Delaware healthcare professionals to gather in Dover for geriatric care symposium

Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village are collaborating to bring healthcare professionals together to explore geriatric and age-friendly care.

DOVER — As Delaware’s population continues to age, healthcare professionals from across the state will gather on June 5 at Delaware State University for a symposium focused on one critical question: How can healthcare systems, providers, and community partners work together to improve care for Delaware’s aging population?

The Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Symposium, presented by the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village, will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center on the university’s Dover campus.

The event is designed to help nurses, physicians, caregivers, social workers, and other healthcare professionals better understand the unique and changing needs of seniors as they age. Organizers say the symposium will focus on translating evidence-based practices, education, and current geriatric care practices into practical knowledge that can improve care for older adults throughout Delaware.

Addressing Delaware’s aging population

The symposium comes as Delaware continues to experience significant growth in its senior population, increasing demand for healthcare workers trained in geriatric care.

The event is part of Delaware’s broader Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, a federally funded initiative supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is helping to strengthen Delaware’s ability to care for older adults through workforce training, caregiver support, and community partnerships.

At the center of that effort are Karen L. Panunto, EdD, MSN, RN, Principal Investigator for the Delaware GWEP and Tracy Harpe, DNP, RN, Co-Principal Investigator for the program. 

Panunto oversees the more than $5 million federal grant supporting the program and directs partnerships among Delaware State University, Education and Health Research International at Milford Wellness Village, and aging services organizations across the state. Her work focuses on strengthening geriatric education, expanding dementia-capable care, supporting family caregivers, and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the needs of an aging population.

Building a stronger geriatric workforce

The symposium reflects the broader mission of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, which seeks to improve care for older adults by educating current and future healthcare professionals.

Through collaboration between the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University and Education Health & Research International at Milford Wellness Village, the program supports education and training in gerontology, chronic disease management, dementia care, and community-based healthcare.

Because Delaware State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), organizers say the program also emphasizes reducing health disparities, expanding access to care, and serving underserved communities across Kent and Sussex counties.

The agenda focuses on practical senior-care challenges.

This year’s symposium theme is “Advancing Age-Friendly Care Across the Continuum: Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware through Education, Practice, and Community Partnerships.”

The day begins with a Welcome and Opening Remarks featuring:

• Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, Dean of Graduate, Adult & Extended Studies | Wesley College Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University
• Rabbi Halberstam, Chief Strategy Officer for Education Health & Research International
• Dr. Karen L. Panunto, Associate Professor/MSN Program Director, & Principal Investigator for Delaware Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program at Delaware State University

Morning sessions will address several key challenges facing seniors and their healthcare providers:

• Pharmacology and Geriatric Patient: Avoiding Harm from Medication
• Lois Chappel, DNP, APC, will discuss how aging affects how the body processes medications and explore strategies to reduce medication-related harm among seniors.
• Advanced Care Planning in Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Christie Whitlock, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, will present advanced care planning in skilled nursing facilities, helping providers and families better prepare for future healthcare decisions.
• Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model

Clinton Middleton, MSN, APRN, FNP-D, will introduce the GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), which focuses on improving care for individuals living with dementia while providing support for family caregivers.

Comprehensive Primary Care: Across the Lifespan

Following lunch, Louis Silverstein, MD, will discuss how healthcare providers can deliver coordinated care that addresses the changing physical, emotional, and social needs of adults as they age.

Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware

The symposium concludes with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones that explores ways healthcare providers, educators, and community organizations can work together to improve services for older adults.

Why the symposium matters

Organizers say the topics reflect many of the most important issues affecting seniors today, including healthy aging, medication management, dementia care, caregiver support, mental health, and maintaining independence.

The goal is not only to educate healthcare professionals but also to strengthen the network of organizations and providers working to improve the quality of life for older Delawareans.

As Delaware’s senior population continues to grow, leaders at Delaware State University, Education Health & Research International, and the Delaware Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program hope the symposium will strengthen Delaware’s healthcare workforce with knowledge, skills, and collaborative partnerships needed to support healthy aging for years to come.

If You Go

• What: Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Symposium
• Theme: Advancing Age-Friendly Care Across the Continuum: Strengthening Geriatric Care Systems in Delaware through Education, Practice, and Community Partnerships
• When: Friday, June 5, 2026
• Time: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, Parlor A, Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover
• Presented by: Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Delaware State University, Education Health Research International at Milford Wellness Village, and the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
• Who Should Attend: Physicians, nurses, CNAs, social workers, case managers, community health workers, senior-care professionals, students, and caregivers
• Registration: go.desu.edu/GWEP2026
• Cost: Free
• Purpose: To share education on evidence-based age-friendly care practices that support senior health, wellness, and caregiving with Delaware’s healthcare workforce and community partners.

Staff Writer

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