The Division of Geriatric Medicine is committed to advancing translational research that improves the lives of older adults. Through a culture of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and commercialization, the division supports scalable solutions with societal impact. This work is made possible by generous funding from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Banner Foundation, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation.

Featured Research Projects – Division of Geriatric Medicine
  1. NOVAD: Delirium Screening Tool
    A novel EMR-integrated tool — Neurological Orientation and Verbal Assessment of Delirium (NOVAD) — is being studied for its ability to identify patients at high risk for delirium and improve clinical outcomes through early intervention.
     
  2. Oral Care Protocol for Hospitalized Patients
    A new protocol for oral hygiene in non-ventilated hospitalized patients aims to reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia and enhance nursing care practices. Its impact on patient outcomes is currently under evaluation.
     
  3. Age-Friendly Care Delivery via ACE Program
    Through the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) initiative, the division is developing and assessing interdisciplinary training programs to improve age-friendly care delivery and operational efficiency.
     
  4. SeVA: Seniors Electronic Virtual Assistant
    In partnership with Tech Launch Arizona, faculty are developing SeVA, an AI-powered device designed to detect delirium and frailty in older adults, advancing digital health solutions in geriatrics.
     
  5. Data-Driven Geriatric Research
    The division collaborates with computer scientists, ML engineers and statisticians to analyze large datasets, enabling evidence-based insights into aging and elder care.
     
  6. Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations
    Ongoing projects involve partnerships with departments such as Public Health, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Surgery, Orthopedics, Cardiology and Gastroenterology, fostering a holistic approach to geriatric research.
     
  7. Emerging Focus Areas
    Future research will explore dementia care and the physiology of cellular aging, expanding the division’s scope into foundational aging science.