UW’s Wyoming Center on Aging to Host Rural Geriatric Career Network Virtual Session March 9

The Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) will host its first-ever Rural Geriatric Career Network virtual session Monday, March 9, from 11-11:45 a.m. Carol Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker, will host the session.

WyCOA is partnering with the University of Wyoming’s Student Gerontology Association (SGA) for this event. There is no charge for attendees, but registration is required to participate. To register, go here.

The Rural Geriatric Career Network provides a repository of geriatrics career resources and a professional network between clinical trainees and established geriatrics professionals. This network meets an increasingly high need in the state and nation. Although the number of older adults is rising in the U.S., including in Wyoming, the number of students, residents and fellows seeking geriatric-specific training is decreasing.

Attendees will learn more about geriatric career resources and network with other interprofessional geriatrics trainees, students, residents, fellows, faculty and professionals as they build a career network. Attendees will learn about resources to support geriatric training; rural geriatrics practice; gain early exposure to geriatrics as a career field; meet and connect virtually with others two times per year -- once during the spring semester and again in the fall; and learn more about current continuing education and continuing medical education opportunities. 

One key motivator for choosing a career in geriatrics is mentorship and early exposure to geriatrics as a career option. Creating a sense of belonging also is an important element in the retention of students in training programs and for addressing non-academic barriers to success. The main goal of this network is to increase awareness among rural communities about geriatric career opportunities and to retain geriatric trainees by providing meaningful and supportive training and networking experiences.

WyCOA has numerous opportunities for students to engage and learn about innovative aging services, including Geriatrics Career Conversations, which explore the world of geriatrics through conversations with leading geriatric specialists; various toolkits and products, including the Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Care Preceptor Toolkit, Rural Community Linkage Toolkit, Geriatrics Career Resources Collection and the Student Success Resource Guide for Students; and a minor in aging to complement a declared major.

For questions about WyCOA student learning opportunities, the Rural Geriatric Career Network or other WyCOA information, visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/wycoa, call (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.