Department of Geriatric Psychiatry

This subspecialty department focuses on psychiatric evaluation and treatment for older adults, addressing age-related mental health issues across Southwest Virginia.

About

Program Overview

The Geriatric Psychiatry service at Carilion Clinic plays an integral role in fostering the commitment that the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine has to older adults in in southwest Virginia. The process of aging is complex, and the availability of expertise in the mental health of older adults is important. Our faculty are board-certified in both general psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. Geriatric Psychiatry care is based in Carilion Clinic's Center for Healthy Aging. We offer a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing the unique needs of older people. We work with physicians, families and individuals to maximize the independence and functional ability of people as they age.

Virginia Tech Carilion Partnership

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship was established in 1999. It is a one-year training program for physicians who are board-eligible in Psychiatry and meets the requirements for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology subspecialty certification examination in geriatric psychiatry. Our program is notable for the inter-professional relationships with Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Care, Social Work Services, Neuropsychology, and more, providing a comprehensive educational experience for our fellows. The fellowship offers a multifaceted educational environment to educate, train, and support our fellows. Faculty and staff provide an environment where our fellows can develop into caring geriatric psychiatrists and become leaders in the field. This real-life preparation is gained through our incredible diversity of clinical opportunities, competent faculty, and a well-thought-out balance between a fellow’s autonomy and appropriate supervision/mentoring, as well as time devoted to research and didactics.

Mission, Goals and Strengths

Our mission is to advance the mental, physical, social and emotional needs of older adults in our community. The Geriatric Psychiatry section of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine continues to grow into a world-class center of care for older adults with innovation in clinical excellence, research, education and wellness.

Message from Leadership

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine's division of Geriatric Psychiatry. We are grateful that Carilion Clinic’s community has trusted us with the care of their families. We strive to care for seniors in our community with kindness and excellence. Patient care is always our first priority. Geriatric Psychiatry's center of focus is collaborative patient care, and we work constantly to educate, train and improve our methods by means of education and the latest treatment. We have residents and medical students who are trained annually on clinical rotations. Our physician leaders are heavily involved in research on neurocognitive disorders, grief and healing, health inequities, interventional psychiatry, and healthy aging. Moving forward, we will continue to provide collaborative care and support Carilion's mission of improving the health of the communities we serve. Explore our website to learn about our many offerings and opportunities in patient care, education and research.

Azziza Bankole, MD - Curriculum Vitae

Azziza Bankole, M.D.

Azziza Bankole, MD, fellowship director, Geriatric Psychiatry

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Department specs

The process of aging is complex, and expertise in the mental health of older adults is important. Our faculty are board-certified in both general adult psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. They provide mental health care for older adults in our community and are engaged in promoting good mental health outcomes.

Program Size

  • Three full-time geriatric psychiatry faculty
  • Expertise spanning numerous aspects of mental health care
  • Collaborative patient care

Volume of Procedures

  • 230 patients seen per month

Services

  • Diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders in older adults
  • Medication management
  • Collaborative patient care
  • Supportive therapy
  • Telemedicine
  • Consultation services for long term care facilities

Clinical Interests

  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Mood Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Trauma Related Disorders
  • Substance Induced Disorders
  • Disorders of Attention

Conditions Treated

  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Dementia/Major Neurocognitive Disorder
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Cognitive Dysfunction caused by disorders such as stroke, delirium, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease
  • Mood Disorders

Specialties within Department

  • Outpatient medication management
  • Collaborative care
  • Telemedicine

Areas We Serve

  • Roanoke Valley
  • New River Valley
  • Franklin County
  • Lynchburg
  • Richmond

Quick Facts

  • Geriatric psychiatry works collaboratively with numerous departments and clinicians to provide comprehensive care for our patients. This includes but is not limited to -
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Palliative Care
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging

Research

Research continues to be a focus for the Carilion Clinic Geriatric Psychiatry service. We have research collaborations with Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, University of Virginia, and North Carolina A&T. With the support of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, we are developing and implementing a measurement-based care practice for older adults with depression.

Treatments for Dementia
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Education

Overview

We are an ACGME-accredited program located in Roanoke, VA established in 1999. Our mission is to provide a unique, real-life learning experience in geriatric psychiatry that prepares our graduates to excel in the domains of clinical care, research, and education. Fellows receive comprehensive training in ambulatory, inpatient, consultative and palliative care; physical medicine and rehabilitation; and long-term care settings.

Based at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, our program offers fellows comprehensive training in ambulatory, inpatient, consultative and palliative care; physical medicine and rehabilitation; and long-term care settings. Fellows interact with geriatric psychiatrists, geriatricians, physiatrists and allied health personnel. Learn more about our Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship program.