Philadelphia, PA, November 29, 2007 – Dr. Christine K. Cassel, expert and author on geriatrics and medical issues related to aging, has been named a member of the Alzheimer’s Study Group (ASG), a new national task force co-chaired by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey.
Dr. Cassel is President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Internal Medicine (www.abim.org), a non-profit, independent evaluation organization responsible for setting the standards and certifying the knowledge and skills of physicians who practice internal medicine and its subspecialties, including geriatric medicine.
“Nearly five million Americans are suffering from Alzheimer’s and millions more loved ones are dealing with the strain, both emotional and financial, this puts on a family. As baby boomers enter their later years, we will see these numbers dramatically increase,” said Dr. Cassel. “We need to act now to ensure that we improve care and develop strategies to stem the tide of this growing national health problem. I am honored to be part of this important task force and look forward to working with this group to speed the development of treatments and build supports for family members struggling to deal with the often devastating repercussions of the disease.”
Author of a number of books, including Medicare Matters: What Geriatric Medicine Can Teach American Health Care (2005), Ethical Patient Care (2000), Geriatric Medicine (Fourth Edition), A Practical Guide to Aging (1997), and Approaching Death (1997), Dr. Cassel is considered one the foremost scholars on geriatric medicine. In addition to her role as President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Cassel was previously Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Among her many professional leadership positions, she was the first female President of the American College of Physicians; a past-President of the American Federation for Aging Research; and was a member of the Advisory Committee to the Director at the National Institutes of Health. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Governing Council and has served on previous IOM committees responsible for influential reports on quality of care and medical errors, chaired a report on end-of-life care, and co-chaired a recent report on public health.
Dr. Cassel was formerly Chair of the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development and Professor of Geriatrics and Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. During 10 years at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Cassel was Chief of the Section of General Internal Medicine, Professor of Geriatrics and Medicine.
Dr. Cassel received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine.