Presidential Address and Introduction

The Canadian Geriatrics Society’s 28th Annual Scientific Meeting was held at the Hotel Delta Centre-Ville, in Montreal, from April 10-12, 2008.

Dr. José Morais, of the Division of Geriatric Medicine & McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre at McGill University, and Canadian Geriatrics Society (CGS) member and meeting presenter, commenced the opening ceremony by introducing CGS president Dr. Christopher Frank.

Presidential Address
Dr. Frank expressed appreciation for the Society’s members and organizers, and acknowledged the numerous members of international societies who had travelled to Montreal for the meeting. Dr. Frank noted the expansion of the annual meeting year to year as indicating that health professionals worldwide are working with an increasingly aging population but are challenged by the ever tighter resource allocation that Canadian health professionals experience as well.

Reflecting on his first year as CGS president, Dr. Frank cited the advantages of the society’s intimate population of a few hundred members: a small society is uniquely positioned to make inroads and connect with health care professionals who are passionate about care for aging adults. However, noting the adage of strength lying in numbers, the best way to achieve the Society’s aim of promoting excellence in the medical care of older Canadians, he suggested, is to ally and work with other groups and societies. He acknowledged the presence and involvement of the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association; the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly; and the Health Care of the Elderly Committee.

Finally, Dr. Frank expressed his hope that the meeting would offer the chance for professionals to share information and resources as well as to solidify the Society’s professional bonds, so that they might “speak with one voice rather than several” and thereby potentiate their efforts as they work within institutions and with governments to improve elder care. Dr. Frank closed his remarks with an appeal to attendees that they use their knowledge toward becoming “ambassadors of care” for aging adults.

Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
Past CGS president and Membership Committee co-chair Dr. Howard Bergman provided an introduction to the meeting itself. Dr. Bergman observed the notable strides the society had made, stating its initial exclusivity had given way to a marked inclusivity encompassing the participation of family physicians, neurologists, nurses, and other health professionals. A testament to the development of the society, Dr. Bergman cited, were the ~90 abstracts received (a doubling from the previous meeting). In addition to the Society’s growth, he acknowledged the growth of the Canadian Geriatrics Society Journal. Dr. Bergman closed his remarks with thanks to the meeting’s committee members and the individuals and organization who coordinated and managed the meeting.