Jeffrey M. Levine, MD, AGSF, CMD, has photographed elders in his medical practice and throughout the United States for the past twenty twenty-five years. His photographs have been published in dozens of medical journals and textbooks, and in a traveling show entitled "Aging Through a Physician’s Lens." Drawing upon his background in fine art, photography, and care of the elderly, this lecture weaves together themes of art and medicine, and concludes that geriatrics is the most humanistic of medical specialties. The talk raises questions about our system of medical education, training, and reimbursement which has led to the gap between needs of the growing elderly population and numbers of qualified caregivers.

Schedule of events
Reception and Exhibit Viewing: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Gallery Talk: 7:00 - 8:00 PM

The Exhibit:
"Aging Through a Physician's Lens," a photography show featuring images by Jeffrey Levine MD, is currently featured in the President's Gallery at The New York Academy of Medicine from October through mid-January 2010. Independence and healthy living for seniors has become a major agenda item for the Academy in recent years. "Aging Through a Physician's Lens" fits the mission of the Academy, as the exhibit was designed to raise awareness of aging in our society, particularly the need for training, education, and career development for caregivers for this vulnerable and fast growing population.

"Aging Through a Physician's Lens" features nearly twenty years of images taken by Dr. Levine. Curated by Donna Glassford, Director of Cultural Enrichment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the images present four separate portfolios which depict aspects of human aging: Social Networks, Self-Expression, Spirituality, and Frailty. This show has been traveling through medical schools and libraries across America. Most of the images are in traditional black and white, but for the Academy exhibit new color images were added to emphasize the diversity and vibrance of aging in New York City.

Dr. Levine studied at the Art Students League, the School of Visual Arts, and the International Center for Photography, all in Manhattan. He was trained in geriatrics at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, and has served as primary care physician and medical director of several nursing homes. He is currently Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College and holds a teaching affiliation with the Geriatrics Division at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan. Dr. Levine has a hospital-based wound-care practice, and has written and lectured extensively on pressure ulcers.

Register