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> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> October 24, 2002

# VA Announces Members of Geriatrics Advisory Committee

> WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has
> appointed seven new members to the 14-member committee that advises
> him on issues related to the care of elderly veterans.
>
> \"Older veterans have special health care needs,\" said Principi.
> \"This committee is instrumental in guiding VA\'s efforts to deliver
> the best care and services possible to our aging veterans.\"
>
> The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates 21 Geriatric
> Research, Education and Clinical Centers (GRECCs) and is a leader in
> research on the aging process and the health care needs of the
> elderly.

VA estimates there are nearly 9 million veterans age 65 or older,
representing about 38 percent of the veteran population. By 2020, nearly
50 percent of veterans will be 65 or older.

> The Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee provides advice on
> improving and expanding VA's capability to meet the medical,
> psychological and social needs of older veterans. It also advises VA
> on advances in geriatric and gerontology research, the training of
> health care personnel and the development of improved models of
> clinical services for older veterans.
>
> The new committee members appointed to four-year terms are Norman
> Abeles of East Lansing, Mich.; Robert P. Carbonneau of Rockville, Md.;
> Joann Damron-Rodriquez of Los Angeles; Terry Fulmer of New York;
> Joseph Hanlon of Minneapolis, Minn.; Mary Jane Koren of New York and
> Thomas T. Yoshikawa of Los Angeles.
>
> Chairman of the advisory committee is Dr. Itamar Abrass of Seattle.
>
> \- **More** -

**Membership**

#### Geriatrics Advisory Committee

-   Dr. Itamar Abrass, Seattle (Chairman). Director of the Division of
    Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington Medical
    School. U.S. Public Health Service veteran.

-   Norman Abeles, Ph.D., East Lansing, Mich. Professor of Psychology at
    Michigan State University and past president of the American
    Psychological Association.

-   Robert P. Carbonneau, Rockville, Md. Former AMVETS national
    executive director. Army veteran.

-   Vincent Cristofalo, Ph.D., Philadelphia. Director of the Center for
    Gerontological Research, The Medical College of Pennsylvania.

-   Joann Damron-Rodriquez, Ph.D., Los Angeles. Director of the Center
    for the Advancement of Aging Programs and Practice, UCLA School of
    Public Policy and Social Research.

-   Terry Fulmer, R.N., Ph.D., New York. Professor of Nursing and
    director of the Center for Nursing Research at New York University.

-   Jade Gong, R.N., Arlington, Va. Health care consultant.

-   Joseph Hanlon, PharmD, Minneapolis. Director of the Institute for
    the Study of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy at the University of
    Minnesota.

-   Krishan Kapur, D.M.D., Los Angeles. Professor of Removable
    Prosthontics, University of California School of Dentistry.

-   Dr. Mary Jane Koren, New York. Senior program officer with the
    Commonwealth Fund, New York City.

-   Robert Lyngh, Washington, D.C. Former director of the National
    Office of The American Legion. Navy veteran.

-   Joseph Violante, Washington, D.C. Senior staff member of the
    Disabled American Veterans. Marine Corps veteran.

-   Dr. Peter Whitehouse, Ph.D., Cleveland. Director of the Alzheimer's
    Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland.

> **- More -**

##### Committee Members 2/2/2/2

-   Dr. Thomas T. Yoshikawa, Los Angeles. Chairman of the Department of
    Internal Medicine, King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles. U. S.
    Public Health Service veteran.

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