What is Geriatric Medicine?
Geriatric medicine is specifically focused on the health and wellness of older adults. A geriatrician is a physician who has undergone specialized fellowship training in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disability and disease in older adults. A geriatrician is specifically trained in the aging process and focuses their care on those age 65 and older who are either healthy or have multiple medical issues.
Ronna D. New, DO, FACOFP is a native of Grundy, Virginia, and knew at an early age that she wanted to go into medicine. Growing up in our region, she saw a need for physicians with specialized training to care for older patients.
After completing her medical school and residency training, Dr. New completed specialized fellowship training in geriatric medicine and has a strong passion to provide quality geriatric care to older patients in our region. She is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (FACOFP) and is double board-certified in Geriatric Medicine and Family Medicine.
As the region’s only fellowship-trained and board-certified Geriatrician treating patients ages 65 and older, Dr. New provides care to help patients age healthfully and also specializes in geriatric syndromes including mild cognitive impairment, dementia and memory problems, frailty and falls, treating patients with frequent hospitalizations, and polypharmacy (medication risk management).
Common Care & Conditions
- Healthy aging
- Preventative medicine
- Dementia
- Memory problems or mild cognitive impairment
- Delirium
- Frequent hospitalizations and/or emergency room visits
- Frailty & falls
- Polypharmacy/medication risk management
- Terminal illness and end-of-life planning
Benefits of seeing a Geriatrician
As we age, we are more likely to encounter more medical issues that require personalized attention and care. Having a strong relationship with a doctor who is qualified to meet your personalized needs is a very important part of the aging process and can help you age healthfully. Changes that occur as a result of aging can create different patterns of disease than those in younger adults. A geriatrician is specifically trained in these areas and can create treatment plans and therapies specific for the aging adult.
Making an appointment
To make an appointment with Ronna New, DO, FACOFP, please call (423) 968-3713.
