In 2018, as part of an innovative plan to maintain the spirit, education, and collegiality created at the annual meeting, a group of AMDA-PALTC leaders discussed the creation of a Society podcast. They asked me, and Society media/technical director, to take the lead. After we determined what the podcast might look like, and we created a business case, we realized that we needed some initial 'start-up' funds. The Foundation heard of our need and saw the potential. The Foundation provided the initial financial support to get the podcast off the ground in March, 2018. AMDA-on-the-Go (AOTG) was born.
Within three years, AOTG well-surpassed 100,000 downloads, had grown to include a number of other podcasts within the AOTG family (AMDA on the Hill, JAMDA on the Go, Caring on the Go, and multiple book clubs. The podcast gathered sponsors, and it actually became its own revenue source for the Society. In 2021, the podcast received international recognition for a series on COVID-19 in post-acute and long-term care, by winning a Webby Bronze metal. Additional podcasts have since been added to the AOTG.
Without the support of the Foundation, this valuable media resource would have never been recognized for what it is today. We are indebted to the Foundation for our success
I have been a long-time member of the Foundation's parent organization, AMDA-The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. I have witnessed the leadership, knowledge, and advocacy of this organization. Since joining the Foundation as a board member, I have appreciated its critical impact in two key areas: inspiring, dedicated medical providers to consider a career path in caring for the growing aged population and supporting geriatric research. I donate to ensure the ongoing support of the Foundation initiatives.
The Foundation's Futures Program introduces trainees to post-acute and long-term care medicine (PALTCM) by funding their attendance at the annual meeting of the Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. It is such an important opportunity for the trainees to learn and network. Many of our current leaders in PALTCM came through the Futures Program. The Futures Program is a great success and creates hope for the future of PALTCM.
I have been involved with the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care for many years. The Foundation is an important supporter of workforce development. For more than 20 years the Futures Program supported by the Foundation has provided education, networking and opportunities for new practitioners entering this practice field. Even more importantly the Foundation provides competitive funding for researchers to ask the questions and find the answers for issues in this setting of care that do not yet have attention from major research funding foundations and federal agencies.
The Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine was foundational to supporting my development as a medical Director and specialist in post acute and long-term care. In programs like the AMDA Foundation Futures program, the Foundation supports education and career development that helps to ensure a skilled workforce. More recently, the Foundation has a track record of supporting successful Innovative programs and research initiatives. It is a well run not-for profit that thoughtfully supports the strategic mission of high quality of life and care for those who live in PALTC settings and those who care for them. Because I know first hand the value of its work, i proudly donate to the Foundation on an annual basis.
My first experience within depth learning about medical direction was funded by the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. I was a Futures Program attendee and was exposed to the important and interesting work of nursing home medical direction. The Foundation continues to train future long term care medical leaders. It invests in nursing home quality projects. It also funds programs to get needed information to the medical providers in the nursing homes across the county.
I believe the Foundation wisely invests in leaders and projects that improve the care provided to one of the most vulnerable populations in nursing home residents.
The photo I am sharing is of a futures program attendee and me presenting a poster at the annual meeting together.
The Foundation's annual Futures Program hands-down propelled me on my current career as a long-term care physician and medical director. In a field where compensation and recognition are not that glamorous, the Foundation fills in gaps to ensure that nursing home and other PALTC patients are not forgotten. The Foundation validates the PALTC workforce.
I first encountered the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Medicine in 2010 when the Foundation supported me to attend the annual AMDA - Society for PALTC Medicine conference and Futures Program. It was here where I learned new and unique skills for succeeding as a PALTC provider and medical director that cannot be learned elsewhere. Since then, I have been an active part of the parent organization for the Foundation and have seen the far reaching benefits of its work. Over the last decade +, I have witnessed the Foundation support quality improvement projects that greatly impact care for residents of PALTC across the US, hundreds of Futures Participants to complete the same program that helped me, and novel research in the PALTC space that will help move forward our field of medicine. The Foundation also honors our members who have gone above and beyond to improve education and care provided across PALTC settings. This is an exemplary organization and I am proud to support them financially.
I have spent decades delivering care to vulnerable populations. Now I find myself on the receiving end of that care. I desire - dare I say demand - that my care be of the highest quality and delivered by compassionate, knowledgeable professionals. Right now, the geriatric workforce is lacking the numbers needed to deliver such care. The Foundation has a chief focus of engaging, training and mentoring the next generation of the post-acute and long-term care workforce for our rapidly aging population. As one nearing the use of such professionals, I want them available and possessed of excellence, and applaud the Foundation for working to ensure my care is of the highest quality.
I have been a member of our national organization, AMDA:The Society for Post-acute and Long-term care Medicine over 20 years. The AMDA mission is to improve the care of frail older adults, who reside in nursing homes throughout the USA. Geriatric education and research are the quintessential goals of the AMDA Foundation For Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Since these goals have been critically important throughout my geriatric career, I cannot think of any more appropriate way to say thank you to the AMDA Foundation than making a commitment to be a yearly generous donor to the Foundation.