In 1980, Jack and Pearl Resnick, long-time loyal friends and supporters of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, endowed a Gerontology Center at the medical school. Their vision anticipated what soon would become a national health concern in the United States: the increasing numbers of older people whose longevity was reaching and even exceeding the biblical four score and ten. Today, there are more than 54 million Americans aged 65 and over, about 16.4 % of the population. That number is projected to grow to over 77 million by the year 2034 and to more than 94 million by 2060.
The Center was directed by Dr. Robert Katzman from its inception in 1980 until 1992, stimulating a nationally-recognized focus and expertise in research on dementia. Continued funding and activity of the Teaching Nursing Home allowed a focus on dementia research which complemented the basic science investigation in this area.
Dr. David Hamerman assumed the directorship of the Center in 1992 and created wide visibility for aging research programs at Einstein through a pilot research grant program, stimulated student research in aging (with AFAR awards), and was responsible again for promoting career development in aging research for several faculty members who have since become prominent investigators in aging-related disciplines. The Center supported the development and enhancement of medical student geriatrics education. He supported the collaboration between the Divisions of Geriatric Psychiatry, Bioethics, Geriatric Medicine and Neurology regarding educational and research activities which continues until the present time.
In 2004, Dr. Laurie Jacobs was appointed as director of the Resnick Gerontology Center. Dr. Jacobs established goals of enhancing and broadening the pilot grant award program in aging, strengthening collaboration between basic and clinical research activities, and expanding efforts in education and training in geriatric medicine at Einstein.
Dr. Joe Verghese assumed the directorship in 2013 and continues to the present time. Dr. Verghese continued to support pilot grants in aging-related research at Einstein, support new investigators, and allow established investigator to explore new directions. He launched an annual Resnick Winter Symposium, where faculty from the integrated Division of Cognitive & Motor Aging and Geriatrics, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral and medical students presents aging-related research and progress. He has also established the Resnick Medical Student Research Award in Aging Research and the Resnick Center Emerging Scholar in Aging Award programs. Together with his co-director, Dr. Helena Blumen, he is also launching an educational and support network for women students and faculty – particularly women that are underrepresented in science – interested in aging research careers.