911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν's medical school earns Program of Merit designation from international gerontology association

The 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν College of Osteopathic Medicineβs Division of Geriatrics has been awarded the prestigious Program of Merit for Health Professions (POM) designation by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE).
911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν is the first osteopathic medical school to receive this five-year designation, highlighting the institutionβs dedication to cultivating studentsβ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in geriatrics care and advancing education on age-friendly health care through innovative curricula and experiential engagement with older-adult-community residents and patients.
The recognition celebrates the Division of Geriatricsβ alignment with AGHE curriculum competency standards and its role in promoting high-quality care for older adults. The unanimous decision by the AGHE Program of Merit review team additionally underscores the commitment of Maineβs only medical school to shaping future health care leaders with strong foundations in geriatrics medicine.
The teamβs review commended several key strengths of ±«±··‘βs geriatrics curriculum and programming, including:
- Leadership in providing geriatrics education; as early as 2009, 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COM offered 12 hours of geriatrics instruction to students at that time, far exceeding the national average of two hours
- Incorporating AGHE competencies into the medical curriculum; since 2014, 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COM has increased lecture hours and implemented an additional 34 hours of direct student contact with older adults across the care spectrum for applied learning in geriatrics
- Innovative student research experiences, including dedicated nursing home and hospice immersions, to increase student exposure to older adult care
- A mission-driven approach to education that emphasizes and provides student opportunities for older adult advocacy, clinical services, and scholarly research activities
- ±«±··‘βs designation as an Age-Friendly University and the Universityβs proactive stance on addressing aging across all health professions programs
- Student engagement and leadership, with approximately one-third of the 180 students in each 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COM class participating in the collegeβs student chapter of both the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the Gerontological Society of America, underscoring their commitment to aging-related education and professional development
- A commitment to continuous quality improvement and assessment of learning outcomes to ensure that future graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of geriatrics care
Marilyn R. Gugliucci, M.A., Ph.D., professor and director of geriatrics education and research in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, said the AGHE POM designation aligns seamlessly with ±«±··‘βs goal of fostering globally competent health care leaders through practice, research, and community health initiatives.
βBeing awarded the AGHE Program of Merit is an incredible honor,β said Gugliucci, who, in 2015, chaired the committee charged with developing the application for the POM designation. βGeriatrics is a βteam sport,β and 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν is already ahead of the curve in focusing on interprofessional, team-based care.β
Each student who graduates from 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COM during the five-year designation period will receive a certificate from the AGHE, a membership group of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), that notes the College of Osteopathic Medicine is a recognized AGHE Program of Merit for its integration of geriatrics competencies and that each student has completed these competencies during their time as a medical student.
Graduates will also be provided with an honors citation for their curriculum vitae, denoting their accomplishments in completing 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COMβs nationally recognized geriatrics competencies.
βThe truth is that every medical student, regardless of the medical field they enter, will be working with older people,β Gugliucci said. βOur students are already dedicated to person-centered care. With the compelling demographic rise in the number of older adults and increases in life span, our students will be key to increasing the health span of those years.β
The Program of Merit designation will be formally celebrated at the upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America in Seattle in November.
Gugliucci said the Division of Geriatrics remains committed to expanding its impact and preparing students to excel across health care fields. As the program looks toward its transition to ±«±··‘βs Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, opportunities for further interprofessional education and geriatrics training are already underway.
Notably, in June, 911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν received nearly $5 million from the Health Resources and Services Administrationβs to bolster Maineβs geriatrics workforce.
The five-year grant, known as , will support educational resources for students and health providers, as well as age- and dementia-friendly care for older adults in Maine, with particular emphasis on developing the direct care workforce, enhancing rural education, and creating more dementia-inclusive communities.
β911±¬ΑΟΝψΊμΑμ½ν COMβs Division of Geriatrics continues to exemplify the collegeβs values of compassion, excellence, and innovation,β said Jane Carreiro, D.O. β88, vice president for Health Affairs and dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. βThis designation from the AGHE affirms our commitment to preparing students who are ready to address the unique health needs of older adults and foster well-being in communities locally and globally.β