The document summarizes the experiences of students who participated in the 2010 MSTAR (Medical Student Training in Aging Research) Program Graduation. It provides short quotes from each student about how the program increased their interest in geriatrics and academic medicine. They observed various aspects of geriatric care and research. The students appreciated learning from the passionate faculty and seeing how geriatricians provide comprehensive, compassionate care for older patients.

1. 2010 MSTAR Program Graduation

2. Jason Liebowitz Johns Hopkins School of Medicine “ The MSTAR program has allowed me to meet phenomenal students and experts from across the country and engage in discussions about geriatrics, public health, policy, and clinical care. My experience has greatly enhanced my interest in pursuing geriatrics and has provided me with the skills to continue conducting research in this field .” Mentor: Dr. Paulo Chaves Project : The Relationship Between Vitamin D Status and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Levels in Frail and Non-Frail Elderly Women in Baltimore

3. Tiffany Cao Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Mentor: Dr. Cindy Roy Project : IL-6 -/-mice may have greater capacity for oxidative phosphorylation in old age “ MSTAR is a great program to explore your interests in medicine.”

4. Mentor: Dr. Cynthia Boyd Project: Experiences of Treatment Burden and Development of an Assessment Tool S. Orion Courtin University of Maryland “ The MSTAR program has deepened my interest in geriatrics and academic medicine - I look forward to future collaboration with the terrific and dedicated faculty. “

5. S. Estella Philippopoulos Drexel University College of Medicine Mentor : Eleanor Simonsick, PhD Project: Hemoglobin and Iron Levels and Walking- related Parameters and Energy Expenditure in Late Life “ Through this experience my interest in geriatrics and academic medicine has been strengthened. I observed various components of geriatric care and look forward to applying this knowledge to my future career.”

6. Lila Sheikhi Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Mentor: Philip Wong, PhD Project: Investigating the role of TDP-43 in neural stem cell differentiation “ It has been rewarding to be at the very heart of geriatrics and aging research. Experiencing the compassion the faculty possess towards their patients and observing skills demonstrated in bettering care through research emboldens my future aspirations .”

7. “ I enjoyed this unique experience very much. The most valuable knowledge I gained was in the practical clinical experiences. These taught me beyond the definition of aging described in books and realized that the geriatric population not only seeks excellent doctors for high quality health care but also look for people they could talk with confidence, trust their health and, and in this way, feel sheltered during their journey through life.” Andrea M. Corujo University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Mentor : Dr. Roy Ziegelstein Project : Atypical Depression: A Risk Factor for Heart Disease?

8. Jennifer Gibson Chambers University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Mentor: Dr. Frederick Sieber Project: Assessment tools to detect recovery room delirium in geriatric patients “ Geriatrics is not a specialty of isolated practitioners taking care of older adults in clinics, but a collaborative group influencing and directing the type of care received by older adults throughout the hospital, across services and into the community.”

9. Ami Saraiya Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Mentor: Dr. Colleen Christmas Project: The Aliki Project: An innovative approach to teaching internal medicine residents about patient care “ Through my summer here with the MSTAR program, I have not only learned and gained an appreciation about the care of older adults, but I have also grown as an individual and begun defining my future interests.”

10. Jia Liu University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Mentor: Dr. Patrick Ha Project: Epigenetic Alterations in Malignant Salivary Gland Carcinomas "The best geriatricians can gain so much valuable information from a patient and how he or she is doing from what appears to be an episode of simple banter. So much of geriatrics is understanding the patient as a person and not just a set of medical issues.”

11. Nida Degesys Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Mentor: Dr. Ilene Browner Project: Comparing VES-13 to the Frailty Phenotype in Oncology Patients “ I have learned how passionate geriatricians are about their field, the breadth and depth of their knowledge, and the incredible empathy and dedication they have for their patients.”

12. Jennifer Christie The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine “ Family members play a significant role in the care of older adults. However, in the absence of family, the support of a physician becomes even more valuable. Before my MSTAR experience, I didn’t realize the level of commitment that geriatricians make to their patients. ” Mentor: Matthew McNabney, MD Project: Evaluation of outcomes among PACE Patients who receive sub-acute care in a skilled nursing facility without a preceding three day hospitalization

13. George Asaad Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Mentors : Sean Leng, MD PhD & Huifen Li, PhD Project: Characterization of the old low capacity runner rat as a model of human frailty with a focus on the immune system. “ Geriatrics is an opportunity to integrate every field and aspect of medicine to improve the quality of life for older individuals and their loved ones. This involves applying research findings to continuously improve our evolving standards of care.”

14. Yvette Wang UMDNJ - SOM Mentor: Dr. Sheldon Gottlieb Project: Systematic review of fluid restriction in heart failure patients “ The program has shown me the importance of geriatric medicine in managing patients' health care and that it is not only about prescribing the right medications but understanding a patient's mental and social status. I learned about the scientific research done with the biology of aging and on the clinical and public health side of geriatric medicine. I hope to take the lessons learned and ideas from the MSTAR program to fuel my medical career further.”

15. Mohammed Hoque Stony Brook University School of Medicine Mentor : Dorry Segev, MD, PhD Project: To quantify the relationship between frailty and kidney transplantation complications, survival, and to better predict outcomes and quality of life. “ This summer has helped me understand the breadth of both medical knowledge and interpersonal skills that are necessary to become a great geriatrician.”

16. Neel Parekh Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Mentor: Dr. Jeremy Walston Project: The relationship between inflammatory mediators and cognitive outcomes in older adults undergoing elective surgery. “ My summer at Johns Hopkins has prepared me well for a future in medicine. Most importantly, it has provided me with far greater knowledge regarding the treatment and care of older adults to the best of my ability. Working alongside clinicians and researchers has enabled me to experience medicine in an environment that truly strives to achieve the highest standard of care. I would like to thank everyone involved in the MSTAR program for allowing me to have this opportunity.”

17. Daniel C. Parker Eastern Virginia Medical School Mentor: Dr. Neal Fedarko Project: Changes in Neopterin in aMCI and AD, Carnosinase Activity in Normal Aging and Cancer “ I learned the power of teamwork, innovation and a patient-centered approach to overcome challenges and transform American health care. I also learned what a collegial, high-quality and cutting-edge health care environment looks like and I will strive to replicate that environment in the future, wherever I go.”

18. We would like to express our appreciation to Drs. Durso and Barron, our mentors, and all of the clinicians and staff at Johns Hopkins for making this an intellectual and memorable experience. Thank you! The 2010 MSTAR Graduates