Center for Aging Research and Education Launched; Focuses on Aiding Elderly

The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Genesis HealthCare Corporation, which operates more 200 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 13 states, are launching The Genesis Healthcare Center for Aging Research and Education. The Center, to be housed within USciences’ Samson College of Health Sciences, will have a focused emphasis on the elderly.

“Not only will our students benefit from this concentration of resources but so will the elderly population who needs the best care from the best trained practitioners,” said Dr. Paula Kramer, chair of USciences’ Occupational Therapy Department and center director.

The Genesis Healthcare Center for Aging Research and Education will provide student recruitment, education, and research. At USciences, the departments of occupational therapy and physical therapy along with the physicians assistant and exercise science and wellness management programs will work together on joint programming. Students will be exposed to community programs that make an immediate impact in the community, attend learning seminars presented by Genesis staff, and have access to research and data.

“This positions us very well to increase the awareness and access of rehabilitation services for older adults, promote pride in practice for our clinicians working in post-acute care settings, and enlist the support of educators to inspire therapy students to consider post-acute rehabilitation,” said Garry Pezzano, vice president of clinical operations at Genesis Rehab and Respiratory Health Services.