2011 05 May

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May 2011

World Expert to Address All in Alzheimer’s By Pari Noskin Taichert

says. The complexities of geriatric medicine intrigued the young phyAlzheimer’s Disease: Why it Mat- sician as well. “It is often about asters to All of Us with David Ames, sessing and managing multi-system diseases and disorders.” MD Ames found another field of Sponsored by IDEAS in Psychiatry medicine equally interesting for Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 PM similar reasons. “I liked the ambiAlbuquerque Academy guities of psychiatry in contrast, Free but seating is limited so res- say, to the certainties of surgery,” ervations required by calling (505) he says. His eyes begin to twinkle 272-3592 or visiting http://hsc. and then he smiles. “And psychiatrists get to do their rounds sitting unm.edu/som/psychiatry/IDEAS/ down!” index.shtml At the same time Ames discovered his medical passions, he avid Ames, MD, became noticed that while there was an interested geriatric mediexpanding aging population in his cine in 1980 when he did native Australia, there was a severe his junior residency at the Royal shortage of specialists devoted to Melbourne Hospital in 1980. “I meeting this challenge. He realvery much enjoyed talking to ized that he could combine his two older people who had led interestinterests for the perfect career. “I ing lives and who were often very determined to train in psychiatry grateful for help and assistance,” he with a sub-specialization in the

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psychiatry of late life.” In the three ensuing decades, Ames has dedicated his life to understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, Depression and other psychiatric illnesses in senior populations. “The bread and butter of old age psychiatry consists of helping people with dementia and helping people with depression,” he says. “Our challenge is to improve our management of both syndromes so that outcomes are better for patients and their families.” Though quick of wit and easy with a smile, Ames becomes serious when he talks about Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. “Most of us, at some time or another, will either have a close relative or friend with dementia or will contract it ourselves,” he says. “So it matters to all of us even if one discounts the empathic need to help our fellow citizens!”

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes. The event is free with a purchase of the books from Bookworks, a portion of the proceeds of books sales will be do-

Deepak Chopra Presenting Lecture Wednesday June 8 Lecture at UNM Sub Ballroom Presented by Bookworks and UNM Center for Life

Internationally known spiritual authority Deepak Chopra is returning to Albuquerque with Gotham Chopra, his son and co-author of

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Currently Ames is the Director of the National Aging Research Institute and Professor of Aging and Health at the University of Melbourne. IDEAS in Psychiatry, a new institute based out of the Psychiatry Department at the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center, is bringing Ames to New Mexico as part of its “We Need to Talk” public lecture series. The Institute’s goal is to change the conversation in our community – to encourage open, honest and informed discussion – so that those impacted by mental illness can seek effective help for themselves or their loved ones and so that professionals have the tools to deliver the best care possible. Dave Ames, MD

nated to the UNM Center for Life, Preventive and Integrative Medicine Specialty Clinic. For more information contact Bookworks at 505-344-8139. www.unmcfl.org


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