Physician-Scientist Leads Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Division

An expert in geriatrics and gerontology with a background in molecular biology and biochemistry, Troen specializes in researching the biology of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and vitamin D.

“We are thrilled to have recruited Dr. Bruce Troen to lead the division of geriatrics and palliative medicine,” says Anne B. Curtis, MD, Charles and Mary Bauer Professor and chair of medicine.

“With the aging of the population, Dr. Troen’s interests in frailty and healthy aging are important and timely. He will be recruiting faculty and developing clinical and research programs in these critical areas.”

As head of a division currently involving 16 diverse faculty-clinicians and researchers, Troen also oversees geriatric and palliative medicine fellowships as well as training for medical students and residents focused on geriatrics, palliative care and end-of-life care and communication.

Troen is principal investigator on studies assessing resveratrol and resveratrol mimetics on aging bone as well as the physical performance of an animal model with vitamin D insufficiency. Both studies are funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Troen has an appointment with the VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS).

With implications for multiple disciplines, his research has been published in diverse journals covering nutrition, geriatrics, genetics, endocrinology, psychiatry, alternative medicine and biochemistry.

He co-edited the book, “The Geripause: Medical Management During the Late Menopause,” and authored chapters in textbooks such as “Geriatric Nutrition: The Health Professional’s Handbook,” “Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery,” “Case-Based Geriatrics: A Global Approach” and “Hazzard’s Principles of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology.”

In addition, Troen has won the American Geriatrics Society’s Best Paper Award for his research on organ-specific diseases and the biology of aging. He also received the Bristol Myers Award for excellence in oncology research.

Before joining the Department of Medicine in 2013, Troen was a faculty member in geriatrics and interim chief of the Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

He also has been a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In addition, Troen has been a longstanding physician-investigator within the VA Healthcare System, holding appointments at Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Bronx and Miami.

He completed a clinical fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine and a research fellowship in molecular biology with the National Cancer Institute.

He completed his residency in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after earning his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and his medical degree at Harvard.