CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- By 2030, it is estimated that one in five Americans will be over the age of 65-a demographic trend that has many concerned about adequate health care and quality of life for both their families and themselves.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Division of Health Affairs-comprised of top-10 ranked schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health-has created this media fellowship to address the issue of aging. The Schools are home to national leaders making significant contributions to improved elder care through cutting-edge research, teaching and innovative care practices.
By drawing on these five health affairs disciplines, the fellowship will offer journalists a comprehensive glimpse into the many ways health care educators, researchers, practitioners and students at UNC-CH are tackling the diseases and other chronic conditions that afflict our nation's elderly and are laying the groundwork for solutions in future generations.
Location
The fellowship will be held on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in Chapel Hill, N.C. In its more than 200 years of existence, UNC-CH has established itself in the top-tier of our nation's universities through its achievements in teaching, research and public service.
Who May Apply
Applications will be accepted from health care reporters and editors. Participation in the fellowship will depend upon selection by a UNC-CH committee and will be limited to 20 people.
Application Procedures
Complete the application online, or call 919-966-4032 to receive a printed application.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted through April 10, 2000. Participants will be notified of their selection by April 14, 2000.
Costs
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will subsidize all food and lodging costs for the duration of the fellowship. Travel and other ancillary expenses are to be covered by the participant.
Schedule
The fellowship will be held from June 7-9, 2000. Registration will begin at 2:30 pm on June 7, with the opening session to begin at 3:00 pm.
Detailed Agenda
Wednesday, June 7, 2000
2:30 - 2:50 p.m. -- Registration, welcome, introductions
3:00 p.m. -- The Aging Game: Participants engage in interactive simulation of the effects of aging in order to understand some of the physical and psychological effects of the aging process.
3:45 - 5:15 -- The State of Aging: Panel discussion that will outline significant issues regarding the physical, emotional, and social aspects of aging. Participants: Victor Marshall, PhD; Jan Busby-Whitehead, MD; Yvonne Eaves RN; Robert Golden, MD
6:00 - 6:30
Reception at the Carolina Inn
6:30
Dinner at the Carolina Inn. Keynote Speaker: William L. Roper, MD, MPH, Dean of the UNC-CH School of Public Health and Director of the North Carolina Institute for Public Health; Former director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and former administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration.
Thursday, June 8, 2000
Pre 9 a.m. -- Continental breakfast, Carolina Inn
9-11:30 a.m. -- Medicare Panel Discussion: Featuring Deans William Campbell (Pharmacy), Linda Cronenwett (Nursing), and William Roper (Public Health). Explores issues such as Medicare and prescription drug coverage, the future of the program, and its overall effectiveness. This session offers fellowship participants the opportunity to question panelists and engage in discussions on a range of Medicare-related topics.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- Lunch
1-2:30 p.m. -- Spotlight on Research: Poster session featuring student/faculty research teams who are working on a variety of aging-related topics. Fellowship participants will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with top researchers in the field of geriatric health.
2:30-2:45 p.m. -- Break
2:45-4:30 p.m. -- Nutrition and Aging: Dr. Steven Zeisel, creator of the "Nutrition in Medicine" CD ROM curriculum currently used in over 100 medical schools across the country, will share his innovative research on the crucial role of nutrition in healthy aging. Following Dr. Zeisel's presentation, Fellowship participants will be able to explore the interactive CD on their own and speak with Dr. Zeisel about his research findings.
6 p.m. -- Outing to Durham Bulls game (with barbecue supper)
Friday, June 9, 2000
Pre 9 a.m. -- Continental breakfast, Carolina Inn
9-10:30 a.m. -- Coping with the End of Life: There will be a showing of the video "Those Who Stay Behind," with an introduction by the producer, Erica Rothman. The remainder of this session will feature a mix of video participants and medical experts speaking on questions raised by the video. Potential topics: hospice care; legal and ethical issues involved in end of life decisions; organ donations; changing family dynamics.
10:30-11 a.m. -- Break
11 am-12:30 p.m. -- The Future of Aging: A two-part session, focusing on preventative care (a variety of activities highlighting the importance of preventative care to healthy aging) and the future of aging research (highlighting the latest research and teaching methods that will improve health care in the future). This session will offer participants the opportunity to speak with researchers working on topics such as heart disease, cancer, and genetics.
12:30 p.m. -- Lunch and farewells
Featured Faculty
Jane Busby-Whitehead, MD, Director, Program on Aging
William H. Campbell, PhD, RPh, Dean and Professor of Pharmaceutical Policy and Evaluative Sciences, School of Pharmacy
Linda R. Cronenwett, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, School of Nursing
Yvonne Eaves, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Department of Community, Family, Mental and Women's Health, School of Nursing
Robert N. Golden, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Jack Griffith, PhD, Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
Martha L. Henderson, DMin, RN, GNP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Community, Family, Mental and Women's Health, School of Nursing
Victor W. Marshall, PhD, Professor, Department of Sociology, Director, UNC Institute on Aging
William L. Roper, MD, MPH, Dean, School of Public Health, Professor, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Director, North Carolina Institute for Public Health
Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD, Professor, Department of Periodontology
Steven H. Zeisel, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, School of Public Health, Chair and Professor of Nutrition, School of Public Health and School of Medicine
For further information, contact oce@unc.edu .