The
Long Island Geriatric Education Center (LIGEC) was established to help
address the healthcare needs of an aging population. Approximately 13%
of Long Island residents are 65 years of age or older. By the year
2030, the number of older people is expected to double from 35 to 70
million nationwide. In an effort to improve and maintain the health and
well being of this population, LIGEC provides educational opportunities
to healthcare professionals and social service providers in the areas
of geriatrics and gerontology. The creation of LIGEC was made possible
by a five-year grant to the Stony Brook University Health Sciences
Center by the Bureau of Health Professions of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA). Our initial partners included the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center, the Long Island State Veterans Home, and the
Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 2007, LIGEC was re-funded
by HRSA as a consortium, composed of the original partners and Eastern
LI Hospital/Town of Southold, St. John's University College of Pharmacy
and Allied Health Professions, and Winthrop-University Hospital, with
Stony Brook as the lead institution.
LIGEC Programs
LIGEC programs are designed for healthcare professionals who are also
clinical educators interested in enhancing their geriatric knowledge
and teaching skills. LIGEC Associates receive 40 hours of training in
new educational techniques (6 hours), an interdisciplinary core
curriculum (16 hours), and discipline-specific gerontology courses (18
hours). Each year, a 24-hour course in Health Literacy is offered.
Associates may also attend programs sponsored by New York's other GECs.
Completion of the program earns associates a certificate and continuing
professional education/continuing medical education credit usually at
little or no charge. LIGEC programs focus on primary and transitional
care, patient safety, and health promotion/disease prevention. LIGEC
provides assistance to other healthcare institutions and professional
schools interested in developing or expanding their geriatric
curriculum. LIGEC maintains a Speakers Bureau and a Geriatric Resource
Center that provides print-based, audio-visual, and electronic
resources on a variety of aging-related topics.
Who can become a LIGEC Associate?
Dental hygienists, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners,
occupational therapists, pharmacists,
physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists,
and social workers who work in Nassau or
Suffolk County. Preference is given to health
care professionals who educate faculty, staff,
residents, or students.
How can I become a LIGEC Associate?
Application materials are available online or by
contacting the LIGEC office at (631) 444-8279 or
email LIGEC@stonybrook.edu.
What is required to complete the
LIGEC program?
LIGEC Associates must complete 40 hours of
continuing education, preferably over the course
of one year. Major interdisciplinary programs
are teleconferenced across LIGEC partner sites.
Increasingly, educational material will be
placed online.
What types of programs are offered
by LIGEC?
LIGEC sponsors interdisciplinary conferences
covering core as well as "cutting edge" topics,
patient safety leadership workshops, a health
literacy curriculum, and new educational techniques.
Discipline specific programs include
clinical updates on falls prevention, safe use of
medication, assessment of older drivers, cognitive
health, and improvement of end-of-life care.
Requesting a Certificate of Attendance:
If you attend one of our programs and would like a Certificate of Attendance, the following should be submitted in writing to LIGEC@stonybrook.edu
Name and credentials you would like to appear on the certificate
Address where the certificate should be mailed to
Name and date of program attended
Number of hours attended
*Please note, it can take up to three weeks for certificates to be issued. | 
