UTMB Health Jenny Sealy Hospital
Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

Continuously Funded Since 2000

Welcome

The UTMB Health Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is the home of a diverse interdisciplinary team of investigators who are committed to advancing aging science. The Center supports investigators, research, and expertise in gerontology and geriatrics to accomplish the OAIC mission: To establish centers of excellence in geriatrics research and research education to increase scientific knowledge to better ways to maintain or restore independence in older persons.

Overall Accomplishments

Contact Us

The UTMB Health Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
Directions and Maps
Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: aging.research@utmb.edu

News & Events


  • Dr. Norma Pérez Invited to Speak at III Javerian Congress on Geriatrics in Bogotá

    June 27, 2025, 12:29 PM by SCOA

    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Norma Pérez has been invited to participate as a speaker and session moderator at the upcoming III Javerian Congress on Geriatrics: Work Summit on Ageing and Health, scheduled for August 28–29, 2025, at the Alfonso Quintana Auditorium of the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia.

  • Lawmakers made wise health care investments during recent session

    June 23, 2025, 15:49 PM by SCOA

    In a guest column for the Daily News, Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System, wrote about the recently ended 89th Legislative Session in Austin and some of UTMB’s legislative wins. “At the University of Texas Medical Branch, we are thankful for these investments, both for the legislature’s vote of confidence for our Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative within our institution, and the broader establishment of the research institute, to fund competitive and thoughtful grants, for the betterment of all Texans,” Reiser writes.

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    Pepper Investigators Lecture Features Dr. Milani

    June 20, 2025, 14:05 PM by SCOA

    Please join us for the next Pepper Investigators Lecture: "Pain and cognition among older adults across contexts," presented by Sadaf Milani, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public and Population Health on June 25, 2025 at noon in RSH 6.100 and via Teams. Lunch provided for those in person.

  • Catching Cognitive Decline Sooner

    June 17, 2025, 07:00 AM by SCOA

    When Dr. Yong-Fang Kuo analyzed Medicare data from more than 2 million older adults, the results revealed a striking pattern: those who received annual wellness visits were significantly more likely to receive early diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment—catching memory problems before they progressed to full dementia.

Events


July 22:
DMAC CERCIT Seminar - Corey Simon, PhD and Rebecca North, PhD
July 23:
Pepper Investigators Lecture - Andrew Murton, PhD
August 18:
OBIOS Open House

Leadership



Administration

Associated Programs


Social Media


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301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-0177 | p 409.747.0008 | f 409.772.8931 The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Award #P30-AG024832 is funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Contact Roxann Grover, MA regarding updates to this content.