The Long Island Geriatric Education Center (LIGEC) was established to help address the healthcare needs of an aging population. Approximately 13% of Long Island residents are 65 years of age or older. By the year 2030, the number of older people is expected to double from 35 to 70 million nationwide. In an effort to improve and maintain the health and well being of this population, LIGEC provides educational opportunities to healthcare professionals and social service providers in the areas of geriatrics and gerontology. The creation of LIGEC was made possible by a five-year grant to the Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center by the Bureau of Health Professions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Our initial partners included the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the Long Island State Veterans Home, and the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 2007, LIGEC was re-funded by HRSA as a consortium, composed of the original partners and Eastern LI Hospital/Town of Southold, St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, and Winthrop-University Hospital, with Stony Brook as the lead institution.

LIGEC Programs
LIGEC programs are designed for healthcare professionals who are also clinical educators interested in enhancing their geriatric knowledge and teaching skills. LIGEC Associates receive 40 hours of training in new educational techniques (6 hours), an interdisciplinary core curriculum (16 hours), and discipline-specific gerontology courses (18 hours). Each year, a 24-hour course in Health Literacy is offered. Associates may also attend programs sponsored by New York's other GECs. Completion of the program earns associates a certificate and continuing professional education/continuing medical education credit usually at little or no charge. LIGEC programs focus on primary and transitional care, patient safety, and health promotion/disease prevention. LIGEC provides assistance to other healthcare institutions and professional schools interested in developing or expanding their geriatric curriculum. LIGEC maintains a Speakers Bureau and a Geriatric Resource Center that provides print-based, audio-visual, and electronic resources on a variety of aging-related topics.

Who can become a LIGEC Associate?
Dental hygienists, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, and social workers who work in Nassau or Suffolk County. Preference is given to health care professionals who educate faculty, staff, residents, or students.

How can I become a LIGEC Associate?
Application materials are available online or by contacting the LIGEC office at (631) 444-8279 or email LIGEC@stonybrook.edu.

What is required to complete the LIGEC program?
LIGEC Associates must complete 40 hours of continuing education, preferably over the course of one year. Major interdisciplinary programs are teleconferenced across LIGEC partner sites. Increasingly, educational material will be placed online.

What types of programs are offered by LIGEC?
LIGEC sponsors interdisciplinary conferences covering core as well as "cutting edge" topics, patient safety leadership workshops, a health literacy curriculum, and new educational techniques. Discipline specific programs include clinical updates on falls prevention, safe use of medication, assessment of older drivers, cognitive health, and improvement of end-of-life care.

Requesting a Certificate of Attendance:

If you attend one of our programs and would like a Certificate of Attendance, the following should be submitted in writing to LIGEC@stonybrook.edu

Name and credentials you would like to appear on the certificate

Address where the certificate should be mailed to

Name and date of program attended

Number of hours attended

*Please note, it can take up to three weeks for certificates to be issued.