DECEMBER 10, 2021
John A. Batsis, MD
Associate Professor
Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine
Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
About the Presentation: This presentation will provide a brief introduction on the importance of exercise training in older adults wishing to preserve their physical function with age. We will demonstrate the transdisciplinary nature of creating a team to develop a product, application, and ultimately a start-up company. The basis of this project is as a result of a CTBH pilot grant awarded to the team. The talk will highlight the importance of user-centered design in the development process particularly to address needs relevant to older adults.
About the Presenter: John A. Batsis, MD, FACP, AGSF, FTOS, FGSA, is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Medical Degree with Honors from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland in 2002 after which he completed a medical-surgical internship in Dublin at St. James’ Hospital. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Geriatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, in Rochester, Minnesota between 2003 and 2008, and is board certified in both specialties. He holds a Certificate in Translational Science Activities from the Mayo Graduate School of Medical Education in Rochester. Dr. Batsis was a faculty member at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth from 2008-2020, and currently is a faculty member in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of North Carolina providing primary care to older adults with multimorbidity and frailty.
Dr. Batsis’ research explores the use of technology to improve health in older adults. Specifically, he is a Team Scientist, working with Computer Scientists and Engineers on device development for health promotion. He has recently completed a number of clinical trials in evaluating the impact of weight loss interventions in older adults on physical function in older adults and has over 130 peer reviewed publications. He is funded by the National Institute on Aging (National Institutes of Health) on such projects. Dr. Batsis is an active clinical collaborator with transdisciplinary groups across the country, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Geriatrics Society, the Obesity Society and the Gerontological Society of America. He has received a number of clinical and research accolades. He is an active member on the Research Committees of the Gerontological Society of America and the American Geriatrics Society.