RONCEVERTE -
With constant advancements in technology and medicine, people in our country are living longer than they ever have.
The 2010 census states that senior citizens 65 and older make up 13 percent of our population.
Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is hosting the first geriatric fellowship the hospital has ever had, and Dr. Rick Fogle said the need is definitely there.
"With the increasing population pushing the age limit of the patient, we have older and older patients. Those people need a specialist who can deal just with the problems that happen to people as they become older and to keep those people in the best functioning state," said Fogle.
Fogle has spent an additional year of residency specializing in geriatric training at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and the Beckley VA clinic.
"I get exposure to those in neurology, neuropsychiatry, and psychiatry, so that I can have a well-balanced learning for when I'm out practicing just seeing geriatric patients," said Fogle.
GVMC has been without a geriatric specialist for the last 16 months, but once doctor Fogle completes his certified board testing, the hospital will welcome him as a specialist.
"It's really nice to have additional specialties because essentially, what you're doing is giving your patients another level of care that they otherwise wouldn't be able to get with a family physician," said Melissa Wickline, director of marketing at GVMC.
Fogle said family physicians are capable of treating senior citizens, but geriatric specialists focus just on the needs of the elderly.
"People feel just comfortable coming to see a geriatrician who they know has had extra training to deal with particular problems that are faced by our elder population," said Fogle.
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