Caroline A Vitale

Caroline A Vitale is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, serving as Program Director for the Geriatrics and Hospice/Palliative Care Fellowship and Associate Program Director of the University of Michigan Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program. She also directs Education and Evaluation at the VA Ann Arbor Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and is a Center Member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

Her educational background:

• BA, Albion College, 1991
• MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 1995

Dr. Vitale's research centers on ethical decision-making, geriatric palliative care, and physician/interprofessional roles in care decisions for older adults with dementia. Her clinical work prioritizes enhancing quality of life for elderly patients and caregivers through individualized care approaches that address complex ethical dilemmas in geriatrics.

Her recent publications reveal consistent focus on dementia care challenges, guardianship complexities, obesity management in aging populations, and innovative medical education models. She develops targeted curricula addressing gaps in geriatric training, particularly for vulnerable older adults without advocates and those requiring post-acute care transitions.

Dr. Vitale actively mentors medical students, residents, and fellows through the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program and GRECC initiatives. Her leadership in medical education extends to the American Geriatrics Society, where she previously chaired the Ethics Committee and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

She contributes to interdisciplinary teams at the VA Ann Arbor GRECC and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, focusing on geriatric curriculum development, policy initiatives, and translational research to improve care systems for older adults.