What is the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan?

Providing educational programs in Michigan Tribal Nations.

The Geriatric Education Center of Michigan (GECM), whose mission is to advance geriatric education within the state, is a federally funded, statewide consortium administratively located on the campus of Michigan State University since 1987.  Over the past several years Michigan State University Extension and various other community agencies, have established a collaborative relationship with the GECM to offer education opportunities and continued education credits to health care professionals, faculty, practitioners, students and others in various community settings. Those health care professionals include:

  • Social workers
  • Nurses
  • Medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine
  • Dentists and dental hygienists

However, it is important to note that an interdisciplinary focus is always encouraged to ensure that all disciplines are learning from each other and learn more about working with older adults at the same time. Within the state of Michigan there are five Regional GECM teams which provide programs in several communities teams include:

  • GECM-Flint – Hurley Hospital
  • GECM-Grand Rapids – Mercy Health Saint Mary's
  • GECM-Northern Lower Michigan – Munson Medical Center
  • GECM-Oral Health – University of Michigan School of Dentistry
  • GECM-Upper Peninsula – Marquette General Health System

Each of these teams has the goal of building on the training and experience of the four regional interdisciplinary teams. Training will be provided for interdisciplinary health professionals on topics identified in community needs assessments that include special populations (rural, urban and tribes) Programs.  This ensures that the trainings and information will be relevant to the population and the patients that are being served. 

Please stay tuned for the next article on the Northern Lower Michigan Team, whose theme is Age strong, live long!

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