Sound Shore Medical Center’s Department of Medicine was host to Jerald Winakur, MD. This nationally recognized geriatrician and author was a lecturer for a recent “Medical Grand Rounds”. Besides medical residents and attending physicians, representatives from SSMC’s Center for Sound Aging, Ludington Adult Day Services Program and Schaffer Extended Care Center, as well as other area nursing homes attended.

Dr. Winakur spoke to a “standing-room-only” crowd about his recently released book, Memory Lessons – A Geriatrician’s Tale. His latest work speaks to his life as a geriatrician, provides commentary on aging and medical care in American and talks poignantly about his firsthand experience with his own father’s Alzheimer’s disease. This exceptional lecturer captured the scientific issues of dementia but wrapped it in the warm, caring embrace of personal experience. Many present were moved to tears at his emotional recollections of dealing with the devastating effects of a disease that robbed his father of his identity along with his memories, just as it does with so many others. No doubt, residents attending this particular “Ground Rounds” as well as seasoned physicians gained important insight into geriatrics – a field whose patient numbers are growing at a record pace, as “Baby Boomers” near retirement.

Dr. Winakur is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas - Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas and an Associate Faculty member at the Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics. He has practiced internal and geriatrics medicine for more than 30 years. He is the author of a monthly column in LifeTimes, a frequent guest on syndicated radio shows and a regular speaker to healthcare professionals on ethical caregiving of our senior citizens.