Geri-Educators
The Geri-Educator initiative, introduced by the Multidisciplinary Center on Aging to the Anschutz campus for the Spring 2025 semester, introduces older adults to CU Anschutz classrooms, helping educate students, faculty, and healthcare professionals about aging, geriatrics, and gerontology within a university setting. Their role often focuses on improving the understanding and care of older adults by integrating relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes into academic programs and clinical practice.
About the Program
This is an essential role in helping CU Anschutz health professions students develop into more effective clinicians when working with older adult patients. This Geri-Educator opportunity opens the doors for geriatrics-specific education to be embedded more fully in health profession curriculums.
This initiative involves over two dozen older adults and over 700 first-year Anschutz students, representing the School of Medicine, Physician's Assistant program, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry.
Geri-Educator Roles and Opportunities
- Assisting faculty with co-designing courses or modules on aging, geriatric care, and related topics with real-life healthcare experiences.
- Incorporating age-related case studies, simulations, and real-world applications into courses.
- Contributing to the education of students in fields like nursing, medicine, social work, or public health on issues related to aging.
- Providing faculty insight about older adults and their healthcare experiences to help educators effectively teach effective geriatric clinical care.
- Promoting the importance of geriatric education in addressing the needs of an aging population.
- Highlighting the challenges and opportunities in geriatric care to inspire future healthcare professionals.
- Conducting or supporting research on aging and geriatric studies.
- Disseminating findings through publications, conferences, or community outreach.
- Working across departments to integrate aging-related content into various disciplines.
- Partnering with healthcare organizations and community groups to provide practical experiences for students and community members.
By fostering knowledge about aging and geriatric care, GeriEducators play a crucial role in preparing students and professionals to meet the growing needs of an aging society.