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UC Irvine geriatrician named Orange County Physician of the Year

Lisa M. Gibbs, MD, is a leading advocate for senior health

May 30, 2017
UC Irvine geriatrician Dr. Lisa M. Gibbs is named Orange County's 2017 Physician of the Year.
Geriatrician Lisa M. Gibbs, MD, is director of the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center.  

Orange, Calif. — The Orange County Medical Association has named UCI Health geriatrician Lisa M. Gibbs, MD, its 2017 Physician of the Year.

Gibbs is a clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine and chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at UC Irvine School of Medicine. She also serves as medical director of the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center in Orange and director of the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect.

"This is such an honor to be selected by the OCMA, and especially by a group of peers," said Gibbs, who holds the Ronald Reagan Endowed Chair in Geriatric Medicine. "It is a wonderful acknowledgement of our vision in geriatrics to improve healthcare and societal issues for older adults in Orange County and beyond."

The Orange County Medical Association’s Physician of the Year award was established in 1983 to recognize an Orange County physician who has exemplified what it means to be an accomplished physician throughout his or her career.

"The Orange County Medical Association, as part of its Physician Recognition Programs, recognizes one physician each year whose commitment to patient care, community service, teaching and research is truly exceptional," said OCMA President President Darla S. Holland, MD. 

A longtime leader in senior health advocacy, Gibbs heads numerous research and training projects designed to support successful aging, including the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, The 360-degree Caregiving Solution and A Comprehensive Agile Response Team for Dementia Care to address a glaring need for better care of those suffering from dementia in our aging society.

Dr. Lisa M. Gibbs describes new approaches to caring for older adults ›

She also leads a dedicated team at the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center, which is recognized as leader in advancing clinical care for older adults. The center is frequently listed among the nation’s top programs for senior care by U.S. News & World Report, and was certified as one of the country's first patient-centered medical homes focusing on geriatric care.

Gibbs attended medical school at Stanford University and completed a residency in family medicine and a fellowship in geriatrics at University of California, Davis. She is certified in family medicine and in geriatrics by the American Board of Family Medicine.

The Orange County Medical Association previously honored UCI Health psychiatrist Rimal Bera, MD, as its 2014 Physician of the Year.

UCI Health comprises the clinical, medical education and research enterprises of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at physician offices throughout Orange County and at its main campus, UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, Calif., a 417-bed acute care hospital that provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health and rehabilitation. U.S. News & World Report has listed it among America’s Best Hospitals for 16 consecutive years. UC Irvine Medical Center is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program, Level I trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center. It is also the primary teaching hospital for UC Irvine School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of more than 3 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, the university has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.