Grand Valley conference focuses on matters of the heart

The desire to stay young and young-at-heart ranks among the top concerns for most Americans. As the population ages, attention to heart health, intimacy and personal relationships are key to meeting that goal.

This goal is central to the fourth annual Gerontology Conference at Grand Valley, scheduled for Friday, February 20, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center. The theme for the conference is "Matters of the Heart."

Dr. John Morley, an internationally respected geriatrician, founder and director of Saint Louis University's Division of Geriatric Medicine and author of The Science of Staying Young, is the keynote speaker. Other speakers including Richard F. McNamara, chief of the Division of Cardiology and medical director of Cardiology Services at Spectrum, who will address the future of heart health care in Grand Rapids.

Sessions following Morley's address will focus on the physical, emotional, mental and social aspects of heart health for the older adult.

"This conference builds on the successes and lessons of prior years, and continues to offer a rich array of presentations drawing on the aging-related research and best practice of our presenters," said Priscilla Kimboko, dean of Graduate Studies and Grants Administration.

The conference, in partnership with the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan, housed at the MSU College of Human Medicine, is open to the public and costs $20 ($15 for students and senior citizens), which includes lunch. For more details and to register online, visit www.gvsu.edu/gsga . Printed registration forms can also be obtained by calling (616) 331-7105.