June 2025 Issue | Volume 19, Number 06

A publication of the Univ. of Utah Center on Aging
phone: 801.213.4156 | email: aging@utah.edu
Newsletter Archives

Congratulations to our new 2025 Center on Aging Pilot Awardees!!

The Department of Internal Medicine gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of faculty members who have received departmental awards and academic promotions.

Mark A. Supiano, MD - Guy A. Zimmerman, MD Faculty Mentoring Award

Mark A. Supiano, MD, is a geriatrician in the University Hospital Geriatrics Clinic. Dr. Supiano received his MD from the University of Wisconsin and training in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine from the University of Michigan. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Supiano has responded to the demographic imperative of our aging population in his clinical practice of Geriatric Medicine, in conducting patient-oriented clinical research, and in a commitment to medical education and research training. His research has been recognized with awards from the American Geriatrics Society and the Gerontological Society of America and he is a Fellow in each of these societies. 

He is currently a Board Member of the American Geriatrics Society and the Association of Directors of Academic Geriatric Programs.

 

Dr. Timothy Farrell featured on the KUTV's Ageism Segment 

Timothy Farrell, MD, Professor in the Division of Geriatrics, was interviewed by KUTV for a segment on the impact of ageism and the importance of respectful language. The interview aired earlier today as part of the University of Utah’s sponsored “Fresh Living” series. Link here: https://kutv.com/features/fresh-living/the-real-impact-of-ageism-the-power-of-respectful-language

 

LMS Module on Age-Friendly Care is now live:               https://360.articulate.com/review/content/e6a426b4-286d-4ec0-b4f6-e31b774003ce/review

Save the Date!

Rocky Mountain Geriatric Conference

All Hands On Deck!

Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Hospitalization and Surgery in Older Adults

September 11-12, 2025

University of Utah - HELIX Building

SLC, Utah

Keynote Speakers

Gretchen Schwarze, MD, MPP, FACS, Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin

Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, Associate Director of Research, VA Eastern Colorado

Join us for a two-day conference focused on improving care for older adults facing the hazards of hospitalization and surgery. Topics include practical, team-based approaches to managing geriatric syndromes, preventing avoidable admissions, and supporting seriously ill, vulnerable geriatric patients.

More details including registering are located here: 

https://medicine.utah.edu/internal-medicine/geriatrics/conferences/rocky-mountain

Please join the University of Utah, Division of Geriatrics and the Veteran Affairs Salt Lake City Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center for Geriatric Grand Rounds and Translational Grand Rounds on Tuesday mornings.

Dear Colleagues,

We’re inviting healthcare and long-term care professionals to share their views on Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)—no prior experience required. This short 10–15 minute anonymous survey explores your perspectives, especially related to MAID in dementia. You will have the chance to win 1 of 20 $100 visa debit cards. Your participation will help inform research, clinical practice, and policy.

Click below or view the attached flyer to participate or learn more:
👉 https://redcap01.brisc.utah.edu/ccts/redcap/surveys/?s=MN8RFCMWXJW4P8RE

Questions? Contact Dr. Kara Dassel: kara.dassel@nurs.utah.edu

UCOA Quarterly Summit

The final summit for FY 2024-25 was held on Zoom June 5, 2025 at Noon. Executive Director Ence reported that the UCOA Annual Report and current version of the MPA were submitted to the Health and Human Services interim committee in early May. UCOA is up for sunset review in 2026 and will be asking for letters of support from the summit attendees.

Ence updated the group on the Trualta proposal for their consideration for a staged access and license gateway with a more modest entrance cost. Being evaluated by the Caregiver Roundtable. Other partner programs were discussed including Alzheimer’s Association effort to inform and train healthcare providers and guardians on collaborating with patients and resources available presented by Jeremy Cunningham. Kara Dassel talked about the College Of Nursing MAID research program and Nels Holmgren updated the DHHS/DAAS listening tour and next steps. The upcoming UEAAD summit was also previewed by Holmgren and Executive Director Ence.

MPA sector conversations included details about the upcoming Kaleidoscope Festival and a kickoff community musical event with the Gleeful Choir at the Sorensen Multicultural Center to promote upcoming events led by Emily Christensen of Jewish Family Services. Ryan Anderson of Salt Lake County share the journey and celebration of Utah’s first Age-Friendly designated municipality. And Dr. Carole Baraldi presented her lecture on “Shared Decisions: An Interdisciplinary Approach” about care decisions as we age and empowering and informing individuals to make good choices consistent with desired outcomes and expectations.

Master Plan for Aging - in Action

Ence is working with a small group of states and MPA supporters on workshops for  tracking outcomes and will incorporate some of these concepts in the upcoming Utah MPA dashboard rollout. 

Age-Friendly

As mentioned earlier, SLCo has received the AARP/WHO age-friendly community designation. The details of their efforts will unfold over the next several years. The county also created a proclamation to share the news. 

Technology

A significant broadband funding program focused on digital opportunity and equity had funds pulled back by the Trump administration and UCOA will seek funding alternatives. UCOA Tech Charities partner piloted a program with Tooele County aging services with refurbished equipment. Executive Director Ence also arranged for several small crates of used equipment to be donated to Tech Charities from a local business.

Health Living

Executive Director Ence met with Rep Mike Kennedy along with a few other agency leaders to discuss issues including Alzheimer's research support and planned cuts to Medicaid’s impact on our vulnerable populations.

UEAAD Conference

The fifth annual Utah Elder Abuse Awareness Day conference was held June 12 from 10 a.m. to Noon via Zoom. Approximately 150 were in attendance and the video will be posted on the UCOA YouTube channel by June 25. The focus to professionals and community members was to share sourcing information for a variety of services and resources as part of an ongoing effort to build awareness and connect families with critical information. Groups presenting included Division of Aging and Adult Services, Area Agencies on Aging, Utah Commission on Aging, Alzheimer's Association, AARP Utah, Senior Blue Book, and 211 United Way.

AGS/Aging Learning Collaborative

Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC) Research

Become a MCC Champion

The AGS/AGING LEARNING Collaborative MCC Champions help support the Collaborative by drawing on the curricular resources and tools to enhance their teaching about people living with MCC and better prepare the next generation of investigators to include people living with MCCs in their research. MCC Champions share information about the curriculum at their institutions, encourage mentees and colleagues to complete the curriculum, and incorporate the MCC Teaching slides into lectures or presentations. Champions who report on activities focused on inclusion of people living with MCCs in research are recognized on the Collaborative website, at the AGS Annual Meeting, and will earn a Champion badge as well as a letter from AGS for inclusion in their promotions package.

More information about the Champion Program, including the MCC Champion Facilitator Guide can be found here.

Sign up here to become a Champion today!

As a mostly virtual Center, we depend on the accuracy and timeliness of our Web presence. Center members are urged to review and update their membership directory information. Please take the next few moments to review your information on the Center’s Web site. Send any updates or requests for changes and more importantly to be linked to the appropriate topic interest group(s) complete this survey and return to Heather at heather.podolan@hsc.utah.edu or aging.utah.edu.

For past issues, please visit our NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES PAGE.

The bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva) - the earth’s oldest inhabitant with a life span of almost 5,000 years - is found only in Utah and five other western states. Its extraordinary longevity and ability to adapt and survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions above 10,000 feet embodies the investigative spirit and mission of the Utah Center on Aging.