fellows who have made significant contributions to health and aging policy. The fellowship offers both residential and non-residential tracks, allowing professionals from diverse backgrounds to tailor their experience to their career goals.
“Her involvement in this program will allow her to focus on national aging policy issues.,” Dr. Lake added. “This program will provide her with the experience necessary to advance policies that will improve the health, independence, and well-being of Veterans in the face of aging, disability, or illness.”
The fellowship, directed by renowned leaders in health policy, provides a platform for professionals like Dr. Stol to collaborate with experts across various fields. Through this experience, Dr. Stol will further her impact on the health care system, ensuring that the needs of older Americans, particularly Veterans, are met with the highest standards of care.
Before arriving in Charleston to work at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System and MUSC, Dr. Stol completed medical school at Vanderbilt University. She then followed that with her fellowship training in geriatrics at Yale and then her palliative fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
For more information on Dr. Ilana Stol’s and the others selected this year for the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program, please visit their website: Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program | Shaping a healthy and productive future for older Americans.