Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

COVID-19 has taken a horrific toll on the United States and vaccines sit on the horizon for many citizens. The devastating impact of this disease has underscored the urgent need for high-quality geriatrics and palliative care in this country. Through innovation and flexibility, the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai has continued to improve care for older adults, persons with serious illness, and their loved ones despite the global pandemic.

I am pleased to share with you the Brookdale Department’s 2021 Specialty Report. My hope is that you and your institution can gain insights into what we have learned in this very unique year as we share our experiences, accomplishments, and lessons learned.

In the past year, we have reimagined all of our clinical care services and expanded both telehealth and at-home care. Educational initiatives were redesigned as fellows rose to and overcame the new COVID-related challenges. Research projects were launched to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and our “new normal” on patients in the community. And our national institutions, such as the Center to Advance Palliative Care, shifted their work to better address the imminent needs of our fields.

I am proud to say that the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine has made significant strides in the care of older adults, seriously ill persons, and their caregivers despite—or maybe in spite of—COVID-19 and the turmoil of 2020. As the stresses mounted, we expanded our Wellness, Professional Development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs to support our team members. Colleagues from institutions across the country (University of Pittsburgh and University of California San Francisco among them) came to our aid offering clinical support and a great deal of emotional and moral support when we needed it the most. To each of these now “honorary” faculty members and institutions, we continue to extend our profuse gratitude.

Welcome news came last summer when the Brookdale Department’s commitment to patient care was reflected in the U.S. News & World Report 2020-2021 Rankings. The Mount Sinai Hospital was named first in the nation for the care of older adults, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai Morningside, and Mount Sinai West were named among the top 10 percent of all hospitals surveyed.

The Brookdale Department is grateful to continue providing the best possible geriatrics and palliative care for patients and families in New York and beyond. I thank you for your interest in our work and hope you are equally inspired by the team at Mount Sinai.