Feature Story

Health Center Today, December 17, 2009

Event Explores the Aging of State, Nation

By John Sponauer

Julie Evans Starr, Dr. George Kuchel and Dr. Cato T. Laurencin at a recent Center on Aging event.

Photo by John Sponauer

More than 100 friends and donors of the UConn Health Center’s Center on Aging recently gathered at an event sponsored by the Center and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Speakers included Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. , vice president of health affairs; George Kuchel, M.D., F.R.C.P., the Citicorp Chair in Geriatrics and Gerontology and director of the Center on Aging; and Julie Evans Starr, M.S.W., executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Aging.

Following a reception and concert by pianist Cristina Perotti Smith, attendees learned about the Commission on Aging’s priorities and vision, as well as the field of gerontology and the changing demographics of Connecticut and the nation. Dr. Kuchel discussed the changing health care needs of older Americans, how research at the Health Center is addressing these needs and the goals of the Center of Aging.

The event was one of a series of ongoing “Friends of” events coordinated by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, designed to bring together donors, grateful patients and community friends of Health Center programs. Past events have focused on topics ranging from dermatology to the science of how red wine and dark chocolate affects cardiovascular health.