Our Story
Stepping towards better health outcomes for older adults
The Center for Geriatric Surgery (CGS) was established in 2019 by trauma surgeon, Dr. Zara Cooper, and geriatrician and palliative care physician, Dr. Rachelle Bernacki, to provide high-quality, perioperative care through an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, establishing and integrating evidence-based processes throughout all phases of surgical care.
Since its inception, the center has developed workflows and tools for the Superior Treatment of Elders Pathway (STEP), an evidence-based care pathway to identify vulnerable older surgical patients through perioperative frailty screening and functional assessments. With these tools, STEP reduced delirium and 30-day admission rates among older patients.
Building upon the success of the Superior Treatment of Elders Pathway
Transforming hospital care for older adults is imperative, and while there are clinical solutions to target the needs of this population, many hospitals have not operationalized these solutions across units or beyond pilot programs. Hospitals are actively working to reduce lengths of stay and higher costs, while simultaneously addressing the needs of increasingly complex patients.
Experience gained from the Center for Geriatric Surgery has demonstrated that improving clinical workflows, electronic order sets, dashboard tracking, and training clinical geriatric champions lead to improved outcomes. The opportunity to spread these learnings and employ them at hospitals across Mass General Brigham will enable better care for older adults through proven solutions.
Launching the West Health Accelerator at Mass General Brigham
The West Health Accelerator will leverage the Brigham’s strengths in geriatric care to develop, study, and implement best practices, protocols, and training programs that address the needs and risks of seniors within one of the largest regional health systems in the country.
The ultimate goal is to build a healthcare blueprint for older adults that can be easily adapted and used in hospitals of all types and sizes nationwide—from small community hospitals to large academic medical centers.
The West Health Accelerator is unique in its approach. Although pilot programs that target the needs of older adults exist, the West Health Accelerator takes a more comprehensive, holistic approach, examining all aspects of care—from the interdisciplinary teams that provide it, to the systems that fuel it—to create an evidence-based roadmap for others to follow.
In partnership with West Health Institute
Recognizing the STEP Program’s potential to revolutionize geriatric care, the West Health Institute, an applied medical research organization focused on aging and healthcare, is partnering with Brigham and Women’s Hospital to establish the West Health Accelerator at Mass General Brigham. This multi-year, multimillion-dollar initiative brings together resources, technology, and expertise to expand the program locally and champion its adoption nationwide.
Made possible by the support of Gary and Mary West
West Health was founded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Gary and Mary West, who have committed their wealth to improving the aging experience and lowering the cost of healthcare in America. Their personal experience caring for older relatives inspired them to establish the Gary and Mary West Foundation, the West Health Institute, and the West Health Policy Center with a focus on transforming care for older adults. Since 2006, West Health has funded and shaped more than $500 million in initiatives focused on healthcare and successful aging.
The West’s vision and focus guide the organization’s efforts to make successful aging a reality for all Americans. Their innovative, passionate, and enterprising spirit drives the work of West Health and its partners to advance sustainable, high-quality care models that improve the lives of older adults and their families.
Through the West Health Institute, the Wests have committed $16.4 million to support the launch of the West Health Accelerator at Mass General Brigham. This partnership will initially bring the accelerator to the Mass General Brigham Health System, but plans are underway to expand it nationwide, helping transform care for older adults in America.