Donald Worthington Reynolds was a successful media entrepreneur who in 1954 established a charitable foundation bearing his name. In 2003 the Reynolds Foundation gave MU $1.9 million to fund “Comprehensive Geriatrics Training Programs at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.”

“Reynolds funding, which was available from September 2003 to August 2008, enabled us to make important contributions to the education of those who take care of our most vulnerable population, seniors,” reports Steven Zweig, MD, principal investigator of the grant.

Supporting learning, teaching and empathy

During the period of grant funding, more than a dozen cases featuring geriatric care were developed to teach MU’s first- and second-year medical students about the biological, psychosocial and ethical care of elders.

“At MU, we employ a problem-based learning curriculum,” explains Michael Hosokawa, EdD, Associate Dean for Curriculum. “Students not only obtain a foundation in the basic sciences; they also learn about psychosocial and family issues, medical ethics, the health care system, community resources and team care. The grant from the Reynolds Foundation provided the resources and impetus for us to strengthen the geriatric components of our curriculum.”

Funding also revitalized the Geriatrics Interest Group, a collection of students who now meet several times each year to discuss topics such as elder abuse, Medicare and sexuality. During the period of grant funding, the American Geriatrics Society recognized GIG as a student chapter, and it now provides additional funding to support meetings and activities. GIG activities have included the Reflections of Aging photo contest (see Chronicles in Aging Summer 2008 issue).

Another student program that thrived under Reynolds funding is the Heyssel Senior Teacher Educator Partnership. STEP matches first-year medical students with senior-citizen mentors and is enjoying record-breaking popularity.

Enhancing geriatrics training for residents, fellows

Under the Reynolds umbrella, a successful home-visit program was developed.

“Today Family Medicine medical students and residents at MU are required to take part in visits to elders’ homes following hospital discharge,” explains Zweig. “The goal is to teach our students about good transition planning and care in the home setting.”

Reynolds support also funded the creation of a master educator program for Family Medicine fellows. The fellows are physicians who have completed residency training and are obtaining additional training in geriatrics.

Improving care for patients

The Reynolds grant supported the development of several clinical pathway projects affecting elders including pneumonia, hip fracture and palliative care. Pathway programs define the steps involved in prevention and treatment, thereby improving efficiency and often improving care. Although the grant is over, work on pathway development continues.

Living up to the foundation’s goals

The Reynolds Foundation’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for America’s elderly by preparing physicians to provide better care for them when they become ill.” By providing MU with their magnanimous gift, the foundation has enhanced the way geriatrics is taught to MU’s students, residents, faculty and physicians and has made MU a leader in the way care is provided to senior citizens.