Austin Geriatric Specialists

Specializing in the Treatment of Older Adults as Individuals by Providing Insight and Management Strategies to Maintain Optimal Health and Function

“The term “older adults” may define an age category but to the physicians of Austin Geriatric Specialists, it does not define who people are. Every patient/customer that we see has individual concerns and goals for themselves through the treatment and care they are about to experience.”

Complex and Frail Geriatrics

Often our patients’ conditions and needs are complex. Often there are overlapping conditions and each one of which may be difficult to treat. Many patients have complicated health histories and are typically taking an array of medications…some of which may or may not be appropriate. Only through evaluating each person as a “comprehensive whole individual” is it possible to identify what is needed for proper care and how to develop an individualized Care Plan. While this may appear to be the standard most customers expect, often, elsewhere, it is not what is provided.

How is Austin Geriatric Specialists different?

• One of our practitioners is on premise Monday through Friday at our practice through the Asísta family of Health Centers

• We manage the medical problems of each patient along with managing the Interdisciplinary Team that is providing daily nursing and rehab care

• We are Board Certified, Internists and Geriatricians. Our practice includes advanced practice nurses who are trained and certified in Geriatrics.

Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM)
Physicians lead and guide an Interdisciplinary Teams of professionals, including a Physician, board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics; an Advance Practice Nurse; an RN; Case Manager; Rehabilitation team; Social Worker; Health Center Administrator; Admission Coordinator; and Behavioral Health consultant. Families can meet with the Interdisciplinary Team, and they can meet with the Rehabilitation Team. The purpose of the Interdisciplinary Team is to discuss individual patient care, to problem solve, and to develop and implement Care Plans to achieve the best results for our patients. Effective communication helps family members and patients understand their medical condition and available options.

Teamwork is a constant in the care provided by the Asista Family of Health Centers and Austin Geriatric Specialists.

Peggy M. Russell, D.O., CMD, FACP
Dr. Peggy M. Russell, DO CMD FACP has been practicing Internal Medicine and Geriatrics in Austin since 1984. She is dedicated to helping each of her patients achieve their highest level of well-being.

Dr. Russell works throughout the local, state and national medical community to improve health care, especially for the complex older individual. Dr. Russell serves as the Medical Director and leads a team of physician specialists who are all Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine.

Organizations:
• President of the Travis County Medical Society
• Past President of the Texas Medical Director’s Association
• Recipient of Jack Sayres Weinblatt Award 2004
• Recipient of TexPEC Championship Award 2005

Liam Fry, M.D.
Dr. Liam Fry was born and raised in Dallas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate school and received a B.A. in the Plan II Honors Program. After college, she attended Oxford University in England and studied theology and Irish Literature before starting Medical School in Dallas.

Dr. Fry graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 2002, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency in New York City at Mount Sinai Medical Center. After completing her residency, she completed a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, Hawaii. After her fellowship, she and her husband moved back to Austin where she has served as a physician with Austin Geriatric Specialists since 2006.