Namita Ahuja, MD, assumed the role of president of the Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society – Western Division (PAGS-WD) on January 1, 2019, serving a two-year term. Dr. Ahuja will oversee the Board of Directors, which is comprised of 17 healthcare professionals representing various disciplines and local institutions throughout the region.
As president, Dr. Ahuja will work with the Board to further the Society’s goals, which include:
• Develop, support and promote the clinical practice of geriatrics and support practitioners who
provide such care.
• Increase the number of physicians knowledgeable about geriatrics and committed to the clinical
care of the aged.
• Engage with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) on public policy efforts that will result in improved health care for older people.
• Increase the membership base of the society, to foster and encourage active participation by its
members and to serve the needs of the membership.
• Develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with other professional
organizations, provider groups, political and lay organizations concerned with the health care of
older persons.
Dr. Ahuja succeeds Fred Rubin, MD, who was a founding member of the society and who served as president of the PAGS-WD since 2010. Dr. Rubin was also an elected officer of the society when its members met for the first time on January 29, 1991.
During Dr. Rubin’s term, the society has seen consistent growth in membership. He was instrumental in offering a new educational program called Controversies in Geriatric Medicine, now in its fourth year. The Society has been recognized by the AGS and awarded the State Affiliate Achievement Award for Innovative Programming, an honor bestowed upon the society on three separate occasions, two of which when Dr. Rubin was serving as president.
Dr. Ahuja and the board of directors are dedicated to building upon the success that Dr. Rubin established during his tenure and to fulfill the mission of the society, which has remained the same for nearly 30 years.
Dr. Ahuja earned her medical degree from Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital in her native country of India in 1994. She came to the United States the following year and completed her internal medicine residency at Methodist University Hospital of Memphis, TN in 1999, serving as chief resident for one-year. During her residency, Dr. Ahuja developed an interest in geriatric medicine. She completed a fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2005 and has practiced within the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Geriatrics since that time.
Dr. Ahuja currently serves as senior medical director, Medicare and Geriatric Programs, UPMC Health Plan. She is also a clinical assistant professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Board certified in geriatric medicine, Dr. Ahuja maintains certification in Hospice and Palliative Care, in addition to seeing patients in a nursing home clinic.