Innovating, Maximizing and Advancing Geriatric Education (imAGE)

imAGE uses the ECHO learning model to deliver education in a virtual, interdisciplinary setting. The ECHO learning model is based in an “all teach, all learn”, case-based philosophy in which participants discuss and make recommendations, guided by a specialist hub team¹. The imAGE hub team is led by a geriatrician and includes other clinicians including a geriatric nurse practitioner, a pharmacist, dementia outreach specialist, older adult social services leadership, and a wellness specialist.

• In partnership with United Healthcare, the imAGE program develops and implements monthly ECHO sessions. The program uses the evidence-based model of ECHO to facilitate learning on person-centered and geriatric best practices. ECHO sessions are 90 minutes long and include a didactic presentation on a geriatric topic, a case study review, and a wellness presentation.

imAGE uses the ECHO learning model to deliver education in a virtual, interdisciplinary setting. The ECHO learning model is based in an “all teach, all learn”, case-based philosophy in which participants discuss and make recommendations, guided by a specialist hub team1. The imAGE hub team is led by a geriatrician and includes other clinicians including a geriatric nurse practitioner, a pharmacist, dementia outreach specialist, older adult social services leadership, and a wellness specialist.

• In partnership with United Healthcare, the imAGE program develops and implements monthly ECHO sessions. The program uses the evidence-based model of ECHO to facilitate learning on person-centered and geriatric best practices. ECHO sessions are 90 minutes long and include a didactic presentation on a geriatric topic, a case study review, and a wellness presentation.

The imAGE team specializes in developing comprehensive geriatrics curricula tailored to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals. We design evidence-based educational programs that integrate best practices in geriatric care, focusing on clinical skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered approaches. Examples include,

• imAGE was contracted by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, to develop, implement, evaluate a geriatrics curriculum for all first-year residents at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Curricular objectives were created, and clinical application of the curriculum was determined to be optimally implemented IU Health North. At that location, short didactics as well as bedside teaching both in the inpatient and outpatient settings are featured. Evaluation from residents and the residency program director will be used to provide quality improvement of the one-month rotation.
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• The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Bureau of Aging, imAGE provides all Indiana APS units with a statewide standardized core curriculum. The curriculum is based on 23 competencies from the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) as well as from feedback and identified needs collected from all Indiana APS units. imAGE staff provide oversight of the Canvas learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content along with ongoing development and delivery of professional training continuing education.

Through a contract with the State of Indiana, associate director of imAGE Shannon Effler, MSW, serves as the state’s Dementia Strategic Plan Coordinator. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the plan’s objectives targeted at reducing the prevalence of dementia and supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers across Indiana. 

Partnering with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Aging, imAGE provides all current Indiana APS units with a statewide standardized core curriculum. The curriculum is based on 23 competencies from the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) as well as from feedback and identified needs collected from all Indiana APS units.

The imAGE team offers subject matter expertise in geriatrics, gerontology, public health and project management. 

¹The University of New Mexico Project Echo. About the ECHO Model. Accessed January 8, 2026 from https://projectecho.unm.edu/model/.