San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

Identifying and Developing Novel Approaches to Increasing Healthy Lifespan

Launched in 2015, the San Antonio Older Americans Independence Center (San Antonio OAIC) represents the next step in UT Health San Antonio’s evolution as a leader in aging research and healthcare for older people. The San Antonio OAIC is housed in the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies and the San Antonio Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center. The San Antonio OAIC is led by Drs. Elena Volpi, Randy Strong, and Rebeca Wong.

Specifically, the goals of the San Antonio OAIC are: (1) to integrate and combine University and VA research and resources to address the health care needs of older citizens, and (2) to be one of the leading sites in the nation for clinical and translational aging research. The Barshop Insitute is responsible for coordinating the following integrated activities linked to the missions of the San Antonio GRECC and UT Health San Antonio:

• Patient-oriented clinical research in aging;
• Translational research, taking the discoveries in biological research to the patient;
• Training of physicians and health-care specialists in geriatrics; and
• The delivery of multi-disciplinary care and services to older adults.