2024 Geriatric Trauma Symposium: Advancing Age-Friendly Care with a Multidisciplinary Approach
On Friday, Nov. 15, McGovern Medical School and Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center hosted the inaugural 2024 Geriatric Trauma Symposium at the Denton A. Cooley, MD, and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center. The event brought together healthcare professionals to explore a multidisciplinary approach to improving outcomes for geriatric trauma patients.
The symposium emphasized the importance of applying the IHI 4Ms framework—mentation, mobility, medications, and what matters most—to optimize care for older adults. Attendees also examined the impact of high-risk medications and drug burdens on this vulnerable population.
Presentations highlighted key challenges and solutions, including geriatric trauma outcomes, delirium prevention, dysphagia management, pain strategies, dementia care, and malnutrition. Panel discussions focused on pre- and post-operative optimization, while a hands-on skill session demonstrated how to integrate the 4Ms framework into age-friendly patient care.
Michelle McNutt, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, introduced this groundbreaking event. Faculty members Thaddeus Puzio, MD, MS, FACS, Assistant Professor, and Sasha Adams, MD, FACS, Professor, both from the Division of Acute Care Surgery, delivered impactful talks on dysphagia and malnutrition in geriatric trauma patients, describing them as critical components of a “Geriatric Lethal Triad.” Both Drs. Puzio and Adams also served on the symposium’s planning committee.
The event underscored how underlying comorbidities can amplify the morbidity and mortality of even low-mechanism injuries in older adults, emphasizing the need for collaborative care centered on what matters most to geriatric patients.
Dr. Thaddeus Puzio reflected on a personal connection to keynote speaker Christine Toevs, MD, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. He shared, “My personal connection to the speaker, Dr. Toevs, goes back to when I was in high school and worked as a nursing assistant in the emergency department. Dr. Toevs was a trauma surgeon, and her ability to command the room and lead the team while staying calm under pressure really inspired me and stuck with me.”
He continued, “Flash forward nearly 16 years, and I found myself on the same AAST committee as her, and we began working together on projects. I finally had the opportunity to share with her how much she impacted me without even trying. It’s been a reminder to both of us of the opportunity we have to be a positive influence on those around us.”
The inaugural Geriatric Trauma Symposium highlighted the critical need for age-friendly, multidisciplinary care and inspired attendees to continue advancing innovative approaches for older adult patients.
View the photo gallery from the event.