In recognition of his significant contributions to the health care of older adults, Regenstrief Institute investigator Malaz Boustani, M.D., MPH, associate professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, will receive the 2012 American Geriatrics Society Outstanding Scientific Achievement for Clinical Investigation Award. The honor will be presented at the American Geriatrics Society annual meeting in Seattle in May.
Dr. Boustani is a geriatrician. He is associate director of the IU Center for Aging Research and medical director of the Healthy Aging Brain Center at Wishard Health Services. He leads the Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia and is the president-elect of the American Delirium Society.
He heads a National Institute on Aging-funded study investigating the effectiveness of drug management of delirium in intensive care units. According to the American Delirium Society more than 7 million hospitalized Americans suffer from delirium each year, although six out of 10 cases are not recognized.
Dr. Boustani is also conducting a comparative effectiveness clinical trial of anti-dementia drugs funded by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The Alzheimer Society (UK) estimates 24 million people worldwide have some form of dementia.
The Outstanding Scientific Achievement for Clinical Investigation Award was established to recognize outstanding achievement in clinical research addressing health care problems of older adults by an investigator who is actively involved in direct patient care.
Dr. Boustani is being recognized for his dedication to improving the care of older adults with dementia and delirium, his work on the development of clinical assessment tools and treatment approaches, and his research contributions in improving the performance of health care providers and health care systems.
"Malaz Boustani is a strong, vocal and visible advocate for older adults and aging research," said Regenstrief Institute investigator Christopher M. Callahan, M.D., Cornelius and Yvonne Pettinga Professor at the IU School of Medicine and director of the IU Center for Aging Research. "His studies have included patient surveys, development of new clinical assessment tools, testing of new treatment approaches and testing of new models of care. He has led the conception, design, funding and staffing of the Healthy Aging Brain Center, now in its third year of operation. He has made exceptional contributions to clinical research addressing health care problems of older adults."
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