The UMB awards honor graduating students who are advancing older adult care through research, clinical practice, and gerontology education amid Maryland’s growing aging population.
The 2026 Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Outstanding Professional Graduate Student Awards Celebration recognized graduating students whose work reflects a strong commitment to improving the lives of older adults through education, research, clinical care, and community engagement.
Held on April 29, the annual event brought together University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) deans, faculty, families, students, and community members to celebrate emerging leaders in geriatrics and gerontology from the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Each recipient received a cash award and certificate of recognition honoring their dedication to advancing care and support for older adults.
This year’s awardees demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving care for older adults. Ashley Fragoso from the School of Dentistry was recognized for her compassionate, patient-centered care of older dental patients and her ability to adapt communication and treatment strategies for individuals with cognitive and physical challenges. From the School of Medicine, Nisarg Shah and Maggie Campe were honored for their commitment to advancing geriatric care through clinical training, research engagement, and patient-centered practice. Representing the School of Pharmacy, Daniel Butz was honored for his commitment to geriatric pharmacy practice, medication safety, and interprofessional education.
School of Nursing award recipient Ann Hagan was recognized for her aging-focused research examining social isolation among low-income older adults, an increasingly important public health issue with significant implications for mental and physical health outcomes. Her work underscores the importance of addressing both clinical and social determinants of health in aging populations.
The event also recognized graduating students from UMB’s Master’s in Gerontology program. These individuals reflect the interdisciplinary and applied nature of gerontology education and practice. Through her capstone project, Dana Fischel, a paralegal in an elder care law firm, examined the legal and ethical dimensions of autonomy and bereavement in palliative settings. David Milzman, MD, an emergency medicine physician at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, focused his capstone on educating trauma providers on the age-friendly health systems “4Ms” framework to improve care for aging trauma patients. Georgia Papaminas’ capstone explored how cultural traditions and social support shape bereavement experiences in later life.
Jaminette Nazario was also recognized. She is a doctoral candidate in the joint UMB/University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gerontology program and GGEAR graduate research assistant who will complete her dissertation in the coming months. Nazario contributed significantly to GGEAR initiatives, including development of a toolkit for the Maryland Department of Health on suicide prevention in older adults and the launch of Maryland Project ECHO Dementia, an “all-teach, all-learn” education program for health care professionals across the state.
Maryland, like much of the nation, is experiencing a significant demographic shift as the population of older adults continues to grow. Adults over age 60 now represent approximately one-quarter of Maryland’s population. In addition, the state’s population age 65 and older has surpassed 1 million residents and continues to grow at a faster rate than younger age groups. These trends are reshaping health care delivery, social services, housing, transportation, and community systems, while increasing the demand for a workforce trained in geriatrics and gerontology.
Statewide initiatives such as the 2026 Longevity Ready Maryland Act emphasize the importance of building age-friendly communities, strengthening the caregiving workforce, and ensuring that systems are prepared to support healthy aging across the lifespan. Within this broader context, the UMB’s designation as an Age-Friendly University underscores its institutional commitment to advancing education, research, and service that supports lifelong learning and healthy aging. This framework is reflected in programs such as GGEAR and the MS in Gerontology, which prepare students across disciplines to engage meaningfully with aging populations and contribute to age-inclusive systems and practices.
The MS in Gerontology program offered through UMB’s School of Graduate Studies continues to play a central role in preparing professionals across disciplines to understand and respond to the needs of an aging society. The program provides interdisciplinary training in aging, health, policy, community systems, and service delivery, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the lives of older adults in a wide range of professional settings. Students come from diverse backgrounds, including health care, social services, public health, education, and community leadership, reflecting the broad relevance of gerontology across fields.
Importantly, aging is not a specialty confined to one profession. It is a universal reality that intersects with nearly every area of practice. Whether in health care, research, policy, business, or community services, professionals increasingly encounter older adults and must be prepared to understand their needs, strengths, and lived experiences. Gerontology education strengthens this capacity and supports the development of more responsive, equitable, and person-centered systems of care.
Applications are currently being accepted for the fall 2026 MS in Gerontology program. Application deadline is July 1, 2026. Individuals are encouraged to apply to the program or consider enrolling in gerontology courses as electives to complement their existing education and professional training. Expanding knowledge in aging is increasingly essential for professionals across disciplines, as it enhances practice, improves service delivery, and prepares the workforce needed to support a rapidly aging population.
The annual GGEAR celebration serves not only as a recognition of student achievement, but also as a reminder of the importance of investing in education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce development. The accomplishments of students, graduates, and emerging professionals recognized during the 2026 event reflect a shared commitment to improving health, dignity, independence, and quality of life for older adults across Maryland and beyond. We wish them much success in the future!
Diane Martin, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Graduate Studies, where she also serves as director of UMB's Geriatrics & Gerontology Education and Research Program.