Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry

The Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry was established in October 1994. Its mission is to conduct research in geriatric psychiatric disorders, to train investigators and clinicians, and to provide specialized clinical care to older adults.

Research

The research arm of the Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry is the Weill-Cornell Advanced Center for Interventions and Services Research. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (PI: George S. Alexopoulos, M.D.), the ACISR supports a portfolio of independently-funded studies seeking to produce and disseminate knowledge and practices aimed at reducing the burden of depression and disability in elderly persons with limited access to good care, promote the growth of investigators, and advance the methodology needed to carry this work into the future.

Training and Career Development

The Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry offers training in Geriatric Psychiatry to physicians and graduate students in fields related to geriatric psychiatric disorders. The Institute's training programs include two NIMH-funded T32 research fellowship programs, and the NIMH-supported Advanced Research Institute in Geriatric Mental Health (ARI). The NIMH-funded Research Fellowships provide training in research methods in geriatric psychiatric disorders, and geriatric mental health services. The ARI is a national mentoring program designed to help junior investigators achieve their first R01 funding and assume the responsibilities of independent scientists. The Institute also sponsors several federally-funded, mentored career development awards for its junior investigators.

In addition to research training, The Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry provides clinical training to medical students, psychiatry residents, and psychiatrists. The Clinical Fellowship Program in Geriatric Psychiatry, operating since 1980 and approved by ACGME, is designed to train psychiatrists in the clinical care of older adults.

Patients and Families

The Weill Cornell Institute oversees the geriatric clinical services of the Department of Psychiatry. At Payne Whitney Westchester in White Plains, the geriatric clinical service consists of two acute inpatient units, the Psychiatry Outpatient Practice for Older Adults, and a nursing home consultation program. In Manhattan, the Institute offers geriatric psychiatry services to patients of The Irving Sherwood Wright Center on Aging (1484-1486 First Ave, NY, NY 10021; 212-746-7001), a geriatric medicine outpatient service.

To learn facts about Late Life Depression and its treatment click here.

In the News

Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry receives Golden Harvest Corporate Award from its community network partner, Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services on October 9, 2007.

The Weill Cornell Advanced Center for Interventions and Services Research (ACISR) partner, Family Services of Westchester, who took the lead for the Westchester County Geriatric Mental Health Coalition, was awarded a Gatekeeper Program demonstration grant by the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Office for the Aging.

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