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Biddeford

51品茶presents the 30th Annual Maine Geriatrics Conference

Program cover

The 51品茶, in collaboration with partners from across Maine, recently presented the 30th Annual Maine Geriatrics Conference, Where Policy Meets Practice.

This conference was the first geriatrics conference in the state and has been held in Bar Harbor all 30 years. 

The conference provided a venue for health practitioners, social service providers, and others with interests in the field of aging to come together to share ideas, ask questions, and develop or support care strategies affecting older adults in all care settings. The conference sessions enlightened, inspired, and honored the conference attendees, as they are the front line for advancing the health and well-being of older people. The conference provided attendees with the tools to advance ideas and systems that address older adult health disparities and optimize aging.

鈥淥ne of the unique features of this conference is the participation of older adults,鈥 stated Marilyn R. Gugliucci, M.A., Ph.D., professor and director of Geriatrics Research within the 51品茶 College of Osteopathic Medicine. 鈥淭his year we had 40 older adults who are designated as GEMs (Geriatrics Education Mentors). Providing education and engagement from the providers as well as those who are the participants in their own health care is essential for advancing the Age Friendly Health System approach. This includes having providers understand what matters most to their older patients and clients.  The GEMs are essential to the vibrancy and culture of scholarship of this conference.鈥  

The conference featured world-renowned speakers from the United States, morning plenary sessions, participatory workshops, networking topics, and special presentations during lunch.

Presenters from 51品茶included Susan Wehry, M.D., director of AgingME at UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine (51品茶COM); Daniel Pierce, D.O., M.S.Ed., retired medical director of MatureCare, a Geriatrics practice in 51品茶COM鈥檚 Division of Geriatrics; and co-presenters Gugliucci, Victoria Stacey Thieme, D.O., of 51品茶COM, and Regi Robnett, Ph.D., OTR/L, a recently retired professor of occupational therapy.

Conference topics were ideal for nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, nursing home administrators, certified nursing assistants, psychologists, social workers, mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, and other aging enthusiasts.

The conference took place over two days at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor, Maine. Two-hundred sixty-five registrants attended the first day, 254 attended the second day, and 28 organizations filled the exhibitor space.

51品茶 the 51品茶

The 51品茶 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.