American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a professional society founded on June 11, 1942 for physicians practicing geriatric medicine. Among the founding physicians were Dr. Ignatz Leo Nascher, who coined the term "geriatrics," Dr. Malford W. Thewlis, who was named the first executive secretary of the Society, and Dr. Lucien Stark who was appointed the first AGS president.
The Society has a main peer-reviewed journal, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Its other journals include the Annals of Long-term Care and Clinical Geriatrics. The Society also publishes the Geriatrics Review Syllabus (now in its 7th edition). The Society has published clinical practice guidelines on persistent pain, diabetes mellitus, and falls. Its pocket tool, Geriatrics at Your Fingertips, has average annual sales of over 15,000 copies.
In 1999 the Society established the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) to further advance aging research, educate the public and legislators about elder healthcare, and encourage the public to advocate for quality elder care. The Association of Directors of Geriatrics Academic Programs (ADGAP), established in 1990, became a supporting organization of the Society in 2002. AGS now counts some 6,400 geriatrics healthcare providers – including geriatricians, geriatrics nurse practitioners and physician assistants - as members.
Eligible members included any physician with an interest in geriatrics who had graduated from a recognized medical school and was a member in good standing of a state medical society. In 1997, membership was opened to other professional members of the geriatrics interdisciplinary team.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a not-for-profit organization of over 6,400 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.
The AGS annual scientific meeting has occurred every year since 1946.