Center Director
Bio Information:
Dr. Kenneth (Ken) Boockvar, M.D., is Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care and Director, Integrative Center for Aging Research. Dr. Boockvar also serves the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center as Core Investigator and leadership team member.
Dr. Boockvar is a physician and teacher who has pioneered work to improve care for frail older people. In 2006, he published a ground-breaking paper in JAMA, “Palliative Care for Frail Older Adults,” that developed what has become the gold-standard to enhance the quality of life for patients and families: diagnose frailty, discuss goals of care, treat symptoms, meet patients' needs for support, and coordinate care. His research has led to discoveries about how to improve transitions of care and the use of medicines in frail older people in hospitals and nursing homes.