UCLA Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (MPGMG)

Since its inception in 1979, the UCLA Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (MPGMG) has been recognized as a national leader in providing clinical care for older persons, teaching physicians and other health professionals how to better care for older persons, and conducting research aimed at improving the health and independence of older persons.  With over 40 full-time faculty members representing many disciplines, the UCLA MPGMG is one of the largest academic geriatrics programs in the world.  The MPGMG is comprised of four core sites: UCLA Medical Center and the Center for Health Sciences, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Anna and Harry Borun Center for Gerontological Research.  In addition, these core sites have community-based, nursing home, and home care programs, which extend the clinical and teaching missions of the MPGMG beyond the academic medical center. In 2013, the Departments of Medicine of UCLA and the Greater Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center merged, which resulted in a single Division of Geriatrics. This merger has further strengthened relationships between geriatrics faculty at the two institutions. The research and educational missions of the MPGMG also link the Program to other schools and departments on the UCLA campus as well as its affiliated institutions.  In 1991, the UCLA Longevity Center (until 2011 named the UCLA Center on Aging) was established in response to the “graying” of America and the critical importance of aging to the University and society. The mission of the UCLA Longevity Center is to enhance and extend productive and healthy life through preeminent research and education on aging.  The Center has grown rapidly and created a variety of programs throughout the UCLA campus and community at large. The relationship between the MPGMG and Longevity Center is complementary and collaborative.

The MPGMG has several workforce education and development grants. In 2015, the MPGMG was awarded a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant funded by the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration.  The UCLA GWEP, “Program for Improving Care of Aging adults through Training and Education (PICATE)”, combines the resources of UCLA, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services and the Riverside County Regional Medical Center. PICATE aims to  improve older patient/caregiver outcomes through integration of geriatric care management in primary care teaching clinics; to develop and deploy an interprofessional geriatrics workforce curriculum for trainees and chronic care teams representing the fields of medicine, nursing, social work and other health professions; to create sustainable education programs for in-home direct care workers and caregivers to enhance the care of at-risk older adults, especially with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; and to develop and deploy interdisciplinary training programs to enhance community-based services provided to older adults in Riverside County. 

Additionally, each year the MPGMG offers the UCLA Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine and Pharmacy and Board Review, which is held over 4 days and draws a large national and international audience. The Course has been a leader in providing physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals the essential knowledge and skills to care for older patients. The course and board review in geriatric medicine emphasizes an evidence-based, practical and functional approach to the comprehensive care of older adults. The content and structure of the course are well-suited for health professionals who wish to enhance their ability to care for older adults, as well as for physicians who are preparing for the initial certification or re-certification examinations in Geriatric Medicine offered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). 

For more information, please visit the UCLA Division of Geriatrics webpage.

Last updated
November 20, 2023