Leadership and Administrative Core

A well-defined and effective Leadership Administrative Core (LAC) that supports the rich activities of the UM Pepper Center is already in place. The faculty and staff in the LAC have proven leadership and administrative skills. The LAC will foster critical interactions among the UM Pepper Center Program Director, the UM Pepper Center Core Leaders/Co-Leaders and the leadership structure of the Institution as a whole. These linkages are fostered by the proven administrative structure, which requires meetings of the UM Pepper Center leadership on a regular and ongoing basis, and of key advisory committees: the UM Geriatrics Center's Research Operating Committee (ROC), External Advisory Board (EAB) and Community Advisory Board (CAB). The ROC, led by two fellowship-trained geriatricians/physician scientists (Yung, Mody) with complementary expertise and research interests, provides strategic planning, coordination and oversight for all UM Pepper Center activities. The 20 members of the ROC includes the LAC Leader and Co-Leader, the former UM Pepper Center Director, the twelve other UM Pepper Center Core Leader/Co-Leaders, and Geriatrics Center administrative leaders. The overarching goal of the LAC reflects that of the UM Pepper Center as a whole: to create, enhance and maintain a cohesive intellectual, technological, and administrative environment to maximize geriatrics research that will improve understanding of how metabolic factors, infections, and inflammation interact with age-related diseases and comorbidities to determine key health outcomes related to mobility and functional status. The LAC has four Specific Aims: 1. To stimulate and guide the development and review of UM Pepper Center goals and policies by integrating, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the Center. 2. To manage and to develop resources to effectively achieve the UM Pepper Center's goals and objectives. 3. To ensure effective communication and bi-directional interaction among members of the University community who are engaged in research and training in health care problems of older adults, and with the general public. 4. To attract and develop outstanding faculty and staff to participate in the research and training missions of the UM Pepper Center; and to provide leadership training to early-stage investigators who may become future leaders in geriatrics and aging-related programs. Taken together, the LAC will maintain an outstanding research and training environment and administrative support structure to enhance recruitment of faculty into the UM Pepper Center. The LAC will provide experience and support to develop future leaders in academic geriatrics through mentorship for leadership skills, and through participation in formal committees and relevant administrative activities of the Geriatrics Center and the UM Pepper Center.